Caterpillar Inc.: Is the Corporation Responsible for End-User Actions?

Authors
Bradna, T., Clark, A., Sponsel, A., and O'Rourke, J.S. (Editor)
Region
North America
Topic
Strategy & General Management
Ethics & Social Justice
Length
6 pages
Keywords
human rights
human rights abuse
shareholders
military sales operation
negative publicity
Copyright Holder
Notre Dame
Student Price
$4.00
Target Audience
Graduate Students
Undergraduate Students

Since 1967, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have used modified Caterpillar bulldozers to destroy thousands of Palestinian homes, injuring and even killing scores of individuals in the process, including American peace activist Rachel Corrie. Rights groups have sent over 50,000 letters to Caterpillar executives, decrying the use of Caterpillar bulldozers to carry out human rights abuses, and an activist group of shareholders has proposed an investigation into the company’s military sales operation. Given the negative publicity and accusations, how should Caterpillar respond to decrease the threats of activist divestiture and rebuild its damaged brand reputation? 

Learning Outcomes
  1. To discuss a company’s actions to alleviate negative, yet indirect, conflict involvement;
  2. To illustrate the importance of indirect constituents in the management of corporate reputation;
  3. To discuss the balance of a company’s core competencies with the special interests of its shareholders.