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Running head: GLOBAL BUSINESS AND ETHICS PAPER

Global Business and Ethics Paper

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Global Business and Ethics Paper

Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) is a global energy and petrochemical company. Shell is the second largest energy corporation in the world. Shell companies began oil production in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria in 1958, and worked closely with the Nigerian government to decrease opposition from the Nigerian people (Osinubi, 2008). As opposers took a stand and protested on the damage Shell was causing, Shell requested for Nigerian soldiers to use deadly force on an ethnic group in Nigeria called the Ogani. Ogani is the name of the region in the Niger Delta of southern Nigeria. For the Ogani people the oil companies brought poverty and devastation to their beloved land. Shell’s activities brought oil spills and deforestation which stripped the land of its beauty. The unbelievable disregard for human life from one of the world’s well known energy leaders was to become a reality (Osinubi, 2008).

The Ogani people believed in human rights and formed a human rights group called “The Movement for the Survival of the Ogani People” (MOSOP). The group was founded in 1990 by a Nigeria author Ken Saro-Wiwa. Saro-Wiwa was a passionate activist who spoke against environmental change in the Delta Niger. He along with others spoke strongly against the damage caused by Shell’s activities in the region. As the popularity of the group grew so did Shell’s demands for Nigerian troops to use brutal force on any opposers. The opposers protested against Shell because of the damage being done to their region. Shell’s activities caused soot deposits which accumulated on roofs of houses around the environment. When the rain washed the soot away, it washed down from the rooftops into the soil. This was believed to affect the fertility of the soil. Other studies done by the Worldwide Fund for Nature in Nigeria found that the gas emissions were a huge contribution to global warming. Nigeria was losing the beauty that was once adored (Osinubi, 2008).

One Ogani member Karalolo Kogbara argued about the bulldozing of her crops. She was shot by Nigerian troops and lost one of her arms. In another incident, another member Uebari N-nah was shot and killed by troops near a Shell flow station. Later, discovery concluded the troops were requested by Shell, and compensated as well (Shell held in court, 2002).

Still another member Owens Wiwa was repeatedly detained under false charges to keep him from protesting. He was also beaten and threatened while he was detained. Michael Vizor another member was arrested for his political involvement and activities against Shell. While he was detained his daughter was raped and he when did not confess to a false charge, he was beaten and tortured. Many more individuals suffered brutal acts by the Nigerian troops all believed to have come from the requests of Shell (Osinubi, 2008).

On November 10, 1995, Nine Ogani leaders known as the “Ogani Nine” were executed by hanging. Among the executed was Ken Saro-Wiwa. Shell was involved in developing the strategy of the execution of the Ogani Nine. Shell maintained a close relationship with the Nigerian police. The company requested increase security and provided compensation and logistical support to police. Two witnesses later confessed they had been bribed with money and promises of jobs with the company if they traded Saro -Wiwa’s freedom for an end to the protest against the company, and testified that Saro-Wiwa was involved in some of the murders and cruel acts of the Ogani people (Osinubi, 2008).

Moral values surround society and cultures around the world. Individuals use moral reasoning from how they were raised and how they see the world on a daily basis. Cultures across the world have different ethical and moral beliefs but this haynes act against innocent people should not sit well with anyone with a morally filled heart. The hardened hearts of the Nigerian troops who killed innocent people should be recognized by individuals worldwide. A company driven by greed with no intention of acknowledging the beauty of a nation that was about to be destroyed and permanently scared.

Other cultures worldwide can relate to the Ogani people by their love for the land and preserving their heritage. No individual wants to see his or her environment destroyed by oil spills and gas flaring, and their farming and fishing resources destroyed. Many individuals would say that Shell should be held accountable for their actions. Some may say different. The decisions society makes in whether or not to side with or against Shell is one’s own choice. Thinking of the people who lost their lives because of a shameless act of greed would cause anyone to side against the corporate conglomerate.

Some risks and consequences that arise because of this unethical act are negative business reputation, legal action and human rights violation. Shell’s reputation may be seen as negative because of the role the company played. This shows the disregard for human life and the environment. Legal action is another consequence faced by Shell. With legal action comes legal fees, and lawsuits. Based on the case study presented, the company may be required to pay a large amount of money to several family members because of their unethical behavior.

The human rights violation violated many lives and this cannot be changed. The scares that were formed in the course of time since the first initial unethical cat will remain with everyone involved for a lifetime.

Ethical issues in the global business environment may be different from ethical issues in the domestic business environment. Companies such as Shell may feel as if a country like Nigeria’s policy can be easily bribed despite how unethical an issue may seem. The course of actions leading up to the hangings of the Ogani Nine was inhuman and incredibly cruel. Shell clearly bribed individuals to get what they wanted.

The case is set to go to course on May 26, 2009 and hopefully, the plaintiffs and their families will received the justice deserved. The individuals involved eagerly await the day to hold the defendants accountable for their injuries and the deaths of their loved ones. The lawsuit was brought against Shell and Brian Anderson whom was the head of the Nigerian operation (Osinubi, 2008).

Nigeria and its people are still blessed today with a promising democracy. The hope to get past this tragic experience is hopeful. Shell clearly demonstrated conflict of interest here. The thought of corruption from a major company is almost unimaginable. Lives were lost with no compassion or empathy. As the case draws closer, justice will finally have a say. Whether closure will come to the families and friends of the victims is yet to be determined.

References

Shell held in court. (2002). Multinational Monitor, 23(4), 4.  Retrieved April 16, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Global database

Taiwo Adetunji Osinubi.  (2008). Ken Wiwa and the Death of the Father. Mosaic : a Journal for the Interdisciplinary Study of Literature, 41(1), 135-151.  Retrieved April 16, 2009, from Research Library database.

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