Business Ethics Research and Analysis

This assignment tasks students with conducting a thorough review of the academic literature on business ethics. It requires analyzing scholarly articles to identify major themes, concepts, methodologies, and debates within the field. Students are expected to synthesize their findings into a cohesive analysis that highlights key trends, gaps in research, and future directions for business ethics scholarship.

BUSINESS ETHICS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................5
MAIN BODY ..................................................................................................................................5
Theories of Ethics.......................................................................................................................5
Types of Ethical Considerations.................................................................................................6
The BP ethical case ....................................................................................................................7
The problems the “proprietary” nature of some of these ingredients in Corexit is likely to pose
.....................................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................................10
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................12

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The present report will be based on the oil spill of British Petroleum in the Gulf of
Mexico which occurred on 20th April 2010 which is regarded as the greatest disaster in the
history of petroleum industry. The report will be covering all the facts which are related to
ethical consideration based on company. The oil spill case of British Petroleum in Gulf of
Mexico. This section will be elaborating various aspect of ethics, theories of ethics which must
be followed at organisation and also the types of ethical consideration

INTRODUCTION
Business ethics are the principles or morals which are form of applied ethics or
professional ethics which every business need to follow in all the industry where they are
working into. Business ethics are determines the way a business behave including management's
and individual's action or decisions for business. In ethical way, it is involves a major difference
between what is right or what is wrong for organisation and after that choosing a right option for
it. The present case study is based on biggest and disaster in the history of petroleum industry
which took on 20th April 2010 killing about 11 people (Audi, 2012). The oil spill case of British
Petroleum in Gulf of Mexico. This section will be elaborating various aspect of ethics, theories
of ethics which must be followed at organisation and also the types of ethical consideration.
MAIN BODY
Theories of Ethics
Absolutism and Relativism:
Ethical relativism asserts that right and wrong are subjective and can be determined by
each society or group of people independent of any others. This theory states that decision
making should focus on facts that allowing people to make decision that apply on their lives. As
its results, people have control their tough decision which can possible because they are only one
who understand their chosen lifestyle facts and decision according to them. Each and every on e
deserve respect because they are the only one who can understand their problems, their capacity
and ability on which they can perform (Crane and Matten, 2016). For this decision maker need to
understand employees problem and their emotion after that the have to take decision. In it they
can provide them training and learning to improve their skills and enhance their working
capacity. As in BP after the oil spill it was necessary that government should some corrective
actions against the one who was behind this oil spill which is very absolute and relative as well.
Utilitarianism or Consequentialism:
Utilitarianism is a consequential or teleological ethics theory, so it is not concerned with
how moral the action itself is, but the morality of the outcome of an action. Utilitarians aim to
maximise the greatest good for the greatest number of individuals by assessing all consequences
on all those affected by an action, in both the long and short term (De George, 2011). In a
Utilitarian assessment of an action, each individual is valued equally or given one ‘vote’ on the

action. So for British petroleum oil, this theory will help to take various decision to save people's
life with its harmful effects. In other hand, it is performing to seek individuals benefits through
fair and justifiable decision. They are added more rules and values in their justices at the same
time. Somehow it can be more strict and quick in their approaches (Michaelson, 2010).
Deontology:
Kantian deontology is a non-consequential ethical theory, which will be judging the
morality of the actions which are based on some of the rules. This theory comprises the moral
law and the categorical imperative. The moral law is made up the idea that morality is; self-
imposed, equal to reason, only applies to rational beings, not derived from consequences and
universal. For an act to be considered ethical, it must pass the categorical imperative. The
categorical imperative consists of three rules; the act must be universalistic, it must respect
rational beings as ends in themselves and it must respect the autonomy of rational beings (Des
Jardins, 2011). The problem with Kant’s theory is that it is not easy to use for decision making as
it does not provide guidance as to where to draw the line when calculating individual welfare
against the society as a whole. So in British Petroleum it is the moral obligations of all staff to
bind to their duty.
Types of Ethical Considerations
Ethical consideration are some reasons which confirm the action for approval or non
approval of an individual and that of society level. So the case of oil spill of BP in Gulf of
Mexico there are some ethics which need to be considered at the time of process.
Social- all business organisation are having some responsibilities towards the society in which
they are working or operating. Like in case of Corexit which is product line of oil dispersant used
at time of oil spill response operations and BP was hiding use of ingredients in products which
they were manufacturing (Prasad, 2008). This use of illegal ingredients in product line which is
violation of ethical issue at the part of society and company must not be using such harmful
ingredients.
Economical- this ethical consideration will be including wages and salary of its employees
which company is giving to them. This is the duty and responsibilities of company to abide with
their monies in regard to employee security and all ethics must be followed.
Environmental- this will be of utmost important for any company which is operating in society
as this will be enabling them to remain in industry with the same amount of customers.

