Solving Ethical Dilemma in IT Production Management

This article discusses the steps to solve ethical dilemma in IT production management using Mc Donald’s framework. It also mentions the relevant stakeholders, values involved, and codes from ACS code of conduct. The decision is evaluated based on benefits and burdens, workplace health and safety act, and comfort level.

Running head: SOLVING ETHICAL DILEMMA
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1SOLVING ETHICAL DILEMMA
For Solving the Ethical dilemma the steps enumerated below in accordance with Mc Donald’s
framework need to be followed.
Step One: Assessing the moral conflict
In the given case study, Kushalni faces an ethical obligation. Kushlani is the IT Production
manager who has been assigned the task of carrying out trials of the task of soldering the chips
with the pins of the processor by humans. This task was previously carried out by robots,
however the error rate was very high and the cost of manufacturing the robots was also very
high. The task when carried out by humans produced better results and improved accuracy.
However the technicians faced headaches and eye strain due to looking at a brightly lit object
through microscope. The management when informed, chose to neglect the complaints of the
technicians. Thus in this case Kushlani clearly has a moral dilemma of whether to carry on the
production of chips by human or not
Step two: Recognizing the stakeholders
The relevant stakeholders in this scenario include the technicians who are assigned the duty to
carry on production of the microchips, the management and the Kushlani, the It manager.
Step Three: Assessing the values involved
The values of primacy of public interest, enhancement of quality of life and competence are
involved in the aforementioned scenario (Acs.org.au 2018).
The relevant codes from ACS code of conduct that are involved in the given scenario are
(Acs.org.au 2018):
Code 1.2.1.a

2SOLVING ETHICAL DILEMMA
Code 1.2.1b
Code 1.2.1c
Code 1.2.2b
Code 1.2.2d
It can be said that Kushlani, being the It manager has the moral responsibility to act in the best
interest of the public. He also has the responsibility to enhance the quality of life of the
stakeholders involved. In this case thus in order to uphold his responsibility of enhancing the
quality of life of the technicians he must stop the production of micro chips by such technicians.
He also has the responsibility to work diligently for the company who is also a stakeholder. Thus
the ethical dilemma arises.
Step Four: Evaluating the benefits and Burdens of the decision.
It can be said that if Kushlani continues the production of the microchips by the technicians, the
health of such technicians would be adversely affected. However, in such a case the management
would be pleased.
On the other hand if Kushlani decides to pay attention to the complaints of the technicians and
stop the production of microchips by humans, such technicians would not be subjected to
adverse health conditions and their quality of life would be enhanced. However, in such a case
the management would be displeased as producing microchips by robots would be more costly to
the management.
Step Five: Assessing situations which are similar

3SOLVING ETHICAL DILEMMA
In accordance with the workplace health and Safety act 2011, It can be said that Business
owners have the responsibility to maintain health and safety in the workplace.
Step Six: Discussing the decision with people
In the given scenario Kushlani can discuss the ethical dilemma with the colleagues, managers
and family members for making the ethical decision
Step Seven: Analyzing the decision with organizational and legal rules
The decision of stopping the production of micro chips by technicians would be ethically correct
and the same can be stated in accordance with the Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011.
Step Eight: Assessment of the comfort level
It can be said that the decision of stopping the production of microchips by humans would make
Kushlani feel that she acted fairly and in accordance with the ACS code of ethics and Leal
regulations.

4SOLVING ETHICAL DILEMMA
Reference List:
Acs.org.au. (2018). [online] Available at: https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/acs-
documents/Code-of-Ethics.pdf [Accessed 30 Mar. 2018].
Acs.org.au. (2018). [online] Available at: https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/rules-and-
regulations/Code-of-Professional-Conduct_v2.1.pdf [Accessed 30 Mar. 2018].
Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011
Legislation.gov.au. (2018). Work Health and Safety Act 2011. [online] Available at:
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2017C00305 [Accessed 3 Apr. 2018].