Abstract
The Sanlu Group led the Chinese dairy market in quality standards and market share in 2006. The Group was praised and rewarded for its consistency and lack of scandal. However, when quality regulations were relaxed as a reward for Sanlu’s achievements, the company’s management was tested, and ethical decision-making was forgotten. In 2008, Sanlu admitted to selling milk tainted with melamine, which resulted in four infant deaths and thousands of poisoning cases. The actions of senior members of Sanlu Group illustrate the moral issues involved in corruption, as well as relations with its joint venture partner. Questions regarding the ethics of public relations, corruption, and social responsibility are highlighted by this case that provoked worldwide concern about product safety issues in China.
“Analyze the facts and you will realize that honesty and reliability benefit you.” (Stephan Rothlin, Eighteen Rules for Becoming a Top Notch Player, 2004)
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Rothlin, S., McCann, D. (2016). Business Ethics and the Sciences. In: International Business Ethics. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-47434-1_3
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