*From a business perspective, working under government contracts can be a
very lucrative proposition. In general, a stream of orders keep coming in,
revenue increases and the company grows in the aggregate. The obvious
downfalls to working in this manner is both higher quality expected as
well as the extensive research and documentation required for government
contracts. If a part fails to perform correctly it can cause minor
glitches as well as problems that can carry serious repercussions, such as
in the National Semiconductor case. When both the culpable component and
company are found, the question arises of how extensive these
repercussions should be. Is the company as an entity liable or do you look
into individual employees within that company? From an ethical perspective
one would have to look at the mitigating factors of both the employees and
their superiors along with the role of others in the failure of these
components. Next you would have to analyze the final ruling from a
corporate perspective and then we must examine the macro issue of
corporate responsibility in order to attempt to find a resolution for
cases like these.
The first mitigating factor involved in the National Semiconductor
case is the uncertainty, on the part of the employees, on the duties that
they were assigned. It is plausible that during the testing procedure, an
employee couldnt distinguish which parts they were to test under
government standards and commercial standards. In some cases they might
have even been misinformed on the final consumers of the products that
they tested. In fact, ignorance on the part of the employees would fully
excuse them from any moral responsibility for any damage that may result
from their work. Whether it is decided that an employees is fully excused,
or is given some moral responsibility, would have to be looked at on an
individual basis.
The second mitigating factor is the duress or threats that an
employee might suffer if they do not follow through with their assignment.
After the bogus testing was completed in the National Semiconductor labs,
the documentation department also had to falsify documents stating that
the parts had surpassed the governmental testing standards. From a legal
and ethical standpoint, both the testers and the writers of the reports
were merely acting as agents on direct orders from a superior. This was
also the case when the plant in Singapore refused to falsify the documents
The engineer breached the duty of care through failing his/her duty to warn by providing insufficient warning on the limitation of the application. His/her software application caused the structural firm to designed a defective bridge and was the direct cause of many deaths. The junior engineer should be held liable for his/her product due to the principle known as product liability. This is evident in the case study because deaths and injuries due to defective product as a result of the software were foreseeable. Looking at the 1971 case of Lambert v. Lastoplex Chemicals Co. Limited et al., the manufacturers must not only instruct the user how to properly use the products but also warn the user the consequences of misuse []. This precedent case proves that the engineer failed to warn the structural firm of the limitation of the application as well as failed to warn the consequences of using the application beyond its capabilities. However, the information technology firm may be held vicariously liable for the mistake of the junior engineer as he/she developed the software application during his/her employment. The reason being the employer generally has deeper pocket than the employee [] and the collapse was a result of the junior engineer developing the application under the authority of the employer. Thus, the junior engineer is one of the tortfeasor to which the information firm maybe vicariously liable for his/her
Do you agree with Schmeltekopf that business schools are not preparing students well for the for the ethical challenges they will face in the workplace? Why or why not?
In today’s global society, a Code of Ethics policy is used to label established, acceptable behaviors among that industry’s business associates, potential investors, and the corporation’s executive officers and employees, and most important, the consumer (Ethics Resource Center, 2003). In an attempt to promote an increased efficiency and productivity potential level, among employees and prospective clients, a corporation’s standard Code of Ethics should guide its members toward a more in-depth examination of their personal moral activity, and how these actions affect the people or acquaintances they encounter. A company should utilize this strategy as a model for the professional behaviors and responsibilities of its constituents, and proves the occupational advancement of that business. Ethics are important in every level of a corporation, but specifically in the day-to-day actions of its members, and the image the company broadcasts to its associates is fundamental in building a stable business foundation. These pledges are a vital communication tool used to covey the firm’s standards for business operations, and predominantly, its relationships with the surrounding communities (Ethics Resource Center, 2003).
In today society you always hear about how company is conducting themselves ethically. This concept can sometimes help or hurt a company in the worst way possible at times. However, ethical conduct is not only the company’s responsibility but also the individuals. Granted the majority people do have that internal sense of what is right and wrong, that however doesn’t mean that they always listen to that still small voice.
