Firestone's Unethical Behavior

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses why the response by Firestone to the fact that its tires were linked with fatal road accidents was unethical. The paper explains that while Firestone's defective product itself was a serious problem, it was actually the manner in which Firestone responded that caused the media frenzy. The paper then looks at other cases where firms tried to build better relations with the public by admitting their faults and putting consumer safety ahead of other interests. The paper reveals how Firestone refused to recall the product and instead blamed the Ford company. The paper also shows how the failure of the organization to own up to its faults led many to believe that the firm is socially irresponsible.

From the Paper:

"The Firestone/Ford controversy came to limelight in '2000 when in February that year, a media report established the much too obvious link between Firestone tired and increasing number of roll-over accidents in the United States. As a flood of complaints followed the report, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ordered an inquiry into the issue. In May 2000, Firestone was asked to voluntarily recall its tires from the market. Three months passed before Firestone responded and since then some 6.5 million tired have been recalled."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Daniel Eisenberg Firestone's Rough Road: Facing the wrath of Congress and the public, can the tiremaker survive? Time, Monday, Sep. 18, 2000
• James V. Grimaldi and Caroline E. Mayer, Firestone, Ford Settle Tire Lawsuit; Pact With Paralyzed Woman Averts Texas Court Drama. , The Washington Post, 01-09-2001, pp A1.
• "Yet Another Recall for Firestone" CBS News, New York, Jan 2, 2001 Retrieved online 11th June 2008: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/01/02/national/main260774.shtmlml
• Karin Miller, AP Business Writer, Ono: Tire Recall Done for safety, Oct 2000, Retrieved online 1 11th June 2008: http://www.accidentreconstruction.com/news/oct00/100900c.html
• Dan Ackman, Forbes.com "Top Of The News: Bridgestone's Ono Out of The Fire" 10 Oct 2000 Retrieved online 1 11th June 2008:: http://www.forbes.com/2000/10/10/1010topnews.html

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