Business Law and Ethical Behavior

The significance of ethical behavior has gained a widespread influence in business, especially following current business scandals in the global arena. The process of ethical decision making entails the use of ethical frameworks to define whether an action is morally right of wrong. A comprehensive body of literature has been produced to focus on the rationalist and cognitive approaches as the primary models of ethical decision making. In most cases, individuals are influenced by emotions, intuitions, and logic in the evaluation of decisions. Notably, it is quite possible to blend in the three aspects mentioned in the preceding sentence in making ethical judgements. Building upon this, this paper utilizes different models of ethical decision making to respond to three case studies. Particularly, we provide a step-to step detail on the details made at each step to bring one to the final conclusion.

Case Study One

In this scenario, we utilize a rational cognitive approach to make an ethical decision. As Jamie, I would first consider reporting the matter to management because Dustin’s actions are selfish and dishonest to the company. Alternatively, Jamie can choose to ignore the whole situation by not looking further into the scenario. However, Jamie would be failing in upholding ethical behavior by ignoring a moral issue. According to Zollo, Pellegrini & Ciappei (2017, p. 683), one should be sensitive and take in to account the welfare of others when framing possible ethical decisions. By the same token, the first step Jamie should take is to approach Dustin and elaborate on how his behavior goes against the company’s rules. Furthermore, Jamie should make Dustin aware on the steps to take to remedy the situation. In case Dustin opts to disregard the first option by not coming clean as to why he is working on the weekends, then Jamie should forward the matter to management.  The rational for this decision is that ethical behavior entails prioritizing moral values. Choosing to ignore the situation translates to supporting the unethical behavior portrayed by Dustin.

Case Study Two

Conducting personal businesses during work hours is considered time theft and is restricted within the workplace. However, various considerations can be made depending on the nature of personal business, such as emergencies that crop up during work hours. Based on Diana’s nature of business, it is not ethically wrong to attend to sensitive needs, such as ordering food for her sick daughter. Furthermore, Diana did not inconvenience anyone because no one needed her assistance during the time she made the calls. One element to note is that Diana was brief with the call and resumed work once she has attended to the needs of her daughter. Zollo, et al. (2017, p. 687), brings to light the role of emotion and reasoning in ethical decision making. Notably, it is logical for Diana to tend to the needs of her sick daughter. The conclusions in this scenario are derived on being emphatic to Diana’s situation.

Case Study Three

Notably, in this scenario, the first decision that would come to mind is to keep the money. In fact, there are no tags in the bag to indicate the owner of the belongings or where to take the bag. Even though this is the easiest and most pleasant decision to make, it is unethical and morally wrong. Despite the fact that there are no tags on the bag, the money still does not belong to me. Because of this, it is unethical to take the bag of money instead of doing something about it. Alternatively, it would be ethical to apply the principle of doing good based on individual factors of personality and values (Zollo, et al. 2017, p. 683). The right of action is to forward the bag to the managerial department for the owner to be traced.

Overall, ethical decision making entails the process of evaluating decisions with respect to moral standards. Ethical behavior in business has gained a widespread attention in the recent years. There are different approaches and models to ethical decision-making that individuals can utilize towards upholding ethical behavior.

Reference

Zollo, L., Pellegrini, M. M., & Ciappei, C. (2017). What sparks ethical decision making? The interplay between moral intuition and moral reasoning: lessons from the scholastic doctrine. Journal of Business Ethics, 145(4), 681-700.