Verified Document

Ethical Dilemma Of Business Globalization Thesis

The dilemma resides in whether the individuals will do what is best for the group or for themselves The ascetic tale of Chrysippus the Stoic - a situation in which one has to state whether a pleasure is good or bad and choose form them The pirate - a situation involving two colleagues, one saving to purchase an expensive software program from the company and one stealing it. The dilemma resides around whether the one who saves should do nothing, report the theft or steal the product herself (Cohen, 2003)

4. Resolving Ethical Dilemmas in Business

Once a business dilemma has been identified, the following course of action depends on the morality and skills of the business leader. Philosophers generally approach the matter of resolving ethical dilemmas from two standpoints - first of all, there is the matter of the practical consequences of the actions to be implemented, and secondly, there is the issue of the actions themselves.

In addressing the consequences, the leader has to consider the parties that will benefit from the implementation of the actions. He must also answer the questions referring to who will be hurt in the process, the nature of the harms and benefits and also the long as well as short-term effects. In terms of the actual courses of action to be implemented, the leader must take an independent and objective stand and simply look at the actions, without considering their consequences. He must answer questions such as "How do they measure up against moral principles like honesty, fairness, equality, respecting the dignity of others, respecting people's rights, and recognizing the vulnerability of individuals weaker or less fortunate than others? Do any of the actions that you're considering "cross the line," in terms of anything from simple decency to an important ethical principle? If there's a conflict between principles or between the rights of different people involved, is there a way to see one principle as more important than the others?" (Center for Ethics and Business)

Having answered the questions relative to the actions and consequences of solving an ethical dilemma, the business leader will be able to make an informed decision.

5. Final Remarks

The multifaceted changes of the...

One effect of the recent modifications is that organizations place an increased emphasis on the way they conduct operations, outside the legislative stipulations. This often determines ethical dilemmas.
The specialized literature on the filed of ethical dilemmas is rather extensive, offering the reader an increased access to resources. A highly relevant piece if work in this field is Martin Cohen's 101 Ethical Dilemma. Out of them, we have presented seven: the lifeboat, the internet bargain, the toaster, the liar, free to do otherwise, the ascetic tale of Chrysippus the Stoic and the pirate.

The Institute of Business Ethics has identified that the most intensified concerns are obvious in cases of environment responsibilities, harassment and discrimination.

The most suitable course of action in addressing business ethical dilemmas is that of answering the questions referring to the actual measures to be taken and the consequences of these measures. Ultimately, all leaders must be conscious that the literature will not offer them a perfect solution, but that in solving their problems, they must increase their theoretical knowledge and develop skills which allow them to adapt and apply theory within an actual business context and to a given situation.

Works Cited

Cohen, M., 101 Ethical Dilemmas, Routledge, 2003

Crane, A., Matten, D., Business Ethics: Managing Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability in the Age of Globalization, Oxford University Press, 2007

Crystal, G., What Is Business Ethics? Wise Geek, 2008, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-business-ethics.html. Ast accessed on December 8, 2008

Vallace, E.M., Business Ethics at Work, Cambridge University Press, 1995

Website of the Institute for Business Ethics, http://www.ibe.org.uk/faq.htm#whatbelast accessed on December 8, 2008

Resolving an Ethical Dilemma, Center for Ethics and Business, http://www.ethicsandbusiness.org/strategy.html. Ast accessed on December 9, 2009

What is Business Ethics, University of Illinois at Chicago, http://jobfunctions.bnet.com/abstract.aspx?docid=81249last accessed on December 8, 2008

Sources used in this document:
Works Cited

Cohen, M., 101 Ethical Dilemmas, Routledge, 2003

Crane, A., Matten, D., Business Ethics: Managing Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability in the Age of Globalization, Oxford University Press, 2007

Crystal, G., What Is Business Ethics? Wise Geek, 2008, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-business-ethics.html. Ast accessed on December 8, 2008

Vallace, E.M., Business Ethics at Work, Cambridge University Press, 1995
Website of the Institute for Business Ethics, http://www.ibe.org.uk/faq.htm#whatbelast accessed on December 8, 2008
Resolving an Ethical Dilemma, Center for Ethics and Business, http://www.ethicsandbusiness.org/strategy.html. Ast accessed on December 9, 2009
What is Business Ethics, University of Illinois at Chicago, http://jobfunctions.bnet.com/abstract.aspx?docid=81249last accessed on December 8, 2008
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Ethical Dilemmas. The Main Ones Described Are
Words: 607 Length: 2 Document Type: Term Paper

ethical dilemmas. The main ones described are the utilitarian, the deontologist, and the prudent pragmatic. Out of the above mentioned methods for solving and discussing ethical dilemmas prudent pragmatic appears to be the most effective and superior. This is due to composition of the prudent pragmatic method. The deontologist method calls for the analyst judging the situation to use abstract means instead of carefully weighing the merits of a

Ethical Dilemma Faced by the Pharmaceutical Industry
Words: 1665 Length: 6 Document Type: Research Paper

Pharmaceutical Ethics Issues Generally, business ethics is a concept that has not been upheld or exemplified to any high standard by the modern pharmaceutical industry. It is an industry frequently plagued by unethical marketing decisions and practices, the pursuit of business strategies and policies that violate public trust in spirit if not necessarily in the written word, and that has embraced research practices that are sometimes highly questionable. In the modern

Business Ethics "The High Cost of High-Tech
Words: 2370 Length: 8 Document Type: Term Paper

Business Ethics "the High Cost of High-Tech Foods case" The cost of high-tech food continues to arouse debates over the ethical, moral, and practical impacts the foods have on the people, market, and economy. However, it is evident that the proponents and opponents of the motion do not seem to come to agreement as each holds their view right. The situation worsens due to the application of emotions in addressing the matter

Business' Environmental Responsibilities and Stewardship:
Words: 4956 Length: 15 Document Type: Research Paper

In addition, we might ask ourselves if the richer nations have or not a greater responsibility as far as the research and development in the area of sustainable energy are concerned. (Reid, environmentalleader.com) Believing that there are such energy sources or consumption policies which would allow the planet's resources to be maintained for a longer period, while making sure that all the nations are provided with a comfortable living is

Ethical Leadership Given the Recent Crash on
Words: 4439 Length: 15 Document Type: Research Paper

Ethical Leadership Given the recent crash on Wall Street and the housing market symbolized by corrupt financiers like Bernard Madoff, ethical and moral leadership of corporations has become a major issue for those who study the American capitalist system. In reality, such concerns about the lack of morality in business, government and society as a while has increased significantly in the last thirty years, which undoubtedly has been an era that

Business Theory Relationship Between Stakeholders,
Words: 4990 Length: 15 Document Type: Research Paper

As the proceedings of the past few years have shown, these labors, regrettably, have not prevented companies from engaging in unethical behaviors that lead to larger corporate disgraces. As a result there is augmented force to make accessible more structured power and ethics programs so that companies are more accountable to the societies in which they function. Understanding the setting of business ethics can be very difficult. The field is

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now