Business Ethics Crisis and Social Sustainability. The Case of the Product “Pura Vida” in Peru

• Main Authors: Renato Peñaflor-Guerra, M. Victoria Sanagustín-Fons, Julianna Ramírez-Lozano
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-04-01
• Series: Sustainability
• Subjects: business ethics; corporate social responsibility; Peru; Pura Vida
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/8/3348

Peru is a Latin American country with one of the most powerful and dynamic emerging economies in the world; however, it reveals considerable inconsistencies and socioeconomic inequalities. This research demonstrates that business ethics and corporate social responsibility are closely related with the welfare state of the country/region where a company is incorporated. Research work has been carried out on the case of the product “Pura Vida”, of the Gloria Company, implementing a mixed research method (documentary, <i>quan</i> and <i>qual</i>) in which a descriptive collection of data from different sources, in relation to the company and the crisis with <i>Pura Vida</i> milk, has been used; additionally, an ad hoc survey has been conducted on a sample of Peruvian citizens to know their insight in relation to the relevant aspects of business ethics and corporate responsibility and their opinion regarding the specific case being investigated; finally, in-depth interviews were held with the company’s management staff. It is shown that without a certain degree of welfare state, it is difficult to implement ethics and social responsibility in companies and in society as a whole. In addition, the main concerns of Peruvians regarding ethics and social responsibility can be observed.