Read the following scenario "You are on the management team of a private apparel company. The fundamental philosophy behind the company is that apparel manufacturing should be profitable without exploiting workers. This philosophy has shaped the company’s policies and the reputation of the company. This summer, the company hired an additional 1,000 workers to keep pace with orders. The company knows, however, that sales will decrease in winter and that the company will not be able to afford to keep all its employees (at least not under the current wages). Your task is to decide what to do in this situation.” Reference: Derived from ‘Teaching Notes’ of Business Ethics: A Managerial Approach. Author: Andrew Wicks, R. Edward Freeman, Patricia H. Werhane, Kirsten E. Martin. Publisher: Pearson. (2010). Business Ethics: A Managerial Approach. Author: Andrew Wicks, R. Edward Freeman, Patricia H. Werhane, Kirsten E. Martin. Publisher: Pearson. (2010). p.156. STEP1- Facts: What facts are relevant to this specific ethical situation? List them using bullet points. (2 Marks) • • The first one is… The second one is… STEP2- The ethical issue: What level of ethical issues are you dealing with: systemic, organization, or individual? List any of them that is applicable and for each one you need to explain why you think it is related to the scenario. (2 Marks) STEP 3- The alternatives: Given the facts and the ethical issues, what alternative actions are possible in this situation? Write the alternatives here using bullet points. (3 Marks) • Alternative 1: … • Alternative 2: … STEP4- The stakeholders: Who will be affected by the alternatives and to what degree? List them. For each stakeholder, you need to mention that to what degree the stakeholders will be affected. (6 Marks) Alternative 1: Stakeholder 1: Stakeholder 2: Alternative 2: Stakeholder 1: Stakeholder 2: STEP 5: The Ethics of the Alternatives: Use ethical theories to decide on the best alternative. The ethics of each of the most plausible alternatives is assessed using ethical theories. For each alternative, for example, we could ask the questions associated with utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, and right-based theory to determine how the alternative is rated by each theory. First mention your theory and then assess each alternative using your theory. (15 Marks) My ethical theory is: … Alternative 1: Assess the alternative based on your theory Alternative 2: Assess the alternative based on your theory Which alternative do you chose based on your assessment? STEP 6: The practical constraints: Can the best alternative be put into effect? Yes or no. If no, write the reason. (1 Mark) STEP 7: Action to take: Select the best alternative which is not ruled out by practical constraints. (1 Mark)
