Introduction During the author’s course, Business Ethics, she was required to read a book titled “STREET-SMART ETHICS” by Clinton W. Mclemore. The author found the book an easy read because of the way Mclemore writes in the book. The author believes Mclemore’s writing style is very personable. Street-Smart Ethics is divided into three sections. The first section is referred to as a primer on ethics, the second section contains a collection of Proverbs-based guidelines for staying out of trouble and what to do when you get in trouble, and the third section is titled, “Test your meddle” that contains a self-test with true-false questions and ethical brainteasers which are designed to help the reader reflect on what they’ve learned. In this short …show more content…
This chapter presents an analysis of what now have become the popular study cases in corporate ethics, the notorious Enron and WorldCom. The chapter also discusses new ethical implications for people holding MBA and CPA degrees. In Chapter Two titled, “Law, Ethics and Society”, in this chapter, Mclemore explores the relationship between law and ethics and describes what people can do if they are being pressured to act unethically. In chapter three titled, “Threats, Risks, and Options”, Mclemore discusses the psychological issues that all those involved may have to face regarding ethical violations and decision-making. The author found a particular quote in this chapter that stood out to her. The quote is as follows: “The higher you climb up the ladder of any organization, and perhaps the greater your compensation, the more you will find yourself subject to awkward and uncomfortable pressures” (McLemore, 2003, p. 23). The author found this quote significant because she as many others, anticipates holding a high-ranking and high-paying position. A lot of individuals have the desire to hold a high position, but they really don’t understand what it takes. Holding a high position is more than just the paycheck, the position contains higher risk, higher pressures, higher responsibly, higher vulnerability, and a higher level of critical thinking. As a leader, you’re not only making a decision for yourself, you’re making a decision …show more content…
It is detrimental for a leader to understand the difference between a simple and complex dilemma, that way they can know how to attack the dilemma and find a solution. The chapter states, “Ethical dilemmas often arise on a short notice” (McLemore, 2003, p. 35). What does this mean? You can’t prepare for an ethical dilemma, you can’t study a manual of which will contain every dilemma and solution that will ever and has ever occurred. Why? Because ethical dilemmas are unpredictable and a new one is discovered everyday. Throughout chapter Four, McLemore provides a breakdown of what is defined as a simple and complex dilemma and provides examples. In Chapter five, titled, “Guidelines for Survival”, McLemore presents guidelines for staying out of trouble when you confront ethical dilemmas. It is much easier for one to solve a dilemma, when the have a clear undestanond of the issues involved and the things or people at stake. McLemore mentions two things to do when faced with and ethical dilemma that may be difficult to solve. The first thing one should do is “consult knowledgeable and wise colleagues” and secondly, “consult whatever codes of conduct apply” (McLemore, 2003, p. 43). Chapter Five also discusses Conflicts of interest and how important it is to be able to recognize and avoid them. Chapter Six, titled, “Complex and Ethical
At times in a person’s life, they might come across a few situations that leave them with a major decision between two or more options that challenge what they believe or what they might think is wrong or right. These are known as ethical dilemmas. Be it seeing a friend steal something and choosing between being honest and speaking up or letting it go. It can also be getting paid more than you earned and deciding if you’re going to be greedy and keep the money or return it. We run into these situations in our lives, some bigger and more influential on our destiny’s while others are small with no real consequences.
An ethical dilemma is defined as a moral issue, where a situation has two equivalent undesirable alternatives and neither choice will resolve the ethical predicament.
a dilemma is taking place due to its content. Based on moral obligations, the action to coming to
Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2011). Business ethics: Ethical decision making and cases: 2011 custom edition (8th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.
So, over all, this helps you get a better understanding that ethical dilemmas happen for all people, in all walks of life, in many different situations. It shows us we must pay attention to our actions and the actions of others around us. As long as we follow the rules, and ask for a little direction when we don’t know what to do, we will all be better off in our careers as helpers.
Ethical behavior is behavior that a person considers to be appropriate. A person’s moral principals are shaped from birth, and developed overtime throughout the person’s life. There are many factors that can influence what a person believes whats is right, or what is wrong. Some factors are a person’s family, religious beliefs, culture, and experiences. In business it is of great importance for an employee to understand how to act ethically to prevent a company from being sued, and receiving criticism from the public while bringing in profits for the company. (Mallor, Barnes, Bowers, & Langvardt, 2010) Business ethics is when ethical behavior is applied in an business environment, or by a business. There are many situations that can arise in which a person is experiencing an ethical dilemma. They have to choose between standing by their own personal ethical standards or to comply with their companies ethical standards. In some instances some have to choose whether to serve their own personal interests, or the interest of the company. In this essay I will be examining the financial events surrounding Bernie Madoff, and the events surrounding Enron.
