Create A WH Framework Chart Similar To Exhibit 2.2 ✓ Solved

Create a WH Framework chart, similar to Exhibit 2.2, based on the scenario involving Steven J. Trzaska and L'Oreal USA

Steven J. Trzaska, head of L’Oreal USA’s regional patent team, faced ethical and professional dilemmas when management imposed conflicting rules—one demanding a high quantity of patent filings, another emphasizing the quality of filings—that he believed compromised his professional integrity. The company’s management prioritized fulfilling global patent quotas, which aligned with the company’s strategic goals to protect intellectual property and enhance market competitiveness. However, these quotas conflicted with Trzaska’s professional obligation to uphold legal and ethical standards prescribed by the USPTO and the ethical rules governing legal practice. When Trzaska refused to violate these standards by filing frivolous or non-patentable applications, he was ultimately fired, leading to a lawsuit alleging wrongful termination based on his ethical stance.

The scenario prompts an analysis of the stakeholders involved, the values guiding management decisions, and how the WH Framework can serve as a decision-making tool. Using L’Oreal’s core values—such as innovation, integrity, respect, and responsibility—and principles from Exhibit 2.3, a tailored WH Framework can be constructed to clarify the ethical considerations and guide managerial decisions.

Explanation of Stakeholders and Guidelines for the WH Framework

The primary stakeholders in this scenario are Trzaska, representing ethical professional standards and the company's patent integrity; management, focused on fulfilling global patent quotas to maintain competitive advantage; the shareholders and investors, interested in the company's profitability and market position; employees at L’Oreal, whose job security and ethical work environment depend on management’s policies; and regulatory authorities, such as the USPTO, which enforce legal standards for patent practice.

Trzaska’s stakeholders primarily include the professional standards of the legal and patent profession—he is committed to upholding integrity, honesty, and ethical conduct. Management, however, caters mainly to the company’s strategic interests, emphasizing innovation, market competitiveness, and adherence to corporate growth objectives. The conflict arises because management’s focus on meeting patent quotas conflicts with the ethical obligation to file only patentable and legally defensible applications, highlighting a tension between economic and ethical values.

Based on L’Oreal’s core values, the guidelines for the WH Framework should include:

• Integrity and Ethical Standards: Upholding legal and professional ethical obligations regardless of external pressures.
• Respect for Legal Regulations: Committing to compliance with USPTO rules and legal standards for patent filings.
• Responsibility and Accountability: Ensuring that decisions made align with the company’s long-term reputation and ethical commitments.
• Innovation and Quality: Prioritizing meaningful innovation over mere quantity of patents filed.

These guidelines help maintain a balance between the company’s strategic goals and ethical obligations, ensuring decisions are made with a comprehensive understanding of stakeholder interests and core values.

Self-Reflection and Application of the WH Framework

The WH Framework assists in analyzing ethical dilemmas by providing a structured approach to identify key stakeholders, relevant values, and guiding principles. When applying the framework to the Trzaska scenario, it clarified the conflict between management’s strategic objectives and Trzaska’s professional integrity. This structured analysis illuminated the ethical considerations involved and enhanced understanding of how values influence decision-making.

Furthermore, the WH Framework is a valuable tool for managers, offering a systematic method to evaluate the ethical dimensions of decision-making. It encourages considering stakeholder impacts, aligning actions with organizational values, and prioritizing long-term reputation over short-term gains. For example, as a manager faced with pressures to meet quotas, using the framework would help evaluate whether such goals align with the company’s core values of integrity and responsibility, and how they might impact stakeholder trust and legal compliance.

In broader terms, the WH Framework supports decision-making in various contexts—whether in strategic planning, resource allocation, or ethical compliance—by enabling managers to navigate complex dilemmas with clarity and ethical consistency. Its structured approach fosters transparency, accountability, and alignment with organizational values.

References

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