Intergration of Faith
1
Integration of Faith Assignment
Jimmica Anderson
School of Business, Liberty University
BUSI 690: Policy and Strategy in Global Competition
Author Note
Jimmica Anderson
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jimmica Anderson.
Email: Janderson310@liberty.edu
Integration of Faith
This study source was downloaded by 100000898378497 from coursesidekick.com on 05-06-2025 01:51:17 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursesidekick.com///896202
October 8, 2024
Intergration of Faith
2
The Bible tells us in Proverbs 10:9, "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but
whoever takes crooked paths will be found out." (Naiper, 2019). Southwest Airlines is a
company to be admired. "We must seek to outperform our competitors fairly and honestly
through low costs, low fares, and superior Customer Service, never through unethical or illegal
business practices." (Southwest Airlines, 2023). The company is well known for this,
unfortunately, they have not always made the best decisions for their customers while trying to
keep costs down. In 2022, "Southwest Airlines faces $1.3 million in fines after Colorado
regulators found systemic violations of dozens of state labor laws, including sick leave policies
for workers with COVID-19". (Tabachik, 2022). In a more recent incident, "Southwest hid signs
of outdated technology that led to December failures, class action suit." (Kera, 2023). Though
Southwest seeks to do the best for its customers but when God is not the center, anything this is
not good and wholesome will be revealed. This paper will discuss some challenges that
Southwest has faced like transparency with customers and issues with aircraft, it will also talk
about the importance of Biblical Inclusion within an organization. The following section will be
about business ethics.
Business Ethics
"Southwest Airlines Co. is committed to maintaining the highest ethical business
practices and legal and regulatory compliance. We place high standards on honesty, integrity,
and personal responsibility." (Code of Ethics, 2018). For the most part, the company does
display these values. It follows appropriate business policies and practices regarding some issues,
yet there are times when this does not happen. The company has made good decisions, which has
led to its success. "Business ethics are principles that guide decision-making. As a leader, you'll
face many challenges in the workplace because of different interpretations of what's ethical.
This study source was downloaded by 100000898378497 from coursesidekick.com on 05-06-2025 01:51:17 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursesidekick.com///896202
Intergration of Faith
3
Situations often require navigating the "gray area," where it's unclear what's right and wrong."
(Boyles, 2023). In business, there should not be a "gray area." A company should always do
what suits its customers, which is an example of why God should be at the center of everything,
especially in business. God, being the foundation of a company, gives a business morals and
principles that the world cannot take away when in a compromising situation. In addition, the
works of that business is unto the Lord, so there is never a question about doing the right thing
because the right thing will also be done, in turn, leads to business prosperity. Psalm 128: 1-2
says, "Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of
your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours." (Gills, 2023). The following section
discusses unethical decisions.
Unethical Decisions
Southwest Airlines has been tremendously successful because of its operational strategy
only to use Boeing 737 aircraft; yet their loyalty to the aircraft and commitment to its business
strategy has led to lawsuits, public scrutiny, and, unfortunately, death. In 2018, one passenger
died, and several were injured on a Southwest route from New York to Dallas on a Boeing 737
aircraft; 20 minutes into the flight at 32,500 feet, a severe engine blowout to the left engine
exploded. The force broke a window in the passenger cabin, causing depressurization and the
deployment of oxygen masks. There was a similar incident in 2016. In 2020, Southwest Airlines
grounded 115 of its Boeing 737-800 due to weight discrepancy on planes, a balance issue.
The FAA (FAA Federal Aviation) fined Southwest $3.92 million earlier this year for
miscalculating aircraft weights, something the carrier blamed on "data processing issues."
Southwest has also been in trouble with the FAA for the way it estimates the weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded onto planes. (Arnold, 2020).
This study source was downloaded by 100000898378497 from coursesidekick.com on 05-06-2025 01:51:17 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursesidekick.com///896202
Intergration of Faith
4
In 2021, Southwest had to ground 30 of its 50 Boeing 737 Max 8 jets due to electrical wiring
issues. In 2022, South was accused of trying to deceive FFA on Boeing Max.
"The legal filing alleges that Southwest's involvement included pressuring Boeing to
remove from pilot materials any mention of the new flight control software called the
Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System that was later identified as the
primary cause of the two crashes." (Gates, 2022).
Lastly, Southwest has had challenging concerns outside of its relationship with Boeing aircraft;
in December 2023, shareholders filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines because they
intentionally concealed problems with its computer systems that led to thousands of flight
cancellations over the holiday season; they are also facing a lawsuit in Denver due to violations
against employees. Southwest has had its fair share of challenges related to its relationship with
Boeing aircraft; just imagine if the company developed the same type of relationship with God
and put its faith and company in the hands of God instead of its business strategy, trusting in God
is not only an individual relationship but should be implemented in all aspects of life including
running a business. Matthew 6:24 states, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate
the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve
God and mammon." (The Bible Say, 2023). It is miserable when employees, shareholders, etc.,
have to choose between their personal beliefs and company policy because the two are not
intertwined. Southwest is a good company in a worldly sense, but it would be great if they
incorporated biblical aspects into their values and followed the ways of God. Their unethical
decisions would be God-fearing decisions. The last section will discuss Biblical Inclusion's
importance in a company.
