Select And Research One Of The Following Companies 194154

Select And Research One Of The Following Companies That Has Been In Th

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, according to the following instructions. Sources are provided to assist you getting started (click company name link). You will need to further research the company as well as applicable ethical frameworks and related law in your text and required readings. NOTE: In preparing this project, refer to your Week 1 Lesson Readings and Resources on ethical frameworks.

CHOOSE ONE OF THESE COMPANIES/ISSUES: The Links are a factual starting point for your information and further research. 1. Boeing - 737 MAX-8 Jet death crashes. 2. Purdue Pharma - opioid crisis, deceptive marketing.

The following resources will also assist your PowerPoint. What is Ethical Dilemma? Checklist of guidelines when you face ethical dilemmas Guidelines to Prepare an APA PowerPoint How to Add Speaker Notes in PowerPoint Assignment Instructions: Create a 12–15 slide PowerPoint presentation that includes: Title slide with your name, course, date, school, title of presentation; Agenda slide - This lists the key points covered in the PPT; Content slides containing bullet points information with illustrations, diagrams, pictures, graphics etc., as appropriate to the slide's content; Speaker's notes on each slide - either text presented in the Speaker Notes section at the bottom of the slides or Audio through your Voice speaking (or both); (Note: Speaker's Notes are not duplication of the text on the slides. They are explanatory narrative.) Identify the company you selected; explain the company and its industry; provide the factual background of the problem; and clearly state the ethical dilemma presented by the situation. There should be only ONE ethical dilemma. The company had two choices: the act it chose and an alternative it did not do. 3. Identify and define at least one ethical framework that the company apparently employed in making its decision. Note -- Not "Should have used." It is not acceptable to say it did not act ethically or did not use a framework. Analyze it. Frameworks include utilitarianism, free market ethics, deontology, virtue ethics, etc., covered in your course readings. 4. Then, identify and define at least one ethical framework that the company should have used when the problem arose, and explain how to apply it for them to have reached a better result than what actually happened. Be clear. 5. Identify and explain measures the company should implement to avoid this type of problem in the future. 6. Within your discussion include whether the company had a code of ethics or policy that seemed to apply to the situation, and if so, what went wrong with that? 7. Explain what business leadership in any company can learn from this situation. 8. Have a conclusion that wraps up the key points. 9. Include a Reference slide with at least seven (7) credible sources listed in APA format. (NOTE: Sources must be cited in slides and speaker's notes for direct quotes, specific facts, and graphics, same as in a paper, per APA format. If you are doing audio speaker notes, you would mention the source in your speaking narrative.) (Reminder; we are using APA 7th Ed. format.) 10. Your PPT should have a professional slide background and graphics on each slide. (See rubric)

Paper For Above Instruction

The presented research paper analyzes the ethical dilemmas faced by Boeing during the 737 MAX-8 jet crashes, an incident that garnered significant media attention and prompted widespread scrutiny of the company's decision-making processes. This case exemplifies how corporate ethical failures can lead to tragic consequences, damage to reputation, and legal repercussions, emphasizing the importance of robust ethical frameworks and proactive organizational policies.

Introduction

Boeing, a leading aerospace manufacturer, has a storied history of innovation and technological advancement in the commercial aircraft industry. Its reputation has been built on safety and reliability, which are critical to its clients and stakeholders. However, the tragic crashes involving the Boeing 737 MAX-8 in 2018 and 2019, resulting in 346 fatalities across two accidents (FAA, 2019), exposed serious ethical lapses within the company. The purpose of this analysis is to explore the ethical dilemma involved, evaluate the decision-making framework employed, and recommend measures to prevent future ethical failures.

Background of the Ethical Dilemma

The core ethical dilemma centered around Boeing's decision to proceed with the production and deployment of the 737 MAX-8 despite knowledge of potentially dangerous flaws in the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). The system was designed to prevent the aircraft from stalling, but faulty sensor inputs could trigger unintended activation, leading to crashes (Gelles et al., 2019). Boeing faced a choice: prioritize cost-saving measures and rapid deployment at the expense of pilot awareness and aircraft safety, or delay the aircraft's certification process to address known issues.

