Running head: COCA-COLA 1

Kantian Theory: The Coca-Cola Company

Vanessa Pecly

Arizona State University

OGL 345 - Module 3

January 31, 2023

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Kantian Theory: The Coca-Cola Company

Coca-Cola is a multinational beverage company founded in 1886. It is known for its

flagship product Coca-Cola, a carbonated soft drink, and other beverages such as Sprite, Fanta,

and Powerade. The company operates in over 200 countries and is one of the largest beverage

companies in the world (“More than a beverage company,” n.d. para., 2). The company's

mission statement is to "refresh the world, to inspire moments of optimism and happiness, and to

create value and make a difference” (“More than a beverage company,” n.d. para., 4). This

mission is reflected in the company's business practices, which emphasize sustainability,

diversity, and ethics.

Coca-Cola applies the Kantian Theory based on the idea that individuals should act based

on universal moral principles in its business practices. "He proposed that, by applying reason, we

can work out what is ethical and what is unethical or, as Kant would put it, we can work out what

is our duty” (Fryer, 2015, p. 89). The company has taken steps to reduce its environmental

impact by reducing water usage, increasing the use of renewable energy, and implementing

environmentally friendly packaging solutions. “Our planet matters. We act in ways to create a

more sustainable and better-shared future. To make a difference in people's lives, communities,

and our planet by doing business the right way” (“More than a beverage company,” n.d. para.,

8).

The company's efforts to reduce its environmental impact are driven by a desire to

promote the well-being of current and future generations. In this sense, Coca-Cola is using its

business practices to advance a moral vision that prioritizes the well-being of people and the

planet. " As Kant put it, ‘if any action is to be morally good, it is not enough that it should
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conform to the moral law – it must also be done for the sake of the moral law’ "(Fryer, 2015, p.

91). In making decisions, Coca-Cola uses reason to consider the impact of its actions on its

stakeholders, including employees, customers, and the communities in which it operates.

The company recognizes that its activities have the potential to affect a large number of

people and therefore has a responsibility to act in a way that is consistent with its mission and

values. “We make brands and products that people love while building a more sustainable future

for our business and for the planet. We do all of this while staying true to our purpose: to refresh

the world and make a difference” (“More than a beverage company,” n.d. para., 10). This

decision-making approach is rooted in the Kantian Theory and its belief in the importance of

universal moral principles in guiding action. "It is just that Kant believed that those actions that

are most deserving of ethical esteem are those that result from a conscious act of reason-based

choice on the part of the actor, where that actor chooses to do what they consider to be their

duty” (Fryer, 2015, p. 92).

In conclusion, Coca-Cola is a company that strongly emphasizes sustainability, diversity,

and ethics in its business practices. The company's mission to refresh the world and create value

reflects its commitment to its stakeholders and the wider community.

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References

Fryer, M. (2015). Ethics Theory & Business Practice. (1st ed). London, England. Sage

Publishing

More than a beverage company. The Coca-Cola Company. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2023,

from https://www.coca-colacompany.com/company