An Ethical Dilemma in Business and Marketing (Essay Sample)

An Ethical Dilemma in Business
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Institution
An Ethical Dilemma in Business
Introduction
Proper and appropriate ethical practices and principles make one of the core determinants of success in businesses. These principles are the key tenets of successful businesses. A business community comprises many individuals who are charged with different roles. Every role player is expected to comply with the expectations and requirements of their various areas of work. In this perspective, conforming to the proper business code of ethics as demanded in the field of expertise is mandatory (Ferrel, 2010). This act reflects professionalism, diligence and results in competency as it invokes success from key business aspects like high productivity, team-working, employee and customer satisfaction. Sometimes, businesses face ethical dilemmas. When this happens, it is advisable to engage the stakeholders: management, employees, and shareholders toward finding applicable and efficient solution to the dilemma at hand (Perterson, 2005).
Angela’s Ethical Dilemma
Angela is faced with an ethical dilemma regarding her friend, Jaden. Jaden is the newest employee at the organization, WellCare Baltimore. Angela, who works in the human resource department at the firm, had aided him to a senior accounting position at the organization. She gets positive message from Jaden’s aunt, Carla, regarding the improvements in his personal life and gratitude. However, Angela is aware about the impending rationalization measure WellCare USA is about to make, which involves transferring the local accounting activities to Chicago. This cost-saving move will is bound to affect Jaden adversely since the company would not offer him an equivalent position at the firm and it would not offer him the position at WellCare Chicago since he is a new employee and seniority is a major determinant the company would consider for the vacancy.
This ethical dilemma places Angela in a morally problematic situation. Most experts have termed such a situation as a ‘right verses right’ decision (The Saylor Foundation, 2015, pg 13). Her friend is involved and her morality is questioned on the action to take without being unethical. The company is about to make the announcement in a few weeks, which she is cognizant, would negatively affect Jaden considering his recent developments and happiness. Looking on the case, it is not an ethical decision, which involves ‘right-verses-wrong’ problem but an ethical dilemma involving a ‘right-verses-right’ decision (The Saylor Foundation, 2015, pg 20).
This is a case of conflict of loyalty (The Saylor Foundation, 2015 pg 24-25). Jaden is about to be downsized out of his job and Angela’s loyalty to her boss and friend are questioned. However, her primary loyalty should be directed to her employer. Therefore, to go about the dilemma, she should not divulge the negative information to Jaden. In order to soften the dilemma, however, she can speak to the employer on formal and ethical grounds to consider divulging the information to Jaden (The Saylor Foundation, 2015, pg 24-25). In this way, she will have balanced the ‘right-verses-right’ decision to level the conflict of loyalty.
Employee Responsibilities in Ethical Situations
Many factors contribute to unethical conducts in businesses such as refusing to rationalize, where an employee makes irrational decision that deceptive (The Saylor Foundation, 2015 pg 29). Other factors that may cause unethical practices among employees are issues of honesty and integrity, conflict of interests where any employee faces tough choices such as whether to favor his or her own interests over other peoples or company’s interest and differentiating between (The Saylor Foundation, 2015 pg 23-29). Lastly, conflict of loyalty such as the Angela-Jaden’s case can also directs employees to committing unethical practice. The deal with cases of ethical dilemmas and avoid unethical practices. Employees should stick to the companies provided code of ethics and involve seniors in cases of ethical dilemmas (Ferrel, 2010).
The Organizations Responsibility in Ensuring Ethical Practices
Organizations should provide measures that help curb problems of unethical practices. For instance, various organizations have different culture. Organizational culture should be applied ...