Biblical Inclusion
This study source was downloaded by 100000898378497 from coursesidekick.com on 05-06-2025 01:51:17 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursesidekick.com///896202
Intergration of Faith
5
Deuteronomy 8:18 says, "But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you
the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as
it is today." (Bible Gateway, 2023). Understanding this verse and having faith in the word would
change the duration of Southwest Airlines; they would not fear using a different aircraft carrier
for the sake of operational cost increases.
Fear puts us in fight-or-flight mode. It lights up the limbic system, which robs energy
from the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain used for problem-
solving, but fear causes it to go dim, which could lead to tragic results and business
challenges. (Gates, 2019).
There are countless times in the Bible that God tells us not to fear; Isaiah 41:10 says, "Do not
fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help
you." (Bible Gateway, 2023). If Southwest Airlines incorporated "Do not fear" as a business
principle, it would give God power and dominion over their organization, which is superior to
any relationship or partnership they have built. Transparency is about the light being seen easily;
in the Bible, "light" is a metaphor that signifies God's presence and favor. When Southwest was
faced with trying times, they were not transparent with customers or the FFA due to fear of loss
profits; instead, they chose deception, intentionally giving inaccurate information that served the
purpose of the deceiver. This might have been a low point in the company, but when an
organization includes God in their principles, God always provides guidance and a way out.
Psalm 18:28 states, "You Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.
The Good News: God will always be your guide. He'll keep you going even when you're in a bad
place." (Usigan, 2019). This scripture and statement apply to all that seek the Lord, in business
and personal. It is always good practice to include biblical principles in an organization because
This study source was downloaded by 100000898378497 from coursesidekick.com on 05-06-2025 01:51:17 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursesidekick.com///896202
Intergration of Faith
6
the Bible is business ethics, and employees, stakeholders, and customers are not left to choose
between their faith or a product or service that they love and enjoy.
Conclusion
Southwest has thriving business strategies that have stood the test of time. Yet, they have
faced challenges that could have been rectified or never faced if they were to steer away from
Boeing aircraft and trust that God would still provide business success with a safer,
technologically advanced aircraft maker. Though Southwest has been an ethically sound
business, including biblical principles as their core value would take the organization to
unbelievable heights, and it would indeed be a company to admire worldwide because of their
step out on faith.
References
Arnold, K. (2023). Southwest Airlines grounds 115 Boeing 737 jets over weight issue. The Dallas
Morning News.
https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2020/09/17/southwest-airlines-grounds-
115- boeing-737-jets-over-weight-issue/.
Boyles, M. (2023). WHAT ARE BUSINESS ETHICS & WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?
Harvard Business School Online. https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/business-ethics.
Bible Gateway. (2023).
This study source was downloaded by 100000898378497 from coursesidekick.com on 05-06-2025 01:51:17 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursesidekick.com///896202
Intergration of Faith
7
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?
search=Deuteronomy%208%3A18&version=NIV.
Code of Ethics. (2018). Southwest.
https://www.southwestairlinesinvestorrelations.com/~/media/Files/S/Southwest-
IR/Code%20of%20Ethics%20-%20Clean%20as%20approved%20by%20Board%208-1-
18.pdf
Gates, C. (2019). DO AWAY WITH FEAR AT WORK. Work Matters.
https://workmatters.org/do-away-with-fear-at-work/.
Gates, D. (2023). Southwest Airlines proposed a ploy to deceive the FAA on Boeing 737 MAX,
legal filing alleges. The Seattle Times.
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/legal-filing-reveals-southwest-
airlines-proposed-a-ploy-to-deceive-faa-on-boeing-737-max/.
Gills, J. (2023). Bible Study Tools.
https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/passage/?q=psalms+128:1-
2#:~:text=Psalms%20128%3A1%2D2%20In,and%20prosperity%20will%20be%
20yours.
Kera, T. (2023). Southwest investors are seeking damages for what they say is the carrier's
negligence. Houston Public Media.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/transportation/2023/01/13/441462/sou
th west-hid-signs-of-outdated-technology-that-led-to-december-failures-class-action-suit-
says/.
Naiper, C. (2019). How Are Business Ethics and Relationships Addressed in the Bible?
This study source was downloaded by 100000898378497 from coursesidekick.com on 05-06-2025 01:51:17 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursesidekick.com///896202
Intergration of Faith
8
Christianity.com. https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/how-are-business-
ethics- and-relationships-addressed-in-the-bible.html.
Southwest Airlines. (2023).
Tabachik, S. (2019). Southwest Airlines faces $1.3 million in fines over "systemic violations" of
Colorado labor laws. Dever Post. https://www.denverpost.com/2022/06/02/southwest-
fines-colorado-labor-law-lawsuits/.
The Bible Say. (2023).
https://thebiblesays.com/commentary/matt/matt-6/matthew-
624/#:~:text=6%3A24%20No%20one%20can,cannot%20serve%20God%20and%20weal
th.
Twin, A., Drury, A., Perez, Y. (2023). Business Ethics: Definition, Principles, Why They're
Important. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/business-ethics.asp
This study source was downloaded by 100000898378497 from coursesidekick.com on 05-06-2025 01:51:17 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursesidekick.com///896202
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
