The Management of Carbon - Research Paper Example

Table of Contents Analysis 2 RESOLVEDD Strategy 2 Step 1: R: Review of the History, Background and Details of the Case (Summary) 4 Step 2: E1: Ethical Problem or Issue 5 Step 3: S: Possible Solutions 7 Step 4: O: Outcome 8 Step 5: L: Likely Impact 10 Step 6: V: Values 10 Step 7: E2: Evaluate 12 Step 8: D1: Decide 12 Step 9: D2: Defend 13 13 References 14 Bibliography 14 Analysis RESOLVEDD Strategy The strategy comprises of the following important attributes: Review of the Case Ethical Problem of the Case Solutions of the Case Outcomes of the Case Likely impact of the Case Values of the Case Evaluation of the Case Decision of the Case Defense of the Case Step 1: R: Review of the History, Background and Details of the Case (Summary) The given case deals with a person’s dilemma of whether to look for a settled future or go by tradition and follow ethical decision. The case traps the time when there is scarcity of decent jobs in the country. The main protagonist of the case is facing such a dilemma. The person is looking for a job. He had been on a low paying job for the last six months. He was competent maintenance mechanic. He was apt in fixing different types of machines. The plant where he was working had closed abruptly. Therefore, for the last six months he had to work in grocery shops and burger joints with discontent. He suffered from low self esteem. Therefore, he was looking to get back to working in accordance to his competence. The person came across the advertisements in the paper given by Carbon Manufacturing Company as the company was looking for new employees in all of their departments as there was strike going on in the plant. The strike was called by the union at Carbon Manufacturing. This meant the work at the plant was disturbed. The person in the case is eligible for the job. The job will pay him a similar salary as he was getting at the earlier plant. The management of Carbon was fed up with the union there. So, they decided to include a clause in the new employees contract which required them to agree to not to join a union ever during the stay at the company. The job was a permanent job as the company assured that even if the striking workers return, the new recruits will stay in the company. The non-union clause in the contract was a matter of concern for the person as he analyzed that other prospect of joining the company was good. Father of the person was strong union person. Therefore, he had background which suggested him to be in favor of unions. But the present job crisis and his family where he had wife and kids favored his mind to look for the option of appearing for the job interview. The ethical issue regarding the unions also came up in his mind as his neighbors and community received undue benefits from the presence of unions in the plants. His father also told him the scenario that the Americans had to face in the past when there was no presence of union. Long working hours, low payments, very few benefits, and also no security of job were the scenario that engulfed the country in the absence of the unions. The person though believed that such working conditions and scenarios were a thing of the past and in present day, the management of the companies was much more vigilant of the employee welfare. So, he thought that there was no need for unions. He although was fearful of the consequences that if he joined Carbon Manufacturing after signing the clause, he might have to face certain violent situations in the hands of the union. The person was undecided and the scenario made him double minded. Though, he lacked the similar strong feeling towards the union like his father, still he was unsure of going against his view point. He was deeply disappointed with the present scenario as he was not able bring the same short of living for his family as the past because of his low paying job. He was desperate to change this scenario. Step 2: E1: Ethical Problem or Issue The case deals with ethical issues from both ends i.e. from the side of the workers who are staying on a strike under the influence of the trade union and also from the management of the Carbon Manufacturing. The company wanted to teach a lesson to the striking workers so they called for replacing the workers. The management arranged for interviews for the new recruitments though the company could have tried to resolve the situation by using dialog between the management and workers. The grievances of the workers should have been heard more thoughtfully by the management. This would have resulted in avoiding the present scenario. The workers also should have tried to initiate a discussion with the management. The importance of the trade union is evident only when they work as a problem resolver not as a problem creator. They should have not let the strike go on for four weeks and provide the management with a chance to work out this route. The management had a strong fixation that they were lagging much behind the countries like Japan where no union existed because of the unreasonable demand of the workers aided by the unions. This has made the scenario more unstable for the striking workers. In case of the person described in the case, the ethical issue raised from his family background. His father was a strong believer of the benefits given to themselves and the country on a whole by the presence of the unions. The protagonists himself although didn’t posses such a strong feeling towards the unions. Therefore, there was a clash of believe. The person didn’t want to go beyond the family values and ethics but the present scenario regarding jobs urged him to think beyond. Also, he was aware about the positive benefits that his neighbors had derived from the unions. Therefore, he was pretty reluctant in going against the community. Step 3: S: Possible Solutions John F. Kennedy once stated that, “Our labor unions are not narrow, self-seeking groups. They have raised wages, shortened hours and provided supplemental benefits. Through collective bargaining and grievance procedures, they have brought justice and democracy to the shop floor.” (Kennedy, 1960). The above quote came up in such an era when the labor unions were helping the people of America to tackle the injustices made against them by the companies. They were helping the people to