Ethical Dilemmas, Leadership, and Decision Making: Apple's Case Study

This report examines the ethical dilemmas faced by Apple, focusing on leadership and decision-making within the company. It explores a specific ethical dilemma concerning working conditions at Foxconn, Apple's manufacturing partner. The report delves into theoretical concepts from managerial ethics, including egoism, utilitarianism, and care ethics, analyzing how these concepts influence managerial practices at Apple. It critically evaluates how these theories apply to Apple's actions and decisions, considering the impact on stakeholders and the environment. The analysis covers Apple's approach to employee satisfaction, supplier relationships, and the application of ethical frameworks to manufacturing processes. The report also assesses the influence of media exposure and consumer behavior on Apple's ethical considerations and overall business strategies.

ETHICS LEADERSHIP AND
DECISION MAKING

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................3
Ethical dilemma faced by Apple Company.............................................................................................3
Theoretical concepts from managerial ethics for examining ethical dilemma.........................................4
Examine and critically evaluate how such theoretical concepts influence managerial practices within
Apple organization..................................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION...........................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Ethics, leadership and decision making is an important part of an organization. In this
project, company need to understand the dilemma which help in making accurate decision and
also how to face various types of dilemma problems within an enterprise. The report is based on
Apple Company which is situated in Australia. They also examine the theoretical concepts which
related to managerial ethics in proper manner (Shapiro and Stefkovich, 2016). The examination
and evaluation is totally done with the link between ethical concepts of the leadership and
decision making which help in implementing operation of organization in effective manner.
Apple is the multinational organization which manufactures electronics products and offer to the
large number of customers. They also use latest technology which assists in making creative and
innovative goods and services to their customers in appropriate manner.
Ethical dilemma faced by Apple Company
Ethics term can be described those factors which explain difference between right or
wrong actions. Also ethics will play an essential role within each firm and they have
responsibility towards society and community and in which where it exists and serve various
products and services. Ethics is the moral standard which is used by a person for conducting
proper actions and activities in better manner. The dilemma of ethics will explain two situations
where two alternatives are present for an individual and increasing in the conflicts because of the
confusion in the mind of person in which they select only one option. This situation helps in
choosing right or wrong option. Each organization has been face dilemma at sometime while
implementing business operations.
In current time period, the increasing in the industrial organization by this environment is
effected the natural resources which exist in the current environment that are used by industry at
large level and it will leads towards the shortage of natural resources. Also raw material are used
by industrial sectors are provided by environment in the form of natural resources. For increasing
use of these resources will directly impact on environment. apple company face ethic dilemma in
which around 150 Chinese employees at Foxconn, that is world largest electronics
manufacturing, threatened to committed suicide by leaping from the roof of factory for protesting
their working condition (Cianci and et. al., 2014). Apple is indeed to place the impact of

working situation in proper manner at Foxconn. The employees of Apple Company are not
satisfied with the working condition of firm. So they try to commit the changes and ask for their
company manager for these alterations. There are some employees blamed on their technology
which they are used for making products. They said that many labors and workers dead reason is
working over these technology and equipments. So apple firm owners try to maintain their
technology which creates harm to their employees badly. But still loyal customers wish to buy
only apple company products in any manner.
Theoretical concepts from managerial ethics for examining ethical dilemma
Managerial ethics can be described as the set of standards which help and guide the
manager a proper manner in which they operate business within an organization. There are
different theories of ethical managerial which assist in making decision for the firm in
appropriate manner. The main motive of theoretical concepts is to formulate and evaluate
dilemma of ethics. Such concepts and theories support in maintaining decision of company by
analyzing the impact of these decisions on the firm stakeholders and make sure that they can
attain the desired goals and objectives of the firm (Goetsch and Davis, 2014). Every person has
different way for making decision and also organization required to determine ethical theories
for making accurate decisions. The main motive for analyzing and examining the ethics dilemma
from managerial ethics that are used for such ethical theories which includes egoism, utilitarian
and care ethics. Such theories are described as under:
Egoism- this ethical theory mainly focuses on major impacted actions or activities in
proper manner. An individual morale has been explained with the assistance of directly impact
on person actions. The theories mainly concern about self interest not only others interest. also
such theory mainly concentrate on self interest rather than others interest by this they easily
reach the desired goals and targets of organization in appropriate manner. The venture has been
understand in the term of an individual or an enterprise for achieving the potential objectives and
goals. also this theory describe that an entity choose that option which help in taking correct
decisions for firm and make decision for the interest of single person to reach with desired goals
and targets. Ethical theory also explains that an entity should not give up for others at any
manner. According to the ethics theory, Apple Company required to considering self interest
over the others interest that can directly affected others such as community or society and those