Operational Decisions and Ethical Analysis

Boeing's apparent decision to accelerate the certification process and minimize pilot training requirements reflected an utilitarian approach, aiming to maximize shareholder profits, market competitiveness, and customer satisfaction (Miller & Ross, 2020). This decision seemingly overlooked the ethical obligation to ensure passenger safety and thorough risk assessment, leading to catastrophic consequences. The company's decision-makers appeared to weigh economic benefits more heavily than the potential loss of life, illustrating a failure in applying comprehensive ethical reasoning.

Ethical Framework Employed

The utilitarian framework was primarily employed, emphasizing actions that provided the greatest good for the greatest number—namely, shareholders and airline clients. The emphasis on cost reduction and quick release of the aircraft compromised safety standards. Critics argue that this utilitarian calculus was flawed because it failed to adequately account for the moral importance of individual lives, and the long-term damage to Boeing's reputation and consumer trust (Boyd et al., 2020). The decision-making process lacked a balanced ethical perspective and neglected the principle of non-maleficence.

Alternative Ethical Framework

Deontological ethics, focusing on duty and moral obligation, could have guided Boeing to prioritize safety, transparency, and respect for human life. A Kantian approach would have mandated that Boeing adhere to moral duties rooted in honesty, transparency, and the intrinsic worth of human life, regardless of economic pressures (Kant, 1785). Applying this framework would have led the company to postpone certification until safety concerns were thoroughly addressed and pilots adequately trained, potentially preventing the accidents.

Recommendations for Future Ethical Practice

To avoid similar ethical crises, Boeing should implement comprehensive ethical review processes at all stages of product development, emphasizing safety and transparency. Strengthening internal whistleblower protections, fostering a culture of ethical accountability, and establishing external oversight by regulators would mitigate the risk of ethical lapses. Additionally, aligning corporate policies with a clear code of ethics that prioritizes passenger safety and the moral duty of the organization is essential (Davis, 2018).

Analysis of Code of Ethics

Boeing had a corporate code of ethics that emphasized integrity and safety; however, systemic issues such as profit pressures and inadequate enforcement undermined these policies (Boeing, 2019). The failure to adequately implement and adhere to these principles contributed to the disasters. Ethical breaches occurred when safety concerns were overridden by pressures to meet market deadlines and financial targets.

Leadership Lessons

Leadership in Boeing—and similar organizations—must recognize the importance of ethical culture as a foundation for operational decisions. Ethical leadership requires transparency, accountability, and a commitment to prioritizing human life over financial gains. Building ethical resilience involves fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice safety concerns without fear of retaliation (Schwartz, 2019).

Conclusion

The Boeing 737 MAX crisis serves as a stark reminder that ethical decision-making is crucial in the aviation industry. Relying solely on utilitarian calculus without considering moral duties can result in catastrophic outcomes. These incidents underscore the importance of integrating ethical frameworks like deontology into corporate decision-making processes, implementing rigorous safety protocols, and cultivating an ethical organizational culture. Toward a safer and more responsible aerospace industry, companies must learn from these failures to uphold the moral obligation to protect human lives above all.

References

• Boyd, D., Smith, A., & Johnson, R. (2020). Ethical failures in aerospace safety: Boeing 737 MAX case. Journal of Business Ethics, 165(3), 385-400.
• Boeing. (2019). Code of conduct and ethics policy. Boeing Corporation.
• Gelles, D., Nicas, J., & Boudette, N. (2019). Inside Boeing’s quest to build a better 737 Max. The New York Times.
• Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals.
• Miller, T., & Ross, S. (2020). Corporate ethics and decision making in aerospace. Ethical Perspectives, 27(2), 296-310.
• Schwartz, M. S. (2019). Building an ethical organizational culture. Business Ethics Quarterly, 29(4), 471-482.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (2019). Operating limitations and certifications for Boeing 737 Max. FAA Report.
• Gelles, D., et al. (2019). Inside Boeing’s quest to build a better 737 Max. The New York Times.