Explain the connection between the economic model of corporate social responsibility and “free market” or “neoclassical” economic theory.
Business morals are a type of expert morals that analyzes moral standards and morals or honorable issues that emerge in a matter. Business morals apply to all parts of business behavior and its pertinence to the behavior of people and business association in general. This paper will focus on whether or not Ramona Alexander should sign a contract with Next Step Herbal Health Company. I will outline discussion points and draw my conclusion from the following ethical concepts, integrity, honesty, business code of ethics, and biblical, to suppose my decision as to why I would advise Ramona against signing a contract with Next Step Herbal Health.
In understanding business ethics it can be problematic in the sense that, this area is vast, often surrounding many concerns such as corporate social responsibility, difficult decision making to name a few. Furthermore, it generally addresses the entire scope of responsibilities and obligations that a company has to each of its stakeholders like consumers, employees, shareholders, suppliers and the society. Business ethics is the study and examination of moral and social responsibility in relation to business practices and decision-making in business (Author Unknown, n.d.).
Ethical Dilemma In Business Ethical wrongdoing is a problem in the real world wherein the rules can be bent to manipulate financial standing. In some organizations such as Lehman Brothers, we will take a look at how they were able to alter real information that was damaging to the company in such a way to make it look more secure. Before these things can happen the upper management must discontinue listening to their employees and even punish the ones that speak up about issues in the workplace. Slowly an organization can slip into a level of deception and manipulation that can only be alleviated by the eventual bankruptcy of the organization. Mr. Lee's Concerns Ethical concerns of how business is performed can cause uncomfortable feelings
The field of ethics (or moral philosophy) involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior (Fieser, 2009). Many of the decisions one faces in a typical day could result in a multitude of outcomes. At times it can be hard to determine whether or not the decision you are making is an ethical one. Many philosophies have been devised to illustrate the different ways of evaluating moral decisions. Normative ethics focuses on assessing right and wrong behavior. This may involve reinforcing positive habits, duties we should follow, or the consequences of our behavior (Fieser, 2009). Of the many normative philosophies two stand out to be most accepted; teleology and deontology. Although they oppose each other in how actions are evaluated, they uphold many similar characteristics under the surface.
Sometimes, businesspeople may engage in cultural relativism: When in Rome, do as the Romans do or you must adapt to the cultural practices of the country in which you are operating. Hence, such businesspeople may assume that “morality varies from one culture to another and that business practices are therefore differentially defined as right or wrong by particular cultures,” which creates ethical issues in business.
The word ‘ethics’ means standards of right and wrong behaviour. Another word often used is ‘morality’.
While on exchange in Australia, I was employed as a part-time waitress at a chocolate café. My duties included taking orders, washing dishes, and making and serving food and beverages. I was lucky to be hired, as it was difficult for students and backpackers to find part time work in the city I was living in. The café was a part of a larger franchise, where the owners were rarely present. At the site, constraints included a lack of resources and attention.
The first article I read for this assignment was “When Good People Do Bad Things at Work” by Dennis Moberg. I selected this article because I have wondered why good people sometimes get in trouble at work for unethical behavior. Also, I have been tempted to behave unethically at times at work and I would like to learn ways of keeping myself out of those situations in the future.
Ethics is the study of right or wrong and the morality of the choices that individuals make. That basicly means the set of morals or responsibility that a person, group, or field have. Ethics can also be classified as code of morals. In business there are ethics that portray to business. These are called business ethics, business ethics just happen to be the application of ethics, morals, into the business field. Some examples of business ethics are obeying all rules and regulations even when nobody 's looking, which is pretty self explanatory, you shouldn’t be breaking rules. Even if it is as simple as washing your hands after you use the restroom or straight up lying to your customers, they are the ones making you money so if they find out
The Facts: Kermit Vandivier works for B.F. Goodrich. His job assignment was to write the qualifying report on the four disk brakes for LTV Aerospace Corporation. LTV purchased aircraft brakes from B.F. Goodrich for the Air Force. Goodrich desperately wanted the contract because it guaranteed a commitment from the Air Force on future brake purchases for the A7D from them, even if they lost money on the initial contract.