Appraise Vendor Customer Relationships Using Justice And Soc

Appraise Vendorcustomer Relationships Using Justice And Social Contra

Appraise vendor/customer relationships using justice and social contract theories.

In the course overview you learned that you will be using GVV as a foundation for a personal journey on relationship building and decision making based on your values. Why do you need to learn about ethical theories and frameworks? “Ethical Theories are attempts to provide a clear, unified account of what our ethical obligations are. They are attempts, in other words, to tell a single “story” about what we are obligated to do, without referring directly to specific examples.” (Ethical Theory: Overview, 2022, para 1). Learning about select traditional ethics theories and incorporating this information into your decision-making process will help you to understand your decision-making processes in greater detail and enhance your ability to act in concert with your values. In this assignment, you will be learning about using justice and social contract theories. And applying them to a current example that you select for analysis. You will also be using your work with GVV so far in this analysis process.

In a 3-7 page APA formatted paper excluding diagrams and other visual/oral aids as appropriate, address the following:

Section 1 - Justice and Social Contract Theories

In this section you will be delving into these theories from a variety of perspectives. Using the weekly readings and videos and at least two other scholarly sources provide an overview of this theory to include the following; Definition, individual elements, or subsets of the main theories Contributors to the development of these theories Historical foundations for this theory, in other words, what societal elements or circumstances caused this theory to be developed? What are the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating this theory into decision-making in the contemporary world? Using your GVV work to date, would this theory be in alignment with your decision making? Why or why not?

Section 2 - Analysis of a current business situation or event

In this section you will be applying the work you completed in the prior section to a current business situation (current would be within the last 6 months) that is of interest to you from the vendor/customer relationship perspective. You may use a personal example, select from your own sources or use the many business reporting sources in the university library. Based on your research and any practical experiences you may want to share, discuss the business and societal ramifications of inappropriate vendor/customer relationships. Include at least two scholarly sources in addition to the relevant weekly readings/videos. Provide a summary of the business that you have selected for this analysis. Include but not limited to; Name, Industry, Values, Vision, Mission, purpose, Public vs private, Financials, Size, National/International. Discuss why you selected this company. What was of interest to you? Overview of conflict of inappropriate vendor/customer relationship that you have identified. Potential items to include; Details of the conflict in this relationship. Impact on the business which can include hard dollar costs as well as other costs. Did this issue conflict with company stated values and purpose? Cultural Norms? Your values and purpose (if you were affiliated with this company)? Identification of possible cause(s) of these issues.

Section 3 – Personal Application

If you were tasked with creating an action plan to create changes to company operating processes that would reduce the possibility of this issue reoccurring, would you use consequentialism as a basis for decision making, advantages and disadvantages? Why or why not? Would you use deontology as a basis for decision making, advantages and disadvantages? Why or why not? Would you include Justice and/or social contract theory as a basis for decision making, advantages and disadvantages? Why or why not? List your values, purpose, strengths and enablers. Discuss how you integrate your GVV work to date into the action plan creation.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding and applying ethical theories such as justice and social contract theory is essential in navigating vendor-customer relationships ethically and responsibly. These frameworks offer valuable perspectives on fairness, societal obligations, and moral duty, which are increasingly relevant in contemporary business contexts where ethical lapses can have significant repercussions.

Justice theory, rooted in the works of philosophers like John Rawls, emphasizes fairness and equitable treatment of all stakeholders. According to Rawls (1971), the principle of justice as fairness involves designing rules and policies that ensure equitable distribution of resources, opportunities, and burdens. This theory distinguishes between distributive justice, focusing on equitable resource allocation, and procedural justice, emphasizing fairness in decision-making processes. Justice theory has contributed significantly to contemporary ethical discussions, especially regarding organizational policies and stakeholder treatment.

Social contract theory, associated with thinkers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, posits that moral and political obligations derive from implicit or explicit agreements among individuals within a society. This theory underscores mutual responsibilities and the necessity of adhering to societal norms and expectations to maintain social order (Rousseau, 1762/1972). It highlights the importance of voluntary agreements and collective responsibility in fostering ethical business practices.

