Ethical Decision Making in Business

This assignment requires you to analyze an ethical dilemma within a business context using various ethical theories such as utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. You will be provided with a specific case study and must apply these frameworks to identify the ethical issues, analyze the potential consequences of different decisions, and propose solutions that adhere to ethical principles. The focus is on demonstrating your understanding of ethical decision-making processes and applying them to real-world business situations.

(NAME AND STUDENT NUMBER) 2
Contents
Part 1: Ethical Dilemma...................................................................................................................3
Part 2: Analysis of Ethical Dilemma...............................................................................................3
Utilitarianism...............................................................................................................................3
Deontology theory.......................................................................................................................4
Virtue Ethics................................................................................................................................5
Part 3: Reflection.............................................................................................................................5
References........................................................................................................................................7
(COURSE CODE AND ETHICS)

(NAME AND STUDENT NUMBER) 3
Part 1: Ethical Dilemma
Recently, at my workplace I came across an issue of sexual harassment, where unlike the
common cases, the female colleague came and pinched at the backside of her male colleague.
This took place when we all were standing in the cafeteria and having our coffees. Becky came
and pinched on the backside John and I saw this incident. However, the other did not see this
event. I felt very uncomfortable as I could clearly see that John was not happy about such
behavior. I had a word later on with him and he told me that Becky has done such things in the
past and he was not sure if making a case of sexual harassment against her would be upheld. This
is due to the notion that only the female colleagues are sexually harassed and the cases of men
being harassed at workplace are very less, if not negligible. At this time period, I had an ethical
dilemma of confronting Becky in front of everyone or chose to stay silent. Even though these
events had transpired before me, I did not do or say anything, as I felt that if I said anything, both
Becky and John would be embarrassed and even insulted. I am happy with my decision and
would rate myself an 8 for this decision, as I underwent a lot of consideration before making this
decision of not taking any action.
Part 2: Analysis of Ethical Dilemma
The sexual harassment incident which took place at the workplace of the writer was something
which can be best deemed as unethical, if not unlawful; even though there are laws in the nation
which make such behavior illegal (The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights
Commission, 2017). In the following parts, the incident being unethical, on the basis of different
ethical theories has been elucidated. In this regard, the normative ethical theories have been
applied. The three theories applied here include the utilitarianism theory under the
consequentialism, the deontology theory and virtue ethics (Smith, 2008).
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is amongst the leading ethical theories, based on which, the best action in any
situation is that through which the utility is maximized (Bykvist, 2010). This theory has been
(COURSE CODE AND ETHICS)

(NAME AND STUDENT NUMBER) 4
described as the sum of the pleasures from any action, without the sufferings which are involved
in the undertaken action. Based on this theory, the consequences of any action can be deemed as
wrong or right (Mill, 2017).
Applying the utilitarianism theory to the case of sexual harassment which took place in the
workplace, and the decision of the writer to not indulge in incident which transpired, was the
right action on the basis of utilitarianism theory. This is due to the fact the theory requires actions
to be undertaken which help in maximization of the utility without suffering being involved. If
the writer had confronted Becky in front of the colleagues who had not seen the incident taking
place, her image would have been distorted in front of the colleagues. Plus, she could deny it in
front of everyone and this would lead to the image of the writer being distorted in front of others.
As the actions under this theory can only be deemed as right or wrong, the decision taken by the
writer of not confronting Becky was the best decision as it maximized the utility.
Deontology theory
The deontological ethics theory denotes that a person has to be judged on the basis of morality of
the action and this action is based on the rules. This is also at times defined as an obligation, duty
or a rule which is based on ethics as these rules bind the person to their duty (Naaman-Zauderer,
2010). Based on this theory, the action is given the preference instead of the result of such
actions. And this is an approach which is contrary to utilitarianism theory, as the end results
matter and here, the action is given the significance (Mizzoni, 2009). A theory under deontology
is treating the other in the way a person wants to be treated themselves. This theory was given by
Immanuel Kant and is a substantial theory (Corrigan and Farrell, 2010).
Applying this approach to the incident which transpired, the actions undertaken by the writer
would not be considered as ethical. The theory emphasizes on the actions taken and not the
results. The writer did nothing to stop the wrongdoing of Becky and these actions of the writer
would prove to be wrong on the basis of this theory. Also, the theory emphasizes on treating the
others in a manner which the person wants to be treated. So, if the writer does not take a stand
for someone else today, no one would take a stand for her in future. And this would make her
decision as a wrong one. The result had to be this as this theory is contrary to the utilitarianism
theory.
(COURSE CODE AND ETHICS)