Environmental consideration of ethics is the most vital and this will deteriorate the impact of
company in society or industry if they did not follow this consideration (Michaelson, 2010). The
present case of oil spill of BP in Gulf of Mexico in 2010 was the result of use of harmful
ingredient in oil products and caused to death of different plant and animals which were living in
marine waters. They should cover the fact that ingredient which are to be used in products are
completely safe and will not be hampering overall environment of oceans and seas.
The BP ethical case
The Deep water horizon oil spill which is regarded to as the biggest disaster in the history
of petroleum industry which was occurred on 20th April 2010 in Gulf of Mexico in south east
coastline of Louisiana. Government of US was estimated that there was about 4.9 million barrels
oil which was spilled in water causing death of 11 workers are harm to many marine animals and
plants. Even 2 years later of the disaster it was reported that many water animals were deing like
dolphins, tunas and amberjack as well (Fassin and et. al., 2011). This incident occurred because
of the inefficiency of British Petroleum (BP) in managing its responsibilities towards
environment and external stockholders. Which is rising huge ethical issue for organisation and
considering initiatives to lessen down situations.
Major stakeholders of the situation:
At the time of incidents of the oil spill of BP at Gulf of Mexico the main identification of
stakeholder that would be affected directly or indirectly. The first and foremost stakeholder of
the incident are the worker and employees who were working on the platform there were almost
126 people who were present. At the time when incident occurred all the workers were not
evacuated from the platform which resulted in the death of 20 people. The other or second
stakeholder at the incident was environment which was affected to a larger extent. Almost 32
wildlife refugees were affected by this incident and lead to huger amount of death of marine
animals and plants (Murphy, 2010). Between the time of 2010 to 2013 about 817 dolphins died
and thus resulted into death of seagulls and decreasing water quantity of ocean. Whole of the
ecosystem of marine life was impacted very harshly and in endangering aqua animals.
As the oil spill was majorly on south-east coastline of Louisiana so beaches and tourist
department of the country was also one of the affected stakeholder. This oil spill lead till
Macondo site as water off Florida Panhandle and Tampa Bay at this place oil spill was mixed
with sand and embedded there in. This incident was also impacted on the economic situation of

