Business Writing Memo

After watching the film Lord of War, most would agree that one of the predominant themes was product responsibility and the ethical implications. Yes, Yuri is a GREAT businessman, and he sells a product in high demand, and his customers are happy. But at what cost? How much responsibility does Yuri (or any businessperson) have for the effects (results) of his product? 

ISSUE: Does the SELLER (business) have any responsibility for the effect of the product?

If Yuri is not responsible for the effects of his product, who is? Andre? the soldiers? the locals? society? If harm and suffering occurs, we always strive to find the cause. We want to find the responsible party and hold them legally, criminally, and morally responsible. Why do some hold Yuri responsible? All he does s supply a product, right? What product would you be willing to sell to make money? Would you sell a product that might cause harm -just to make a few bucks? Would the money makeup for the ethical sacrifice you might be making?

ISSUE: Is selling one product the same as selling any other product? Unethical Product?

Yuri claims selling guns is the same as selling vacuum cleaners. Some of you businesspeople might even agree. A product is a product, right? Not so fast. A baseball bat can cause harm, so can a vacuum cleaner. BUT - those products are not DESIGNED to inflict harm are they? NO. One is designed to to hit a ball - not a person. A vacuum cleaner is designed to clean and make life easier. 

Is it possible that a product is unethical? I would argue that GUNS are an unethical product because its ONLY purpose is to cause harm. Guns are DESIGNED to inflict damage. Gun powder was created to cause explosions and help win battles - not to advance or help humans. (Sorry gun owners - it's true.)

Guns? When USED properly, what are they designed to do? Let's be grownups. Guns are not designed for hunting, or target practice, or other casual uses. They are created to inflict harm and damage. Is this product, by its very nature and design, unethical? It can lead to great profit and great suffering. We see this with Yuri's business.  

ISSUE: Is Knowledge the Key?

  What do we do when we KNOW? What if we DO NOT know? If a businessperson KNOWS his/her product causes harm to consumers, what is society to do? Does Yuri know his guns are used to kill people? Does it matter? What if he never knew?

Consider this scenario: a  salesperson sells a gun in San Bernardino gun shop and that gun is used to kill someone. The salesperson claims he did not know the customer was going to use the gun to kill his neighbor. Is the businessperson ethically OK?

Now, what if a customer came in and said he wanted a big gun because he is having issues with his neighbor and he wants to be "ready." Does this KNOWLEDGE now make the businessperson's behavior ethcially questionable? Does KNOWING make the businessperson responsible for the effect of the product???

If you know a person is going to intentionally harm others, would you stop this person? Do you have an ethical responsibility to do this?

Time for you to decide. The business ethics memo prompt is below. You are required to write a detailed and convincing MEMO.

You remember MEMO format from earlier this semester I am sure. However...

Just to refresh your memory, I will add the MEMO Powerpoint slides here. You can use these slides to create an effective and properly formatted MEMO:     306_Creating a Memo_2019.pdf   306_Creating a Memo_2019.pdf - Alternative Formats

 

Remember what this lecture focuses on:  ethics and the role they play in business.  Most business products are designed to increase production and drive profit. This question was created with this in mind. You can write as much as you want to write, but be absolutely sure your ideas are clear and detailed. And, be sure you have addressed the ethical issues raised by the question.