environment where business has been operated. the firm use metal and silver raw material which
are available for making products and serve to the customers. They manufacture electronic items
such as tablets, mobile phones, gadgets and some others (Bolman and Deal, 2017). This theory
help Apple firm for choosing appropriate alternative for making accurate decision which support
in functioning of business operations within the market place.
Utilitarianism- This theory of ethics totally depend and based on ability of a person
which make proper estimation towards the results of actions and activity which has been taken
by the company in current time period. Also such theory help in selecting of an alternative which
make sure that less harm can be done for those parties who involved in this actions or activities
in badly manner. These theories also adopt largest happiness of proper principle for the
organization (Lu, 2014). This selection is based on that generation which provides advantages to
their stakeholders for doing such actions. This theory explain the ethics analysis which is done
for examining various results of the actions whose main motive is to select that action which
provide maximum outcome by the different stakeholders. Self interest has been given less
preferences in this utilitarianism theory. There are various factors which determined under this
theory before taking proper decision or selection for the organization. Apple company also
considering the advantage for the community people and environment are reduces in the use of
metal and silver items for making different types of products which offer to their customers in
the large market place (Demirtas and Akdogan, 2015). This ethical concept help in promoting
firm products among domestic as well as international customers in limited time period and also
use various sources which assist in making publicity for their goods and services in the market
area. this type of decision making support apple company for reducing the damages which
creates to the environment by using metal and silver items that get harm to the society
surroundings in badly manner. it also require to determine the major impact of this decision
towards company stakeholders and decision has been taken which help in getting maximum
profits for the firm in proper manner.
The main focus of these theories of ethics is make strong relationship, empathy and
vulnerability. The main motive of this theory is to make that decisions or actions which required
to take when actions or decision are carry out towards vulnerability condition of an organization.
An entity should select or choose that decision or actions so they make sure that care and support

to those groups who are vulnerable and also provide support to other person for the basic
improvements. These ethical theories assist in providing, maintain, support and improve in the
relationship with the others and also give care and concern to other individuals. This theory will
provide sympathy to those who are involved in the vulnerable conditions. On the other hand, this
they will totally different from other two concept because this theory shift their focus of Apple
company from self interest to wellbeing and safety of the people in proper manner. Also provide
safety to that environment where they6 currently exist by this they survive and make growth for
the firm. Apple firm involve in making metal made products such as tablets, mobile phones and
many other items for their customers who willing to purchase only their company goods and
services in the large market place. They also make creative and innovative type of products
which help in satisfying customers' demands and needs in proper manner. So they attain desired
goals and objectives for the organization (Brown and Treviño, 2014). This theory help in giving
ethical values which assist them in making proper decision that provide accurate advantage for
the firm. all these theirs help in making accurate decision which provide maximum profits and
productivity for the organization and also attract large number of buyers towards their innovative
or creative products and services in appropriate manner. Also this concept only focuses or
concentrates on safety and wellbeing of the society people rather than self interest of one person.
These theories have different aspects which are used by company for making accurate results or
outcome of the firm.
Examine and critically evaluate how such theoretical concepts influence managerial practices
within Apple organization
These theories directly impact on managerial practices within an organization in proper
manner. Apple mainly chooses two concepts of theoretical such as egoism and utilitarian. Both
are totally different each other so they help in attaining desired goals and targets in effective
way. Apple Company initially takes care of working situations where employees feel
comfortable and they have managed their duties properly. Also they maintain and focus on child
labor and other safety or security related issues which occur within an enterprise. Therefore the
increasing term of media exposure in regarding to the ethical behavior so by this an organization
mainly concern about impact which negatively promoting their company products among
customers. In this report, apple was never ethical with their suppliers who provide them raw
material but they develop strong relationship with them. They are used Asian labor because they

