From: Rian Brown
To:
Maemae
G-BioSport Bonus
Total: 0 (out of 0)
Issues in your Dilemma
Thanks for visiting with me today. You’re right . . . you have a tough problem. I am pleased that you are
willing to work through the problem by e-mail today. I think you will find this method useful.
The first step is to figure out exactly what the problem is—what is the issue that you are facing. By
breaking the problem down into small parts, you can see the dilemma more clearly. If you want some
additional help in sorting through the issue, check my Ethics Coach posting for this page. Remember
that the Ethics Coach changes on each page with information specific to your current task.
Now, based on our conversation, I've included a list of possible issues for this problem.



Check the one that you think applies to this situation.
Then, submit your answer.
I’ll let you know whether or not you hit the mark.
/w EPDw UKMTIw
1
/w EWBw LPuMXlB
Which issue applies to this problem?
Whether you should recall the product already in stores.
Whether the internal quality control limits should be raised to the FDA level.
Whether the cost of recalling the product exceeds the potential liability from lawsuits.
Whether to warn and what information to provide consumers about the contaminant.
Previous
From: Rian Brown
To:
Maemae
G-BioSport Bonus
Total: 1,000 (out of
1,000)
re: Issues in your Dilemma
Thank you for your reply. When analyzing a complex problem, I find it critical that the issues be
identified and clearly understood.
Here's how to read the chart:





A appears before the issue you selected as applying to the situation.
An appears before those issues that you did not select.
If I disagree with your choice, these symbols are marked as
and
For answers on which we agree, the text is highlighted in blue.
For answers on which we disagree, the text is highlighted in yellow.
.
Let’s see how you did.
/w EPDw UJNDM5
/w EWAw K+lfyKB
Which issue applies to this problem?
Whether you should recall the product already in stores.
(Incorrect) This is an option for resolving the problem. Framing an option as the issue can
limit your ability to creatively respond to the dilemma.
Whether the internal quality control limits should be raised to the FDA level.
(Incorrect) This is certainly a legitimate question and perhaps there should even be a
process in place for a regular review of quality thresholds. However, this is a long-term
issue and not the primary issue you must solve now.
Whether the cost of recalling the product exceeds the potential liability from lawsuits.
(Incorrect) The cost of litigation versus the cost of recall should not be the sole criteria for
determining when a product is too dangerous to leave in the hands of the public. This is also
not the primary issue to be addressed.
Whether to warn and what information to provide consumers about the contaminant.
(Correct) This is the primary issue to be addressed. Don’t let yourself be distracted by longterm planning, red herrings or potential solutions. Framing the ethical dilemma clearly is a
prerequisite to solving the problem.
Nicely done! Pursuant to our Bonus Plan and based on your analysis of the problem, I am pleased to
award you 1,000 points. You were able to identify the core issue for your problem. Identifying the issue
accurately makes analysis of the problem much easier.
From: Rian Brown
To:
Maemae
G-BioSport Bonus
Total: 1,000 (out of 1,000)
Stakeholders in your Dilemma
Nicely done. So, we determined that the question we will answer is what information, if any, you should
provide the consumers.
The next step is to name the primary stakeholders—those people who:




are directly involved in this situation;
have to carry out the decision;
are directly affected by the decision; or
whose direct interests are to be protected.
Those who have delegated responsibility to others are not primary stakeholders. Also those who are
interested observers are not primary stakeholders. If you want more information, check the Ethics
Coach.
Now, based on our conversation, here’s a list of people who might qualify as the primary stakeholders
but only six of them are directly involved. Check the box next to anyone whom you think is a primary
stakeholder.
/w EPDw UKMTIw
/w EWCw Kzt6DO
Who are the primary stakeholders in this problem?
The Shareholders
Any action taken by the leadership team that affects the value of the company affects them.
The Board of Directors
They are responsible for the overall management of the company.
Carson Nelson, Chief Executive Officer
He is responsible for everything that goes on in the organization.
Cary Bryant, Chief Legal Officer
He is responsible for managing litigation that arises from company behavior.
Maemae, Quality Control Manager
You are the one that has to make and implement the decision.
Elaine Shields, Operations Director
She is your overall supervisor.
Judy Birch, Director of Public Relations
She is responsible for press releases, interviews, and the company's public image.
Consumers of G-BioSport products
The product they purchased contains a contaminant that exceeds internal specifications.
Previous
From: Rian Brown
To:
Maemae
G-BioSport Bonus
Total: 1,175 (out of
2,000)
Rights/Responsibilities Lens
Having to decide questions which are not clear cut is the most difficult task we face. We have now
determined that the question we will answer is what information or warning you should give the
consumers. We have also identified the primary stakeholders whose interests will have to be considered
as you decide what to do.
The Rights/Responsibilities Lens helps you identify your obligations—your duties—as well as your
rights in this situation. The idea is that as we think carefully about our choices we will know our rights
and responsibilities, no matter what anyone else says.
The first step is to identify your duties to the various stakeholders. This lens requires that we treat people
the way they have agreed to be treated . . . either because of our stated agreements (contracts) or our
implied agreements.
Below is a list of the duties that you might owe the stakeholders. Three of the six of them are actually
your responsibility. Considering your leadership role in the company, check those which you believe
apply to you in this situation.
/w EPDw UKMTIw
/w EWCQLEkPieA
Which duties do you owe the stakeholders?
Duty to ensure that ingredient labels provide accurate and meaningful information.
Duty to refund or replace defective product.
Duty to keep unpleasant information from the Board of Diretors.
Duty to prevent unfavorable product information from reaching the press.
Duty to maximize product sales and minimize waste.
Duty to warn consumers of known potential dangers.
Previous
Page 9 of 44
From: Rian Brown
To:
Maemae
G-BioSport Bonus
Total: 1,775 (out of 3,000)
re: Rights/Responsibilities Lens
Defining your duties can be difficult. Are you surprised by the answers?
People who find the focus of this lens appealing are often called idealists:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Each person is supposed to work to be the very best that they can be.
As individuals use reason, they identify the principles that all people should follow.
People often do not live up to the ideals and so need rules.
Punishment or the threat of punishment keeps people in line.
As before, I have marked your responses:





A appears before any stakeholder you selected as being directly involved.
An appears before those stakeholders that you did not select.
If I disagree with your choice, these symbols are marked as
and
.
For answers on which we agree, the text is highlighted in blue.
For answers on which we disagree, the text is highlighted in yellow.
Now, let's review your duties.
/w EPDw UJNDM5
/w EWAw LGsqH6
Which duties do you owe the stakeholders?
Duty to ensure that ingredient labels provide accurate and meaningful information.
(Correct) Labels that are inaccurate or do not disclose meaningful product information do
not satisfy the duty of truthfulness, also known as the duty of fidelity.
Duty to refund or replace defective product.
(Correct) The duty of reparation, or righting wrongs, is common to all. If the company sells
a defective product, it has inconvenienced consumers or worse and has a responsibility to
either provide consumers with the product they paid for or to refund their purchase price.
Duty to keep unpleasant information from the Board of Diretors.
(Incorrect) No one likes to be the bearer of bad tidings. However, both mitigating harm - the
duty of non-maleficence - and reducing liability require at times that 'unpleasant
information' be shared with those responsible for taking action.
Duty to prevent unfavorable product information from reaching the press.
(Incorrect) Duties that focus on protecting reputation are always false duties. This lens
focuses on the need to maintain integrity. Doing so and accepting the consequences is
typically the best way to maintain reputation as well. The goal should always be integrity,
not the appearance of integrity.
Duty to maximize product sales and minimize waste.
(Incorrect) You certainly have a duty to do your job, and as Quality Control Manager, that
involves minimizing waste. However, framing a connection between maximizing sales which is not actually your responsibility - and minimizing waste could tempt you to act
unethically.
Duty to warn consumers of known potential dangers.
(Correct) Both the duty of truth-telling and the duty of non-maleficence are reflected in this
statement. Whenever a company is aware of a danger, they have an obligation to tell the
truth about the danger as well as a duty not to harm others.
You seem to be getting the hang of identifying your obligations. Based on this effort, I am pleased to
award you 600! Your effort at determining the duties you truly owe your stakeholders is commendable.
If you feel like some additional review is needed, please take a look at the Ethics Coach page.
Otherwise, let's advance to the next step.
Previous
From: Rian Brown
To:
Maemae
G-BioSport Bonus
Total: 1,775 (out of 3,000)
re: Rights/Responsibilities Lens
Just to review . . . we've determined that you have the following duties owed your
stakeholders in this problem:

Duty to ensure that ingredient labels provide accurate and meaningful information.