Organizational Ethics Issue Resolution Paper Introduction For this paper, Washington Mutual has been selected to show how the ethical decision making process can be achieved. When it comes to business ethics in the workplace, Washington Mutual has designed what can be considered a well balanced workplace with behaviors that are aligned with their moral values and business ethics. Business ethics are sometimes depicted as resolving conflicts where one option appears to be the correct choice. There are many different ethical dilemmas that are faced by managers and leaders everyday that are highly complex and have no clear choice or guidelines to assist in making the choices for resolution. There are times when an employee has to decide whether or not to cheat, lie, steal, or break their contract.
I discovered how sticking to one’s morals should be the topmost priority for everyone involved in business, whether personal or professional. Regardless of what the consequences may be, the intensity of the problem, and the complexities it may bring, sacrificing one’s integrity should never be an option, as integrity goes hand-in-hand with the morals of an individual (Duggan & Woodhouse, 2011). They further go on to say that having individuals take part in building a code of ethics that supports employee integrity, they will act ethically. Also, I believe that companies should place more emphasis on the moral behavior of their employees, and clear-cut policies should be set regarding such ethical situations. Furthermore, I realized how serving justice while making decisions really helps in the long run, and that opting to go for the ideal rather than they deserved is not always the best option, and could hurt a company in more than one
Each person has standards that are defined by their values which come into play when the person faces certain dilemmas. It is simply thinking about what is right and wrong. The ability to identify, assess and develop an ethical argument from a variety of ethical positions is the desired effect. Considering these construct in Heinz dilemma, I would have answered the emerging four questions (Should Heinz have stolen the drug?
[2] An Ethical dilemma is defined as “a situation that arises when all alternative choices or behaviours have been deemed undesirable because of potentially negative ethical consequences, making it difficult to distinguish right from wrong” (Samson and Daft, 2005, p.158)
In this assignment we will be identifying an ethical dilemma an individual has experienced. We will begin with a short introduction of what an ethical dilemma is, moving on to providing brief details of the dilemma an individual has experienced. We will then go on to selecting one ethical theory, to show how it can help an individual understand and deal with the situation when placed within, followed by a conclusion.
What is dilemma? Dilemma means when one has to select a choice in a difficult situation. Now what is ethics? Ethic means selection between rights things and wrong things and knowingly chooses the right side of the situation. In today’s society we are facing ethical dilemma on regular basis which force us to use our judgment relevant to the problems. According to the philosopher 's point of view our moral values helps to choose the right path and teach us to behave in the society. Similar concept applies in business too, we have to select between right and wrong thing and be on the right side. Ethical direction is really important when crisis occurs at workplace. During this kind of crisis workers and leaders has to stay strong in order to get through the situation. However there is the possibility that some times business owner or manager ends up taking wrong decisions which effects on themselves, their workers and the business itself. Now the real question is do business professionals follows the ethical guidelines or they just
This paper discusses the role of ethics in corporate governance. I seek to show the application of moral and ethical principles in corporate governance. Ethics is a topic that has generated a lot of interest in the last decade especially after high profile scandals. The failures of prominent companies such as WorldCom, Enron, Merrill lynch and Martha Stewart portrays the lack of corporate ethics. The failure of such business has seen an increased pressure to incorporate ethics in corporate governance. The result of corporate scandals has been eroding investor and public confidence. The entire economic system has experienced some form of stress from loss of capital, a falling stock market and business failures.
Everyone in this world has experienced an ethical dilemma in different situations and this may arise between one or more individuals. Ethical dilemma is a situation where people have to make complex decisions and are influenced based on personal interests, social environment or norms, and religious beliefs (“Strategic Leadership”, n.d.). Leaders and managers in the company should set guidelines to ensure employees are aware and have a better chance to solve and make ethical decisions. Employees are also responsible for understanding their ethical obligations in order to maintain a positive work environment. The purpose of this case study is to identify the dilemma and analyze different decisions to find ways on how a person should act ethically when left with an ethical dilemma.
5. Lemmon E.J. Moral Dilemmas// Moral Dilemmas/ Ed. by Christopher W. Gowans. New York & Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987.P.101-114.