Several coffee corporations have been accused of violating ethical standards. According to National Center for Public Policy Research v. Starbucks Corporation (2022), the National Center for Public Policy Research has sued Starbucks, claiming their diversity initiatives amount to racial discrimination. The lawsuit challenges hiring goals, contract awards, and executive pay tied to diversity, alleging violations of civil rights laws. The case seeks to void diversity policies and demands damages. Starbucks had not responded to the lawsuit at the time of reporting.
Using Derrick Bell Critical Race Theory (CRT), we can analyse discrimination in the coffee industry involves examining how race intersects with power dynamics, organizational culture, and ethical conduct (Smith & Jones, 2023). The low representation of racial minorities in top executive and board positions at Starbucks raises concerns about the organization's ability to incorporate diverse perspectives and experiences at the highest decision-making levels (Smith & Jones, 2023). The theory emphasizes assessing power imbalances, such as representation in leadership and resource allocation.
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1999). According to Lawrence III, (1993), the lawsuit filed by the National Center for Public Policy Research against Starbucks Corporation is based on the principle of colour blindness, which is a central tenet of classical liberalism. The lawsuit alleges that Starbucks Corporation has discriminated against black customers by denying them service and by profiling them as potential shoplifters. The lawsuit argues that these actions violate the principles of classical liberalism and that Starbucks Corporation should be held