Applied Business Ethics for US Market

Discuss about the Applied Business Ethics for US Market.

Ethical Dilemmas in Business

People associated with the organisational functionalities often face several complex situations. According to Shapiro & Stefkovich (2016), people associated with the corporate world often face several issues with ethical decision-making process. This case study is based on an advertising company of Germany that is expanding the business in US market. Borries, the Account Executive, faced the ethical dilemmas when he had to cancel a very important holiday trip due to a sudden decision of launching a new product by his company. The holiday was very important for Borries, as it was concerned with several personal concerns.

Identified Ethical Dilemmas

The ethical dilemmas that Borries faced are as follows:

He was informed that clients had to launch the products, as one of the rival companies was about to launch a product. He faced the dilemmas in cancelling the holidays since it was an important for him. He was to meet his girlfriend’s parents during that holiday. Similarly, the product launch was also much essential.

He faced the dilemmas from his colleagues. They stated that he could embark on the holidays instead of cancelling it for the sake of his job. It made Borries face the difficult situation to make the employees understand about his dilemmas.

He even faced the dilemma in his personal life, as he cancelled one of the most important holidays due to the work urgency.

Choices available to Borries

In considering the situations Borries had to face, it has been seen that some of the options were available. During the occurrence of any ethical dilemma, it is required to keep the focus on the probable options to avoid it (Weiss, 2014). For example, Borries could take the holidays and due to his devotedness, company could engage someone to cover his work. However, he cancelled the holiday to secure his job position. The ethical challenges are sometimes make the people unable to take the right decision (Johnson, 2013).

Majority Opinion

Many of the co-workers argued that since he accepted the management decision, he put his personal relationship in danger. In fact, since, he gave up his holidays; it was tough for other people to take their holidays as well.  In respond to this consequence, Borries presented his opinion regarding the cancellation of his holidays. He mentioned that since he had been working on that account for a longer period, it would have been injustice to leave the project at the end. However, there was the option that the management could engage someone else to cover his work for that particular time. Borries just maintained his balance to between the right approaches for the company and the clients. He thought that his decision was in favour to other employees as well. However, his decision was not proved to be much beneficial for other employees.

Further Information

It can be interpreted that Consequentialist utilitarianism theory is appropriate for this situation. The Consequentialism theory depends on two major principles. The first principle has been considering the decision based on the right or wrong perspectives (Baker, 2016). Another principle is considering the good consequences derived from the better action (Shapiro & Stefkovich, 2016). The theory provides the individual guidance to the person who has been facing the ethical dilemmas. In case of Borries, it is important to identify the right decision that is needed to be undertaken. However, it is seen that Borries failed to understand whether the decision of cancelling holiday was right or wrong. Thus, he faced the ethical dilemmas. Concentrating on the right decision is essential for a person (Hair, 2015). The theory is thus suggesting the proper attitude towards such situational consequences, which required in-depth thinking regarding the subject matter.

Difficult dilemmas

The ethical dilemmas that have been found in this case study are much difficult. It has been seen that Borries had to sacrifice his personal life. Moreover, he put his personal relationship on danger to maintain his professional duty. Borries felt that it is his responsibility to stay for the product launch project since he had been working in the account for a longer time. Therefore, he cancelled a very important trip that he had been planning for long. In fact, this ethical dilemma again shows his responsibility towards the fellow colleagues. However, it is noted that the schedule was pre-pond by the client as one of the rival companies was going to launch a new product. He cancelled his holiday trip to complete his project of new product launch. The holiday was very important for Borries. The company could at least appoint someone else to cover his work.

Reviewing the consequences, it has been seen that Borries faced the most difficulty in taking the right decision. He thought his decision of cancelling the holidays would be beneficial for the other workers. On the other hand, his personal relationship was also hampered. Therefore, he was unable to identify the conscience and performed his duty towards his company. Hence, it can be stated that it was not easy to resolve the ethical dilemmas that Borries had to face.

References

Baker, K. (2016). The Consequences of Accepting Consequentialism.Philosophy Now, 115, 38-40.

Hair, J. F. (2015). Essentials of business research methods. ME Sharpe.

Johnson, C. E. (2013). Meeting the ethical challenges of leadership: Casting light or shadow. Sage Publications.

Shapiro, J. P., & Stefkovich, J. A. (2016). Ethical leadership and decision making in education: Applying theoretical perspectives to complex dilemmas. Routledge.

Shapiro, J. P., & Stefkovich, J. A. (2016). Ethical leadership and decision making in education: Applying theoretical perspectives to complex dilemmas. Routledge.

Weiss, J. W. (2014). Business ethics: A stakeholder and issues management approach. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

 

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