Business Ethical Dilemma - Case Study Example

Business ethical dilemma Name College Ethics refers to the system of moral guidelines that apply values and judgment in the field of business. Business ethical dilemma relates to a type of behavior by entrepreneur where moral values that are used have the potential to become a problem.An entrepreneur encounters business choices that bring worries between ethics and profit or their gain and the benefit of their potential customers.Such encounters of uncertainty stated, lead to ethical dilemmas.(Robinson,2002).There exist two types of dilemma namely, pure or absolute dilemma where a business person is faced with the challenge of applying two or more ethical standards to need but conflict each other. Secondly, a relative difficulty exists where there are contentions between policies, legislation, and values. It is the urge to act together with the uncertainty of which course of action to take that gives rise to a dilemma. In pointing at what makes up the business ethical dilemma, it is important to separate between policies, values, morals, legislations and ethics. Ethics are set precepts that an entrepreneur should follow when doing his business transactions. Values refer to ideas that a seller desires to achieve for example fairness. (Robinson, 2002). Morals are the code of conducts that shape the seller's behavior to strengthen their relationship with buyers. (Dolgoff, Loewenberg, & Harrington, 2009).Of essence also is that there is a distinction between personal and professional values and hence cases of conflicts in such situations should not create a dilemma. The reason for this is because personal values are seen as personal feelings and hence the process followed in solving ethical dilemma cannot be used in such a case. Furthermore, when one enters into a profession such as Accounts, he or she agrees to the code of ethics and the professional values.In such events, it means his personal values are subordinate to the occupation's one, no matter how uncomfortable one may feel or dislike them, they must be followed to the latter. (Allen, 2008). A case in point of a business ethical dilemma is Higgins who is an accountant trainee in his third year of training in a small firm. A senior trainee has been on maternity leave, and Higgin is due to go on leave too. The manager approaches him that before he goes on leave, he must complete some vital reconciliation work which is much complicated. The deadline suggested by the manager is not attainable as the work is so tedious and complex. Higgin feels that his experience is inadequate to complete the work by him alone.He needs supervision along with him to complete it to the required limit. However, the manager is unwilling to offer help. If he tries to finish the work within the given time limit and fails to meet the quality, Higgin, would face the consequences on his return from leave. He feels partially threatened by his manager and also feels pressure to do what he can for the practice in that difficult moment. This is an absolute business ethical dilemma firstly because, at all costs, he must make a decision at the end of the day.According to (Jones 1991), the moral intensity will form a basis for investigation in which the moral decisions taken by Higgin are assessed. Whether to do the work or not. Secondly, he has choices to choose from in that situation. There exist different courses of action to pick from in the scenario. Finally, irrespective of the decision he takes one ethical principle must be comprised. In this scenario we have core principles affected. The first is Integrity, should he be open in the scenario? Or would it be good for him to finish the work that is beyond his ability and without supervision? The next principle is His professional due care and competence. Can the desired quality be achieved in the given time? Another one is his professional character. Can the image of the practice suffer if he attempts to do the work? And what will be the magnitude of the consequences? (Jones 1991). Lastly, his integrity. Will it be questionable?.For one to unravel all this, the following should be done. Firstly, he ought to recognize this as a dilemma. Then he needs to divide it into its components. Thirdly, he needs to seek additional information from the people involved. It is prudent to identify any professional guidance in the form of law or policy. After that, subject the dilemma into proper analysis and come up with a decision. Lastly, Higgin has to justify the choice of his decision with sound judgment.(Hommadi,2008). In a situation like that of Higgin, he should consider quick facts. The job that he does is that of a junior staff and in this case he is under pressure because of the leave of his senior. However, the work is beyond his capacity as a trainee at his level. He should consider whether the deadline can be pushed forward until his senior returns to work. He should also find other resources that may be available. To add to that, he should as well identify the policies and guidelines of the practice and code of ethics of his professional. Secondly, reach out to the affected parties, which are, his manager, client, other employees and himself. In the first instance, he should try to sort out the issue with his manager, then also involve his trainer. Later on invite the client also. Higgin should explain to his manager that he has no enough experience and enough time to finish the work with standards that are satisfactory. Therefore he should suggest the use of a bookkeeper on a contract basis or contact the client to see if the deadline can be extended so that it is done when his colleague returns from leave. If the manager seems adamant, he should seek help from someone from the practice responsible for training. If possible, he should accompany him so that the duos explain to the manager. If the two goes to the manager, it adds the advantage of involving the third party. It is unethical to try to complete the work while he knows he is incompetent. However refusing to do it will bring constraints for him and the practice. In the case of extreme, he should seek legal advice but should be keen to uphold confidentiality. Finally, the document showing the steps followed in solving the dilemma should be preserved for future if challenged. In conclusion, in the business world ethical dilemma is everywhere.(Rafner,2017).In the determination of an ethical dilemma case, business persons should differentiate if it is approximate dilemma or absolute. Then distinguish the professional and personal dimensions.On top of that, it is vital to mark the ethical, legal, moral and values in the case.After this analysis are done a decision that is appropriate can be adopted. Of importance also is that when solving ethical dilemma the decision taken can never be perfect, a moral principle must be compromised. Having said this, it implies that the entrepreneur is required to act reasonable and be able to justify his or her decision logically and ethically. Consequently, where help has been sought from a legal body, it is wise that it be recorded in the notes. In such circumstances also the entrepreneur should handle the information with confidentiality. Managing the information with a lot of caution makes it possible for one to know the reasoning behind the decision taken. Business ethic contributes to the achievement of business goals; it also supports and enhances business performance. Moral choices are unavoidable in business. Discovering that a problem has an ethical part in it is not always an easy thing. Using Jones construct of moral intensity (1991) helps in the assessment of the context in which a moral decision is made. An ethical dilemma arises where moral, principles or values come into conflict. All other irrelevant information should be cleared so that one remains with the significant ethic aspect in question. Complex dilemma requires that a seller balances with caution the relevant factors including any principles outlined by guidance. An organizations’ ethics will determine its reputation. For the success of companies, good business ethic should be adopted. Implementation of the business ethics fosters a thriving organization culture and increases profitability. Though developing a business ethics program is not easy as it consumes time and effort, doing so will enhance efficiency and Excellency. The firm’s ethics influences all levels of business. It influences all those who interact with the company like customers, suppliers, competitors, employees customers. All these groups have an effect on the manner in which an organizations' ethics are made.It is something that is two-way traffic, and that is to mean the influence goes both directions Reference Rafner D (2017).Examples of Business Ethics in the Workplace. Retrieved from Chron.com smallbusiness.chron.com › Human Resources › Business Ethics Robinson A David, 2002). ETHICS & ETHICAL DILEMMAS, THE BUSINESS ... - QUT ePrints retrieved fromhttps://eprints.qut.edu.au/1119/1/robinson_1119.pdf.Usa Allen K (2008) What Is an Ethical Dilemma? - SocialWorker.com Retrieved from www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/ethics.../What_Is_an_Ethical_Dilemma%3F/ Hommadi J (2008). Ethical dilemmasafhsr.med.sa/.../ethics%20sumposym/dr.+jamal-Medical+Ethical+dilemmas.pdfMedical Ethical Dilemma: is a types of behavior or phenomena by .... -4175-AC42-65974E96BE66/0/2008EducationalPolicyandAccreditationStandards.pdf. Bev Marshall & Philip Dewe. (1997)Components of moral intensity. Journal of business ethics (16). Read More

