Ethical Business dilemma Assesment Report

Running head: BUSINESS ETHICS
BUSINESS ETHICS
Name of Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
Part A: Ethical Dilemma Essay...........................................................................................2
Ethical dilemma description............................................................................................2
Why it is an ethical dilemma...........................................................................................3
Ethical solutions proposed by the student for this dilemma............................................4
Part B: Portfolio of Evidence Contents...............................................................................6
The ethical leadership debate...........................................................................................6
The seminar case..............................................................................................................8
Interpersonal and team-working skills.............................................................................9
References..........................................................................................................................10

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Part A: Ethical Dilemma Essay
Ethical dilemma description
An ethical dilemma refers to a situation in which a decision has to be taken from among
alternatives of moral imperatives neither of which is preferable. The main problem in this
situation arises because selection of one alternative may result in transgressing another.
Therefore the decision maker is faced with a situational conflict on his mind. Similarly a
situation of ethical dilemma occurred at ANZ bank of Australia which had also been in the news
for some time (George, 2019). The case revolves around the victim Ms Oyo who was faced with
sexual and racial harassment while she was working as a salesperson in the bank. According to
the victim she was harassed by a senior male employee who openly and frequently made
different disrespectful and discriminating comments upon her and also some other women of the
workplace.
In fact the skills of Ms Oyo were compared to that of a monkey by her own immediate
supervisor knowing the fact that the term has been used historically for racial discrimination. It
was then that she decided to file a complaint against a supervisor to ANZ banks senior
management. After which she had been terminated from her duty (Dipboye, 2016). And after the
same the litigation process began where the company has appointed an external lawyer from
New York to proceed with the case and investigate into the same. Moreover according to the
victim, ANZ bank kept harassing her because she filed a suit against the company. The company
kept harassing her instead of focusing on the claims made by her against the supervisor (Rothlin
& McCann, 2016). Therefore the victim felt that the company was blindly supporting its senior
supervisor. Moreover she also felt harassed throughout the litigation process as she was asked a

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lot of personal questions. Moreover the victim felt that irrespective of the company having
policies and procedure of equal opportunity for all the employees and it also includes rules and
regulations against bullying at workplace, the bank engaged in discriminative workplace
practices based on gender and race. On the other hand according to the supervisor, the employee
was taking the situation to seriously and that no other employees had ever felt that way and that
she was thinking too much about the same. Moreover it is a situation of ethical dilemma for the
company because it needs to take a proper decision and if it does not take a proper decisions
either the employees or the supervisors and top management of the company would be
negatively affected.
Why it is an ethical dilemma
The case of ANZ bank includes a situation of ethical dilemma because there are two
alternatives available to the CEO of the company either of which is undesirable or is not
preferable (Sharma & Mann, 2018). An ethical dilemma includes a situation in which the
decision maker has to take decision from alternatives that includes moral imperatives. Moreover
neither of the two decisions are morally or ethically correct according to the parties involved.
Therefore the situation of ethical dilemma includes situations that are too complex and it
becomes very difficult to find a proper solution to the same. In the case of the ANZ bank, the
two alternatives includes wither supporting the supervisors and the managerial people or
supporting Ms Oyo and the other employees who are the victims. In case of both the parties
concerned, they are correct at their point. According to Ms Oyo she needs the company to take a
decision that will help in avoiding any such situations in future. Moreover she is right in her
position because she stood up against all the unethical activities that are being carried out in the
organization which others did not do (Ghumman & Ryan, 2018). On the other hand, according to

