Ethical Dilemma Report: Confidentiality in Atkins Manufacturing Group

This report presents an ethical dilemma faced by Sean, the Director of Marketing at Atkins Manufacturing Group, a Canadian plastic manufacturing company. Sean is responsible for maintaining confidentiality regarding the development of a new rigid self-lubricating plastic (RSLP) for the automotive industry. However, rumors about the new product are circulating, and he is contacted by a reporter, leading Sean to suspect a breach of confidentiality. The report outlines the steps Sean should take to address the situation, including reminding employees of confidentiality terms and informing his VP. The report highlights the importance of maintaining personal ethics and protecting the company's confidential information, as any leak could jeopardize the future of the company and the employees. The report also includes references to relevant research on modularity, lubrication, confidentiality and secrecy.

Running head: ETHICAL DILEMMA
Ethical Dilemma
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1ETHICAL DILEMMA
Sean joined the company Atkins Manufacturing Group, located in Ontario, as the
Director of Marketing. The Canadian company was a popular name in the plastic industry known
for manufacturing and innovating plastic products .Sean was provided the opportunity to work
with the senior management Of Atkins that included working on a program involving
development of rigid self lubricating plastic (RSLP) that would be utilized in the automotive
parts industry (1) . However, Sean was made to sign the confidentiality agreement by the
employer at Atkins Manufacturing Group so Sean was entitled and responsible to maintain the
confidentiality related to the development of the latest technology on RSLP.
The VP Marketing and Sales who was assigned to administer the project related to RSLP
on full time basis, temporarily shifted to London (2). In his absence Sean was given the authority
and responsibility to work Sean performed his responsibilities efficiently and with vigour .
However, when Sean attended the annual plastic manufacturing trade show , he came across his
former consulting colleague who asked Sean about the rumors regarding the new developing
products of Atkins . This was a problem for Sean as he was responsible to maintain
confidentiality about the products and latest technological development. The other problem was
encountered when he received the call from the reporter of a plastics trade magazine who
enquired about Atkins development regarding development of new revolutionary plastic.
Since , Sean is observing that the information about the news regarding the new
technological development at Atkins , he is assuming that the confidentiality related to RSLP is
being breached by any of the experienced employee who has been involved in the project related
to the development of RSLP for the automotive parts industry (3) . In order to solve the dilemma

2ETHICAL DILEMMA
Sean needs to call all the employees and remind them about the confidentiality terms regarding
the project, involving their involvement in the project related to development of RSLP . He
should inform them if outsider comes to know about the latest development in Atkins , it would
mean that there had been breach in confidentiality terms and all the employees including Sean
would be made responsible for it . This would jeopardize the future and employability of the
employees at Atkins. Sean tried to convey the news regarding the possible leak of information
related to the development of RSLP, to VP, he did not show much concern .Thus , the
responsibility lies on Sean to make sure the confidentiality about the revolutionary development
at Atkins .
Thus it can be said by following the steps discussed in the paper Sean would able to solve
the dilemma pertaining to possible chance regarding the spread of rumors regarding the
upcoming confidential project of Atkins . This would also help Sean to maintain his personal
ethics regarding maintenance of confidentiality and also securing his future in Atkins
Manufacturing Group.

3ETHICAL DILEMMA
References
1. Cabigiosu A, Zirpoli F, Camuffo A. Modularity, interfaces definition and the integration
of external sources of innovation in the automotive industry. Research Policy. 2013 Apr
1;42(3):662-75.
2. Sorrentino A, Altavilla C, Merola M, Senatore A, Ciambelli P, Iannace S. Nanosheets of
MoS2‐oleylamine as hybrid filler for self‐lubricating polymer composites: Thermal,
tribological, and mechanical properties. Polymer Composites. 2015 Jun;36(6):1124-34.
3. Sharma V, Gola KK, Khan G, Rathore R. Key sharing technique to preserve integrity and
confidentiality. InAdvances in Computing and Communication Engineering (ICACCE),
2015 Second International Conference on 2015 May 1 (pp. 504-509). IEEE.
4. Costas J, Grey C. Bringing secrecy into the open: Towards a theorization of the social
processes of organizational secrecy. Organization Studies. 2014 Oct;35(10):1423-47.