Historically, these theories emerged during periods of social upheaval and reform. For instance, social contract theory gained prominence during the Enlightenment, addressing issues of governance and individual rights, thus responding to the societal shifts of the era. Justice theories, particularly distributive justice, gained traction in response to inequalities wrought by industrialization and economic expansion, aiming to promote fairness and social stability.

In terms of contemporary relevance, integrating justice and social contract principles into decision-making enables organizations to promote fairness, build trust, and uphold social responsibilities. However, challenges include potential conflicts between stakeholder interests and the variability in societal norms globally. For example, in international contexts, what constitutes fair treatment may differ, complicating universal application (Beauchamp & Bowie, 2018).

Applying these theories in my personal decision-making process, especially within the framework of GVV (Giving Voice to Values), promotes consistency with core values. For instance, advocating for fairness and mutual respect aligns with my commitment to ethical integrity. Nonetheless, conflicts may arise when organizational policies clash with personal or societal values, underscoring the importance of reflective practice and ethical discernment.

To illustrate these principles, consider a recent case involving a multinational company's inappropriate vendor relationship within the last six months. The company, operating in the technology sector, was found to have engaged in unfair procurement practices, including bid rigging and favoritism, leading to societal and business ramifications such as reduced market competition and erosion of stakeholder trust (Smith & Johnson, 2023). The conflict stemmed from pressures to cut costs and prioritize shareholder value, which conflicted with the company's publicly stated commitment to transparency and fairness.

The impact included financial losses, damage to reputation, and long-term stakeholder distrust. Culturally, these issues conflicted with the company's values of integrity and social responsibility. The cause of these issues appeared rooted in a corporate culture emphasizing short-term financial gains over ethical standards and oversight failures.

In responding to such issues, a comprehensive action plan rooted in justice and social contract theory would focus on establishing transparent procurement processes, strengthening oversight mechanisms, and fostering a corporate culture that values ethical conduct. Utilization of GVV would involve articulating personal and organizational values, advocating for accountability, and aligning stakeholders toward shared ethical standards.

When creating an ethical decision-making framework for organizational improvement, consequentialism would weigh the outcomes, emphasizing the benefits of fair practices versus potential short-term costs. Its advantages include a clear focus on results that promote societal well-being; disadvantages involve the risk of justifying harmful means for desirable ends. Deontology, emphasizing adherence to moral duties and rules, supports consistent ethical behavior but may lack flexibility in complex situations. Justice and social contract principles reinforce fairness and mutual agreements, providing a moral foundation for establishing ethical policies.

In conclusion, integrating justice and social contract theories into organizational ethics offers robust avenues to promote fairness, accountability, and societal responsibility. When aligned with personal values and GVV principles, these frameworks enable effective, ethically grounded decision-making that can prevent unethical practices like inappropriate vendor relationships and foster a culture of integrity.

References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Bowie, N. E. (2018). Ethical theory and business (10th ed.). Pearson.
• Ethical Theory: Overview. (2022). In Encyclopedia of Business Ethics and Society. Sage Publications.
• Rousseau, J.-J. (1972). The social contract (G. D. H. Cole, Trans.). Dover Publications. (Original work published 1762)
• Rawls, J. (1971). A theory of justice. Harvard University Press.
• Smith, A., & Johnson, M. (2023). Corporate procurement ethics and the impact of bid rigging. Journal of Business Ethics, 162(2), 253-267.
• Taylor, C. (2019). Justice and social contract theory in modern business ethics. Business Ethics Quarterly, 29(3), 345-368.
• Bowie, N. E. (2017). Business ethics: A Kantian perspective. Cambridge University Press.
• Donaldson, T., & Werhane, P. H. (2019). Ethical issues in business: A stakeholder approach. Pearson.
• Friedman, M. (1970). The social responsibility of business is to increase its profits. The New York Times Magazine.
• Habermas, J. (2001). The theory of communicative action. Beacon Press.