1. Based on what you have learned about Portion Pac what do you think the owners would claim to be the most important features of doing business with integrity? Do you agree? Why or why not?
2. Who are the most important stakeholders for Portion Pac? What is the order of emphasis on the interests for these stakeholders—from most important and influential to least important and influential--on the company's decision-making processes? In your opinion, does this represent a wise ordering of stakeholder interests?
3. Portion Pac is very concerned about the environment. Is the company's environmental focus good for the company? Why or why not? 4. Would you want to work for a company that operates according to the goals discussed in the case? What would be the pros and cons of working there?
SOLUTION
1. The owners’ sense of integrity refers to the honesty and reliability in their strong commitment to doing the right thing. They have always considered the “triple bottom line” of social, environmental, and economic balance while growing operations. They made the conscientious decision before starting the company to continually improve environmental standards and the human condition. This honesty, reliability, and accountability are Portion Pac’s claim to running a business with integrity.
2. Portion Pac’s most important stakeholders are their employees and clients. It’s difficult to separate stakeholders from most important/most influential to least important/least influential because the company is founded on sustainability and the environment, external and human. This doggedness to their goal is apparent when considering the history of the company, and how it took so many years of sticking to their goals before achieving financial success. Their concern has been for the maximum safety for their employees to produce their products and for their clients to use them. The company holds itself accountable to the end-user and recognizes its role in health and safety, and these tenets have been behind the company’s decision-making process.
3. Although it took Portion Pac many years to achieve success, their commitment to the environment has proved invaluable for the company in terms of financial success and their leadership role in the industry.