Ethical Dilemmas and Normative Theories

1361 Words3 Pages

Essay Questions: How does the situation facing John constitute an ethical dilemma? Using two normative theories of ethics comment on the ethical aspects of the situation. Business is an organisation or economic system where products and services are traded for money, a product or services. Businesses need investment or customers to make a profit and survive. In business, ethical issues may arise for example false advertising, misleading the public, exaggerations and disclaimers. In this case study the ethical issue identified is an exaggeration of how much the company makes and falsifying of documents by signing off on an order that has not yet been finalised. Business ethics is the study of business situations, activities, and decisions where issues of right and wrong are evaluated. “Business ethics, ultimately, is just business in its larger human context” (Solomon, 2009, p.37). Ethical dilemmas such as financial management, corporate social management, corporate governance, shareholder relations, insider trading, and discrimination are examined by business ethics. Ethical dilemmas arise in situations where there is no right or wrong answers, usually a complex moral issue that needs to be resolved, a choice needs to be made between ‘right’ and ‘right’; choosing the best of the worst. It is not normally easy to reach an outcome but the dilemma can be solved in different ways depending on each person’s situation, background, personality, beliefs, life experiences as well as taking factors of law, morals and society norms into account when analysing, processing and making a fully informed morally ethical decision. The process of solving such complex issues involves analysing the issue itself, looking at possible consequ... ... middle of paper ... ...and take other parties into account, ask himself what is best for their investors and company as a whole, what is best for him now and in the future, what is best for the customers, how will the company’s reputation be affected and then the consequences if he commits fraud and the order is not finalised. Do the good things out weigh the bad in this situation. After analysing the case study and doing my research on ethical normative theories and morals in business, my opinion would be for John not to take the risk and do what is 'right' and wait until the deal goes through before signing off on the order. Yes the company may not make it through but John will still be able to find another job where as if he commits fraud things may be a lot worse for him in the long run. In the end he will have made the right decision not breaking the company’s laws and regulations.

Show More
Related

  • The Ethical Model: Differences And Dilemma Model

    890 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Solution phase is a mix of similarities and differences for each model. The Rational model incorporates a decision matrix to assist with the selection of a solution. Each option is listed with three various outcomes based off the criteria and each option’s ability to solve the problem. By utilizing a matrix, the user can play each solution out in order theoretically see the likelihood of success, which provides the user with a better chance of success in solving the problem. In the pharmacy example, we took Kramm’s top three solutions into the matrix and developed possible outcomes based off the set criteria. This gave the team a visual of possible outcomes and results for each, enabling us, as well as Kramm, to make a smarter decision by

    Read More

  • Comparing Three Ethical Paradigms

    985 Words  | 2 Pages

    Sometimes in life there are instances in which and individual must make a decision that will question their moral fiber. These instances could vary from whether or not to help others in need, decide whether an action is right or wrong or even when deciding who should live and who must die. How does one logically reason to an ethnical conclusion to these situations?

    Read More

  • Benchmark Assignment: Ethical Dilemmas Of Abortion

    1213 Words  | 3 Pages

    Abortion has been a political, social, and personal topic for many years now. The woman’s right to choose has become a law that is still debated, argued and fought over, even though it has been passed. This paper will examine a specific example where abortion is encouraged, identify the Christian world views beliefs and resolution as well as the consequences of such, and compare them with another option.

    Read More

  • Ethical Theory

    531 Words  | 2 Pages

    Review of “Situationism and Virtue Ethics on the Content of Our Character” by Rachana Kamtekatar

    Read More

  • Introduction to Ethical Theories

    1141 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ethics is the study of how people should live. people have different views and beliefs of how they're supposed to live their life. people from all over the world have different ethical beliefs and different ways to determine which beliefs are right and which are wrong. when you visit a different country, you notice things they are doing and those things might seem wrong to you and you would never consider doing what they have just done but in their society its normal and everyone does it. inside the margins of this paper I am going to analyze the top three models used to determine a morally significant being based on the criteria in your book. I will first define a moral agent and a morally significant being then take you through the steps to deciding what a significant being is and which criteria you would use for each.

    Read More

  • Lack of Ethical Behavior in the Cases of Bernie Madoff and Enron

    669 Words  | 2 Pages

    Ethical behavior is behavior that a person considers to be appropriate. A person’s moral principals are shaped from birth, and developed overtime throughout the person’s life. There are many factors that can influence what a person believes whats is right, or what is wrong. Some factors are a person’s family, religious beliefs, culture, and experiences. In business it is of great importance for an employee to understand how to act ethically to prevent a company from being sued, and receiving criticism from the public while bringing in profits for the company. (Mallor, Barnes, Bowers, & Langvardt, 2010) Business ethics is when ethical behavior is applied in an business environment, or by a business. There are many situations that can arise in which a person is experiencing an ethical dilemma. They have to choose between standing by their own personal ethical standards or to comply with their companies ethical standards. In some instances some have to choose whether to serve their own personal interests, or the interest of the company. In this essay I will be examining the financial events surrounding Bernie Madoff, and the events surrounding Enron.

    Read More

  • Business Ethics Issues in the Movie Boiler Room

    1086 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ethical issues in business arise because of conflicts between an individuals personal moral philosophies and values and values or attitudes of organization in which a person works and a society in which one lives. Ethical issues can be identified in terms of the major participants and functions of business. Ethical issues related to ownership include conflicts between manager’s duties to the owners and their own interests, also separation of ownership and control of business. Financial issue includes, for example, the accuracy of reported financial documents. Ethical issues can acquire between manages and employees, then employees are asked to carry out assignments they consider unethical. Consumers and marketing issues are related to providing safe desired products for a fear price and not harming people and an environment. Accountants also face ethical dilemma, they have to deal with competition advertising commission. All of this places the accounting profession in situation of ethical risk.

