When products are misused, companies face an ethical dilemma around accountability and responsibility. While lawsuits are not always the solution, companies must decide whether to develop informational campaigns, redesign products, remove products from the market, or aid those impacted to curb misuse. Each option has consequences like costs, using resources, admitting wrongdoing, halting societal issues, harming public wellbeing, or remaining unassociated but saving money. The document discusses examples like drug paraphernalia in the 1970s and misuse of Q-Tips.

1. Managing Product Misuse: Who’s
Responsible?
Katie Ford
BUS 356
9.12.17

2. Accountability &
Responsibility
When products are misused, are
companies ethically required to
respond? This does not include cases
in which lawsuits are the default course
of action.

3.  June of 1971 President Nixon proclaimed the
War on Drugs
 Cocaine was especially rampant
 Plethora of drug paraphernalia; many
believed this was a large part of the problem
 Became more difficult to find measuring
devices
 Coffee stirring spoon was given to customers
with each hot beverage
 Long, thin handle, scoop measured exactly
100 mL, inconspicuous

4. “This is the best
cocaine spoon in
town and it’s free
with every cup of
coffee at
McDonalds.”
– PTA Ethics
Representative

5. Doctors warn us NOT to
use Q-Tips in our ears,
but this is their most
common purpose.

6. TAKING ACTION:
 Develop new marketing techniques
 Create informational campaign
 Redesign product
 Remove product from market
 Aid those impacted

7. Consequences:
 Costly
 Time consuming/ uses resources
 May be seen as admitting to
wrongdoing or taking responsibility
 Halt societal issue
 Abate issue at hand
 May be associated with the scandal
 Business could suffer
 Harming the wellbeing of the
general population
 Remain unassociated
 Save money and time

8.  https://priceonomics.com/the-mcdonalds-cocaine-spoon-fiasco/
 https://businessethicshighlights.com/2016/01/31/are-companies-responsible-for-misuse-of-
products-should-they-feel-bad/