Ethical Decisions in Business

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Throughout the ages businesses have developed through technological advancements and innovative ideas but there has always been a common struggle that they are faced with, ethical decisions. Everywhere we look there is some level of ethical deterioration (Norman V. Peale, 1988), immoral millions made through inside trading information, a day hardly passes without the head of some major organisation who has been involved in some aspect of an ethical dilemma. This essay will break down why businesses struggle with ethical decisions but before examining such a sensitive issue we must understand what an ethical decision really is. Within the process of decision making, ethics are the personal standards of right and wrong. They become the basis for making ethically sensitive decisions. “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people do nothing” (Burke,n.d). This quote from Edmund Burke who many view as the philosophical founder of modern conservatism shows the importance of the approach we take when it comes to ethical decisions in the workplace as the decisions we make can reflect on how the business is viewed by the outside world. In this essay I will be exploring relevant theory when evaluating why businesses struggle with ethical decisions. Firstly, I will look at how the outcomes of the ethical decisions affect the way in which they are approached. Secondly, I will look into the conflict between individualism and collectivism as businesses struggle to separate individual’s interests and the collective interest of the business. Thirdly, I will look at the moral rights approach and how businesses like Nike cross ethical lines for competitive advantage. Then the justice approach where ethical decisions are based on...

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...ptember 26, 2010, from University of oregon & university of nike: http://uocorporatesponsorship.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/nike%E2%80%99s-use-of-child-and-slave-labor-questioning-the-ethics-of-oregon/

Makama, F. (2010, May 12). Ethical relativism in relation to Christianity. Retrieved September 22, 2010, from Article base: http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/ethical-relativism-in-relation-to-christianity-2354636.html

Manuel Velasquez, D. M. (1988). A framework for thinking ethically. Issues in Ethics, V. 1, N. 2.

Norman V. Peale, K. B. (1988). The Power Of Ethical Management. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.

Realo, J. A. (2004). Individualism-Collectivism and Social Capital. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology.

Suraj Kapoora, P. C. (2003). International Journal of Intercultural Relations. The relationship of individualism–collectivism, 4-5.

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