Running Head – CASE STUDY - : The NewCom Situation
CARIBBEAN MARITIME UNIVERSITY
Kingston, Jamaica
Organizational Behaviour and Ethics
OBE501
This assignment is done in partial fulfillment of the Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Logistics
and Supply Chain Management. It is designed to give the reader an overall understanding of
the various approaches to decision making in ethics.
Submitted to:
Mrs. Keshia Walker Brown
Prepared By:
Name
Identification Number
Shanique Elliott
*******
Due Date: December 3, 2020
CASE STUDY - : The NewCom Situation
CONTENTS
Chapter Page…………………………………………………………………………………...
1. Abstract
Discussion ..........................................………………………………………………………….
1. Terms and Definitions
2. Application of the Rights Approach
3. Application of the Justice Approach
4. Application of the Utilitarian Approach
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………….
References…………………………………………………………………………………….
CASE STUDY - : The NewCom Situation
Abstract
In this document the reader will find information on the various approaches to ethical
decision making such as the rights approach, justice approach and the utilitarian approach.
Efforts will be made to apply each individual approach to the case study as well as to
highlight how each approach may impact the various parties involved.
CASE STUDY - : The NewCom Situation
Terms and Definitions
In business there are three (3) basic theories or approaches that are often practiced; these are
the utilitarian, rights and justice theories/approaches which will be discussed in this portion of
the paper.
According to (Robbins & Judge, 2013), it was said the utilitarianism is a system in
which decisions are made to provide the greatest good for the greatest number. The author
then stated that the utilitarian approach promotes efficiency and productivity, but it can
sideline the rights of some individuals, particularly those with minority representation. This
means that while the utilitarian approach may promote a higher level of efficiency for the
greater good it may also infringe on the right of those that may fall in the minority.
Secondly there is the rights approach. Sources stated that the rights approach is the
second most important approach to ethics. According to a publication made by the
(Velasquez, Andre, Shanks, & Meyer, 2015), the rights approach stems from the 18th-century
thinker Immanuel Kant and others like him, who focused on the individual's right to choose
for herself or himself. It was said that these philosophers believed that, what makes human
beings different from mere things is that people have dignity based on their ability to choose
freely what they will do with their lives, and they have a fundamental moral right to have
these choices respected. In essence the rights approach focuses on the respect for human
dignity.
Finally for this portion of the paper there is the justice approach or fairness approach. The
justice approach, according to the (Velasquez, Andre, Shanks, & Meyer, 2015), has its roots
in the teachings of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, who said that "equals should be
treated equally and un-equals unequally." This basically means that moral decisions must be
based on standards of equity, fairness and impartiality.
CASE STUDY - : The NewCom Situation
Application of the Rights Theory
In applying the rights theory to this case we must first identify the basic rights of both
the organization (NewCom) and the employee (Wilson Mutambara). Some of the basic
human rights are the right to the truth, the right not to be injured, the right to what is agreed
and the right to privacy (Velasquez, Andre, Shanks, & Meyer, 2015).
Rights of the Organization
Rights of the Employee

