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This paper is an analysis of the ethical business decision matrix developed by The George S. May Company (May), a management-consulting firm. The paper will also compare how these guidelines were used by John D. Beckett (Beckett) in his company and how the author’s firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLC (PwC), uses them. The guidelines are meant to be used by employees. These guidelines are specifically a measure of moral and ethical principles tied to business ethics in acceptability of right and wrong behaviour in the workplace.
The George S. May International Company
The six basic guidelines outlined by the George S. May International Company (GMS) for making ethical business decisions are so simplistic and common sensible that it is hard
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Like many of us, he did not come to the full realization of his dad’s influence and integrity until after his death. His dad’s diligence toward success with a fledgling start-up business in a new industry was a good example to Beckett and influenced him throughout his life as he started other companies. He remembered how his father cared for his employees. As the economy shifted during wartime, his dad shifted from his original business to something very different just to keep him and his employees working to care for their families. Beckett had been mentored and was his dad’s understudy, which seemingly grew into his own passion for caring for his own employees (Beckett, 2006, p 23-24, …show more content…
Much like the laws in the Old Testament, the law is God solving a problem before it occurs (Maxwell, 2010). As Reggie Joiner reminds us: “Relationship comes before rules” (Maxwell, 2010, 176). If a relationship forms, rules are easier to embrace. Rules are a tool to keep the ship and everyone on it going in the same direction. Shared systems of values strengthen partnerships minimizing the possibility of comprise. Values determine our actions. Our conscience can be a fickle thing if not tended to. A good study of 1 Timothy 1:5 will sharpen the cause for keeping the conscience in order and know that a good conscience is the product of a pure heart. Finally, we trust fully in God’s promises to comfort us, but need to share that same comfort through an empowerment to do so from God himself. Kept promises are the glue that holds all the guidelines together and shuttles them into the heart and soul of mankind by building
Verschoor, CMA, Curtis C. "Ethics: Do The Right Thing." Strategic Finance (2006). Retrieved on 18 September 2006 .
Laws today are far different from centuries ago where the laws were more regions and biblical based. The implications, raised by Harold Berman, of the separation of transcendent religious principles from the formation of law are interesting and enlightening. “[O]ne major symptom of this threatened breakdown is the massive loss of confidence in law-not only on the part of law-consumers but also on the part of law-makers and law-distributors. A second major symptom is the massive loss of confidence in religion-again not only on part of those who (at least at funeral and weddings) sit in the pews of our churches and synagogues, but also on the part of those who occupy the pulpits” Harold J. Berman, Faith and Order The Reconciliation of Law and
Trevino, L., & Nelson, K. (2011). Managing business ethics - straight talk about how to
Deuteronomy 17: 18-20 (NIV Student Bible) reminded me that no one should be above the law and we are all under His view. Much in the same way a leader should lead by actions and adhere to the same rules as all on others in the organization. Hebrews 4:11 (NIV Student Bible) reiterated that all should follow the rules, of the Lord (and also organizations). Proverbs 24:30 (NIV Student Bible) instills that we must all keeping working, be diligent in our quest for our own successes. In the grand scheme of things, we all work for the Lord serving Him in some way or another during our daily lives at home and in the office. We must learn from the mistakes he wants us to make, work hard for our goals, and treat others the way we would like to be treated
The method of ethical decision making which was developed by Dr. Cathryn A. Baird presented two components contained in all ethical decisions which are; The Four ethical Lenses and the 4+1 Decision process. The Four Ethical Lenses issue claims that different ethical theories and the means in which we tend to approach the situations which form part of our ethical traditions are looked at in four different perspectives. From each perspective there are different values on which to decide whether the action taken is either ethical or not and each lens also lays emphasis on determining whether the decision made is of ethical requirement. In the 4+1 Decision Process, people who are responsible for making final decisions in an organization do it using four specific decision making steps and eventually will end up with one extra decision which gives a chance to reflect. The 4+1 decision process allows the decision makers to give solutions when faced with complicated ethical issues (John Muir Institute for Environmental Studies, 2000).
For this paper Washington Mutual has been selected to show how the ethical decision making process can be achieve. When it comes to business ethics in the workplace Washington Mutual has designed what can be considered a well balanced workplace with behaviors that are aligned with their moral values and business ethics. Business ethics are sometimes depicted as resolving conflicts where one option can appear to be the correct choice. There are many different ethical dilemmas that are faced by managers and leaders everyday that are highly complex and have no clear choice or guidelines to assist in making the choices for resolution. There are times when an employee has to decide whether or not to cheat, lie, steal, or break their contract. These ethical decisions are real-life situations where they are forced to make on a daily basis. This is why it is ultimately important that all employee know the six steps to ethical decision making that the company uses.
Seawell, Buie 2010, ‘The Content and Practice of Business Ethics’, Good Business, pp. 2-18, viewed 22 October 2013, .
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.
Nelson, K., & Trevino, L. (2004). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do it right (3rd ed.). New York: Wiley
Within the Christian life there is a freedom that is found in Christ’s work on the cross. He has saved his elect and has liberated them from the bondage of the old law. Christians often tote around phrases such as, “Christ has fulfilled the law!” And because of this, they believe that there is to be no weight of the law on believers. However, this is in direct contrast to passages such as Romans 3:15 that commands us to “uphold the law.”
For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.[c]And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 3. Embrace the grace of God – Titus 2:11-14 (Paul admonishing Titus in connection with people of Crete). 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is
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.
Treviño, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2007). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do it right Fourth ed., Retrieved on July 30, 2010 from www.ecampus.phoenix.edu
Forsyth, D. R. (1992). Judging the morality of business practices: The influence of personal moral philosophies. Journal of Business Ethics, 11(5), 461. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/198100721?accountid=32521