Kantian Concept in Business Ethics and Darrens Dilemma - Essay Example

Business Ethics Inserts His/Her Inserts Grade Inserts 14, November, Darren’s Dilemma Darren Brit has been working as an importer of ethnic art for the past four years in the Artifacts Company. There he worked in an importer department and soon became an artifacts buyer of tribal native’s communities. The important source of his native artifacts objects lie in local American Puna tribe. Darren became so emotionally attached and involved with this tribe that he went on to learn their language. He was now not only the buyer of their products but also a part of their tribe. He was the only person who had worked directly with them for projects of Artifacts Company. Darren had a meeting with his boss Sam Freeman’s client, Fredrick Stigler, the owner of different art galleries. He wanted Darren to convince the people of the Puna tribe to weave baskets for them in new and different patterns. They patterns which the Puna tribe was weaving were by being followed by them for the last couple of years. That is not only their art but also a reflection of their culture and historical events. Keeping in mind the relevant facts related to the situation and business ethics we can understand the psychological chaos faced by Darren. As Darren had developed affection with Puna tribe it was difficult for him to take any brutal decision which was not in their favor. Darren had graduated in anthropology which was another reason for his growing attachment to this cultural and historical tribe. He knew that most downfalls of society and communities would be because the societies would weaken themselves. He knew that if he only thought about the business and profits then it would be brutal and an unethical decision for Puna tribes as they might incur losses. Darren also knew that in this big contract of Fredrick Stigler the tribe would earn a lot of money but it wouldn’t do any good to their cultural values. If they would weave the baskets according to Fredrick Stigler’s demand, it would be difficult for them to follow the new patterns as the baskets they make now are the patterns that they have been following for the past many years. Keeping in mind the ethical issues in the world of business dealing, and being a dealer in this contract itself, Darren has to communicate between two parties, which are Fredrick Stigler and the Puna tribe. He has to negotiate with both parties and has to take a decision which is good and ethical for both. Ethical Dilemma In corporate world business ethics is about being fair and even handed in the deals. The business is about the profit and making great deals. But when ethics and aesthetics both are in perspective, then the ethical path should be followed. Business ethics is about righteousness and about making a good ethical decision that brings in profit to the company by maintaining its ethical values. In the Darren’s situation the biggest ethical issue is that if Darren finalizes the deal according to Fredrick Stigler’s terms then the tribe would lose their cultural values. They would weave the baskets in patterns that Fredrick would provide. According to the seven step modes, this issue has two sides. One is the ethical issue side and the other is the non-ethical issue side. The ethical dilemma says that the decision should be made through negotiations that promote and save the values of the Puna tribe. If we see both sides of the coin then the non-ethical side says that one should focus on the money matter, and the profits one makes through the deal. Whereas on the other side that is on the business ethics side, ethical issues insist says that with money one should keep in mind the moral values, this means keeping in mind the moral and ethical values of the other party. In the current situation there are many stakeholders that directly or indirectly get affected by this deal. They primary stakeholders are Puna tribe, Darren, Sam Freeman and Fredrick Stigler. Then productive stakeholders are those who would get involved in this project directly or indirectly. It may include they team which Fredrick has to make to teach Puna tribe the new patters, the distributors, the deals of different art galleries where the woven baskets would be delivered and displayed for customers. Utilitarian Concept in Business Ethics Utilitarianism in business ethics is a concept which states that the best decision in any business deal is the one which provide maximum benefits and advantage to all the stakeholders. This idea promotes the moral worth of the decision. The moral and ethical dilemma by Darren, utilitarianism approach makes Darren’s stance viable after considering all aspects of the decision. It focuses on the moral worth of any decision in businesses which results in maximum benefits and minimum negative results. (Snell; 1993) Utilitarian concept has given a Two-level model which states that there are two ways of thinking to take any right decision. One is in intuitive thinking and the other is in critical thinking. Intuitive thinking focuses on the hunch feeling that has relation with feeling and what the person’s moral values allow him/her to do. They are not logical but arise from moral feeling of the person who shows the ethics of the person. Whereas the second option states that one should think critically before taking any decision. So if we apply utilitarian concept of two level models on Darren’s situation we can have two directions. One which is based on intuitive feeling and if one combines the intuitive feeling with business ethics the only thinking one would come across would be that it would be unethical to make this deal all according to Fredrick Stigler. As it will not only build on the pressure of work over the Puna tribe but will also exploit their cultural trends. Though it will provide them money but it will weaken their cultural heritage which is a symbol of identity to them. (Johnson, 2007) And on second concept of two level models if we give a thorough critical study we can see other obstacles. So if we follow all three intuitive principles