A case in point of a business ethical dilemma is Higgins who is an accountant trainee in his third year of training in a small firm. A senior trainee has been on maternity leave, and Higgin is due to go on leave too. The manager approaches him that before he goes on leave, he must complete some vital reconciliation work which is much complicated. The deadline suggested by the manager is not attainable as the work is so tedious and complex. Higgin feels that his experience is inadequate to complete the work by him alone.

He needs supervision along with him to complete it to the required limit. However, the manager is unwilling to offer help. If he tries to finish the work within the given time limit and fails to meet the quality, Higgin, would face the consequences on his return from leave. He feels partially threatened by his manager and also feels pressure to do what he can for the practice in that difficult moment. This is an absolute business ethical dilemma firstly because, at all costs, he must make a decision at the end of the day.

According to (Jones 1991), the moral intensity will form a basis for investigation in which the moral decisions taken by Higgin are assessed. Whether to do the work or not. Secondly, he has choices to choose from in that situation. There exist different courses of action to pick from in the scenario. Finally, irrespective of the decision he takes one ethical principle must be comprised. In this scenario we have core principles affected. The first is Integrity, should he be open in the scenario?

Or would it be good for him to finish the work that is beyond his ability and without supervision? The next principle is His professional due care and competence. Can the desired quality be achieved in the given time? Another one is his professional character. Can the image of the practice suffer if he attempts to do the work? And what will be the magnitude of the consequences? (Jones 1991). Lastly, his integrity. Will it be questionable?.For one to unravel all this, the following should be done.

Firstly, he ought to recognize this as a dilemma. Then he needs to divide it into its components. Thirdly, he needs to seek additional information from the people involved. It is prudent to identify any professional guidance in the form of law or policy. After that, subject the dilemma into proper analysis and come up with a decision. Lastly, Higgin has to justify the choice of his decision with sound judgment.(Hommadi,2008). In a situation like that of Higgin, he should consider quick facts.

The job that he does is that of a junior staff and in this case he is under pressure because of the leave of his senior. However, the work is beyond his capacity as a trainee at his level. He should consider whether the deadline can be pushed forward until his senior returns to work. He should also find other resources that may be available. To add to that, he should as well identify the policies and guidelines of the practice and code of ethics of his professional. Secondly, reach out to the affected parties, which are, his manager, client, other employees and himself.

In the first instance, he should try to sort out the issue with his manager, then also involve his trainer. Later on invite the client also. Higgin should explain to his manager that he has no enough experience and enough time to finish the work with standards that are satisfactory. Therefore he should suggest the use of a bookkeeper on a contract basis or contact the client to see if the deadline can be extended so that it is done when his colleague returns from leave. If the manager seems adamant, he should seek help from someone from the practice responsible for training.

If possible, he should accompany him so that the duos explain to the manager. If the two goes to the manager, it adds the advantage of involving the third party. It is unethical to try to complete the work while he knows he is incompetent. However refusing to do it will bring constraints for him and the practice.

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