PHIL DB week 5
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A very prestigious events planning firm, Verlon, has approached John Sanders, vice president of Echo Industries to secure a contract as a vendor. The president of Verlon Events Planning would like Echo Industries to consider their company for planning Echo’s several corporate upcoming conventions. Echo hosts 3 large events per year, which results in the awarding of more than $500,000 dollars in contracts. David Smith is in charge of researching suppliers and vendors for Echo Industries to ensure compliance with their ethics department. One of the ethical stipulations for awarding contracts is that agreements cannot be awarded to relatives of upper management employees. Vice president Sander, David’s boss, recommends Verlon catering as a choice, and states to David, “There is not a need to do research on the Verlon, I can vouch for the company.” He also states that David would be up for a promotion if the upcoming events are successful. David is excited about this news; he was unemployed for 2 years before landing his present position 6 months ago. A promotion would certainly help him catch up on bills and provide for his family of four. However, out of curiosity about the Verlon company, David conducted some research. He discovered that the Verlon Event Planning’s president is the ex-sister-in-law to his boss. At the monthly general finance meeting for approving contracts, the finance manager, William Young, asks David two questions: “Is the company reputable?” “Would there be a conflict of interest according to our company policies?” Vice president Sanders and William looks in David’s direction for the answers.Consider this ethical dilemma, and then answer the following:Part 1•From a deontological perspective, what should David do in this situation?•Should David have discussed the research findings with his boss before the meeting? Why? What is at risk here?•What ramifications, if any would David answers have for the companies? For David?•What library sources might you offer to support your positions here? How do they differ from your ideas?Part 2•Have you ever been placed in a situation such as this one? What decisions did you have to make? What was the outcome?
Transcript of PHIL DB week 5
PHIL DB5NameClassDateProfessor
Ethical DilemmaPart One The deontological perspective basis morality and conforms to the rule of law established in society. In other words it is not the product of the action but characteristics of the action that make an action moral or ethical (Devlin, 2006). In the case of David he should have discussed the conflict of interest with his boss. Most organizations are hierarchal and have a clear chain of command. David would be required to first report the discrepancy to his boss. Since the relative is an ex sister in law his boss could simply explain there was no real ethical dilemma or would have told him he could no longer vouch for the company. The monthly general finance meeting is the perfect place for David to mention his concerns especially since the question concerning any potential conflict of interest according to company policies was asked by finance manager William Young. The potential ramifications include first David could anger his boss by revealing the connection or he can be praised for finding the potential ethical complication so it can be properly addressed. An ethical organization would choose the latter. David is in charge of researching suppliers and vendors for Echo Industries to ensure compliance with their ethics department. This includes confronting potential ethical violations no matter the consequences even if David could potentially lose his promotion or even his job. In research conducted by Ishmael Akaah (1997) it was discovered that marketing professionals form research ethics judgments based primarily on deontological considerations. What this means is the right or wrong of the situation will heavily influence their decision. If it is wrong for David to be less than candid with the finance manager about the potential ethical conflict concerning the ex sister-in-law then David must reveal what he has learned. The point of view of the research is correct. Part Two In the workplace there are continuous ethical situations that arise requiring good ethical decision making. As a manager I have been confronted with many situations requiring a decision being made despite the potential negative ramifications. In one ethical situation I had to address the bad behavior of a friend who was also a subordinate. I had to make a choice to reveal the bad behavior or keep it quiet. In the end, despite the consequences, I had to report the bad behavior. These actions benefited no one but where absolutely necessary because it was the moral course of action.
ReferencesAkaah, I. (1997). Influence of Deontological and Teleological Factors on Research Ethics Evaluations. Journal of Business Research, 39(2): 71-80Devlin, B. & Magill, G. (2006). The Process of Ethical Decision Making. Best Practice & Research Clinical Anaesthesiology, 20(4): 493-506
