Running head: INTEGRATION OF FAITH IN LEARNING
Integration of Faith in Learning
Liberty University
BUSI 690 D05 Policy and Strategy in Global Competition
April 5, 2019
Integration of Faith in Learning
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Over the years, multinational businesses have been exposed to intervention by the host
governments on the issues affecting their internal operations. Unfortunately, dishonest
individuals, take advantage of such companies to further fraud as well as other corruption
practices. The host governments also maintain control of their economies, and by doing this to
some extents, they have restricted the freedom of the managers in deploying their economic
resources. Furthermore, various government interventions have continuously interfered with the
autonomy of the companies in their management strategies and formulation. The case study
presents an ethical dilemma involving UBS banking institutions which are alleged to have aided
wealthy Americans in stealing some money. The government needs the help of the company’s
management in releasing the names of suspects. However, the company is controlled by the
Swiss banking secrecy, and such a move would go against the law making it a felony to disclose
the client’s information.
This case study presents a concept of integration of faith in learning in which the proper
role of a multinational firm can be ascertained in events where there a conflict in government
regulations across countries. Moreover, the case study helps to ascertain the responsibility of
employees to their employers as well as to their governments in situations where there are
conflicts. The dilemma and ethical issue presented by the case study are bound to the strategy or
policy perspective and also the bible is one of the sources and references which guide on ethical
issues similar to the one in the case study (Jackson, 2004).
Strategy and Policy Perspective
Privacy within the business entails right to be free from surveillance and interference
which encompasses the right to control sharing of personal information (Spiekermann, Acquisti,
Böhme, & Hui, 2015). Confidentially concerns would also restrict UBS banking company on
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the protection against unauthorized disclosure of client information. The protection is binding in
the context of a professional relationship. There are various arguments on the nature and value
of privacy. For instance, Goodyear holds that privacy issues are about other values and other
things hence, they must be accounted for through a moral viewpoint. According to this view, the
value and context of privacy are dependent on different moral values which can encompass
honesty, integrity, and righteousness (Goodyear, 2017). Therefore, this view implies that UBS
Company is compelled to disclose the names of the suspects to the government on moral
grounds. This view also integrates concepts such as security, intimacy, property rights, liberty,
dignity, democracy, and utility as well as economic value (Goodyear, 2017).
When UBS discloses the names of the suspects to the government, the step will be
accounting for economic value and utility. This is because the moral dilemma related to the case
is on corruption which impacts on the USA economy and utility of resources (Goodyear, 2017).
This account illustrates reductionist perspective and it, moreover, holds that the significance of
privacy should be exercised through translations of moral values (Reilly, 2015). This view is,
however, opposed by Spiekermann, Sarah, Alessandro Acquisti, Rainer Böhme, and Kai-Lung
Hui (2015) who hold that privacy is valuable independently and cannot be exercised through
considerations of moral values and standards (Spiekermann, et al., 2015). According to this
view, privacy is a personal sphere of life which is only equated to the human right. This view
recognizes specific moral reasons for protecting one’s data and privacy, and they can apply to the
dilemma prevailing in the case study (Jackson, 2004). For instance, one’s data can be protected
with intentions to prevent the individual from harm, when one is protected from informational
inequality and informational injustice as well as discrimination (Spiekermann, et al., 2015).
Finally, the details about an individual can also be protected against encroachment on moral
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autonomy (Spiekermann, et al., 2015). However, the case study, in which moral values have
been violated does not guarantee the protection of privacy (Spiekermann, et al., 2015). The
company based on strategy and policy perspective should be free to disclose the information
about the suspect the government since they are alleged to have violated moral values. When the
company refuses to disclose their personal information, it will be assumed that it has supported
the act and this amounts to gross misconduct (Li, 2017).
Data protection laws are functional in all countries, and the interpretation of these laws is
attributed to the basic moral principles. These principles work on account of informed consent
for the data to process (Spiekermann, et al., 2015). Moreover, processing of personal
information alongside its protection is pegged on the specific purpose, and the application is
limited to various misconducts (Li, 2017). It, therefore, implies that the holder of the personal
information is accountable to oversight authorities which in this case would be the USA
government. Solving the moral dilemma presented in the case would require UBS Company
disclosing the names of the suspects to the USA government.
Bible Verses Perspective
There exists a philosophical will relating morality and the will of God (Spiekermann, et
al., 2015). The philosophical issue was introduced in the writings of the ancient Greek by Plato
in the periods between 428-348 BCE in which he described a character by the name Euthyphro.
Euthyphro was caught in a dilemma surrounding the death of a slave in which his father was a
suspect. However, in as much as he knew the truth that his father was responsible for the death
of the slave having mistreated him, he was not allowed to report the matter (Allum et al., 2017).
