There’s nothing inherent to running a business that implies cannibalizing one’s own brand reputation for short term profits

True but only for a snapshot in time. When the expectation of the environment is unlimited growth and profit above all else, the quick cash out in lieu of long term gains is inevitable sooner or later

You can find countless examples of businesses where the brand’s reputation for quality, reliability, and safety are considered sacred and any employee who publicly damages that reputation is ostracized. Japanese companies pretty commonly have these cultures, for example.

Oh outside of the USA yes, I can see that... In the USA, I think I would count such examples with 1 hand (talking about large companies and corporations, not Mom and Pop shops of course)