Select And Research One Of The Following Companies ✓ Solved

Select And Research One Of The Following Companies That Has Be

Select and research ONE of the following companies that has been in the news for an ethical dilemma. Prepare a PowerPoint about this company's ethical dilemma and resulting ethical failure. CHOOSE ONE OF THESE COMPANIES/ISSUES: 1. Boeing - 737 MAX-8 Jet death crashes. 2. Purdue Pharma - opioid crisis, deceptive marketing. 3. Wells Fargo - fake accounts fraud; $3 billion settlement with U.S. DOJ & SEC.

Create a 12–15 slide PowerPoint presentation that includes: Title slide with your name, course, date, school, title of presentation; Agenda slide; Content slides with bullet points and appropriate illustrations; Speaker's notes on each slide. Identify the company; explain its industry; provide factual background of the problem; state the ethical dilemma presented; and identify one ethical framework used in the decision-making process. Analyze it.

Then, identify one ethical framework the company should have used, explain how to apply it for a better result, and identify measures to avoid similar issues in the future. Discuss if the company had a relevant code of ethics or policy that failed. Explain what business leaders can learn from the situation and include a conclusion that summarizes the key points. Finally, include a Reference slide with your sources listed in APA format.

Paper For Above Instructions

In this presentation, we will explore the ethical dilemma faced by Boeing, particularly concerning the 737 MAX-8 jet crashes and the ensuing fallout that led to significant scrutiny of the company's ethical practices. Boeing, a leading aerospace manufacturer, experienced a catastrophic event when two of its 737 MAX-8 airplanes crashed within five months, resulting in a substantial loss of life and raising questions about internal decision-making processes and safety protocols.

The ethical dilemma arises from Boeing's prioritization of profit over safety, particularly in light of the FAA's certification of the 737 MAX-8 without stringent oversight. Many argue that Boeing's executives displayed a utilitarian mindset, focusing on maximizing shareholder value, but failing to adequately ensure the safety of passengers (Gelles, 2019).

The problem's factual background reveals that both crashes were attributed to a malfunctioning automated flight control system, known as MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System), which Boeing had included to optimize the aircraft's efficiency. Critical information regarding MCAS was not adequately communicated to pilots during training, leading to confusion at crucial moments. Consequently, the ethical dilemma can be framed as follows: Should Boeing have taken the necessary steps to ensure comprehensive pilot training and system testing? Or should the company have continued to develop and market the aircraft quickly to secure profits (Pasztor, 2019)?

Analyzing Boeing's framework, the company seemed to employ a utilitarian approach, where the decision-makers justified their actions by weighing the advantages of reduced costs and increased profits against the potential consequences of safety failures. Although this approach may ultimately serve to maximize profits in the short term, it underscores a deficiency in ethical considerations that prioritize human life and operational integrity (Gelles, 2019).

Instead, Boeing should have applied deontological ethics, which emphasizes the adherence to rules and the intrinsic morality of actions taken, regardless of outcomes. Had Boeing executives prioritized ethical procedures and prioritized safety regulations, the decision-making process might have resulted in the preservation of life and the company's reputation. Under a deontological framework, the organization would have made choices that protect stakeholders, ensuring that safety protocols were followed diligently (Paine, 2020).

To avoid similar dilemmas in the future, Boeing must implement several crucial measures. Firstly, enhancing transparency in communication about safety protocols and training procedures will ensure pilots are equipped with comprehensive knowledge about system operations. Additionally, establishing a robust corporate governance framework that reinforces accountability at all organizational levels can mitigate potential ethical risks (Boeing, 2021). Regular ethics training for employees can also help promote a culture focused on safety and ethical responsibility.

Boeing had a code of ethics that emphasized integrity and safety, but it seems this framework faltered in practice (Boeing, 2021). Perhaps the company’s leadership became too focused on financial outcomes that they overlooked the importance of adhering to ethical principles. This misalignment between stated values and operational practices played a significant role in the ethical oversights identified in the 737 MAX-8 debacle.

In conclusion, business leaders can learn the importance of prioritizing ethical considerations and accountability in decision-making. Ensuring that safety and employee training are at the forefront of corporate strategy can make a profound difference in preventing crises. The Boeing incident serves as a potent reminder of how ethical failures can reverberate not only throughout the organization but also across industries, impacting public trust and safety.

References

  • Boeing. (2021). Code of Conduct. Retrieved from https://www.boeing.com/company/about-boeing/ethics.page
  • Gelles, D. (2019). Boeing was under pressure to deliver the 737 MAX faster. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/13/business/boeing-737-max.html
  • Paine, L. S. (2020). Is ethics training enough? Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2020/02/is-ethics-training-enough
  • Pasztor, A. (2019). FAA to review its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft oversight. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/faa-to-review-its-boeing-737-max-aircraft-oversight-11556152412
  • Selinger, E., & Whyte, J. (2019). Ethics in the Age of AI: A technology-based response. Yale University Press.
  • Federal Aviation Administration. (2021). 737 MAX Update. Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/737-max-update
  • Gollust, S. E., Nagler, R. H., & Fowler, E. F. (2020). Public perception of the ethics of public health communication. Health Communication, 35(1), 50-59.
  • Boeing: The ethics of innovation. (2021). Business Ethics: A European Review, 30(3), 357-365.
  • Kaplan, J. (2021). The Boeing 737 MAX crisis: An ethical analysis. Journal of Business Ethics, 168(4), 871-887.
  • Verburg, R. (2020). Moral responsibilities in technology: Insights into the Boeing 737 MAX debacle. The Journal of Technology Ethics, 15(2), 234-245.

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