Ethical Reasoning in Business - Case Study Example

Ethics, Apple Inc in China Introduction: This paper talks about ethics, and it is concerned with the operations of Apple Inc in the Chinese market. Of major concern of this paper, is the analysis of the moral dilemma, which exists, between the shareholders of the company, and other stakeholders of the organization concerning the working conditions of the organizations factories in China. This paper seeks to provide a suggestion on the possible action that the company should take, in improving its working conditions, in its various factories in China. This is based on the notion, that the company has the responsibility of treating its workers well; hence it should make amends for the poor working conditions in its factories. This is by treating its workers well. The Concept of Ethics: In any given society, for purposes of avoiding chaos, there is a need of developing a system, that will help in defining what is right and what is wrong. This system must also provide guidance on how to punish anybody found engaging in an activity that is wrong. This is an aspect of ethics. On most occasions, this concept of ethics has varied, and this is because different factors play a role in its definition. Furthermore, one ethical activity may not be considered as ethics, in another community or society. This concept of ethical philosophy normally involves the identification of the right and wrong activities, and outlining them in a system, that would act as guidance to the targeted people. The principles of ethical philosophy denote that there is a need of defending the concepts of ethics that have been identified, and recommending their adoption and use, to the communities (Rosenbaum 45). Business analysis Basic features of the business situation and relationship chosen Apple Inc. operates a manufacturing branch in China and it is in this location where it is able to manufacture iPhones and iPads. Majority of these workers, normally work under hazardous and brutal conditions, and they do not have any proper facilities that can protect while engaging in the production of these gadgets (Islam, 54). This is a clear violation of a code of conduct that requires companies to provide their employees with proper materials that can be used for purposes of protecting them from harm, in circumstances where they are engaged in the operations of the organization. Because of this unethical practice, there has been an increase in explosions, and deaths within the premises of the factory (Islam, 57). Therefore, it is possible to denote that workers are not safe, when they are working for Apple Inc at their factory. The shareholders and the managers of the business organization are faced with a moral dilemma on whether to improve the working conditions at their factories, and risk diminished profits, which would in turn lead to a reduction in the share price of the organization (Rosenbaum, 4). This dilemma is a very big nightmare to the management and shareholders of Apples. This is because they are unable to come up with the best decision, based on the ethical principles that would carter for their interests and that of their workers. Basic conception of justice It is necessary for Apple Inc to improve its working conditions, for purposes of ensuring that violations of the rights of employees does not occur. The management of the company should come up with measures of ensuring that the established code of conducts is followed, and not violated by any senior management of the organization. By looking at this situation in the view of Aristotle, it is possible to denote that he would have agreed with the assertion that Apple Incl has committed a crime, by violating the rights of its workers. It is therefore necessary for the company to make amends. Opinion This situation is not good, and Apples has to improve the working conditions of its employees. The leaders of the company should ensure that the management adheres to the established code of conduct, as this is the best method of improving the working condition of its employees. There is a need of treating every stakeholder of the company equally, and the organization should not satisfy the interests of its shareholders and consumers, while breaching the interests of its employees. This is unacceptable. Application to an ethical theory Aristotle explains that virtue lies between different vices (Barnes, 350). In defending this position, Aristotle is able to give a variety of examples, and he explains that it is not good if virtue is in excess, and there is a deficiency of vice (Barnes, 352). Aristotle goes on to denote that every action has a meaning, and some of these actions have various names, whose implication is on the negative (Barnes, 352). Because of these factors, Aristotle goes on to denote that an individual cannot be right over them. Considering Apple and its operations, there are a number of stakeholders involved, and this includes the directors of the company, its employees, its consumers, etc. Stakeholders of an organization normally include people who have invested in the organization, and those who are directly or indirectly affected by the operations of the company (Islam, 53). Each of these people depends on one another for the success of the company. For instance, the iPads and iPhones would not be produced if labor was not there. There are moral issues that come up, after the establishment of this relationship between the stakeholders of the business organization. For instance, if the laborers do not work, or they are engaged in producing a low quality product, then the company would not be able to make sales, losing credibility in return. Investors would therefore loss money and time (Rosenbaum 45). This would force investors to stop investing in the company, and this may lead to the closure of the organization. In this scenario, it is possible to explain the moral issue as exploitation. Exploitation is a bad concept, and Aristotle explains that nothing good comes out of exploiting people, either in the right way or the right time (Barnes, 352). It is still exploitation. It is therefore absurd, for there to be any expectation, for an excess or a deficiency of the products produced through exploitation. Defense of the thesis The shareholders of the company and its workers are depending on each other for their successes. Therefore, these people have to work with one another harmoniously for purposes of establishing a code of conduct that has the capability of serving all the stakeholders of the organization. Workers have a mandate of providing high quality products to the organization, while the organization has the responsibility of providing a good working environment for its employees. High quality products, would most definitely lead to an increase in the sales of the products of the organization, and this has an effect of boosting the returns of an investor. A failure of this relationship to occur, then chances are high that one party is exploiting another party. This is not morally acceptable and right. The law offers opportunity to anyone who is victimized to seek redress from it. Therefore, the management of Apple must also be answerable to the law. Conclusion There are a variety of parties who are involved in the supply chain of Apple, who have an interest to the moral dilemma witnessed above. These parties are the owners of the company, investors, and thee employees of the organization (Rosenbaum, 45). All these parties rely on another for the success of the organization, and removal of one, would hurt another party. Therefore, all these parties have a moral obligation to one another, and this obligation is that they should treat each other well. However, the management of Apple is ion breach of this requirement, and they are treating their employees poorly in China. Therefore, the company should make amends for this treatment of their employees in China, and improve their working conditions. Works Cited: Top of Form Barnes, Jonathan. The Cambridge Companion to Aristotle. Cambridge [u.a.: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1996. Print. Bottom of Form Rosenbaum, Thane. "Boycott Apple? The Moral Dilemma After Abuse Reports From China - Fordham Law." Boycott Apple? The Moral Dilemma After Abuse Report From China - Fordham Law. Fordharm University, School of Law. Web. 21 Mar. 2015. Top of Form Islam, Muhammad A. Social Compliance Accounting: Managing Legitimacy in Global Supply Chains. , 2014. 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