Essay

Rely on the document titled "An Approach to Text Cases with Ethical Dilemmas and Decisions" to make decisions in the follow case:

An Approach to Text Cases with Ethical Dilemmas and Decisions

Cases involving ethical dilemmas can often be examined using a simple reference checklist. While cases in a value-laden area such as ethics generate diverse opinions, the use of the analytical structure detailed below is instructive. The parameters explained become a checklist for analysis in discussions in ethics and related areas.

Principle: Examine an action or decision in terms of its basic value principles. This is an examination in deontological terms. For instance, has the individual been truthful or are facts falsified? Has the individual been straightforward or deceptive?

                Legality: What does the letter of the law specify? Examine the issue from a legal perspective.

Intent: What was the intent? Was it to deceive? Was it to violate the law? Was it to cause harm? For instance, while the consequence of an accident may be death, it is not treated as the same as first degree murder, which involves the intent to kill. To consider another example, there may be an error in tax procedures and documentation that may be against the law by itself, yet there may be no tax evasion, or intent to evade taxes.

Consequence: Examine the impact or consequence of the decision; this is a teleological perspective. Did it do widespread damage? Did it harm anyone, and, if so, to what extent?

Consequence on the Perceptions of the External Publics: How do external publics perceive the decision or action. For instance, animal based research can negatively influence the image of a cosmetic manufacturer.

Consequence on the Perceptions of the Internal Publics: How does the action or decision affect the publics within the organization? For instance: Does a one-time acceptance of an unethical research practice, lead to a situation where researchers repeatedly start seeking an easy way out, and possibly concocting data? Does an acceptance of giving bribes reduce the accountability of the sales force? In this case, is the organization paying its sales force to make a sales effort or to give bribes?

Awareness and Involvement: How aware of the facts and how involved with the decisions was the individual under judgment? Was the individual actively involved or passively aware? Remotely connected or highly instrumental?

Source: Cooper, D., & Schindler, P. (2011). Business research methods. (11 ed.). McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

1. A Competitive Coup in the In-Flight Magazine:

When the manager for market intelligence of AutoCorp, a major automotive manufacturer, boarded the plane in Chicago, her mind was on shrinking market share and late product announcements. As she settled back to enjoy the remains of a hectic day, she reached for the in-flight magazine. It was jammed into the seat pocket in front of her.

Crammed into this already tiny space was a report with a competitor’s logo, marked “Confidential-Restricted Circulation.” It contained a description of new product announcements for the next two years. Not only was it intended for a small circle of senior executives, but it also answered the questions she had recently proposed to an external research firm.

The proposal for the solicited research could be canceled. Her research budge, already savaged, could be saved. She was home free, legally and career-wise.

She foresaw only one problem. In the last few months, AutoCorp’s newly hired ethicist had revised the firms Business Conduct Guidelines. They now required company employees in possession of a competitor’s information to return it or face dismissal. But it was still a draft and not formally approved. She had the rest of the fight to decide whether to return the document to the airline or slip it into her briefcase.

 a. What are the most prudent decisions she can make about her responsibilities to herself and others?

 b. What are the implications of those decisions even if there is no violation of law or regulation?