Duty to refund or replace defective product.

Duty to warn consumers of known potential dangers.
Now let's take a look at your options.
I've made a list of what I think are the possible choices in this situation. Considering your
duties to your stakeholders, choose the option that you think is the most ethical.
/w EPDw UKMTkxM /w EWCQKUvuLh
Which option best fulfills the duties owed the stakeholders?
Option 1
Recall all products containing tainted Fibranafren in order to avoid any
possibility of a lawsuit.
Option 2
Disseminate information broadly about increased risk for specific groups. Offer
to replace tainted product or to refund purchase price.
Option 3
Disclose the problem on company website. Provide contact information for
complaints/problems.
Option 4
Do nothing. If there are problems deal with them individually.
Option 5
Target risk information to highest risk groups to limit liability.
Option 6
Disseminate information on increased risk. Allow consumers to make informed
choice.
Previous
Page 11 of 44
From: Rian Brown
To:
Maemae
G-BioSport Bonus
Total: 1,775 (out of 3,000)
re: Rights/Responsibilities Lens
Based on the duties you owe the stakeholders, you chose the following option:
Disseminate information broadly about increased risk for specific groups. Offer to replace
tainted product or to refund purchase price.
This is a perfectly ethical option. However, it focuses more on creating the greatest good
and less on fulfilling your specific duties.
The Rights/Responsibilities Lens is just one of the tools at our disposal. Let's continue
onwards and examine this problem from another perspective.
/w EPDw UKLTU4N /w EWAw K+o6Xp
Previous
Page 12 of 44
From: Rian Brown
To:
Maemae
G-BioSport Bonus
Total: 1,775 (out of 3,000)
Results Lens
The Rights/Responsibilities Lens focused on your duties. Now it's time for a change of
perspective. The Results Lens is going to focus on what results will make the stakeholders
happy or, in other words, what goals they want to accomplish.
Below is the list of stakeholders that you made earlier. The first step is to decide how
much each of the stakeholders will be affected by your decision on this problem,
regardless of what your ultimate decision might be.
Select “high” for those stakeholders who will be affected the most. Select “low” for those
stakeholders who will be affected the least. Select the middle radio button for those
stakeholders where the impact will be between these extremes. I think you’ll find that the
stakeholders are about evenly divided between these three groups.
/w EPDw UKMTIw
/w EWFQLVi5OED
How much will each stakeholder be affected by your decision?
Low
High
The Shareholders
Any action taken by the leadership team that affects the value of
the company affects them.
Low
High
Carson Nelson, Chief Executive Officer
He is responsible for everything that goes on in the organization.
Low
High
Maemae, Quality Control Manager
You are the one that has to make and implement the decision.
Low
High
Elaine Shields, Operations Director
She is your overall supervisor.
Low
High
Judy Birch, Director of Public Relations
She is responsible for press releases, interviews, and the
company's public image.
Low
High
Consumers of G-BioSport products
The product they purchased contains a contaminant that exceeds
internal specifications.
Previous
Page 13 of 44
From: Rian Brown
To:
Maemae
G-BioSport Bonus
Total: 2,075 (out of 4,000)
re: Results Lens
At times, this exercise takes a fair bit of thought.
People who find the focus of this lens appealing are often called realists:




