Ethical and Unethical Decision Making - Essay Example

Business Ethics Case Study This is a case study related to the subject “Business Ethics”. The case is about intellectual property theft. A graphic designer, namely Zach, uses his work, created for a university in a previous organization, and edits the software program superficially for another university while working for a different organization. The case is analyzed keeping in view various ethics theories, including normative ethical theories and Bommer et al’s behavioural model of ethical and unethical decision making. The Zach’s act is clearly unethical and unlawful. Suggestions are given at the end of this case study. Due Date: , Lecturer/Tutor: Campus (NA, LG, GC): Contents 1. Introduction 2 2. Main discussion 3 2.1. Major stockholders 3 2.2. Ethical Dilemma 4 2.3. Analyzing the scenario using normative ethical theories 5 2.3.1. Consequentialism 5 2.3.2. Deontology 5 2.4. Analyzing the scenario using Bommer model 6 2.4.1. Work Environment 6 2.4.2. Social Environment 6 2.4.3. Government/Legal Environment 7 3. Conclusion 8 4. References 10 1. Introduction Business ethics is the application of our understanding of good and right decision in business environment (Velasquez, 2006). Ethics is closely related to morality. It is, in fact, the study of morality, according to most of dictionaries. Morality is a set of standards on the basis of which an individual or a group judges right/good or wrong/evil (Velasquez, 2006). The perception of good and bad is different for everyone but the basic principles of ethics helps in drawing a fine line between these two extremes. The given case includes an ethical dilemma which will be thoroughly analyzed using the relevant theories of ethics. It will mainly involve the employee’s duty to the employer. 2. Main discussion 2.1. Major stockholders Stakeholders in this case study include Zach Micheals who is a graphic designer; Altiora University where Zach studied; XJ7 Studio where Zach did his internship and worked on a major project; Tangent where Zach works after completing the degree and The Charleston Technical University, for which Zach creates a web portal using his previous work. 2.2. Ethical Dilemma In the given case, the ethical dilemma arises when Zach Micheals is asked by his boss to work on a new project using the files of his earlier work for Altiora University. The files were unlawfully stored by Zach when he was working on this project, but his intentions were only to keep backups for safe-keeping. Moving the project files outside the company was unlawful as it was against one clause of the signed agreement. After passing out from the Altiora University, he receives a job in Tangent Studio, a rival of XJ7 Studio, where Zach completed his internship. Zach uses his previous work and modifies it for Charleston University web portal. In other words, he unethically and unlawfully uses the intellectual property of someone else without taking any permission from the real owner. Zach may not be considered ethically wrong when he created backups of the project, since his intentions were good, but later, when he uses this for Charleston University web portal, it was not only unethical and an unlawful act. This is called “computer theft”. According to Manuel Valasquez, “to convert company resources to the employee’s own use are forms of theft because to do either is to take or use property that belongs to another (the employer) without the consent of its rightful owner” (Velasquez, 2006). While discussing an ethical issue, it is also considered whether the wrongful act is knowingly done or unintentionally. In this case, Zach’s act is deliberate. He knew it was stealing but he did it just for his own benefits. Zach’s boss is equally responsible for this wrongdoing. He was the person who motivated Zach to do so. However, Zach could have saved himself by any excuse such as telling that the project CD was broken etc but he did not. 2.3. Analyzing the scenario using normative ethical theories 2.3.1. Consequentialism According to consequentialism, the action is strictly judged by the consequences associated with it. There are several kinds of consequentialism. In this case, Zach is following the Egoism kind of Consequentialism, which is related to personal consequences. 2.3.2. Deontology It is just the opposite of consequentialism in which good or bad is judged by examining acts rather than the consequences of the act (Cline). It is concerned with the rules and duties. Even if any rule or a duty results in bad consequences, deontology suggests it should be done. It is a very rigid theory. As per this theory, Zach was wrong. It is against the moral duties to steal something for personal benefits. 2.4. Analyzing the scenario using Bommer model This is a model which identifies and explains various factors that affect the ethical and unethical behaviour in an organization. The factors according to this theory include the decision maker’s work environment, social environment, governmental/legal environment, personal environment and professional environment (Bommer, Gratto, Gravender, & Tuttle, 1987). These factors greatly affect the decision making and force them either to make ethical or unethical decision. Let discuss some of them keeping in view the given case. 2.4.1. Work Environment Work environment plays a major role in taking an ethical or unethical decision. Places where unethical acts are discouraged, employees don’t dare to take morally negative decisions. However, in the given case, Zach was encouraged by his boss to use his previous work in the new project so that they may save time. Moreover, Zach was also interested in moving fast in his career. So he opted to do an unethical act. 2.4.2. Social Environment Zach was married days before he was offered the position of team leader for that project. His dreams were high and he was also wishing to have a bigger house. All these social needs forced him to go for the unethical decision. Had he refused, his relation with his boss might have deteriorated and there was a possibility that he would have been fired or demoted. So he didn’t think about morality at that time. 2.4.3. Government/Legal Environment The theory says that due to the complexities of business related laws, prosecutors and other law bodies face difficulties in understanding the intricacies of the offense conducted by the business managers. That is the reason why business managers are not afraid of any prosecution of their unethical acts. Zach was apparently confident of not being caught which made him bold enough to steal the intellectual property. 3. Conclusion There are two possible things that can happen. First, Zach may remain silent and do nothing. Second, he whistle blows this news. Whistle blowing is an attempt to disclose wrongdoing in or by the organization (Velasquez, 2006). But in this case, the whistle blowing acts against the whistle blower as he was also involved in this wrongdoing. There are no negative effects of the first option with the only exception that Zach will remain unsatisfied with his act. Otherwise, all the things would go normal. On the other side, if Zach chooses the second option, it would result in following consequences: 1. Tengent Company may be sued for copying anyone else’s work 2. Zach may also be charged and his career may be destroyed for stealing intellectual property 3. Zach will be able to satisfy his mind by correcting his wrongdoing The negative impacts of the second option are greater than its positive impacts. Satisfaction can’t pay your child school fee. Zach should not have done this theft but correcting it at this stage would cause severe negative impacts for him, Tengent and The Charleston Technical University. It is advisable to go with the first option. However, this mistake should be taken as life valuable lesson. Due to intellectual property, companies are bearing huge losses every year. Every individual needs to contribute a step against piracy. No one should take it lightly like Zach. All should contribute individually to root out the menace of intellectual property theft. It 4. References Bommer, M., Gratto, G., Gravender, J., & Tuttle, M. (1987). A Behavioural Model of Ethical and Unethical Decision Making. Journal of Business Ethics , 256-280. Cline, A. (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2009, from About.com: http://atheism.about.com/od/ethicalsystems/a/Deontological.htm Velasquez, M. G. (2006). Business Ethics (Sixth ed.). Delhi, India: Pearson Education. Read More