Question:
Discuss about the Business Ethics for Integrity and Honesty.
Business Ethics and principles are important for an organization in order to make decision. It is a principle function that guides an organization in making policies and procedures. The ethical philosophy in an organization is affecting the reputation, productivity and bottom line of the business. Ethical behavior is important for an organization in order to ensure employees integrity and honesty (Osterwalder and Pigneur, 2010). Organizations are focusing on the ethical code of conduct in order to maintain the standards for quality in their work. This enhances productivity and quality in order to meet results. A positive and healthy corporate culture increases the productivity and improves the employee morale. The given case study focuses on Whistle blowing and ethical issues faced by Michael. The act of whistle blowing has a potential impact between the personal, organisational and societal spheres. The conflict arises from the circumstance that one views a whistleblower – as someone sharing knowledge of misconduct and acting ‘disloyal’ to their organisation (Johnson, Christensen and Kagermann, 2008).
The given scenario highlights the malpractices carried by a business organization in order to gain business interest. It is a common practice carried in the business organizations these days. Corporate malpractice is an unethical conduct carried by the business organization detrimental for the future interest. The ethical issue is regarding the unethical use of document for meeting organizational interest. Corporate malpractices are common to the business organization. With rising awareness and corporate governance practices, it has become evident to follow ethical business practices (Zott and Amit, 2010). In the given scenario, there is no particular information regarding the company policies or regulations to provide direction. Use of information gained through wrongful mean is unethical, if not downright illegal. By using confidential information for personal gain comes under the unethical business practices especially Corporate Espionage where the company tries to obtain trade secret through wrongful mean. Using this confidential information would certainly give a competitive advantage, but put a question on the ethical conduct (Chesbrough, 2010).
Ethical context in business has increased in the corporate sector. This has created a necessity for managing the organization by meeting the ethical means. In the given scenario, there is a serious ethical issue in the organization. In order to meet the organizational interest, the organization is using wrongful mean to gain competitive advantage. Michael has obligations towards the company while working upon the task given to him. Ethical dilemma put a person under a complicated situation. This situation creates problem for the individual and the company while implementing the policies and procedures. An implementation of ethical theory will help in understanding the duties of Michael while performing duties (Week, 2000). The ethical egoism theory is a normative ethical position where an individual work in their own self-interest. Ethical egoism is a situation where the individual is benefitted from the act. He considers the benefits derived from the act (Newton, 2017). Ethical egoism does not require moral agents to harm the interests and well-being of others. In the given situation Michael can use the information for the company. The impact of using the information will be incidentally detrimental, beneficial, or neutral on the company. Individualism i considered to be an important aspect in disregarding or not, as long as it is satisfying the self-interest of the individual. The purpose is to meet the long term goals for which an individual is fulfilling the short-term desires that can be detrimental to the self. Ethical egoism endorses selfishness, but it doesn’t support foolishness. From the general context of an individual, use of information can be detrimental for oneself. But considering the long term consequences, use of information will benefit the organization. However the theory is regarded as an important parameter while handling the issues (Melden, 2013).
As per the Egoism theory Michael should not use the informational unethically as this might affect him later. This theory is based on self-interest. Michael should function by focusing on his interest. This will be helpful in managing his interest. An unethical act might affect him and his interest. Hence Michael should avoid any such act that might have a long lasting impact on his life (Beauchamp, Bowie and Arnold, 2004).
As per the Kant theory, morality is the supreme principle. Any act which is immoral is considered as unethical as per the theory. In the given scenario, it is ethical from the part of Michael to do a task that is immoral. Kant theory focuses largely on good and bad. While considering the impact of an activity that is immoral for an individual. It is completely based on the moral worth of the act. The given scenario is an example of an immoral act and depicts the corporate malpractice. From a point of view of an individual the theory focus on doing an activity with utmost moral perspective. While considering an act it is important to handle the act for the well-being of the individual and the organization as well (Garriga and Melé, 2004).
Hence it is clear that it is the duty of Michael to act as a Whistle blower in order to reduce the consequences that are caused due to an unethical activity. It is his duty to bring forward the unethical practices taking place in the company. Such business practice is not good for the long term growth of the company. While considering the organizational act it is important to focus on the well being by ethical means. For gaining long term sustainability it is evident for a business to avoid such malpractices. Ethical dilemma is difficult for the individual to manage the long term benefit. It is important for helping the individual in gaining better results while considering the ethical conduct. There are few acts that are considered to be unethical and hence Michael should ask his boss to stop such malpractices. These activities might affect him in future date at the time of scrutiny (Broad, 2014).