This is because, in ancient Greece, children were to unconditional loyalty to their parents. He
was, therefore, caught up in a dilemma between turning his father to the authorities and showing
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unequivocal commitment to him, as provided for by the society. In the events that he handed
over his father to the authorities, Euthyphro would have violated the standard code of morality.
On the other hand, he believed in the gods and therefore, by handing his father to the authorities’
means that he has done the right thing.
This case presents a similar dilemma in which UBS Company is engrossed within.
Nevertheless, these cases bring to light the connection between morality and religious obedience.
Many Bible verses guide how UBS Company can handle the dilemma between privacy
protection and disclosure of information to the USA government.
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except
God, and God has instituted those that exist. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities
resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are
not a terror to good conduct, but too bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in
authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's
servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in
vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the
wrongdoer. Therefore, one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also
for the sake of conscience.” (Romans 13:1-7; “The Holy Bible,” 2019)
This verse provides clear guidance on choosing between the right and the wrong.
According to the verse, the authority is God chosen and will always tend to do the right thing as
guided by the moral standards and principles given by God. The world is complicated and
confusing when it comes to determining the right and the wrong (Li, 2017). However, that verse
is appropriate to the UBS Company. According to the verse, the authority, in this case, the USA
government is a relevant institution which deserves the honor. With this respect, the government
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is bound to access the personal information of clients suspected to have stolen money with the
assistance of the bank. All authority belongs to God however, He can exercise His authority in
two ways. The verse explains the delegated authority in which God put in place certain people
represent His authority. When God has put in place someone to be in charge like the
government, it should be known that such authority is delegated from God. God has His morals
which are instilled through faith and these morals will always be upheld by the authority, either
through regulations or constitution. Moreover, another form of delegation is a direct authority
whereby God through His spirit will tell individuals what to do (Trammel, 2015). This applies to
an employee who is caught in a dilemma in which his company is involved in an unethical case.
Virtuous individuals believed that a person’s religion plays a critical role in ethical
decision-making in workplaces and institutional settings (Allum et al., 2017). Christianity
instills a sense of faith that inspires the ability of individuals to act ethically whenever they are
faced with ethical dilemmas (Trammel, 2015). The management within the UBS Company
would be right when he admits to disclosing the suspects to the government. In cases of
employees loyal to the authority, it should be noted that government institutions and leadership
are mandated by God to foster moral standards. In an event where an employee agrees to assist
in the investigation against the company when involved in crime is a good move that is
supported by the bible. Religious faith has a lot of influence regarding the ethical dilemmas that
are common in working places and other sectors (Allum et al., 2017).
The verse has shown a lot of biblical commitments in rebuking bad morals within society.
Incorporating religions and spiritualities in the organization plays a vital role in avoiding
unethical behaviors such as corruption, bribery, nepotism, and cronyism. These unethical
behaviors are so prevalent in the corporate world and governmental institutions which when
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handled with the integration of faith and learning can be reduced (Jackson, 2004). Religious
initiatives promote ethical decision-making in the workplaces and companies; hence when there
are ethical dilemmas, religious bases and standings should integrate into the decision (Allum et
al., 2017).
Conclusion
The basic of morals are attributes of religious beliefs and faith. Religious faith will
always direct people to believe that murder, corruption, and adultery are unethical regardless of
the circumstances and prevailing conditions. Christianity, as indicated by the verse directly,
argues that government and authority are God chosen and therefore will always function to
uphold good morals. Moreover, the existing laws and constitutions are existing from ancient
biblical codes. It, thus, implies that religion is a good source of moral guidance. Strong
connections exist between religion and ethics. UBS Company can use biblical advice as basicity
of handling the moral dilemma before it. With regards to the verse from the book of Romans, it
is wiser for the company to disclose the personal information of the suspect under the
government pursuance by the government. The act of corruption is unethical and outweighs the
moral grounds under which personal data are protected (Jewett & Epp, 2006). Moreover, the
value of privacy protection should not overlook the ethical issues that can be attributed to
personal information. Rules should be in place that offers direct guidelines on such moral issues.
References
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(2017). Religion and the public ethics of stem-cell research: Attitudes in Europe, Canada
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Goodyear, V. A. (2017). Social media, apps and wearable technologies: Navigating ethical
dilemmas and procedures. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 9(3), 285-
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Jackson, S. L. (2004). Integration in Christian Ethical Decision-Making. Business and
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Li, W. (2017). Group Privacy: New Challenges of Data Technologies. SCRIPTed, 14(1), 131-
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Spiekermann, S., Acquisti, A., Böhme, R., & Hui, K. (2015). The challenges of personal data
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0
“The Holy Bible.” (2019). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Retrieved from
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/rom/3?lang=eng
Trammel, R. C. (2015). Mindfulness as Enhancing Ethical Decision-Making and the Christian
Integration of Mindful Practice. Social Work and Christianity, 42(2), 165-177. Retrieved
from http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-
com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/docview/1736913746?accountid=12085
