Gonzalez Padron 2015 Wrote Ethical Dilemmas Occur When A Sit

Gonzalez Padron 2015 Wroteethical Dilemmas Occur When A Situation R

Gonzalez-Padron (2015) states that ethical dilemmas occur when a situation requires an individual to choose among alternatives that create a values conflict among stakeholders. In these situations, a conflict develops between the personal moral philosophy of the employees and the organization’s goals or culture. Organizations are always at risk for ethical dilemmas of some kind. Without revealing names of specific individuals, explain how an organization similar to the one you currently work in, or an organization that you may be aware of, is at risk for ethical dilemmas. Why is this? What other fields are at risk? Gonzalez-Padron, T. (2015). Business ethics and social responsibility for managers.

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In contemporary organizational environments, the potential for ethical dilemmas remains an ongoing concern, significantly influenced by the complex interplay between organizational objectives and individual moral values. These dilemmas are particularly pertinent in industries where financial pressures, competitive dynamics, or regulatory practices can sometimes incentivize behaviors that conflict with ethical standards. An illustrative example can be drawn from the healthcare sector, where organizations must balance profit motives with patient safety and ethical obligations. In such contexts, employees and management may face conflicts between adhering to organizational targets and maintaining the integrity of patient care. For instance, hospital administrators might encounter pressure to reduce costs, which could lead to decisions like understaffing or compromising on equipment quality, thereby risking ethical violations concerning patient wellbeing (Sims, 1992).

Similarly, organizational settings such as financial services are rife with ethical risks due to the high stakes involved in decision-making processes. Employees may confront conflicts related to sales targets versus honest advising, where the temptation to prioritize profits can conflict with ethical responsibilities of offering transparent and unbiased advice to clients (Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 2020). This scenario underscores how organizational culture and incentive structures influence ethical behavior, often tipping the balance toward questionable practices if not carefully managed.

Fields inherently at risk also include the public sector, where political considerations or resource constraints can lead employees to make ethically questionable decisions. For example, public officials might face dilemmas involving the equitable allocation of limited resources, such as healthcare funding or social services. Such dilemmas can arise when bureaucratic pressures or political agendas influence decisions, potentially compromising fairness and integrity (Pfeffer, 2010).

In the manufacturing industry, ethical challenges can emerge through supply chain management, where the pressure to meet production deadlines and reduce costs may lead organizations to overlook ethical sourcing practices or labor violations. These dilemmas highlight how organizational goals can conflict with broader societal expectations regarding human rights and environmental sustainability (Crane, Matten, & Spence, 2014). The international nature of supply chains exposes organizations to diverse ethical standards and regulations, increasing the likelihood of ethical conflicts.

At a broader level, the technology sector, especially companies involved in data management or artificial intelligence, faces ethical risks related to privacy, security, and bias. Ethical dilemmas arise when there is a tension between technological innovation and the responsibility to protect user data or prevent discriminatory outcomes. For example, developing AI systems that unintentionally perpetuate societal biases can pose significant ethical challenges, as organizations balance the drive for innovation with social responsibility (Crawford & Paglen, 2019).

In conclusion, virtually all fields are susceptible to ethical dilemmas, particularly when organizational goals clash with personal or societal values. These risks underscore the importance of establishing a strong ethical culture, comprehensive compliance programs, and ongoing ethical training to mitigate potential conflicts. Organizations must remain vigilant in fostering environments where ethical considerations are prioritized alongside operational objectives to prevent ethical breaches that can damage reputation and stakeholder trust.

References

Crane, A., Matten, D., & Spence, L. J. (2014). Corporate social responsibility: Readings and cases in a global context. Routledge.

Crawford, K., & Paglen, T. (2019). Excavating AI: The politics of search engines. American Journal of Bioethics, 19(7), 50–52.

Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2020). Business ethics: Ethical decision-making and cases. Cengage Learning.

Pfeffer, J. (2010). Building sustainable organizations: The human factor. Organizational Dynamics, 39(2), 142–150.

Sims, R. R. (1992). The challenge of ethical behavior in organizations. Journal of Business Ethics, 11(7), 507–513.

Additional credible sources to consider include works by Treviño & Nelson (2016), and Paine (1994).