Compose A Report Of 1000 To 1500 Words ✓ Solved

Compose a report of 1000 to 1500 words in which you

1. Describe an ethical dilemma faced by an individual working within a business organization that is based in the United States.

2. Identify and explain all of the ethical considerations that should be taken into account in this case. As explained in our textbook (pp. 70-73), moral decision making is difficult in real-world situations, where ethical considerations often pull us in different directions. Describe what you feel are the most important obligations, effects, and ideals that should be considered before rendering a moral judgment in this case. Obligations refer to the specific duties or moral responsibilities the individual may have in this circumstance (e.g., obligations to follow a professional code of conduct, to adhere to the rules or expectations of a particular company, or to respect human rights). Effects refer to the consequences of a particular action. Make sure to identify all the interested parties and describe how they would be affected by the different courses of action available to the individual you identified. Ideals refer to the goals or virtues valued by a company (e.g., efficiency, product quality, customer service) or society at large (e.g., generosity, courage, compassion, loyalty, peace, justice, equality).

3. Provide a moral judgment that describes what you think the individual should do (or should have done) in this case. Make sure that your argument is logical and takes into account the considerations outlined in the previous section. Explain any trade-offs that you had to make between conflicting considerations. Please organize your report using this template.

Paper For Above Instructions

Introduction

Ethical dilemmas in the workplace can significantly impact the decisions made by individuals within an organization. A pressing case that illustrates such a moral quandary is that of Elizabeth, a marketing manager at a mid-sized pharmaceutical company based in the United States. The dilemma arose when Elizabeth discovered that her company was planning to release a new medication, which had shown promising results in preliminary trials but had also produced concerning side effects in a subset of patients. This report will delve into Elizabeth’s ethical dilemma, analyze the key ethical considerations, and provide a moral judgment regarding her situation.

Ethical Dilemma

Elizabeth faced a critical choice: should she prioritize her loyalty to her employer and support the product launch, or should she act in the best interest of potential patients who might be adversely affected by the drug? The marketing department was pushing for a rapid release of the medication to gain a competitive edge in the market. However, Elizabeth had substantial reservations about the ethics of releasing a drug with known side effects without fully informing the public.

This dilemma pits corporate interests against individual rights and well-being. Elizabeth understood that many stakeholders would be affected by her decision, including the patients who might experience harmful effects, the healthcare providers who would prescribe the medication, her colleagues who could face repercussions if the drug caused harm, and the company that might suffer reputational damage in the event of negative outcomes.

Ethical Considerations

In exploring this ethical dilemma, several considerations emerge that must be evaluated to reach a morally sound decision.

Obligations

Elizabeth has several obligations in this situation:

• Professional Code of Conduct: As a marketing manager, Elizabeth is bound by professional ethics to provide truthful information about the product that respects patient safety.
• Company Policies: She has a duty to adhere to her company's policies, which may prioritize profitability, but these should not undermine ethical practices.
• Human Rights: Ultimately, her foremost obligation is to the patients who will use the medication, ensuring their health and safety are not compromised for profit.

Effects

The consequences of launching the medication could be far-reaching:

• If the drug is launched and patients suffer adverse effects, it could lead to severe health complications, personal suffering, and potentially, legal ramifications for the company.
• Healthcare providers could lose trust in the pharmaceutical company if doctors find they were not fully informed about the drug's risks.
• Employees may face job insecurity if the company sustains reputational damage from the drug’s adverse effects, leading to a decline in sales.
• On the other hand, if the drug successfully alleviates symptoms for a significant number of patients, it could enhance the company's reputation and lead to improved business opportunities.

Ideals

Key ideals that should guide Elizabeth's decision-making include:

• Patient Safety: The paramount ideal should always be patient welfare.
• Integrity: Upholding ethical marketing practices is essential for maintaining the credibility of the pharmaceutical industry.
• Transparency: The virtues of openness and honesty should guide communications about the drug to all stakeholders.

Moral Judgment

Given the various obligations, effects, and ideals at play, Elizabeth's best course of action would be to advocate for a delay in the drug’s release until further testing could ensure its safety. While this might conflict with company goals for market competitiveness, prioritizing ethical obligations to patient safety and maintaining integrity in marketing practices ultimately outweighs the potential financial benefits.

This decision involves trade-offs. If Elizabeth pushes for a delay, she risks displeasing her superiors and potentially facing adverse career implications. However, by placing patient safety at the forefront, she upholds her moral responsibilities and contributes positively to the industry by advocating for ethical practices. Over the long term, such actions will likely foster greater trust within the industry and may even safeguard the company’s reputation against future crisis scenarios.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ethical dilemmas in the workplace require careful consideration of multiple aspects, including obligations, effects, and ideals. Elizabeth's case underscores the complexity of moral decision-making in corporate environments, where conflicting interests must be navigated with care. By prioritizing patient safety and ethical integrity, Elizabeth has the potential to not only influence the outcome of her current dilemma but also set a standard for ethical practices within her organization.

References

• Boatright, J. R. (2012). Ethics and the Conduct of Business. Pearson Higher Ed.
• Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2016). Business Ethics: Managing Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability in the Age of Globalization. Oxford University Press.
• Dunfee, T. W., & Pruzan, P. (2012). Business Ethics: An Interdisciplinary Approach. Journal of Business Ethics, 109(4), 453-465.
• Hartman, L. P., & DesJardins, J. (2013). Business Ethics: Decision-Making for Personal Integrity and Social Responsibility. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Kent, R. (2015). Ethical Dilemmas in Business: CEO’s Role. Business Horizons, 58(5), 615-624.
• Lozano, R. (2013). Corporate Sustainability: A Case Study Approach. Financial Times Press.
• Luthans, F., & Doh, J. P. (2015). International Management: Culture, Strategy, and Behavior. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Stevens, B. J., & Thomas, L. A. (2017). Ethical Issues in Business. Routledge.
• Thorne, L. (2017). Business Ethics: A Stakeholder and Issues Management Approach. Routledge.
• Weiss, J. W. (2014). Business Ethics: A Managerial Approach. Cengage Learning.