bring about a working condition in which the workers would be happy to work and be more productive. In the case though we have seen that unions have made the management discontent so they are looking to move ahead. The person in the case study has arrived at a point where his loyalties are being questioned. He has to analyze his priorities and obligations to solve the problem. One possible solution to case could be the person going ahead and joining the company as he was selected after giving a successful interview. The present priorities and obligation towards his family i.e. his wife and kids would be solved to some extent after he joins the company. The company has stated that the job he is about to join would be permanent even if the striking workers join back. So, there is no fear of loosing the job. In the present scenario, if the person goes by his priorities and obligations then he has to go for this solution and get back the lost normalcy in his life. Other way round, if the person goes by his loyalty towards his fathers’ belief and the neighbors’ favorable outcome, then he may look to skip the job offer. He is aware of the good things that the union had done to his family and his neighbors. So, one side of his mind, he did not want to go against their belief. He also feared that the union might take violent actions against him if he joined the company in such conditions. So, he could look for other job options or continue his job as in the shops. There is certainly a possibility of getting better options in future as he is qualified and has relevant experience too. Step 4: O: Outcome The prime outcome if the person goes ahead with first solution will be that he would secure a settled and bright future for his wife and kids. The option of going ahead with the permanent job will see him regaining his lost confidence and moral, back. He can use the skills which he acquired in the earlier company effectively in Carbon Manufacturing as the work is as per his competence. The job at Carbon Manufacturing can help him fulfill his obligations in life. He needs for himself a settled life after a hiatus of proper work for six months. The consequence of the second alternative would probably see him remain in his discontent self for some time longer. He would also eliminate the possibility of threats from unions if he does not join the company. He would also go by with believes of his father. Though, he himself didn’t feel the need for union at that time, by choosing the second option, he would respect the ethics of his father. Step 5: L: Likely Impact The first course of solution would impact people’s lives in a certain manner. Here, the person in the case is facing a dilemma of whether to accept the job offer going against his family values or not. On the first instance, getting a job at a position a person wants and also the type of work a person is competent in doing certainly boost people’s own self belief. Here, also the person will get back his moral and self confidence by joining Carbon manufacturing. Also, the burden of raising a family weighs down people. Proper job with convenient salary would help a person to raise their family more freely. Also, he could free his own mind of the resulting discontent he was facing, for the past six months. The impact of the second solution would see people to respect the beliefs of their parents. A person generally feels unhappy if they do something against the beliefs of their parents. So, the consequence of choosing the second option could see him making his father and the community happy. Step 6: V: Values Backing the first solution, the person would violate the values upheld by his father. He would keep his obligations towards his wife and kids with the help of the first alternative. Instead, if he goes for the second solution of skipping the job offer then he would miss out on an opportunity of settled life for his family. Thus, he would violate the beliefs of the family of procreation. Step 7: E2: Evaluate The first solution would provide the person better life and increase his moral from the current discontent state. It would reduce his current poor state in terms of wealth. He would also be able to work in a role which he has experience of and also prefers. The person will also get a salary amounting to earlier standards. Therefore, his present difficulties would reduce somewhat if he goes ahead with the first option. In case of the other alternative, he would respect the beliefs of his father and neighbors but would remain in the present sorrowful state. Therefore the first option might be more pragmatic at the present scenario. Step 8: D1: Decide According to the scenario given in the case, the first feasible solution where the person might accept the job offer is the best. The job offer comes with a clause of not to join any union while he stays at the job. He himself believes that in the present context unions are not required. Therefore, it will be better for him to join the company. He can make his father understand the reasons for him to join Carbon Manufacturing against the ideals of his father. His present state might make his father think rationally and agree with his son’s decision. Step 9: D2: Defend A person is always better of going with their own beliefs rather than others’ beliefs. Here, also the person in his mind is against the unions. Therefore, he would feel justified in going with his own beliefs. His decision might be ethically wrong or against the thinking of his community but at the given scenario, he would definitely be better of going with the first solution. The situation in the company might become normal in due time. The company might resolve the differences with striking workers and union. Therefore, in the long term he might be beneficial because of the rational decision undertaken in the present circumstance as his job with Carbon Manufacturing is permanent. References Kennedy, J. F., (1960). Quotes on Labor Unions. Notable Quotes. Retrieved Online on May 29, 2010 from http://www.notable-quotes.com/l/labor_unions_quotes.html Bibliography Lipset, S. M. & Et. Al., (2004). The Paradox of American Unionism: Why Americans like Unions More Than Canadians Do, but Join Much Less. Cornell University Press, 2004. Wolman, L., (1975). The Growth of American Trade Unions: 1880-1923. Ayer Publishing, 1975. Read More