Course Code BCO 121 13456 Course Name Business Ethics Task B

Course Code Bco 121 13456course Name Business Ethics Task Brief Rub

Read the ethical dilemma here below. Marcos is the marketing director at Happy Pictures. He has been in the company for 20 years. He started at the sales department making calls to prospective clients with a very low salary and worked his way up after the company paid his college degree in marketing. The director let him know, in a secret meeting on Friday after everybody left, that they had lost one of their main clients and, therefore, they would have to lay off one hundred workers.

Marcos’s job was not included among the ones to be eliminated. A week went by and Marisa, his best friend from college, asked him while they were in the parking about a rumour that they were laying off workers. She wants to know because she is planning to have a baby and about to sign for a new house. What should Marcos say?

Apply the ethical decision-making process to make a decision regarding that ethical dilemma. Explain every step. Explain your final decision based on one of the theoretical frameworks discussed in class. Make two recommendations for Happy Picture Inc to avoid situations like the one in the dilemma. Justify your recommendation based on the concepts discussed in class. If there are any facts that are uncertain or additional information you would need to know, please state it. Make sure to refer to concepts discussed in sessions 1, 3, 4, and 5. The ethical decision-making process is extensively discussed in the resources of session 3.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Ethical dilemmas within organizations often compel managers and employees to navigate complex situations that challenge their moral principles and organizational loyalties. The scenario involving Marcos, the marketing director at Happy Pictures, highlights a classic ethical dilemma: whether to maintain confidentiality about layoffs, potentially risking moral integrity, or to disclose information that could significantly impact a colleague's personal life. This paper applies the ethical decision-making process, grounded in the framework discussed in session 3, to analyze this dilemma comprehensively. Furthermore, it explores ethical theories to justify the final decision and proposes organizational strategies to preempt similar issues in the future.

Steps Applying the Ethical Decision-Making Process

The ethical decision-making process involves several systematic steps: recognizing an ethical issue, determining the facts, evaluating alternative actions, making a decision, and implementing the solution. In this case, the first step is recognizing the ethical dilemma: Marcos possesses confidential information regarding impending layoffs that could profoundly affect his friend, Marisa. Even though the information is not officially disclosed, its potential impact makes sharing or withholding it ethically significant.

Next, Marcos needs to gather all pertinent facts—what he knows, what he does not, and the organizational policies regarding confidentiality. Given that the information was shared in a secret meeting, it might be considered confidential, and disclosing it could violate company policies and erode trust. The third step involves evaluating options: (1) disclose the information to Marisa, risking breach of confidentiality; (2) withhold the information, preserving organizational trust but potentially causing personal harm to Marisa if she learns about the layoffs indirectly; or (3) encourage Marisa to wait until official communication, thereby maintaining confidentiality while recognizing her concerns.

Decision-making in this context must balance moral obligations to honesty, confidentiality, and concern for personal harm. The final step involves choosing the action aligned with ethical principles, considering the consequences for all stakeholders. Based on principles of utilitarianism, which advocate for actions maximizing overall happiness and minimizing harm, the most ethical action is to withhold confidential information until official announcements, thus respecting organizational rules and avoiding unnecessary anxiety or misinformation.

Final Decision Based on Theoretical Framework

Utilizing Kantian ethics, which emphasizes respect for individuals as ends and adherence to moral duties, the decision to maintain confidentiality aligns with respecting the company's commitment to confidentiality and the moral duty to avoid deception or misinformation. Thus, Marcos should refrain from sharing the rumor with Marisa, encouraging her to wait for official communication, which respects her dignity and the rights of stakeholders involved.

Recommendations for Happy Pictures Inc

  1. Implement Clear Communication Policies: Establish transparent communication channels and protocols regarding organizational changes such as layoffs. By proactively communicating potential challenges and policies about confidentiality, the company can reduce uncertainty and prevent the spread of rumors. This approach aligns with the ethical principle of honesty and promotes a culture of trust and responsibility (Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 2019).
  2. Provide Ethical Training for Employees and Management: Regular training sessions on corporate ethics, confidentiality, and handling sensitive information can equip employees with the tools to navigate ethical dilemmas effectively. Such training reinforces organizational values and encourages ethical decision-making consistent with stakeholder theory (Jones, 2013), fostering an environment where ethical considerations are integrated into daily operations.

Both recommendations are justified by the concepts discussed in class, including the importance of integrity, transparency, and accountability in building ethical organizational cultures. They aim to prevent ambiguous situations, like the one faced by Marcos, by fostering an environment where ethics are prioritized alongside organizational objectives.

Uncertain Facts or Additional Information Needed

To make a more informed ethical decision, additional facts would be essential. These include the company's policies on confidentiality, the legal implications of disclosing insider information, and the potential personal and professional consequences for Marcos if he shares or withholds information. Clarification on whether rumors are officially sanctioned or strictly prohibited disclosure policies are also critical in assessing the ethical boundaries.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ethical decision-making in complex organizational dilemmas requires a systematic approach grounded in moral principles and organizational policies. Marcos's dilemma exemplifies the challenges faced by professionals in maintaining integrity amidst organizational pressures. Applying the ethical decision-making process and aligning the final choice with Kantian ethics ensures that respect, duty, and moral responsibility guide actions. Furthermore, organizational strategies such as transparent communication and ethical training are vital to prevent future dilemmas, fostering a culture rooted in ethical integrity and stakeholder trust.

References

  • Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2019). Business ethics: Ethical decision making & cases. Cengage Learning.
  • Jones, T. M. (2013). Ethical decision making by individuals in organizations. Journal of Business Ethics, 18(4), 355-367.
  • Kidder, R. M. (2005). How good people make tough choices. HarperBusiness.
  • Craig, R. T., & Miller, G. (2014). Responsibility and trust: Ethical decision making in organizations. The Journal of Business Ethics, 128(1), 51-60.
  • Robin, D. P., & Reidenbach, R. E. (2007). Toward a more comprehensive understanding of business ethics: A model and research agenda. Journal of Business Ethics, 74(4), 363-390.
  • Donaldson, T., & Werhane, P. H. (2016). Ethical issues in business. Pearson.
  • Schwartz, M. S. (2015). Ethical leadership. Business Horizons, 58(1), 1-4.
  • Bowie, N. E. (2017). Business ethics: A Kantian perspective. Cambridge University Press.
  • Treviño, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2016). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do it right. Wiley.
  • Hall, A., & Relyea, C. (2020). Corporate ethics and compliance: Expectations and realities. Journal of Business Ethics, 162, 155-170.

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