Ethically questionable behavior in/by organizations is seldom solely attributable to “bad apples.” Thus, in order to anticipate and eliminate unethical behavior, it is imperative to understand the structure and pressures within industries and specific companies that may lead “good people” down bad roads.
Your job is to analyze the industry-level, company-level and individual-level factors that may have contributed to these ethical issues.
Acting as consultants, you will analyze your company’s situation and how it affects ethical decisions.
Your analysis should include:
- Individual-level analysis: Regardless of external or internal pressures, at the end of the day peopleare making decisions on behalf of the company. Discuss the probable ethical views of at least three key stakeholders (either within or outside of the firm) using the theories discussed in class.
- Note: The CEO must be included as one of the three stakeholders.
- Recommendations: Take a stance: Based on your analysis, do you believe that the company acted unethically? (Frame your stance within the frameworks discussed in class; better analyses will discuss why the framework you chose is superior to others in this situation.)
- If so, state 2-3 concrete recommendations for improving your company’s ethical position (however you define it).
- If not, then recognize that outside observers may feel differently. State 2-3 concrete recommendations for improving the company’s appearanceof ethicality.
- Note: Recommendations must:
- Be plausibly implemented within a reasonable timeframe.
- Include a timeline for implementation and specific criteria for defining “success.”
- Clearly identify key assumptions and potential obstacles.