Each person is basically good but sometimes misguided.
As individuals follow their hearts and seek happiness, they will know how to
behave ethically.
People need role models and encouragement to do the right thing.
Relationships and respect keep people in line.
Here's how I marked up your response:






appears wherever you noted a low impact on a stakeholder.
appears wherever you noted a medium impact on a stakeholder.
appears wherever you noted a high impact on a stakeholder.
If I disagree, the annotations are marked as
,
, and
.
For answers on which we agree, the text is highlighted in blue.
For answers on which we disagree, the text is highlighted in yellow.
So, let's look at your assessments.
/w EPDw UKLTExN /w EWAw LOqKDx
How much will each stakeholder be affected by your decision?
The Shareholders
The impact is High . . .
The company has the most to lose or gain from your decision about
what to do with the tainted product. The potential consequences
include loss of revenue if the product is not sold or negative media
attention if the product is sold and the company is seen as moneygrubbing.
Carson Nelson, Chief Executive Officer
The impact is High . . .
The CEO will be the one in the hot seat having to explain how the
company managed to sell a product that did not meet its own
internal standards and why it has taken the action it has in response.
Maemae, Quality Control Manager
The impact is Medium . . .
Your business acumen is on the line in this case and how you
resolve the problem will likely affect your future with the company.
However, your job is probably not on the line because the problem
of contaminated product being sold was not caused by you.
Elaine Shields, Site Operations Director
The impact is Low . . .
Your immediate supervisor will almost always be impacted by a
decision of this magnitude. However, her job is not on the line as a
result of your decision here.
Judy Birch, Public Relations Director
The impact is Low . . .
Although she, like your supervisor, will be impacted by your
decision, managing the company's image is part of her job. Yours is
not the only issue likely to impact her day's work.
Consumers of G-BioSport products
The impact is Medium . . .
Consumers will certainly be impacted by your decision. They will
probably be more affected by a decision to recall the product than to
provide an extra warning, because the risk of harm from the
contaminant is so low.
I am awarding you 300 points for your analysis. While you had difficulty discerning the
impact of your decision on the stakeholders, your effort was appreciated. Before
continuing, please review my explanations to see where your assessment of impact was
amiss. If my reasoning doesn’t seem to make sense, check the notes posted on the Ethics
Coach page.
Previous
Page 14 of 44
From: Rian Brown
To:
Maemae
G-BioSport Bonus
Total: 2,075 (out of 4,000)
re: Results Lens
Once you understand the impact your decision will have on the stakeholders, the next
question is determining what is important to them. This process is a bit tricky because
each of us is an individual and has different criteria for action:

Non-negotiable Criteria—What event would be so horrendous or outside of their
personal integrity that a stakeholder would take immediate action?

Tipping Points—What patterns of action would become so annoying that the
stakeholder would eventually take action or leave?
Below is our list of primary stakeholders. For each stakeholder, choose the two items
that you believe (given your knowledge of these people) are the most important for them
to be happy. In this context, happiness is a work place that supports them and enables
them to contribute to the world.
/w EPDw UKMTIw
/w EWFQKxjdGrB
What are each stakeholder's criteria for happiness?
The Shareholders—who want to maximize their profit, are happy in this situation if .
..
Management acts consistently to maximize the company's value.
The company does not act in ways that generate negative publicity or reduce
the value of their stock holdings.
Management does not engage in illegal or harmful actions in order to
maximize the company’s revenue.
Carson Nelson—the CEO, who is responsible for everything that goes on in the
organization and potentially liable for any legal violations, is happy in this situation
if...
Management acts consistently with the company's core values and risk
management protocols.
He is informed of product problems before they become public knowledge.
He does not have to give the Board of Directors bad news.
You—as you have to make and implement the decision, are happy in this situation if
...
You are never asked to do anything unpleasant.
You are not asked to violate your conscience in order to do your job.
Management supports decisions that protect the public.
Elaine Shields—the Site Operations Director and your immediate supervisor, is
happy in this situation if...
The actions you take are consistent with the company's core values and risk
management protocols.
You give her timely information about potential problems.
You don't make any mistakes that impact her career negatively.
Judy Birch—who is responsible for the company's image, is happy in this situation if
...
She is informed of product problems that could result in bad publicity.
The company delivers the promises made in her press releases.
Empolyees don't do anything that creates bad publicity for the company.
Current and future customers—who use, or may use, the company's products, are
happy in this situation if . . .
They can rely on the company to know what supplements they need.
They are not put at unreasonable risk of harm simply so the company can
make a profit.
They are given enough information to make informed product choices.
Previous
Page 15 of 44
From: Rian Brown
To:
Maemae
G-BioSport Bonus
Total: 2,675 (out of 5,000)
re: Results Lens
In applying the Results Lens, discerning what makes each stakeholder happy is critical.
If you are wrong or don't pay attention, your employees will either grumble or leave.
Below, you will find my analysis with the following mark-up:





