Who are the major players in the article?
The major players are Ben & Jerry's and Unilever
B. Identify the basic moral or ethical issue expressed in the article. Be definitive in your explanation.
The moral and ethical issue in this article relates to big firms acquiring smaller firms. In this case, Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. It is not exactly an "issue" anymore, because issue implies there is some solution. Unilever has already acquired Ben & Jerry's. There are people that are unhappy about this, but it has already been done. This article focuses on the potential positive and negative results of this acquisition.
C. What makes it an ethical or moral issue?
Bigger firms acquiring smaller firms can be an ethical issue. Smaller firms seem to have a different, more down to earth culture than bigger international firms. Ben & Jerry's is a good example of a smaller company with a hometown feel. They did many things for the environment and their community. People worried that the fun, community oriented Ben & Jerry's would start focusing more on profits and less on philanthropic efforts once acquired by Unilever. Stockholders may be in trouble because Ben & Jerry's unique small town hippie appearance, that many people have come to love, is disappearing. This is could create a decrease in stock prices.
D. What is your personal position on this issue?
I disagree with Ben & Jerry's decision to sell their company to Unilever. They built the company from the ground up, and did a lot of wonderful things for the community. They made a large amount of money ...