(NAME AND STUDENT NUMBER) 5
Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics is also one of the normative ethical theories where the emphasis is given to the
virtues of character and mind. This theory discusses the definition and the nature of the virtues
and the related issues (Hursthouse and Pettigrove, 2016). On the basis of this theory, the right
action is such which a virtuous person would have undertaken in similar situation. So, this is a
person instead of an action based approach. The moral character of an individual who carries the
action decides if the action had been right and ethical, instead of the duties, rules or
consequences of the action (BBC, 2016).
Applying the theory of virtue ethics to the issue which transpired at the workplace, the actions of
the writer would be deemed correct. This is due to the fact that the writer had a clean intention
and the morals of the writer were correct as the writer had the intention of safeguarding the
image of both the individuals involved in the event, instead of publicizing it and making a
scandal. The character and mind of the writer, does made the actions right.
Part 3: Reflection
The initial decision taken by the writer can be stated to be right or wrong, based on the theory
which is to be applied. On the basis of the utilitarianism theory, the decision of the writer had
been correct and this made be very happy. This is because now I can be relieved that my decision
has been proved right on the basis of a leading ethical theory. This theory validated my point and
so, I can feel good about my decision. This theory, along with the virtue ethics cheered me up as
my actions were also proved correct based on the virtue ethics theory. This theory understood my
mind place and the reasons for taking this decision.
However, I did not feel good about my decision on the basis of deontological ethics theory as
this theory denotes that no one will stand for me in the future. This theory emphasized on the
actions and not its end results. And the action here of staying silent did not go well with the
theme of this theory.
In case I had been in the similar situation again, I would probably have taken the same decision.
This is because my mindset remains the same; confronting Becky in front of the entire office
(COURSE CODE AND ETHICS)

(NAME AND STUDENT NUMBER) 6
would have resulted in an unnecessary controversy being given rise to. Further, there are less
chances of me proving her wrong in front of the entire office, which would have been an insult to
me and even John. Hence, by not confronting her there, my decision had been correct and in case
I face same situation, I would probably do the same. Though, this time I would request John to
take an action and file a formal complaint.
(COURSE CODE AND ETHICS)

(NAME AND STUDENT NUMBER) 7
References
BBC. (2017) Virtue Ethics. [Online] BBC. Available from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/virtue.shtml [Accessed on: 14/08/17]
Bykvist, K. (2010) Utilitarianism: A Guide for the Perplexed. London: Bloomsbury Academic.
Corrigan, R.H., and Farrell, M.E. (2010) Ethics: A University Guide. Gloucester: Progressive
Frontiers press.
Hursthouse, R., and Pettigrove, G. (2016) Virtue Ethics. [Online] Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy. Available from: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-virtue/#FormVirtEthi
[Accessed on: 14/08/17]
Mill, J.S. (2017) Utilitarianism. Dublin, OH: Coventry House Publishing.
Mizzoni, J. (2009) Ethics: The Basics. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons.
Naaman-Zauderer, N. (2010) Descartes' Deontological Turn: Reason, Will, and Virtue in the
Later Writings. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Smith, J.D. (2008) Normative Theory and Business Ethics. Plymouth, UK: Rowman & Littlefield
Publishers.
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. (2017) Sexual harassment in
the workplace. [Online] The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
Available from: https://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/the-workplace/sexual-
harassment [Accessed on: 14/08/17]
(COURSE CODE AND ETHICS)

(NAME AND STUDENT NUMBER) 8
Bibliography
ACCA. (2014) Why is ethics important to business?. [Online] ACCA. Available from:
https://blogs.accaglobal.com/2014/11/25/why-is-ethics-important-to-business/ [Accessed on:
14/08/17]
BBC. (2017) Virtue Ethics. [Online] BBC. Available from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/virtue.shtml [Accessed on: 14/08/17]
Bykvist, K. (2010) Utilitarianism: A Guide for the Perplexed. London: Bloomsbury Academic.
Corrigan, R.H., and Farrell, M.E. (2010) Ethics: A University Guide. Gloucester: Progressive
Frontiers press.
Ferrell, O.C., Fraedrich, J., and Ferrell, L. (2016) Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making &
Cases. 11th ed. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Hursthouse, R., and Pettigrove, G. (2016) Virtue Ethics. [Online] Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy. Available from: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-virtue/#FormVirtEthi
[Accessed on: 14/08/17]
Mill, J.S. (2017) Utilitarianism. Dublin, OH: Coventry House Publishing.
Minus, P.M. (2013) The Ethics of Business in a Global Economy. New York: Springer.
Mizzoni, J. (2009) Ethics: The Basics. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons.
Naaman-Zauderer, N. (2010) Descartes' Deontological Turn: Reason, Will, and Virtue in the
Later Writings. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Santa Carla University. (2014) Calculating Consequences: The Utilitarian Approach to Ethics.
[Online] Santa Carla University. Available from:
(COURSE CODE AND ETHICS)

(NAME AND STUDENT NUMBER) 9
https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/calculating-consequences-
the-utilitarian-approach/ [Accessed on: 14/08/17]
Shaw, W.H. (2013) Business Ethics: A Textbook with Cases. 8th ed. Boston, MA: Cengage
Learning.
Smith, J.D. (2008) Normative Theory and Business Ethics. Plymouth, UK: Rowman & Littlefield
Publishers.
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. (2017) Sexual harassment in
the workplace. [Online] The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
Available from: https://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/the-workplace/sexual-
harassment [Accessed on: 14/08/17]
Winter, M. (2011) Rethinking Virtue Ethics. New York: Springer.
(COURSE CODE AND ETHICS)