SCE International Executive PD Programs Disclaimer
SCE International Executive Pd Programsdisclaimer This Assignment Is
SCE International Executive PD Programs Disclaimer: This assignment involves analyzing ethical dilemmas by applying the Five Questions to Guide Ethical Decisions from your textbook. You must select four dilemmas from a provided list and assess each using these questions, explaining your responses in a report. The assignment must be typed in Times New Roman font size 12, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins, and submitted via Blackboard. It contributes to your course grade based on clarity, organization, and thoroughness. Your submission should include detailed analysis, supported by credible sources, and follow proper academic integrity standards. The assignment encourages the discussion of dilemmas and reflection on ethical decision-making processes.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
In today’s globalized business environment, ethical decision-making is crucial for maintaining integrity, trust, and professionalism. Business professionals frequently face dilemmas that challenge their personal values and organizational policies. The ability to navigate these ethical dilemmas responsibly is essential. This paper examines four specific ethical dilemmas from a list provided in a course assignment, applying the Five Questions to Guide Ethical Decisions framework to analyze each situation. These five questions, derived from the principles of ethical decision-making, help clarify the moral dimensions of difficult choices and promote responsible judgments.
Dilemma 1: Company Restructuring and Job Security
The first dilemma involves an email regarding a restructuring plan revealing that a co-worker’s position will be eliminated. The ethical question revolves around whether to inform the co-worker—who is about to purchase a new home—about the impending job loss. Here, the primary ethical considerations include loyalty, honesty, and potential harm.
Assessment using the Five Questions:
1. Is it right or wrong?
It is wrong to conceal critical information that affects someone's livelihood, particularly when the information could enable the individual to prepare or seek alternative employment.
2. Who will be affected?
The co-worker, their family, and potentially the organization are affected. The co-worker’s trust and morale could be severely impacted if they learn about the decision through other channels.
3. What are the consequences?
Disclosing the information promotes honesty and trust but may cause distress or conflict. Not sharing could preserve short-term harmony but damage trust if the co-worker finds out later.
4. What does my organization or profession expect?
Most organizations expect employees to act ethically, including honesty and confidentiality, especially concerning employment matters.
5. What would I advise a friend or colleague to do?
Advising transparency and compassion aligns with ethical standards and promotes trust.
Response: I would inform my co-worker about the restructuring plan, exercising sensitivity, and offering support, recognizing that honesty fosters trust and integrity.
Dilemma 2: Handling Customer Complaint and Blame
The second dilemma concerns responding to an irate customer after a mistake. The choice is between blaming a computer glitch, another department, or taking responsibility directly.
Assessment using the Five Questions:
1. Is it right or wrong?
Taking responsibility aligns with ethical standards and honesty. Blaming others without proof can be deceptive.
2. Who will be affected?
The customer’s trust, the organization’s reputation, and internal relationships are affected.
3. What are the consequences?
Owning the mistake may temporarily create risk but enhances credibility. Blaming others might preserve ego but damages trust.
4. What does my organization or profession expect?
Professionally, honesty and accountability are expected behaviors.
5. What would I advise a friend?
I would advise owning the mistake, apologizing sincerely, and working to resolve the issue.
Response: I would accept responsibility, apologize sincerely, and work towards a solution, upholding integrity and fostering customer trust.
Dilemma 3: Writing an Honest Progress Report
The third dilemma involves whether to ignore problems in a progress report at the boss’s request or to report honest issues.
Assessment using the Five Questions:
1. Is it right or wrong?
Honest reporting is morally correct; deliberately omitting issues is unethical.
2. Who will be affected?
The organization, project team, and future decision-makers are impacted.
3. What are the consequences?
Honest reports enable informed decisions and problem-solving. Concealed issues could cause project failure.
4. What does my organization or profession expect?
Transparency and honesty are professional standards.
5. What would I advise a colleague?
To report truthfully, emphasizing constructive solutions to problems.
Response: I would report all issues honestly, advocating for transparency and proactive problem resolution.
Dilemma 4: Inflating Sales Figures for Bonus
The fourth dilemma involves inflating sales figures to meet targets and secure bonuses, driven by organizational pressure.
Assessment using the Five Questions:
1. Is it right or wrong?
Inflating figures is dishonest and violates ethical standards.
2. Who will be affected?
The organization, colleagues, and stakeholders are misled, and the reputation could suffer if discovered.
3. What are the consequences?
Short-term gain may lead to long-term damage, including loss of trust and potential disciplinary action.
4. What does my organization or profession expect?
Honesty in reporting financial data is a core professional obligation.
5. What would I advise a friend?
To refuse to inflate figures and seek ethical ways to meet goals.
Response: I would decline to inflate sales figures and advocate for ethical sales practices, even if it means risking short-term personal gain.
Conclusion
Applying the Five Questions to Guide Ethical Decisions reveals clear moral paths in complex scenarios. Honesty, accountability, and integrity should underpin all business decisions, fostering trust and sustainability. Ethical dilemmas often involve balancing short-term benefits against long-term principles; using structured frameworks helps clarify these choices. As future business professionals, awareness of ethical principles and a commitment to integrity are essential for responsible leadership.
References
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- Bowie, N. E. (2017). Business ethics: Ethical decision making & cases. Pearson.
- Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2016). Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford University Press.
- Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2019). business ethics: Ethical decision making & cases. Cengage.
- Kidder, R. M. (2005). How good people make tough choices: Resolving the dilemmas of ethical living. HarperOne.
- Laczniak, G. R., & Murphy, P. E. (2019). Ethical marketing: Basic concepts. Routledge.
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- Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989, Pub. L. No. 101-12, 103 Stat. 16.