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the supervisor he did not make any such comments intentionally and was not serious about the
same. He felt that it was Ms Oyo who took the jokes too seriously because there no other
employee ever felt like that and therefore she felt that the charges that were being made by Ms
Oyo were completely baseless (Einarsen et al., 2017). Moreover the supervisor felt that he was
right in his position. Therefore in this situation, it became difficult for the CEO of the company
to take a decision because any both the parties were correct in their point. And moreover if the
company took a decision in support of the victim, then the supervisors may get angry with the
decision and the company will also be losing its talented employee (Keinert-Kisin, 2016). On the
other hand, if the company took a decision in support of the supervisors, then the employees may
not feel safe in their workplace and they will feel that the management is biased.
Therefore in such a situation the CEO needs to take an appropriate decision fast and also
take a decision which will be acceptable to all for maintaining a positive workplace environment.
Hence the CEO of the company is being faced with a complex situations (Fine, Sojo & Lawford‐
Smith, 2020). Hence in this situation, it becomes necessary for the CEO to make application of
different ethical theories and framework to be able to take a decision which is taken for the
purpose of proving greater good than greater evil. Moreover it is also necessary for the company
to listen to the perspectives of both the parties to reach a particular decision and by investigating
into the matter to understand who has actually acted in accordance with the ethical code of
conducts of the bank and not the one who have deviated from the same. Moreover the company
had decided to investigate into the matters with the help of a lawyer such that it can understand
the entire issue in details and for the purpose of being able to take an ethical decision.

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Ethical solutions proposed by the student for this dilemma
In this situation, I would have taken a decision that was influenced by the ethical theories
of deontology and utilitarianism. Moreover I would also have used the GVV framework for
solving this ethical situation. The GVV framework or giving voice to values framework is
dependent upon the value driven approach. According to this framework there are 7 main pillars
on which the ethical behavior is based and it includes- values, normalization, choice, self-
knowledge, purpose, voice and reasons and rationalizations. The GVV approach helps the
leaders to raise the issues that are based on values in a more effective manner. That is all those
activities will be carried out that are necessary for the leader to be heard by both the parties. Self-
assessment also needs to be done to focus on strengths of the individuals. This also includes
aligning the sense of purpose of an individual with that of the organization. Moreover the leader
should be able to prepare responses to all the reasons and rationalizations. Moreover the leader
should be able to remember times when they have been able to positively voice their values and
implement the same in the organization. Therefore the leader of ANZ bank could have adopted
the GVV framework for the purpose of solving the ethical dilemma. The first stage in the GVV
Framework includes- the leader should identify and voice his own values that is he should be
able to understand his own values. If the supervisor feels that his values match with that of the
Ms. Oyo than he should support her values. Then the next step requires the leader to understand
what was the right thing to do in the situation that was being faced by the employees of the sales
branch. Moreover in this situation, the leader should try to understand what the right thing to do
ethically is. Through this step the leader should choose one of the two alternatives. Then the next
step includes accepting the fact that values conflict are a common phenomenon and whenever
there conflicting values a conflict situation will occur and therefore the leader should be calm in

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such a situation (Long, 2016). The firth step includes understanding the purpose both personally
and professionally. Then the next step includes self-knowledge and alignment, which means that
the leader should stand for his own values and therefore build on his own strengths. Therefore in
this stage the leader should take a stand fir his own values (Manzi et al., 2019). The next step
includes voicing own values and remembering of times when own values have been placed in the
workplace. The final step includes reasons and rationalizations. This step discusses about the
different opposing views that will be heard once a decision has been made. Whenever the CEO
will take a decision, it is common for the opposing parties to disagree to the same and therefore
be angered with the same. Moreover in order to understand ethical activities it is necessary to
understand the concepts of deontology and utilitarianism. According to the concept of
deontology, everyone is required to fulfil their duties towards others. Therefore in the case of
ANZ bank the CEO has a duty towards his employees as it is the duty of the employers to
provide a safe workplace environment for his employees.
Part B: Portfolio of Evidence Contents
The ethical leadership debate
There were a lot of conflicting views over the topic of debate which showed how
business schools believe that ethical leadership is impossible in an economy that is focused on
shareholders. And the case study selected by our team was that of Mike Gustavsson. Some of the
students were of the opinion that Mike was right when he said he wondered about the company
in which his daughter was working because she was getting converted into an executive who was
completely getting driven by the bonuses offered to them. Moreover he also felt that it is the top
management of the organization which determines the ethical behaviour of the organization.

