Choose A Contemporary Ethical Dilemma At An Organization

Choose A Contemporary Ethical Dilemma At An Organization That You Are

Choose a contemporary ethical dilemma at an organization that you are familiar with through research. Using the article, The PLUS ethical decision making model, as a guide create a model for ethical decision making based on your chosen ethical dilemma. 1. Evaluate all seven steps of the ethical decision-making model. 2. Analyze how each step can be applied to your chosen dilemma. 3. Evaluate how the model could have mitigated the ethical dilemma at your chosen organization. The Paper: a. Must be three to four double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references page) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. b. Have a separate title page c. Must use at least two scholarly or credible sources not including the course text. d. The Scholarly, Peer Reviewd, and Other Credible Sources table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. The instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for a particular assignment. e. Must document all sources APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. f. Reference page is separate page.

Paper For Above instruction

Ethical dilemmas are prevalent in contemporary organizations, often challenging managers and employees to navigate complex moral landscapes. An illustrative example can be found in the ethical challenges faced by multinational corporations engaging with supply chains in developing countries, where issues such as labor exploitation and environmental degradation often come to the forefront. For this essay, I will examine a specific ethical dilemma experienced by a technology company—namely, the decision to implement user data collection practices that raise privacy concerns. Utilizing the PLUS ethical decision-making model, I will evaluate each of its seven steps—Information Search, Identify Alternatives, Promote Ethical Values, Select the Best Alternative, Evaluate, Implement, and Monitor—to develop an ethical decision-making framework tailored to this dilemma.

The first step, Information Search, involves gathering relevant facts related to data privacy regulations, company policies, stakeholder impacts, and legal considerations. In this case, the company faced scrutiny over its collection and use of customer data without explicit consent, which posed potential legal violations and reputational damage. The relevant information incorporated legal frameworks such as GDPR and CCPA, as well as ethical principles of respecting user privacy and autonomy. Accurate data gathering is pivotal to understanding the scope of the dilemma and the potential consequences of various actions.

The second step, Identify Alternatives, entails generating different courses of action, including continuing current practices, enhancing transparency, obtaining explicit consent, or ceasing certain data collection practices altogether. Each alternative presents distinct ethical and practical implications. For example, while continuing current practices might maximize profit, it would likely compromise customer trust and violate ethical standards. Conversely, implementing more transparent data policies could increase customer loyalty but might involve short-term costs.

The third step, Promote Ethical Values, emphasizes aligning decisions with core moral principles, such as respect, honesty, and fairness. In this context, respecting customer autonomy requires honest communication about data collection and usage. Promoting these values ensures that organizational practices reflect broader societal ethics, thereby maintaining trust and integrity.

The fourth step, Select the Best Alternative, involves weighing the options against ethical principles, organizational goals, and stakeholder interests. In this case, the most ethical course of action might be adopting a transparent data collection policy that prioritizes customer consent and data security. This choice balances legal compliance with respect for individual rights, thus aligning with the core values of the organization.

The fifth step, Evaluate, involves analyzing the potential outcomes of the selected decision, considering short-term and long-term impacts. Implementing transparent policies could lead to increased customer trust and loyalty but might temporarily reduce data-driven insights. Furthermore, the evaluation process involves determining if the decision upholds ethical standards and whether it aligns with organizational mission and societal expectations.

The sixth step, Implement, requires enacting the decision effectively, with clear communication to all stakeholders. This might involve updating privacy policies, training staff on ethical data handling, and establishing accountability mechanisms. Effective implementation ensures that the ethical decision is put into action and sustained over time.

The final step, Monitor, involves ongoing oversight to ensure compliance and address emerging issues. Regular audits, stakeholder feedback, and updated legal guidelines are essential for continuous improvement. Monitoring guarantees that the organization remains ethically accountable and responsive to societal expectations.

This ethical decision-making model, when thoroughly applied, could have mitigated the privacy dilemma faced by the company. By systematically evaluating the ethical dimensions at each stage, the organization would have recognized the importance of respecting user privacy from the outset, thereby preventing potential reputational and legal repercussions. Ultimately, the PLUS model offers a practical and comprehensive framework that guides organizations toward ethical integrity, fostering trust and sustainability in a competitive marketplace.

References

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