the people who were the part of British Petroleum (Pies, Beckmann and Hielscher, 2010). As the
whole company was affected by this oil spill so the company had to suffer economic loss which
resulted in hundreds of loss of job in company. Not only these workers who were a part of
fishery industry of that whole region was suffering loss of production of seafood.
The problems the “proprietary” nature of some of these ingredients in Corexit is likely to pose
1. British petroleum oil spill in the gulf of Mexico, at that time they need to use dispersant for
break the dense oil that is continuing to accumulate on the surface of the ocean towards the
shore. For this they are need to uses Corexit which is a chemical product and produced by Nalco
corporation. So at that time, this manufacture organisation is major stakeholder of them because
they can only purchase theses chemical through them. After a deal with them, they need s to get
a specific information about them because this will be very harmful if it snot used at a particular
place (Sparks and Pan, 2010).
2. Corexit is a chemical product which is produced by Nalco corporation. So according to
this case, when BP oil want to get a brief information about this to uses it perfectly at a correct
place because dispersant is harmful for sea life that inhabits rocky shores. So for this
organisation wants to take a brief information about this but due to some proprietary issues they
do not want to disclose their ingredients information (Rossouw and et. al., 2010). In proprietary
organisation have their legal right and trade mark on this chemical which will not be used by any
other without their legal approval.
3. Somehow, Corexit is a harmful chemical which is only produced by Nalco. Due to
some complexes, organisation is keeping secret of its ingredients to provide safety from
duplicate products. Somehow it is important to keep some secret of their products detail from
competitive organisation but it can be not good for those companies who wants to use it and
wants to get brief knowledge about this. For this Nalco haver to provides their products detail in
laboratory and government thorough this they can make their secret in legal terms and others
companies who wants to use those chemical can get its information in specific manner. This
thought will be considerable for both (Trevino and Nelson, 2016).
4. As a committee member of this organisation ,it would be suggested for BP oil and after
that I'll be get a brief information about Corexit chemical and will provides its determination to
other members that how this chemical s works, what is its uses, Where we can use it. This

product is very harmful for each and every person, so before its uses everyone wants to get full
knowledge and deep study on chemical uses (Ciulla, Martin and Solomon, 2011). If a
organisation want to sell it then what should be its consequences.
5. After the overall research committee should recommend that, if organisation have
requirement to use such type chemical they need to recruit more experienced and trained
workforce which is knows he to use these products safely and provides its benefits to others.
These chemical can be harmful for their lives that's why this is required a particular information
about them. Organisation can be approved its uses because it will be helpful for shores to break
up dense oil on its surfaces (Uysal, 2010).
Code of ethics:
This is simply based on legal activities of organisation. In it code of ethics are gives
guidance to their employees on business matters including board of director and executive
officers (Doh and et. al., 2010). It creates trust between their customer for the business and their
products. Code of ethics puts another way which would be essential for success with the news
and information that customers believes on them to be telling the truth. Ethical policies are based
to create a positive environment in organisation, Culture and values as well as honesty and trust
between owner or executive. These are always includes two part of organisation such as
management, owner or executive, workers without them it will be useless. They both are stands
as an inspiration for each other because if executives see that owners of business are engaged in
unlawful ethics and violating organisational law to save little money, they will also then engage
in same unlawful aspects and spread negativity in working environment. Through these policies
British petroleum can easily understand which type of decisions they can take in various
situations (Ismaeel and Blaim, 2012).
There are some limitation of these professional code of ethics like:
Resulting in less amount of profits- this will be restricting or not allowing the owner of business
to a certain limit and thus not allowing them to obtain higher amount of profits. Businessmen
will thus be including in the process of what is good for its client which means lower sales out of
the figure.
Time Wasting- this will be engaging in establishing rapport or image of brand and company in
market with the help of following code of ethics (Ford and Richardson,2013). So put down the

