What Is Your Ethical Responsibility In Chapter 3 We Learn Th

What Is Your Ethical Responsibilityin Chapter 3 We Learn That The En

What Is Your Ethical Responsibility? In Chapter 3, we learn that the environment and ethics strong impacts the practice of Management. Read the scenario below and carefully craft your responses. You are a business student with the dream of owning your own business some day. You've participated in a few events like learning how to write a business plan and giving a pitch.

Recently, you entered a regional business plan competition, and you took third place! Another student you know took home the grand prize. At first you were not upset, but a friend called you last week and told you she read the winner's business plan; it was remarkably similar to one published on the Internet a few months ago. You obtain a copy and sure enough, the product concept is the same, the analysis of the competition is pretty much the same (though the names are different), and the only real difference you find is that the name of the business is different than the one found on the internet. Though some numbers in the financial analysis were changed, a majority of the document is the same.

Tomorrow is the banquet honoring the winners of the competition, and the winner will of course be there. In your initial post, describe what you would do. Think about the Four Approaches to Resolving Ethical Dilemmas, along with the Levels of Moral Development (Kohlberg) when developing your response. For your discussion, find two individuals who look at things differently than you, and engage in a discussion. Can you reach consensus, or will you remain in disagreement?

Paper For Above instruction

In the scenario presented, a student faces an ethical dilemma involving academic integrity and fairness in a competitive environment. The core issue revolves around the similarity between the winning business plan and an existing Internet publication, raising questions about originality, intellectual property rights, and honesty. As an aspiring business owner and ethical individual, it is essential to navigate this situation with a thorough understanding of ethical principles and moral development theories.

From an ethical standpoint, the primary responsibility is to uphold honesty and integrity. According to the Four Approaches to Resolving Ethical Dilemmas—namely, the Utilitarian, Rights, Justice, and Virtue approaches—one would systematically evaluate the situation from multiple perspectives. The Utilitarian approach emphasizes the greatest good for the greatest number; in this case, maintaining integrity preserves trust in the business community. The Rights approach underscores respecting the rights of all parties involved, including the original creator of the business plan. Justice emphasizes fairness, highlighting that awarding a plagiarized plan would be unjust to the original author and other competitors. Virtue ethics focuses on the moral character of the individual, advocating honest actions that align with virtues such as integrity, fairness, and honesty.

Furthermore, applying Kohlberg’s Levels of Moral Development reveals how different individuals might perceive the situation. At the Pre-conventional level, responses might be driven by self-interest or avoiding punishment—some may consider ignoring the plagiarism to gain advantage. At the Conventional level, individuals might uphold laws and social norms, possibly feeling compelled to report the misconduct because it violates fair competition rules. At the Post-conventional level, actions are guided by universal ethical principles; someone at this stage would recognize the importance of integrity beyond mere rules, choosing to address the ethical breach to uphold moral standards.

In tackling this dilemma, I would first confirm the facts and approach the winner privately before the banquet. If evidence substantiates the plagiarism, I would consider reporting it to the event organizers or judges, even if it risks conflict or social discomfort. This aligns with the justice and rights approaches and reflects a higher level of moral reasoning—acting in accordance with principles of fairness and honesty. Additionally, I would discuss the situation with two individuals holding diverse views: one who prioritizes loyalty and personal relationships, perhaps advocating for discretion; and another who emphasizes strict adherence to rules and ethics, supporting transparency. Engaging in this dialogue would help clarify my position and possibly reach a consensus rooted in shared values of integrity and fairness.

Ultimately, I believe that upholding ethical standards and fairness is paramount. Addressing the issue transparently fosters trust and reinforces the importance of originality and honesty in business practices. While disagreement may arise with those who prefer to overlook misconduct to preserve relationships, I am confident that a commitment to ethical principles will guide the right course of action.

References

• Carnegie, D. (1936). How to Win Friends and Influence People. Simon & Schuster.
• Gilligan, C. (1982). In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women’s Development. Harvard University Press.
• Kohlberg, L. (1981). Essays on Moral Development, Vol. I: The Philosophy of Moral Development. Harper & Row.
• Rest, J. R. (1986). Moral Development: Advances in Research and Theory. Praeger.
• Trevino, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2016). Managing Business Ethics: Straight Talk about How to Do It Right. Wiley.
• Velasquez, M., Andre, C., Shanks, T., & Meyer, M. J. (2010). Thinking Ethically. Wadsworth Publishing.
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• Kidder, R. M. (2005). Moral Courage: Taking Action When Your Values Are Put to the Test. HarperOne.
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• Alexander, L. M., & Welzel, C. (2011). The Moral Development of Business Leaders. Journal of Business Ethics, 102(2), 159-174.