Right to What is Agreed

Right to Privacy

Right to the Truth

Right to not be Injured
While both parties have equal and all basic moral rights, specific rights have been selected
which may be applicable to specific areas of the case.
Upon employment to the organization we can assume that Wilson Mutambara was
advised of a basic image and culture of the organization. While the organization have the
right to the truth and what is agreed Mr. Mutambara had the right to privacy which was
infringed upon when he was unknowingly investigated by another employee. Because the
rights approach focuses on the respect for human dignity, it can be said that Mr. Mutambara’s
rights were again breached because the organization chose to act upon the information that
was presented to them from an unsanctioned investigation which started off by being a
rumour.
In the case of NewCom vs Mutambara under the rights approach there needs to be a amicable
solution to the challenge at hand because the rights of both parties were infringed upon.
CASE STUDY - : The NewCom Situation
Application of the Justice theory
The justice approach can be applied in one of three ways, whether it is distributive justice,
procedural justice or interactional justice. The justice approach really focuses on protecting
the interests of the underrepresented and less powerful, but it can encourage a sense of
entitlement that reduces risk taking, innovation, and productivity therefore we will go from
the point of view of the employee.
Pursuant to paragraph four of the case study where it stated “one of his justifications
for his actions was that every employee in the company received the same allowance and
exempting him from the same payment plan would amount to discriminatory actions by the
company”. This statement properly depicts the need for both procedural and interactional
justice because both the employee’s perceived fairness of the processes by which outcomes are
allocated and his perceived fairness of the interpersonal treatment that he received from authority
figures (such as dignity, respect, etc.) are being questioned.
CASE STUDY - : The NewCom Situation
Application of the Utilitarianism Theory
Based on the definition provided by (Robbins & Judge, 2013) where it stated that
utilitarianism is a system in which decisions are made to provide the greatest good for the
greatest number. If we are to apply the utilitarianism approach it would be on the basis that
the beliefs of the organization are paramount.
NewCom can be clearly identified as a organization that practices this type of approach as
you can see where the organization on several account have clearly stated that the “style” and
“image” of the company are what really matters.
Now while the utilitarianism theory characteristically encourages individuals to act in
whatever ways they want as long as their actions lead them to the greatest levels of wellness.
The theory associates wellbeing with happiness. Therefore, an action is considered good if it
brings joy to the most significant number of people in society and vice versa (Academic
Writers Bureau , 2016). This therefore means that even though in some levels the utilitarian
approach is in agreement with what the action of the employee, it still leans in favour of the
organization because what Wilson Mutambara did me be seen as a noble deed it can also be
seen as a biased deed leaning toward the need of one specific demographic because of the
relation status of the employee with the beneficiary.
Also the utilitarian approach looks at the consequence of the act, so while Mr.
Mutambara may be well within his right to demonstrate kindness, he was also in breach of
contract because the company clearly stated that they wanted their presence to reflect a
particular image and style so much so that they were willing to pay for it. Therefore Mr.
Mutambara can either choose to upgrade his living situation and find a more suitable way to
CASE STUDY - : The NewCom Situation
support his kin or face whatever sanction that may be brought up against him by the
organization because they are well within their right to do so.
CASE STUDY - : The NewCom Situation
Conclusion
In conclusion, this document provided information on the different approaches to ethical
decision making such as the rights approach which focuses on the respect for human dignity,
the justice approach which seeks to fairly represent the underrepresented and the utilitarian
approach where decisions are to be made to provide the greatest good for the greatest number
and how they can be applied to real life scenarios.
Under the rights approach, in the event that the exhibiting of the rights of either party
may cause harm, those said rights may be brought into question or even be suspended. For
example: Because a person may have the right to freedom of speech, it does not give them the
right to stand up in a crowded auditorium and shout “fire” when there is no fire. That action
may cause harm to others therefore that person’s right can be suspended, because while they
have the right to freedom of speech they also have an obligation to respect everyone’s moral,
legal and contractual rights. Therefore the action that does not infringe upon the rights of any
given party is rather to be chosen.
CASE STUDY - : The NewCom Situation
References
Academic Writers Bureau . (2016, December 1). Applying Utilitarianism in Business.
Retrieved
December
3,
2020,
from
Academic
Writers
Bureau
:
https://www.academicwritersbureau.com/samples/219-applying-utilitarianism-inbusiness
Capsim Management Simulations, Inc. (2018, May 17). Five Ways To Shape Ethical
Decisions: Rights Approach.
Retrieved December 3, 2020, from Capsim.com: https://www.capsim.com/blog/fiveways-shape-ethical-decisions-rights-approach/
JUSTICE, FAIRNESS AND EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT. (n.d).
Retrieved
December
3,
2020,
from
Ideasforleaders.com:
https://www.ideasforleaders.com/ideas/justice-fairness-and-employee-engagement
Kim, T.-Y., Lin, X.-W., & Leung, K. (2013, December). A Dynamic Approach to Fairness:
Effects of Temporal Changes of Fairness Perceptions on Job Attitudes.
Journal of Business and Psychology .
Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2013). Organizational Behaviour. In S. P. Robbins, & T. A.
Judge,
Organizational Behaviour (15th Edition ed., pp. 222-223). Boston: Prentice Hall.
Velasquez, M., Andre, C., Shanks, T. S., & Meyer, M. J. (2015, August 2). Thinking
Ethically.
CASE STUDY - : The NewCom Situation
Retrieved
December
3,
2020,
from
Santa
Clara
University:
https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/thinkingethically/