Wrd 202 409 Marta Shcherbakova Autumn 2019 Ethics Advisory M

Wrd 202 409 Marta Shcherbakova Autumn 2019ethics Advisory Memoover

Write a 2-page, single-spaced memo analyzing an ethical issue at the workplace, providing options for action. The memo should include the following sections in bold: Introduction, The Situation, The Ethical Dilemma, The Stakeholders Affected by the Dilemma, Alternative Courses of Action & Tradeoffs, Solution, and Conclusion. For each, write a paragraph of about 5-7 sentences.

Introduction: Briefly state the situation and include a thesis statement that outlines the purpose of the memo and previews the topics that will be discussed, including all the section headings.

The Situation: Describe the facts of the case—who was involved, where and when it took place, and what was happening—using simple sentences in past tense.

The Ethical Dilemma: Discuss the values and norms in conflict, describe the ethical dilemma/issue, and explain why it is problematic. Identify which ethical values or pillars (like respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship, trustworthiness) are at stake and how they are jeopardized.

The Stakeholders Affected by the Dilemma: List all stakeholders involved, explaining their roles and how the dilemma impacts them or makes them stakeholders.

Alternative Courses of Action & Tradeoffs: Present three solutions to the ethical issue, detailing benefits and costs of each for the stakeholders involved. Explain how each option affects stakeholders positively or negatively.

Solution: Recommend the best course of action, considering which stakeholders benefit most and which values are prioritized. Explain why this solution is preferable.

Conclusion: Restate the purpose and briefly summarize your recommended solution, emphasizing why it is the best approach.

Paper For Above instruction

In the contemporary workplace, ethical dilemmas frequently arise that demand careful consideration and decisive action. An example scenario involves a marketing manager at a mid-sized corporation who discovers that an advertising campaign includes exaggerated claims that could mislead consumers. This memo analyzes the dilemma, explores potential courses of action, and recommends the most ethical choice.

The Situation: Last year, at the company’s headquarters in Chicago, the marketing team prepared a new advertising campaign aimed at increasing product sales. John, the marketing manager, noticed that the campaign materials included superlative claims about the product’s efficacy that exceeded factual data. The intended launch was scheduled within a week, and the team was under pressure to meet targets. In this context, John faced the dilemma of whether to approve the campaign as-is or to push for adherence to ethical standards.

The Ethical Dilemma: The core ethical conflict revolves around truthful communication versus achieving sales goals. The values of honesty and integrity are at odds with the desire to maximize profits, potentially at the expense of consumer trust. If the claims are exaggerated, the company risks legal repercussions and damage to its reputation, conflicting with the norms of fairness and responsibility. The dilemma thus involves balancing organizational success with ethical transparency.

The Stakeholders Affected by the Dilemma: Stakeholders include customers who rely on truthful information, the company's marketing and legal teams, shareholders interested in profits, and the management’s reputation. Customers may be misled if the claims are false, leading to loss of trust. The legal team faces risks of legal action if deceptive advertising is pursued. Shareholders and executives are concerned with sales figures and market positioning, while employees may be affected by the company’s ethical standing.

Alternative Courses of Action & Tradeoffs: First, approve the campaign without modifications, which could rapidly boost sales but risks legal penalties and long-term reputation damage. Second, revise the claims to adhere strictly to factual data, promoting transparency but potentially reducing short-term sales growth. Third, delay the campaign to conduct thorough validation of all claims, incurring short-term costs but ensuring ethical compliance and safeguarding brand integrity. Each alternative benefits some stakeholders while negatively impacting others—short-term gains versus long-term reputation.

Solution: The most ethical course of action is to revise the claims to ensure full accuracy, aligning with the principles of honesty and responsibility. This approach protects consumers, reduces legal risk, and preserves the company's integrity, which is ultimately in the best interest of all stakeholders. While it may temporarily slow sales, the transparency will foster trust and brand loyalty in the long run.

In conclusion, addressing the ethical dilemma by prioritizing truthfulness and accountability is essential. Implementing accurate, fact-based claims ensures compliance with ethical standards and secures long-term organizational success, demonstrating responsible leadership in the workplace.

References

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• Josephson Institute of Ethics. (2013). Making Ethical Decisions in the Workplace. California: Josephson Institute.
• American Marketing Association. (2019). Ethical Guidelines for Advertising. AMA Code of Ethics.
• Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2016). Business Ethics: Managing Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability in the Age of Globalization. Oxford University Press.
• Ferrell, O. C., Ferrell, L., & Fraedrich, J. (2019). Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases. Cengage Learning.
• Hartman, L., DesJardins, J., & MacDonald, C. (2014). Business Ethics: Decision-Making for Personal Integrity and Social Responsibility. McGraw-Hill.
• Solomon, R. C. (1992). Ethical Leadership and Business Ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 11(2-3), 99-104.
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