process of professional code of ethics this will be requiring more amount of time in inefficient
way.
Unattainable goal- this will also lead to far away from the goal which company set at its initial
time. They will be only following the professional code of ethics and not be focusing on goals or
objectives which were set (Piccolo and Folger, 2010).
Ethical responsibilities:
This was the duty and responsibilities of BP and Nalco corporation to reduce the negative
impact on nature and keeping good health of all stakeholders and to protect environment. Nalco
must be ensuring that the product which they are producing must be of good quality and this can
cause harm to environment and marine life (Ma, 2010). As the work or operation which both the
companies are doing is very serious and can be harmful for mankind and that to wildlife as well.
The components of Corexit was also hidden from its users which is entirely unethical by
ignoring their social and ethical responsibilities.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it is concluded that Business ethics how business behave and also
represent the decision of management and individual for its objectives. This report is based on
British petroleum oil which is spill in gulf of Mexico, for this organisation need to take quick
decision to save ocean and others live which is affected from its surfaces.
RECOMMENDATIONS
British petroleum oil spill in the gulf of Mexico, for provide full protection of shore
dispersant can be used to help break up the dense oil that is continuing to accumulate on the
surface of the ocean. The company must be using various techniques which will be helping them
to verify chemicals used in the dispersion and these will be helpful for company to cope up with
issues. BP and Nalco both must be informing which type of product are to be used in petrol and
its bi products like that in the case of Corexit chemical.
 For this, It would consider to use Corexit chemical but after getting full information of it.
 Because Corexit is no longer to use in Britain and it is harmful chemical to sea life that
inhabits rocky shore as well as sheer amount of dispersant that is going to be used and
that some of it might get to the shoreline.
 So organisation have to determine its uses at where it can and how it can be used safely.

 BP is having its own social and ethical responsibilities towards the environment which
they need to identify and then make rules regarding them.
 They must be taking several measures that will be beneficial for reduction of
accumulated oil and its spread towards the sea shore or beaches.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Audi, R., 2012. Virtue ethics as a resource in business. Business Ethics Quarterly. 22(2).
pp.273-291.
Ciulla, J.B., Martin, C.W. and Solomon, R.C., 2011. Honest work: A business ethics reader.
Crane, A. and Matten, D., 2016. Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and
sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford University Press.
De George, R.T., 2011. Business ethics. Pearson Education India.
DesJardins, J.R., 2011. An introduction to business ethics. McGraw-Hill.
Doh, J. and et. al., 2010. Ahoy there! Toward greater congruence and synergy between
international business and business ethics theory and research. Business Ethics
Quarterly. 20(3). pp.481-502.
Fassin, Y.and et. al., 2011. Small-business owner-managers’ perceptions of business ethics
and CSR-related concepts. Journal of Business ethics. 98(3). pp.425-453.
Ford, R.C. and Richardson, W.D., 2013. Ethical decision making: A review of the empirical
literature. In Citation classics from the Journal of Business Ethics (pp. 19-44).
Springer Netherlands.
Ismaeel, M. and Blaim, K., 2012. Toward applied Islamic business ethics: responsible halal
business. Journal of Management Development. 31(10). pp.1090-1100.
Ma, Z., 2010. The SINS in business negotiations: Explore the cross-cultural differences in
business ethics between Canada and China. Journal of Business Ethics. 9. pp.123-135.
Martin, K. and Parmar, B., 2012. Assumptions in decision making scholarship: Implications
for business ethics research. Journal of Business Ethics. 105(3). pp.289-306.
Michaelson, C., 2010. Revisiting the global business ethics question. Business Ethics
Quarterly. 20(2). pp.237-251.
Murphy, P.E., 2010. Marketing, Ethics of. Wiley Encyclopedia of Management.
Piccolo, R.F., and Folger, R., 2010. The relationship between ethical leadership and core job
characteristics. Journal of Organizational Behavior. 31(2‐3). pp.259-278.
Pies, I., Beckmann, M. and Hielscher, S., 2010. Value creation, management competencies,
and global corporate citizenship: An ordonomic approach to business ethics in the age
of globalization. Journal of Business Ethics. 94(2). pp.265-278.

Rossouw, D. and et. al., 2010. Business ethics. Oxford University Press Southern Africa.
Sparks, J.R. and Pan, Y., 2010. Ethical judgments in business ethics research: Definition, and
research agenda. Journal of Business Ethics. 91(3). pp.405-418.
Trevino, L.K. and Nelson, K.A., 2016. Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to
do it right. John Wiley & Sons.
Uysal, Ö.Ö., 2010. Business ethics research with an accounting focus: A bibliometric
analysis from 1988 to 2007. Journal of Business Ethics. 93(1). pp.137-160.