Michael boss is unethical here. It is not correct to use the information collected from the wrongful mean. It is clear that the act is completely unethical for the employees and the company on a long run. It can be seen from the case that the information collected by him is unethical. Corporate malpractices are common to the business organization. With rising awareness and corporate governance practices, it has become evident to follow ethical business practices. Any information collected without any proper source is unethical for the company as well the individual using it. There can be an incidence where the employee might face the consequences of such act at future date (Dion, 2012).
Firstly, it is unethical to use the confidential information of a competitive company retrieved through an unethical way. It is the case of corporate espionage. There is a probability that Michael has collected information through some colleague. Secondly, it is important for the organization to manage the organizational value. It is important for an individual to follow the ethical code of conduct. It is mandatory from the point of view of organizational growth and conduct. This will help in managing organisational goals and task for meeting effective results. The purpose of the act is to manage the interest of ever individual attached to the organization. This is important for the managing the organizational goals and maintaining a level of code of conduct in attaining result.
Michael is now aware that the organization is using the unethical information collected from the competitor. He should act as a whistle blower in order to avoid such incidences. These acts do have a long term impact on the organization. Advocating whistle blowing is important for the individual in order to avoid the long term impact. It is important to foster culture of self-regulation and accountability, management that can help in ensuring staff and business operations. Whistle blower is ultimately torn in between the employs and the commitment towards the society. Whistle blowing creates fear in the mind of the people. There is a constant fear that the employee might have to face the consequences that is caused due to whistle blowing. In today’s competitive business scenario, it is important to use the whistle blowing policies in an effective way. This is important for the society. Whistle blowing is important aspect for the society. It is evident for the business organization in order to manage the work in the most effective way (Miceli, near and Dworkin, 2013).
It is important for each and every organization to use effective organizational policies fostering honesty and loyalty. By encouraging this culture, the organization can promote transparent culture. The Whistle blowing policies protect the organization against odds. It is through the whistle blowing policies that the organization these days can gain competitive advantage. A Transparent and honest organizational culture is important for a company (Davis, 2013). It put forward a positive image in front of the customers. This helps the employees in managing the task in order to meet the long term sustainable goals. It is difficult from the point of view of an employee to act as a whistle blower. There can be potential harm to the whistle blower. This is why people are avoiding the instances to act as a whistle blower (Henik, 2015).
In a competitive business environment it is important for managing the business by following effective business ethical policies. It is important for the organization in order to manage the long term organizational sustainable goals. This is important for gaining competitive advantage in order to deal with the problems. Business ethics create a positive impression in the mind of the employees. In this way, the employees are able to gain job security that motivates employees. It creates a positive image in the mind of the investors hence helping in gaining a competitive advantage. At good corporate governance and ethical behavior is important for gaining organizational goals (Chesbrough, 2010).
Conclusion
To conclude, it is important for the business organization to follow effective ethical principles. The ethical issue is regarding the unethical use of document for meeting organizational interest. Corporate malpractices are common to the business organization. With rising awareness and corporate governance practices, it has become evident to follow ethical business practices. The given scenario focuses on the Whistle blowing and duties important for an individual in order to behave ethically.
References
Beauchamp, T.L., Bowie, N.E. and Arnold, D.G. eds., 2004. Ethical theory and business.
Broad, C.D., 2014. Five types of ethical theory (Vol. 2). Routledge.
Chesbrough, H., 2010. Business model innovation: opportunities and barriers. Long range planning, 43(2), pp.354-363.
Davis, M., 2013. Whistleblowing. The International Encyclopedia of Ethics.
Dion, M., 2012. Are ethical theories relevant for ethical leadership?. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 33(1), pp.4-24.
Garriga, E. and Melé, D., 2004. Corporate social responsibility theories: Mapping the territory. Journal of business ethics, 53(1), pp.51-71.
Henik, E., 2015. Understanding whistle-blowing: A set-theoretic approach. Journal of Business Research, 68(2), pp.442-450.
Johnson, M.W., Christensen, C.M. and Kagermann, H., 2008. Reinventing your business model. Harvard business review, 86(12), pp.57-68.
Melden, A., 2013. Ethical theories. Read Books Ltd.
Miceli, M.P., Near, J.P. and Dworkin, T.M., 2013. Whistle-blowing in organizations. Psychology Press.
Newton, M.T., 2017. A Comparison of Ethical Theories.
Osterwalder, A. and Pigneur, Y., 2010. Business model generation: a handbook for visionaries, game changers, and challengers. John Wiley & Sons.
Week, B., 2000. Knowledge management and new organization forms: A framework for business model innovation. Knowledge management and virtual organizations, 2(1), pp.13-27.
Zott, C. and Amit, R., 2010. Business model design: an activity system perspective. Long range planning, 43(2), pp.216-226.
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