A appears before any item you selected as a primary criterion for happiness.
An appears before those criteria that you did not select.
If I disagree with your choice, these symbols are marked as
and
.
For answers on which we agree, my analysis is highlighted in blue.
For answers on which we disagree, my analysis is highlighted in yellow.
Now, let’s look at the criteria.
/w EPDw UJNDM5
/w EWAw L8yPK6
What are each stakeholder's criteria for happiness?
The Shareholders—who want to maximize their profit, are happy in this situation if .
..
Management acts consistently to maximize the company's value.
Management does not engage in illegal or harmful actions in order to
maximize the company’s revenue.
The company does not act in ways that generate negative publicity or
reduce the value of their stock holdings.
Avoiding illegal behavior and acting consistently with the company's core values
might generate negative publicity in the short run, but in the long run it is the
only option.
Carson Nelson—the CEO, who is responsible for everything that goes on in the
organization and potentially liable for any legal violations, is happy in this situation
if...
Management acts consistently with the company's core values and risk
management protocols.
He is informed of product problems before they become public knowledge.
He does not have to give the Board of Directors bad news.
As the saying goes, 'If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.' The CEO
who can't give the Board of Directors bad news creates unnecessary liability.
Hopefully, that CEO is also looking for a job with someone else’s company, not
yours.
You—as you have to make and implement the decision, are happy in this situation if .
..
You are not asked to violate your conscience in order to do your job.
Management supports decisions that protect the public.
You are never asked to do anything unpleasant.
What were we just saying about heat and the kitchen? There are few if any jobs
in which one never has to do anything unpleasant, certainly not any that require a
demonstration of ethical maturity.
Elaine Shields—the Site Operations Director and your immediate supervisor, is
happy in this situation if...
You give her timely information about potential problems.
You don't make any mistakes that impact her career negatively.
The actions you take are consistent with the company's core values and
risk management protocols.
Everyone hopes they make good hiring choices, but despite the best intentions,
people sometimes make mistakes. A good supervisor uses mistakes as teaching
opportunities, and doing so will impact her career positively.
Judy Birch—who is responsible for the company's image, is happy in this situation if
...
The company delivers the promises made in her press releases.
Empolyees don't do anything that creates bad publicity for the company.
She is informed of product problems that could result in bad publicity.
Oh, if only we all lived in perfect world - there would be nothing to do. Here is
another area of shared responsibilities: employees have a responsibility to do
their best and the PR Director’s job is to maintain the company’s good reputation
even when there are problems.
Current and future customers—who use, or may use, the company's products, are
happy in this situation if . . .
They are not put at unreasonable risk of harm simply so the company can
make a profit.
They are given enough information to make informed product choices.
They can rely on the company to know what supplements they need.
The company bears a responsibility to provide meaningful and accurate
information so that consumers can make informed choices. The consumer then
bears responsibility to make such choices
You did quite well in this exercise. In consequence, I am pleased to award you 600
points! Where we differed, I trust that my explanations made sense. If you need more
information, please check the Ethics Coach page for help. Once you're ready, let’s
advance to the next step.
Previous
Page 16 of 44
From: Rian Brown
To:
Maemae
G-BioSport Bonus
Total: 2,675 (out of 5,000)
re: Results Lens
The final step in this lens is to determine which of the options make each of the
stakeholders the happiest. When combined with your analysis of how much each
stakeholder is affected by your decision, one option should ultimately rise to the top as
being the best.
Here are the ones that we are considering:
Option 1
Recall all products containing tainted Fibranafren in order to avoid any possibility
of a lawsuit.
Option 2
Disseminate information broadly about increased risk for specific groups. Offer to
replace tainted product or to refund purchase price.
Option 3
Disclose the problem on company website. Provide contact information for
complaints/problems.
Option 4
