Introduction

Cadbury Schweppes products are sold all over the world. It makes and sells two main types of product:

• sweets, chocolates and gum

• soft drinks.

Its famous brand names include Schweppes, Dr Pepper, Halls, Trebor and, of course, Cadbury itself.

Acting in an ethical manner is important to Cadbury Schweppes. This means doing what is right and fair. It also means working to create a better quality of life for employees and their families as well as communities - this is called Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Ethical behaviour and CSR can bring benefits to a business by:

• attracting more people to buy a firm's products

• making employees happy to work at the company and therefore stay there for longer

• attracting better employees who want to work for the company

• making more people want to buy shares.

Ethics at work

Cadbury Schweppes tries to make sure this approach covers all the areas over which it has control. This includes the firms that supply it and its own transport and production.

• Supply. Cadbury Schweppes works with its suppliers to try and make sure they are being ethical. For instance it works to help cocoa farmers get a good price for their crop. It also helps to improve the lives of people in countries it trades with. For example, in Ghana it builds wells to provide clean safe water.

• Production. The business makes sure that it treats all waste water to make it safe. It also uses as little energy as it can and keeps down the release of harmful gases into the air.

• Distribution. Goods have to be moved around the country and around the world. Pollution from the transport used has been reduced and drivers are trained in the most efficient ways to drive.

Consumers

Cadbury Schweppes is also keen to be fair to its consumers, by making sure all its products are labelled clearly and informatively and meet the highest quality standards.

Ethics and employment

Cadbury Schweppes also looks after its employees. It believes in and promotes equal opportunities. It treats all its employees fairly. It gives them a safe and healthy workplace, good pay and good training.

Conclusion

Cadbury Schweppes' approach to behaving ethically is a core value. This means that it affects every area of the business. This has helped Cadbury Schweppes to remain a successful company.