which are common molarity, professional ethics and personal molarity they all end up giving the same answer which is that Fredrick’s decision is one sided and can harm the cultural heritage of Puna tribe. Kantian concept in Business Ethics The Kantian concept focuses on how a moral thinking should be applied to the duties. He believes that ethical views should present in the way one performs his/her duty. He gave a concept which has three parts: universalizability, respect to humanity and autonomy. If we apply this in any situation of business it teaches that the decision should be universal and ethical in every respect. One should be respectful to humanity. And those business deals that are ethical and humanitarian which are accepted by all are universal. The last point is Autonomy which means that even if one has to stand for the ethical decision then one should stand. (Sorrell; 1994) In virtual school of thought of ethics the both utilitarian and duty based ethics focus on taking those decisions which in our perspective are right and ethical. These decisions not only apply the decision plan of the business but also show what type of human we are. So if we apply this concept in Darren’s situation keeping in mind the business ethics we can clearly conclude that it is very important for Darren to protect Puna’s tribe culture as it is completely unethical to relinquish their historical art and lead them towards a new modern art which isn’t their heritage. Decision Options Keeping in mind the whole scenario the three possible alternatives which can be evaluated and those are: 1. To negotiate with both main stakeholders and come in a common agreement. This can be that to minimize the Fredrick’s demands and negotiate with him if he would agree to sell an original art of Puna tribe. This would be more valuable and would be have more cultural value. 2. To negotiate with the Puna tribe to slightly change their designs and theme of colors with their original art. 3. To bring forward the idea that first Fredrick should do an exhibition of original Puna tribe baskets in main art galleries which would provide him with feedback of people and buyers and will also inspire people about the historical culture of Puna tribe and American old tribes. In the first option both stakeholders woud be at an advantage. It would not only be valuable to promote and exhibit Puna’s culture but also to the gallery owner Fredrick. The sale of this art would be valuable and also follow an ethical business plan. In second option the negotiation would be from both stakeholders. Darren would give an idea that the baskets which Puna tribe would weave will follow a new pattern which is similar to their cultural trends. The change in design, colors and patterns should be minimized so that for business they don’t leave their cultural heritage behind. But also promote it in a new and attractive way. The third and last solution given the ethical values is that first Fredrick should exhibit the original art of Puna tribe and advertise and promote their original art to attract customers and see the response. If the result is positive, then the original art should be commercialized. Practical Constraints In the above discussion following are the practical constraints: In a large order there would be work strain on Puna tribes. This is because Puna tribes weave the baskets using their old method which they have been following for centuries now. They are already comfortable with it so it would be difficult to adapt to a new method immediately. If they adopt a new style of training then the chances are that the result won’t be as neat and good as the original baskets have. To make then learn a new pattern can be a difficult job as they are illiterate and can be bad in learning new things. To complete the large order all the women and men both will have to put in effort in which the children and old people would suffer. The techniques they are using for weaving basket are old and tested. If they change the color or material it might product poor results and end products can be of low quality. Darren’s Active Plan After evaluating all the aspects and keeping in mind the scenario, the decision which Darren should take should be business oriented and in light of ethics. Darren should negotiate with both parties individually. As he feels attached to the Puna tribe he cannot take a brutal decision and neglect the after effects. Puna tribe is not needy to the extent of compromising their own cultural values for money. Irrespective of their illiteracy, in case they are willing compromise, then the ethical values of Darren in business should not let him allow this. So first Darren should talk to the Puna tribe about the deal He should offer them to make baskets on large scale. And ensure that they are clear about all the possibilities which they had proposed. After this, buyer would agree to buy and sale the original baskets. Or they might have to change their patterns in baskets. So if the Puna tribes agree over the idea of Darren and are willing to do the contract then he can further negotiate with Fredrick over this issue. There are many ways to make Fredrick confer with his ideas. So Darren should formally discuss the idea with Frederick. He needs to tell him that Puna tribes are not very flexible for making the new patterns of baskets and it if he tries to project the original baskets with proper marketing and advertisement then the results would be better. This will not only make them unique but will also increase their value and price. Defending your Action plan in front of Critics After the action plan has been set, it is important to know if the plan will survive the wrath of critics or not. Will the plan be able to defend itself in front of the critics? The developed active plan of Darren will be able to with stand the critics. It has all the elements of a proper business plan i.e. ethical values, negotiation, dealing and discussion and profitable. So yes the Darren plan is resistant to any critics and can be achievable. 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