RESOLVINGETHICAL
BUSINESSCHALLENGES
1.
What are Joseph's ethical problems?
The ethical problems that Joseph faced are conflicts of interest, fairness, honesty and bribes.
He noticed that Carl and other employees were using “kickback” with their customers. There
was nothing mentioned in the Alcon’s handbook about “kickback” but a statement was written
– “Our company stands for the right thing at all time and giving our customers the best
products for the best price”. Joseph and the employees knew that this statement reflects that
kickback is unethical and it does not represent the company’s policy because kickback reduces
fairness, which eventually leads to reduction in quality and increase in price for customers.
In other words, Joseph's ethical problem is that he did not honor the policy of the company in
which he was working. In this case, Joseph failed to remind the other employees that the policy
of their firm required that the best and quality of services were availed to the customers. And
also, the price levels of its products and services were supposed to be affordable and not
exploitative. Also, Joseph kept the issue on kick-backs which increased the prices levels and
lowered the quality of consumer products, all by himself. It is an ethical problem as he would
have taken the step of telling the head of the firm on the issue that can highly affect the
performance and the public image of the company.
2.
Assume that you are Joseph and discuss your options.
The situation should be addressed with Carl and other employees to explain them the ethical
issues with kickback. They will be informed that this is not the correct and acceptable way and
may further create problems for the company. Their behavior should be reported to the
president of the company because not reporting can make Joseph lose his job or face criminal
charges.
In case I was Joseph, my options would to tell the vice president on the issues of kick back to
avoid lowering the quality of products and increasing the price levels. It would be a good option
as it would help in the exploitation of the customers. Also, I would inform my fiancé on the
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operations and the activities as run in the organization considering that she has attained a
position of being a broker.
3.
What other information do you feel you need before making your decision?
Before making the decision, it should be known that from how much time this action was going
on. How they successfully manage to hide it from the manager of the company, why this started
and when it started.
In other words, I would consider attaining information of the effects of the kickbacks on the
company's policy pertaining the welfare of the customers
4.
Discuss in which business areas the ethical problems lie.
In many business areas, the ethical problems lie. Such as, abusive behavior of Carl when
Joseph conveys him the information that he found. Conflict of interest which exists when
individual should choose whether to advance his own interest; Joseph was afraid because he felt
that if he reports this, his wife’s new job will affect. He was also facing bribery ethical situation
in which if he kept silent, his wife’s job would be safe. Fraud Joseph could be engaged in
deceptive practices to advance his own interests. Also, he will be dishonest and lying.
The ethical problems of Joseph, lies in the communication process in the business. It is the
case as it is due to hierarchy of communication that Joseph was unable to let out the serious
issue.
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