Self-Reflection on Ethical Behavior in Business: Case Studies on All Asia Airways and Ford Pinto

The report provides a self-reflection on ethical behavior in business through case studies on All Asia Airways and Ford Pinto. It includes analysis through verified diagnostic tools and emphasizes the importance of ethical decision-making in business.

Running head: BUSINESS ETHICS 1
Business Ethics

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The report aims to provide a self-reflection to accomplish an understanding about my
self-behavior. Personal human characteristics will in turn reflect on the ability to view a
circumstance from the viewpoint of a different individual (Thorne, Ferrell & Ferrell, 2011).
In order to analyze the individual behavior and accomplish a comprehension regarding what
is done and why it is done, the report will refer to two case studies. This will make it easier to
provide answer to the trigger questions. It will also involve the use of a minimum of three
verified diagnostics tools in order to describe the decision-making behaviors (Bray, Johns &
Kilburn, 2011).
Case Study on All Asia Airways
The position that I held in All Asia Airways was that of a self-driven entrepreneur
who has been highly responsible for building reputation of the transport business and making
it more profitable. The behavior that I possessed has been somewhat ethically confusing as I
dealt with the suppliers and governments through lavish parties as well as gifts. In other
words, sometimes the gap between what is termed as a gift or regarded as a bribe could be a
little suspicious. This in turn has a high chance to lead to unethical conduct. However, the
assumption that I held involved the fact that in order attract a lucrative market it is imperative
to provide personal gifts. I held such viewpoints due to the education and upbringing that
reflected on the recurring theme. It stated that working for profit deals with unintentionally
purchasing into the values that prevail popular cultures. Such cultures involves status, power
and winning (Bello, 2012). I have always learnt that the more an individual is successful, the
more attractive and popular they become. However, in spite of such belief I had to witness
the issues related to maintenance that provided threat of prohibition. This included
prohibition of three major lucrative AAA routes such as Los Angeles, Vancouver and San
Francisco. In order to solve the issue, one of my associate David decided to go for an
alternate supplier in order to source the pumps that were recognized with fuel fault. I felt

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angry with the decision asI felt that David did not posited himself that hindered him from
discussing the aspect with me. I felt that instead of accomplishing a profit, he turned it into a
loss thus damaging both words and deed. This feeling has been considered due to the
deception as well as emotion related to ethical decision-making.
Analysis through Verified Diagnostic Tools
The first diagnostic tools that has been used is values questionnaire scoring sheet that
helped me to influence my ability to carry out the decisions and feel comfortable while doing
the work. I have been able to assign scores to each questions that I have answered above.I
have been able to initiate the theoretical value that emphasized on my personal values. The
seconddiagnostic tool deals with attribution of accountability and responsibility. With the
help of this tool, I have been able to comprehend which aspects areaccountable for my
behavior and which are responsible. I have realized the fact that I since I deal with high
economic value, my behavior is largely guided by consideration of money along with
material accomplishment. My behavior is also largely influenced by power value that
persuaded me to rule as well as lead over others. The third diagnostic tool involves authentic
leadership self-assessment questionnaire. This tool helped me to identify my behavior by
reflecting on my three great weaknesses and reflecting on my core values (Shin, 2012). The
tool has been based on multiple dimensions where I have been able to strongly agree as well
as disagree to my behavioral pattern. I have learnt that I have self-awareness along with
internalized moral viewpoint. I also desire to maintain balanced processing along with
relational transparency.
Case Study on Ford Pinto Case
The case study illustrates about Ford Pinto where Pinto is the first small car
manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. Being the president of the company, I decided to
rapidly introduce Pinto in order to capture the lucrative market of America. However, this

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resulted in a dilemma as the engineers witnessed collision in the rear-end that would probably
result to rupturing of the fuel tank. This reflected on the fact that my behavior involves
making rapid decisions that are mostly based on cultural background and emotions. On the
other hand, the self-esteem that I possessed has a direct influence on my ethical behavior
along with corporate responsibility values. I could not foresee the damages or understand the
remoteness of the damage that could take place as a consequence of my hasty decision. In
order to achieve the best position in the competitive market, there was absence of security
measures to ensure the safety for my customers. The humanitarian ground was lacking. I was
only thinking about making profit motive for my company to take it to the next level. Even
after my engineers found the defect I had not changed the criterion to be fulfilled by them,
consequently it had resulted in a bad decision. The reengineering had proved to be more
expensive than the actual estimated costs that I had anticipated for Pinto. These costs mainly
included the administration of the insurance, medical costs, the damages done to the property,
compensation to the victims of accidents for their suffering and other costs. After a scrutiny
of the data collected from the costs, I found that there was huge difference of a sum of $88
million. I had undertaken the cost benefit approach rather than the desired cost versus cost
approach. My decision was incorrect and it resulted in the loss of my company which I had
failed to anticipate at the initial stages. My reasonableness and farsightedness had been
overshadowed by the power that I possessed to give in to the lucrative business offer and to
establish my company in the forefront in the international market. I regretted having taken
this decision and blamed myself for not having paid heed to the desired ethical behavior.
Analysis through Verified Diagnostic Tools
In order that I can get acclimatized with the work and engage myself smoothly in the
process, the values questionnaire-scoring sheet has aided a great deal. I could allocate the
scores to every question that I had replied to. I could start the value theoretically that were

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laid on my views. The next diagnostic tool comprises of the characteristic of accountability
along with responsibility. This has helped me to identify the different shades of
accountability and responsibility towards my behavior. Due to the reason that my dealings are
mainly confined to economics, my behavior is dependent upon the consideration of money
and other materials. Power has also given shape to my outlook and behavior that has pushed
me to possess leadership skills when compared to the others. The next diagnostic tool is the
genuine leadership personal-assessment questionnaire. I can visualize my behavior which are
portrayed through my weak points and core value. This tool deals with the diverse sides
where I can form an opinion regarding the structure of my behavior (Bray, Johns & Kilburn,
2011). I want to enhance clarity amongst relationships, maintain a parity in the processes
involved and also give value to the awareness that I have gained.
After a close perusal of the above case studies, it would be very beneficial if the
ethical behavior is adopted at every stage of the business, especially in the decision making
aspect.

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References
Bello, S. M. (2012). Impact of ethical leadership on employee job performance. International
Journal of Business and Social Science, 3(11), 26-45.
Bray, J., Johns, N., & Kilburn, D. (2011). An exploratory study into the factors impeding
ethical consumption. Journal of business ethics, 98(4), 597-608.
Ferrell, O. C., & Fraedrich, J. (2015). Business ethics: Ethical decision making & cases.
London, United Kingdom: Nelson Education.
Shin, Y. (2012). CEO ethical leadership, ethical climate, climate strength, and collective
organizational citizenship behavior. Journal of Business Ethics, 108(3), 299-312.
Thorne, D. M., Ferrell, O. C., & Ferrell, L. (2011). Business and society: A strategic
approach to social responsibility and ethics. London, United Kingdom: South-
Western Cengage Learning.