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Moreover if the top management themselves focus on carrying out unethical activities for the
purpose of achieving bonuses then the employees and the lower level people will also be
motivated to do the same. Therefore many of our team members were of the opinion that the
behaviour of Mike’s daughter in the organization was influencing others as well and in fact she
was motivating and advocating employees on how to get rich quicker. Therefore those students
were augmenting in support of the debate motion that is the how a shareholders focused
economy leads to unethical leadership or make ethical leadership completely impossible. Further
students also supported the debate motion by saying that leaders often influence the behaviour of
the employees through role modelling and since Anna was herself no more caring for the social
problems it the environmental problems and was only interested in the bonus payment therefore
her behaviour was influencing that of others. Anna was also ready to work for extended working
hours for the purpose of earning more profits (Newton, 2017).
This shows how ethical leadership becomes difficult in an environment that is focused on
its shareholders. If the leaders are ready to exploit the nature or society for the purpose of their
benefits then the employees will follow the same and an organization will never be able to
become an ethical one. Moreover according to the normative ethical theories, every individual
has a responsibility towards others that is the society. Therefore organizations that are not
fulfilling its responsibilities towards the society or the environment are the ones which are
carrying on its activities unethically. Moreover according to the normative theory of
utilitarianism also ethical activities includes activities that contributes to greater good of others.
Therefore the activities that were being carried out by Anna was only providing benefits to her
and not to others. Therefore her approach was an unethical one. On the other hand, Mike’s
approach was an ethical one from the perspective of both the normative theories. This is so

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because he believed that an ethical organization depends completely upon the top management.
If the top management and the shareholders carried out their activities in an ethical way they can
influence the behaviours of their employees and they will also adopt an ethical behaviour (Lucas,
Van Wee & Maat, 2016). On the other hand there were some students who also said against the
topic because they said that one of the major needs of human beings is safety and security needs
which can be fulfilled only through money. Moreover according to the Theory of Maslow,
people also want to be accepted by the society as all human beings are social animals. It becomes
easier for people to be acceptable in the society when they are financial strong. Therefore most
of the needs of the motivation theory are linked to monetary benefits and if Anna does not earn
the same she will not be able to fulfil her needs. Moreover according to the theory, self-
actualisation needs are also a part of the hierarchy which shows the needs of the people to do
good for others. Therefore after some years the same need may be generated in her then she will
be able to do good for others. And hence according to these set of students Anna was right in her
approach.
The seminar case
The advertising agency of Germany has a culture of playing hard and working hard. That
is the employees of the company get a good pay however they are all required to work hard.
Moreover the company suffers from the problems of high turnover due to poor work life balance.
The ethical dilemma in the case of advertising agency of Germany, is the one that was being
faced by Borries. Borries was had applied for holiday of at least one week’s such that he could
go to his girlfriend’s house to meet her parents. That is why the holiday was very important for
him before Lee his girlfriend would return back to Germany for her studies. Exactly one month
before the holiday, Borries was called for meeting where was told that one of the clients of

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borries was asking to propone the product launch dates and that the client was an important one
because he could being many other contracts for the company. And that the launch date would
fall in the middle of his holiday and therefore if he went for the holiday the company would be
losing their very important client. Therefore the ethical dilemma that was being faced by Borries
was that he had two alternatives which were both morally imperative and selection of one
decision would mean that the other will have to be transgressed (Reamer, 2019). In such a
situation, according to the theory of deontology Borries has a responsibility towards others. That
is it would be unethical on his part to leave a project that he had started and on the other hand, he
also had a responsibility towards his girlfriend as he had previously made a commitment to her.
According to the theory of utilitarianism an ethical activities is one that is carried out for greater
good of people. That is those activities will be considered as ethical which results in providing
benefits to a majority of people and not just few (Kara, 2017). On the other hand, the deontology
theories discusses about the responsibility of person towards others. Therefore if a person has
made a promise or commitment from beforehand they should ensure that the same gets fulfilled.
However according to the normative theory Borries did the wrong thing and his activity was
unethical because he did not fulfill his commitment and moreover he took a decision that would
benefit only the management and therefore the decision overlooked the benefit of Borries
himself, his girlfriend, the benefits of his colleagues and also the family members of his
girlfriend. Therefore the greater good was of all the people was not considered. It was only the
management whose benefits had been considered (Filip et al., 2016). Normative frameworks on
the other hand helps the people to thinks about what is right and wrong based on tradeoffs and
though it does not provide an answer to the question directly it simply helps people to take
ethical decisions.