    Read More

  • Nike and Its Ethical Behavior

    1821 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2013). Business ethics: Ethical decision making and cases: 2011 custom edition (9th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Ethical Dilemma

    1820 Words  | 4 Pages

    Depending on which option John decides to pursue it could really change what is at stake for not only himself, but also people that are in disagreement with him. First off for the company, it could risk losing valuable employees that are hard workers because they do not agree with the unfair treatment. These employees are unlikely to stay working at the company if they are dissatisfied with not inly their pay but the way they are treated as well. Likewise, if any customers were to find out that John and the company were not applying the most ethical business practices it could lose the trust and business from its customers. These customers could choose John’s company’s competition to do business at, which could be very detrimental to the business. For the employees their right to fair pay and treatment are at stake depending on which option John goes about. However for Jeff, he has his dignity at stake, the other employees that are irritated with Jeff’s higher wage could take out that frustration on him and cause a hostile environment for Jeff to work in. Lastly, John, the main key party has a great deal at stake; for example, it is very possibly that he could lose his authoritative figure and respect from his employees. If that were to happen it would take a lot for him to sincerely gain it back and make things right. Being that ethical conflicts that involve family members are touchy, John could lose the respect and loyalty of Jeff or his other family

    Read More

  • Ethics: Differing Viewpoints

    1087 Words  | 3 Pages

    Countless times, individuals are forced to make extremely difficult decisions.They try to form some type of rationale to justify their choices. However, many people do not realize how many approaches exist for people to arrive at a conclusion. Ethics teaches two broad theories: consequentialism and nonconsequentialism. In one particular case, a successful high school student who has just become pregnant, Jill, looks for advice from several trusted friends and family members. Each of these individuals have contrasting views on morality, and Jill uses their advice to ultimately come to her decision.

    Read More

  • Ethical Dilemmas

    564 Words  | 2 Pages

    At the end of chapter 12 we were asked to either respond if we either felt sympathy or empathy towards the characters. After finishing the reading I am leaning in the direction of feeling empathy towards the characters and not sympathy towards them because of their actions leading up to this point. The two main characters Duke and the attorney have taken their business trip to Las Vegas and turned it into a vacation.Their actions leading up to this point have been brought on themselves and they have to face the consequences for their actions. Duke should have not listened to his attorney from the very beginning, he should have reported the race that he was assigned to report on and he should have been more professional. He ends

    Read More

  • Utilitarianism, Kant's Deontological Ethics, And Virtue Ethics

    1027 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ethics in business is a highly important concept, as it can affect a company’s profits, salaries paid to employees and CEOs, and public opinion, among many other aspects of a business. Ethics can be enforced by company policies and guidelines, set a precedent when a company is faced with an important decision, and are also evolving thanks to new technology and situations that arise due to technology usage. Businesses have a duty to maintain their ethical responsibilities and also to help their employees enforce these responsibilities in and out of the workplace. However, ethics and the foundation for them are not always black and white. There are many different ethical theories, however Utilitarianism, Kant’s Deontological ethics, and Virtue ethics are three of the most well known theories in existence. Each theory is distinct in that it has a different quality used to determine ethicality and allows for a person to choose which system of ethics works best with both the situation and his or her personal ethical preferences.

    Read More

  • The Characteristics Of Moral And Ethical Reasoning In Business Ethics

    1085 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the business world there are many fundamental aspects and situations that can lead to several issues. In order to find an optimal and professional solution, business decision makers need to apply moral and ethical standards. And it is at that moment in which business ethics perform its role. Business ethics, which is in charge of examine how companies and individuals should act in business situations, is very essential in order to reach a common agreement and to work within the laws of business and solve an arisen dilemma. Working of the hand of ethical business companies, employees, investors, directors, and even individual officers can be beneficiated and obtain most favorable outcomes.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Seize The Day

    1486 Words  | 3 Pages

    Business ethics can be defined as a key set of moral values of a company to make good decisions to maintain high ethical standard (Small Biz Connect, n.d). It helps the company to gain high profits for its external as well as internal stakeholders (Small Biz Connect, n.d). In this essay, I will do a situational ethics decision to earn maximum profits for my Sydney based company Seize The Day. Seize The Day is a cotton products international company and want to process its cotton in Alderan because of cheap labour costs, but Alderan is not truly democratic. Bribery is common in Alderan as the whole power of the country is in the hands of Jacob Mayfield’s family. On contrary, Australia is a common wealth country where bribery

    Read More

  • Ethics in the Modern World

    1524 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ethics is a system of moral principles and a branch of philosophy which defines what is acceptable for both individuals and society. It is a philosophy that covers a whole range of things that have an importance in everyday situations. Ethics are vital in everyones lives, it includes human values, and how to have a good life, our rights and responsibilities, moral decisions what is right and wrong, good and bad. Moral principles affect how people make decisions and lead their lives (BBC, 2013). There are many different beliefs about were ethics come from. These consist of; God and Religion, human conscience, the example of good human beings and a huge desire for the best for people in each unique situation, and political power (BBC, 2013).

    Read More

More about Ethical Dilemmas and Normative Theories

Open Document