Principles and Practices of Ethical Decision Making

Principles and practices of
ethical decision-making

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................3
The organizational context in which decisions are made............................................................3
Personal values and behaviours required to make ethical decisions............................................4
Challenges in ethical decision-making........................................................................................6
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................7
Types and sources of data and information available to inform ethical decision-making...........7
Tools and techniques for ethical decision-making.......................................................................9
The justification for the ethical decision made..........................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Ethical decision refers to the judgements in an institute that highly consists of fair beliefs
and values without any unethical element. Decision making process which includes the such
elements and have transparency is considered as ethical decision-making. In this process the
involved stakeholder selects the alternative options that are firstly evaluated on the basis of its
authenticity and ethics. Fair trade practices is one of the basic element of ethical consideration.
These decisions depict the awareness of the stakeholders for being a responsible citizen.
Unilever is the business organization that has diversified range of products and services
which is sold in different countries across the globe. The firm has to cope up with the distinct
ethics of different countries which is a very difficult task. Thus, the report will be highlighting
every aspect of decision-making and its ethical consideration in the context of Unilever.
Moreover, personal values depicting the business ethics will be mentioned thoroughly in the
report.
Task 1
The organizational context in which decisions are made
Decision-making is an integral part of the organization where various alternatives are
being chosen for the betterment of the business. The process of making decision includes various
stakeholders that evaluates every aspect of the alternatives. These decisions support the
functioning of the firm and enhance the areas that needs improvement. Decision making in the
organizational context needs true information of different factors by the stakeholders involved in
the process. The viability of the decision and the ways in which they are implemented is
determined with the information (Casali and Perano, 2021). Unilever is the business organization
that deals in different products and services across the world. There are many such factors that
impacts the ethical decision-making process of Unilever.
Size of the businesses
Unilever operates on a very large scale that depicts is huge size in the market. According
to the reports, company have a large customer base of almost 3.4 billion people across the globe.
The organization has a product segment that contains different types of commodities which
targets the customers with different preferences. Size of the business has significant role in the
decision-making process as it is harder for the stakeholders to consider the preference of this

wide customer base. However, the company has to meet the ethical criteria that can maintain the
satisfaction of the customers and don't possess any harm to their health.
Diversified products and services
The organization operates with a diversified segment of product and services which helps
in targetting the customers with different preference. Product segment ranges from food to
cleaning agents and include beauty products, personal care items, condiments etc. these products
have different specification in which ethical involvement is one. Ingredients of various products
is to be decided by making sure that it doesn't harm the customers. In decision-making process
various measures are necessary to be considered which focus on the quality of the products so it
plays a vital role by depicting the ethical values.
Competitors
Unilever operates in the retail industry which has a very high and stiff competition which
forces the organization to implement effective decision to maintain the survival and profitability.
GSK, Johnson and Johnson, Nestle etc. Are the major competitors of the firm. Business activities
of the competitors are considered in the decision-making process where the strategies are chosen
to tackle them and develop a competitive edge (Casali and Perano, 2021). However, the
competitors don't have a significant impact on the ethical values but the organization has to make
sure that any unethical process to eliminate competition is not perceived.
Global business
Unilever operates on the international level where the company serves the customer with
different preference residing in varied geographical locations. These countries have different rule
and regulation or code of conduct that provides the standards of ethical aspects that has to be
followed by the firm. Thus, the decision-making process of the organization is influenced by
these set of standards. However, it is beneficial for the firm because it directs the business
process towards authenticity.
Personal values and behaviours required to make ethical decisions
For making the decision that involves the ethical consideration stakeholder need to posses
various qualities. These are the personal values and beliefs pertained in their character. There are
six personal values that depicts the person towards making decision based on ethics irrespective