Ethics Assignment:
Watch the following videos (each is less than 10 minutes in length). You will
need the information in these videos to complete the assignment:
1) Making Ethical Decisions-part 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyz4ysai9g&list=PLdgEDyioRII1YaoptQ0_uT2xjVJn6_oYo&index=2
2) Making Ethical Decisions-part 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8hL_ido2dg&index=3&list=PLdgEDy
ioRII1YaoptQ0_uT2xjVJn6_oYo
3) Making Ethical Decisions-part 3:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGEbDC9He8E&list=PLdgEDyioRII1Y
aoptQ0_uT2xjVJn6_oYo&index=4
4) Social Responsibility Perspectives—the Shareholder and Stakeholder
Approach:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD9XJKZmXEs&index=1&list=PLdgE
DyioRII1YaoptQ0_uT2xjVJn6_oYo
Review the framework and rubric below, then print out the ethical dilemma
scenario on the other document attached to this Blackboard assignment. The
other document will present you with an ethical dilemma involving a decision a
company needs to make. You should analyze the dilemma according to the
steps shown in the framework below (drawing upon the explanations in the
videos you watched), especially making use the Stakeholder approach to
business ethics (described in detail in the fourth video link above). You should
come to a decision about what the company should do to resolve the ethical
dilemma, and justify your decision in detail in a way that shows your ability to
reason to a conclusion. Your analysis should be at least one page in length.
Upload your analysis in Blackboard by the due date.
Analyzing Ethical Dilemmas
When facing ethical dilemmas, decision makers must forego their personal self-interests and
consider the impacts on their stakeholders. A useful approach to analyzing ethical implications
of decisions is to use one or more rules of ethical decision making. In their book Contemporary
Management, Jones and George (2014) identify the following “Rules for Ethical Decision
Making”:
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Utilitarian Rule: An ethical decision is a decision that produces the greatest good
for the greatest number of people.
Moral Rights Rule: An ethical decision is one that best maintains and protects
the fundamental or inalienable rights and privileges of the people affected by it.
Justice Rule: An ethical decision distributes benefits and harm among people
and groups in a fair, equitable, or impartial way.
Practice Rule: An ethical decision is one that a manager has no reluctances
about communicating to people outside the company because the typical person
in a society would think it is acceptable. (pp. 113-114)
Consider answering the following questions in evaluating an ethical dilemma:
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Step 1: Identify the issues surrounding the situation—facts of the situation,
moral/ethical issues, major stakeholders.
Step 2: State the alternative actions that could be taken and identify possible impacts
on stakeholders. What other facts are needed or would be valuable in making a
thorough analysis?
Step 3: Apply one or more of the “Rules of Ethical Decision Making” to each of the
alternatives. What are the potential consequences of each possible course of action?
Rate the strength of each argument.
Step 4: State your course of action with detailed justification.
Consider the following evaluation rubric when constructing your analysis.
Reference
Jones, G. R., & George, J. M. (2014). Contemporary management, 8th ed. New York, NY:
McGraw-Hill Irwin.
(over)
Analyzing Ethical Dilemmas
TRAIT
Unacceptable
(0-1 pts.)
Has a vague idea of
what the dilemma is
and is uncertain
what must be
decided
Acceptable
(2-3 pts.)
Identifies the dilemma,
including pertinent
facts, and ascertains
what must be decided
Exemplary
(4-5 pts.)
Describes the dilemma in
detail having gathered
pertinent facts. Ascertains
exactly what must be decided
Identifies
Stakeholders and
How Dilemma
Impacts Them
Is unsure which
stakeholders are
involved and/or
impacted
Identifies some
stakeholders and how
they are involved in
and/or impacted by the
dilemma
Identifies most stakeholders
and explains in detail how
they are involved in and/or
impacted by the dilemma
Analyzes
Alternatives and
Consequences
Based on an
Ethical Rule or
Model
Begins to appraise
the relevant facts
and assumptions
and identifies some
alternatives.
Clarifies at least two
alternatives and
predicts their
associated
consequences
Clarifies alternatives and
evaluates each on the basis of
whether or not there is
interest and concern over the
welfare of all stakeholders,
possibly bringing in outside
experiences/knowledge to
bear on the problem.
Chooses an
Action
Has difficulty
identifying an
appropriate course
of action from
among alternatives
Formulates an
implementation plan
that delineates the
execution of the
decision
Formulates an
implementation plan that
delineates the execution of
the decision and that
evidences a thoughtful
reflection on the benefits and
risks of action
Identifies
Dilemma
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