It Is Crucial For Project Managers To Consider Ethical Issue
It Is Crucial For Project Managers To Consider The Ethical Implication
It is crucial for project managers to consider the ethical implications of their decisions and actions and to prioritize ethical principles throughout the project lifecycle. The case studies below demonstrate the importance of ethical decision-making in project management and the consequences of failing to prioritize ethical principles. Ford Pinto Case Panama Canal Expansion Volkswagen Emissions Scandal Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Boston Big Dig Three Gorges Dam Boeing 737 MAX Rana Plaza Collapse Flint Water Crisis Or another ethical project you are familiar with. Select one of the (ethically challenged) projects above for your initial post. Research the ethical dilemma, draft a summary and apply the PMI Ethical Decision-Making Framework (EDMF) to defend a possible ethical alternative in your initial post. Your initial submission should be a substantive post (~400+ words). Your response should include APA-compliant in-text citations and references. (If you are new to APA style, please see the APA style references located from the Citation Styles Link under the eCourse Portal QEP Tutorials page. Your initial post is due by Thursday of Week 1.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Effective project management necessitates not only technical proficiency but also a strong commitment to ethics. Ethical considerations influence decision-making processes, stakeholder trust, and the long-term success of projects. The importance of ethical principles becomes evident in the analysis of high-profile case studies where neglect led to catastrophic outcomes. This paper explores the ethical dilemma presented by the Volkswagen Emissions Scandal through the application of the PMI Ethical Decision-Making Framework (EDMF), proposing an ethical course of action aligned with professional standards.
The Volkswagen Emissions Scandal: Ethical Dilemma
The Volkswagen emissions scandal, uncovered in 2015, revealed that the automotive manufacturer deliberately installed software in diesel vehicles to cheat on emissions tests (Hotten, 2015). This deliberate deception not only undermined regulatory standards but also misled consumers regarding the environmental impact of their vehicles. The core ethical dilemma centered on the company's decision to prioritize profit and market share at the expense of honesty, environmental responsibility, and consumer trust. Volkswagen's leadership faced the choice of maintaining the deceit or taking corrective action, with devastating consequences ensuing when the scandal was exposed.
Application of PMI Ethical Decision-Making Framework
The PMI EDMF provides a structured approach for evaluating ethical dilemmas in project management. It comprises five key steps: (1) Gather facts, (2) Identify ethical issues, (3) Identify stakeholders, (4) Explore alternatives, and (5) Decide and act ethically (PMI, 2013).
Gather Facts
Fact gathering involved understanding the technical details of the software manipulation, the scope of the misconduct, and the stakeholders affected. It was established that VW intentionally engineered software to manipulate emissions readings, misleading regulators and consumers.
Identify Ethical Issues
The primary ethical issues included dishonesty, environmental harm, consumer deception, and breach of regulatory compliance. The company's decision to falsify emissions data demonstrates disregard for environmental sustainability and stakeholder trust.
Identify Stakeholders
Key stakeholders included consumers, regulators, employees, shareholders, environmental groups, and the general public. Each was impacted differently by the unethical actions, emphasizing the broad implications of the unethical decision.
Explore Alternatives
Alternatives ranged from maintaining the status quo for short-term gains to voluntarily disclosing the misconduct and rectifying the software, investing in genuine emissions compliance solutions, and fostering a culture of integrity.
Decide and Act Ethically
The ethical decision aligns with transparency, compliance, and integrity. VW could have chosen to disclose the cheating, cooperate with regulators, and invest in technology to meet emissions standards genuinely. Such actions would have safeguarded stakeholder trust and upheld professional integrity.
Conclusion
Applying the PMI EDMF to the Volkswagen scandal illustrates that prioritizing ethical principles is essential in project management. An ethical course of action would have involved acknowledging the misconduct, cooperating with regulatory agencies, and implementing authentic solutions—actions that align with ethical standards and promote long-term sustainability and trust.
References
Hotten, R. (2015). Volkswagen: The scandal explained. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-34324772
Project Management Institute. (2013). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (5th ed.). PMI.
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