Do nothing. If there are problems deal with them individually.
Option 5
Target risk information to highest risk groups to limit liability.
Option 6
Disseminate information on increased risk. Allow consumers to make informed
choice.
In the section below, choose the one option that will make each stakeholder the
happiest. Beneath each of the stakeholders, I've listed the two criteria for happiness
that we deduced in the previous exercise. Please note that no single option may make
every stakeholder happy—that's to be expected.
Which option makes each stakeholder the happiest?
/w EPDw UKMTEz
/w EWJw LdkYnB
The Shareholders
------ Options -----1. Management acts consistently to maximize the
company's value.
1
2
3
4
5
6
2. Management does not engage in illegal or harmful
actions in order to maximize the company’s
revenue.
Carson Nelson, Chief Executive Officer
------ Options -----1. Management acts consistently with the company's
core values and risk management protocols.
2. He is informed of product problems before they
become public knowledge.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Maemae, Quality Control Manager
------ Options -----1. You are not asked to violate your conscience in
order to do your job.
2. Management supports decisions that protect the
public.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Elaine Shields, Operations Director
------ Options -----1. The actions you take are consistent with the
company's core values and risk management
protocols.
2. You give her timely information about potential
problems.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Judy Birch, Director of Public Relations
------ Options -----1. She is informed of product problems that could
result in bad publicity.
2. The company delivers the promises made in her
press releases.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Consumers of G-BioSport products
------ Options -----1. They are not put at unreasonable risk of harm
simply so the company can make a profit.
2. They are given enough information to make
informed product choices.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Previous
Page 17 of 44
From: Rian Brown
To:
Maemae
G-BioSport Bonus
Total: 2,675 (out of 5,000)
re: Results Lens
In this lens, you have determined the impact that your decision will have on the
stakeholders. You have also assessed which option should make each stakeholder the
happiest. A summary of your analysis is provided below:
Impact
High
High
Medium
Medium
Low
Low
Happy with…
Option 2
Option 1
Option 4
Option 6
Option 1
Option 2
Stakeholder
The Shareholders
Carson Nelson, Chief Executive Officer
Maemae, Quality Control Manager
Consumers of G-BioSport products
Elaine Shields, Site Operations Director
Judy Birch, Public Relations Director
Given this analysis, you must now choose the option that will create the greatest
good for the greatest number.
/w EPDw UKLTgzN /w EWCQLopdzpC
Giving more weight to the happiness of those who will be impacted the most . . .
which option will make the most people the happiest?
Option 1
Recall all products containing tainted Fibranafren in order to avoid any
possibility of a lawsuit.
Option 2
Disseminate information broadly about increased risk for specific groups.
Offer to replace tainted product or to refund purchase price.
Option 3
Disclose the problem on company website. Provide contact information for
complaints/problems.
Option 4
Do nothing. If there are problems deal with them individually.
Option 5
Target risk information to highest risk groups to limit liability.
Option 6
Disseminate information on increased risk. Allow consumers to make
informed choice.
Previous
Page 18 of 44
From: Rian Brown
To:
Maemae
G-BioSport Bonus
Total: 2,675 (out of 5,000)
re: Results Lens
By trying to create the greatest good for the greatest number of stakeholders, you
chose the following option:
Disseminate information broadly about increased risk for specific groups. Offer to
replace tainted product or to refund purchase price.
Allowing customers to make different choices based on their individual risk
tolerance achieves the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
We have now looked at the problem through two lenses. Let’s see what options you
have chosen as you get ready to make the final decision about what to do with this
situation.
/w EPDw UKLTU4N /w EWAw K9++XG
Previous
Page 19 of 44
From: Rian Brown
To:
Maemae
G-BioSport Bonus
Total: 2,675 (out of 5,000)
Reaching a Decision
Clearly, you were quite consistent . . . settling on a single option for both of the lenses.
At this stage, I would normally ask you to choose a best option and thereby determine
your final course of action. However, you have already made up your mind.
What is your decision?
/w EPDw UKMTIw
/w EWBAK5556A
