Ethical Analysis assignment!

Analyzing Ethical Dilemmas

When facing ethical dilemmas, decision makers must forego their personal self-interests and

consider the impacts on their stakeholders. A useful approach to analyzing ethical implications

of decisions is to use one or more rules of ethical decision making. In their book Contemporary

Management, Jones and George (2014) identify the following “Rules for Ethical Decision

Making”:

 Utilitarian Rule: An ethical decision is a decision that produces the greatest good

for the greatest number of people.

 Moral Rights Rule: An ethical decision is one that best maintains and protects

the fundamental or inalienable rights and privileges of the people affected by it.

 Justice Rule: An ethical decision distributes benefits and harm among people

and groups in a fair, equitable, or impartial way.

 Practice Rule: An ethical decision is one that a manager has no reluctances

about communicating to people outside the company because the typical person

in a society would think it is acceptable.

Consider answering the following questions in evaluating an ethical dilemma:

 Step 1: Identify the issues surrounding the situation—facts of the situation,

moral/ethical issues, major stakeholders.

 Step 2: State the alternative actions that could be taken and identify possible impacts

on stakeholders. What other facts are needed or would be valuable in making a

thorough analysis?

 Step 3: Apply one or more of the “Rules of Ethical Decision Making” to each of the

alternatives. What are the potential consequences of each possible course of action?

Rate the strength of each argument.

 Step 4: State your course of action with detailed justification.

Consider the following evaluation rubric when constructing your analysis.

Reference

Jones, G. R., & George, J. M. (2014). Contemporary management, 8th ed. New York, NY:

McGraw-Hill Irwin.

(over)

Analyzing Ethical Dilemmas

TRAIT Unacceptable (0-1 pts.)

Acceptable (2-3 pts.)

Exemplary (4-5 pts.)

Identifies Dilemma

Has a vague idea of what the dilemma is and is uncertain what must be decided

Identifies the dilemma, including pertinent facts, and ascertains what must be decided

Describes the dilemma in detail having gathered pertinent facts. Ascertains exactly what must be decided

Identifies Stakeholders and How Dilemma Impacts Them

Is unsure which stakeholders are involved and/or impacted

Identifies some stakeholders and how they are involved in and/or impacted by the dilemma

Identifies most stakeholders and explains in detail how they are involved in and/or impacted by the dilemma

Analyzes Alternatives and Consequences Based on an Ethical Rule or Model

Begins to appraise the relevant facts and assumptions and identifies some alternatives.

Clarifies at least two alternatives and predicts their associated consequences

Clarifies alternatives and evaluates each on the basis of whether or not there is interest and concern over the welfare of all stakeholders, possibly bringing in outside experiences/knowledge to bear on the problem.

Chooses an Action

Has difficulty identifying an appropriate course of action from among alternatives

Formulates an implementation plan that delineates the execution of the decision

Formulates an implementation plan that delineates the execution of the decision and that evidences a thoughtful reflection on the benefits and risks of action