Abstract

UK-based Vedanta Plc’s Sterlite Copper’s plant in Thoothukudi Tamil Nadu was shut down after opposition from local residents, NGOs and environmental activists. The plant accounted for 36% of copper production in the country and the closure resulted in supply shortages. But activists complained of pollution the plant has caused in Thoothukudi and surrounding areas impacting the health of people. At the same time it provided employment to more than 3500 people directly and many more indirectly.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate the conflict between profits and the adverse impacts of a business.
• Analyze the responsibility of a business toward its stakeholders
• Analyze the roles and expectations of various stakeholders affected by business issues
• Examine the responsibilities of organizations toward environmental issues
• Address the tensions caused by an interplay of commercial and ethical issues

Keywords

Sterlite; copper plant; business and environment; pollution; responsible business; profits vs purpose; environmental responsibility; commercial vs ethical issues; business environment; employment generation