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Interpersonal and team-working skills
Interpersonal skills refer to the ability of a person to interact with others properly and
thereby be able to effectively work with them. On the other hand team working skills includes-
communication skills, problem solving skills, decision making skills and other skills. During the
entire module I have made use of my team working skills and also interpersonal skills. This is so
because we had to take part in a number of group activities and debates which was carried out by
effectively because of my interpersonal skills and also communication skills. Moreover I have
also learned a lot about the gaps in my team working skills and communications skills. This is so
because I have understood that I need to improve y communication skills for the purpose of
becoming a better spokesperson (Zwitter, 2019). I was selected as one of the two spokesperson
of our team. Though I was able to confidently pit my point across to the other teams and our
teacher, I felt that my communications skills could be improved.
Moreover we had to carry out team analysis of the concept learned and applied by me.
Therefore I have understood about the goals in my team working skills and I need to improve the
same such that in case I have to work again in teams I will make sure that I do not repeat the
mistakes. Moreover we have also worked in seminar through which also I have understood about
working in teams. Further by taking part on the debate, our presentation skills have been
improved. There had been three parts of the debates all of which was focused at critically
analyzing and identification of the ethical issues in the given case studies and included
discussions on the same

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References
Dipboye, R. L. (2016). Discrimination as high risk behavior in the workplace. In Risky
Business (pp. 199-226). Routledge.
Einarsen, K., Mykletun, R. J., Einarsen, S. V., Skogstad, A., & Salin, D. (2017). Ethical
infrastructure and successful handling of workplace bullying. Nordic Journal of Working
Life Studies.
Filip, I., Saheba, N., Wick, B., & Amir Radfar, M. D. (2016). Morality and ethical theories in the
context of human behavior. Ethics & Medicine, 32(2), 83.
Fine, C., Sojo, V., & Lawford‐Smith, H. (2020). Why does workplace gender diversity matter?
Justice, organizational benefits, and policy. Social Issues and Policy Review.
George, B. (2019). Legal Aspects of Ethical Decision-Making in the Event of Sexual Harassment
and Discrimination in the Workplace.
Ghumman, S., & Ryan, A. M. (2018). Religious group discrimination.
Kara, H. (2017). Research Ethics-Ethical Theories.
Keinert-Kisin, C. (2016). Persistence of Gender Discrimination in the Workplace. In Corporate
Social Responsibility and Discrimination (pp. 7-26). Springer, Cham.
Long, A. B. (2016). Employment discrimination in the legal profession: A question of ethics. U.
Ill. L. Rev., 445.

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Lucas, K., Van Wee, B., & Maat, K. (2016). A method to evaluate equitable accessibility:
combining ethical theories and accessibility-based approaches. Transportation, 43(3),
473-490.
Manzi, C., Paderi, F., Benet‐Martínez, V., & Coen, S. (2019). Age‐based stereotype threat and
negative outcomes in the workplace: Exploring the role of identity integration. European
Journal of Social Psychology, 49(4), 705-716.
Newton, M. T. (2017). A Comparison of Ethical Theories.
Reamer, F. G. (2019). Ethical theories and social work practice. The Routledge Handbook of
Social Work Ethics and Values.
Rothlin, S., & McCann, D. (2016). Employees: Discrimination and Sexual Harassment.
In International Business Ethics (pp. 179-201). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
Sharma, S., & Mann, N. (2018). Workplace discrimination: The most critical issue in managing
diversity. In Management techniques for a diverse and cross-cultural workforce (pp. 206-
223). IGI Global.
Zwitter, M. (2019). Ethical Theories. In Medical Ethics in Clinical Practice (pp. 15-22).
Springer, Cham.