Rights/Responsibilities Lens
+
Results Lens
Option 2
Disseminate information broadly about increased risk for specific groups. Offer to
replace tainted product or to refund purchase price.
Previous
Page 20 of 44
From: Rian Brown
To:
Maemae
G-BioSport Bonus
Total: 2,675 (out of 5,000)
Communicating your Decision
As you come to the end of the process, you have made the following decision:
Disseminate information broadly about increased risk for specific groups. Offer to
replace tainted product or to refund purchase price.
Now you need to communicate this decision to others in the organization. I’ve laid out
for you a very effective method for writing an e-mail or an inter-office memo to close
the loop.
Important!
The memo page does not save your work until you have finished and click 'Continue.'
The page will time out after 30 minutes of inactivity, and you will lose your work if you
attempt to advance after that time. If you anticipate spending more than 30 minutes on
the memo, you may wish to work on a word processor and copy/paste the memo into
the appropriate fields when you are finished.
You may be required to create a copy of this memo after you have completed it. To
view your completed memo, click the Library link on the left-hand menu after the
memo is submitted and select "Your Archive."
Please refer to the course syllabus for any information regarding assignments related to
the simulation.
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Audience
Who should receive the report of the decision?
-- Choose a recipient --
Subject
Add a subject line that clearly identifies the purpose of the communication.
(Limit of 50 characters)
Background of the Problem
Include sufficient detail so that the recipient knows what the problem is without
including any confidential information. Clearly present the values in conflict in the
problem.
(Limit of 1,000 characters)
- A description of the background is required!
Statement of Decision
In a sentence, clearly and concisely state your decision.
(Limit of 150 characters)
- A statement of the decision is required!
Reasons for the Decision
Now, give the reasons for your decision. Use the language of the ethical framework or
which ethical principles you used to come to your decision. Do not use technical words,
such as “this decision is reversible because . . .” Rather, you might say—“As each of us
considers how we would like to be treated in a similar situation . . .”
(Limit of 1,000 characters)
- The reasons for the decision are required!
Forward-Looking Conclusion
The final sentences should build relationship with the other team members and your
constituents, leave the door open for further conversation, and tell the reader what the
decision means for him or her.
(Limit of 500 characters)
- A conclusion is required!
Once you have completed your memo, we'll review the implications of your decision.
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From: Rian Brown
To:
Maemae
G-BioSport Bonus
Total: 2,675 (out of 5,000)
Evaluating your Decision
In order to close the loop, I’d like to show you where your choices fell in the possible
range of choices that we developed. In particular, I have highlighted your final decision
in blue.
You chose the option for the Results lens, which shows that you tend to be a realist and
acknowledge the very human frailties that we all have.
The point of this final exercise is to show that while more than one choice is ethical,
some choices are better than others. You will notice that the best options are often the
more complex ones.

Using the Rights/Responsibilities Lens, the best decision tilted toward
rationality as you gave all consumers equal information upon which to base their
independent choice.

Using the Results Lens, the best decision tilted toward sensibility as you
provided different information to consumers with different needs.
Both choices are perfectly ethical. The difference is your understanding of human
nature, how best to assure that we are all responsible members of the community, and
your core values.
Rights/Responsibilities
Results
Best
6. Disseminate information on
increased risk. Allow consumers
to make informed choice.
2. Disseminate information
broadly about increased risk for
specific groups. Offer to replace
tainted product or to refund
purchase price.
Good
1. Recall all products containing
tainted Fibranafren in order to
avoid any possibility of a lawsuit.
5. Target risk information to
highest risk groups to limit
liability.
Poor
4. Do nothing. If there are
problems deal with them
individually.
3. Disclose the problem on
company website. Provide contact
information for
complaints/problems.
Now, let’s give your option the “orange jumpsuit” test.
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