Research and Analysis of Business Problems

BA 301

Research & Analysis of Business Problems

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Problem Solving Framework 2

Context & Background

Problem Analysis & Description

Solution Development

Evaluation & Decision- Making

Communication & Implementation

Problem Solving Framework 3

Context & Background

Problem Analysis & Description

Solution Development

Evaluation & Decision- Making

Communication & Implementation

Who Do We Trust? 4

Certainly not business!

How Did We Get Here? 5

Define Ethics 6

Ethics 7

Business Ethics

 The principles, values and standards that guide behavior

in the world of business

 Principles – specific and pervasive boundaries for

behavior that are universal and absolute.

 Standards are measures or norms.

 Values are qualities considered worthwhile. Values

help develop norms that are enforced.

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Name Some Values 9

Corporate Values

 Are the values real or published?

 Enron valued:

 Communications

 Respect

 Integrity

 Excellence

 What did they really value (at least some of the senior

management)?

 Money and profit – at the expense of customers,

shareholders and employees.

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It’s Easy, Right? 11

It’s Easy, Right? 12

It’s Easy, Right? 13

It’s Easy, Right? 14

Making Ethical Decisions

 Ethics discussions should play a part “before” you make the final decision. Do an ethical screen.

 Ethical issues are not “soft”.

 Encourage team-members to speak up about concerns.

 Assign an ethical watchdog – an “ombudsman”.

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At A Minimum…

 Do the legal test:

 Is it against the law, or against company regulations?

 Do the “stakeholder” test:

 Is the decision in the best interest of key corporate

stakeholders?

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Or…

 The Wall Street Journal test.

 The Platinum Rule test.

 The Mom test.

 The personal gain test.

 The Cost-Benefit test.

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Ethical Traps

 If it’s legal, it’s ethical.

 Everyone else does it.

 I was only trying to help.

 It’s owed to me.

 As long as I don’t gain.

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Encouraging Ethical Behavior

 How can you encourage ethical behavior?

 Define and communicate ethical standards

 Educate and train

 Case discussions and exercises

 Is unethical behavior always conscious and explicit?

 Bounded ethicality – people sometimes act in ways that are

inconsistent with their ethical standards

 Identify and understand psychological tendencies in order

to better guarantee ethical behavior

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BA 301

Research & Analysis of Business Problems

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