take minimum salary and it is profitable for them (Steinbauer and et. al., 2014). The main
concern of this firm is not to lose business and reduces manufacturing costs for achieving
potential goals and targets in proper manner. The profit making company is always depend on
their employees so that its CEO also concern about workers safety and health security. The
organization applied utilitarian approach so they maintain self interest of the person who works
within an enterprise. Company mainly concern about providing job satisfaction to their workers
in proper manner. Also if they can not satisfy them so they have given various types of rewards
and incentives which increase their motivating towards doing work. If low satisfaction among
workers, this will decrease the willingness to do work and enhancement in absenteeism that will
reduces the level of production regarding products quality and quantity. So company should
adopt best suitable managerial practices which reduce the demonization and demoralization
among employees and willing to make creative and innovative products for their customers for
offering them in the large market place (Zoghbi-Manrique-de-Lara and Suárez-Acosta, 2014).
Decision making concept is play an essential role for providing correct decision regarding
business operations and functions. If the change in foxconn behavior and attitude towards their
employees so they will gain more attention from media channels. Most of the consumers focus
on their social behavior rather than profit making concepts. At sometime, customers realize that
labor manufacturer working is risky for their life when they develop innovative products for
them and satisfy them as per their requirements and needs in proper way. It is stated that apple
will lose their potential customers with the reduction of their effective and strong managerial
system. The management system of foxconn is "machinelike". So they make strong leader who
can manage and control all these activities and functions of such system within an organization.
Also they make those managerial practices which help them in overcoming major issues and
problems of the firm (Solomon, 2014). the company realize that they should adopted such type
of strategy which assist them in making maximum profit and support in attracting large number
of customers towards their products and services. Company give multi task job which increasing
their skills and ability to do work in better manner so they handle them complex task that can
help in performing each work properly. Also firm provide them training and development
sessions where they get trained for their future tasks in which they perform difficult that are good
for their organization. Employees also trained for identifying and analyzing their company
upcoming future issues and problems that occurs within an organization. Foxconn also adopt

another concept which is Bureaucratic domination where company manager give order to their
employees and rule over them and treat them as slave. They are well known that they protected
under the law of labor Australia.
All these two concepts are an essential part of the firm which assist in implementing of
business operations and functions in proper manner. Such factors help in achieving desired goals
and objectives of an organization by using these concepts. Also these two concepts are directly
or indirectly linked with each other and assist in executing business operation and functions in
better manner. on the other hand, ethics provide proper guidance to the business management
and leaders also required to being ethical for taking accurate decisions which will increasing the
performance of business in the large market place (Johnson, 2017). Ethics should be understood
as a set of standard or principles that will support an individual for identify right or wrong
situation. Ethics play an important role for providing correct decision making regarding firm
welfare. Sometime decision taken by company manager is affected various stakeholders which
participated in this activity. Managerial practices are influence various functions and activities by
using these concepts within an organization. Also managerial practices help in increasing morale
among employees for doing proper work and achieve desired goals and targets. also ethics
provides different types of benefits that includes credibility, giving proper satisfaction for
fulfilling basic needs of the human and make proper improvement in firm decision making
process that can used for attaining potential targets and objectives. Managerial exercise
promoting business operations and functions for maintaining good image of company among
customers in the large market area (Demirtas, 2015). Apple company also these managerial
practices which directly or indirectly influence the business operations and its decision making
process. it is crucial for performing business to maintain ethical framework so they will operate
functions in correct manner. For adopting new managerial practices, apple firm analyze all
business issues or problems in appropriate manner with the assistance of ethical conditions.
Managerial exercise play an essential role in the business and it will make sure that all the
major factors of company work together for achieving common target and goals. on the other
hand, leadership is another main part of managerial activity which also help in communicating
better with stakeholders of the firm within an enterprise. The main objective of managerial
actions is to make flexibility in the business operations. These managerial activities also impact

on all inside and outside business management functions and operational work in positively and
negatively manner. Managerial assist in using such resources which help in examining accurate
result and implementing proper strategy and policies in the management system (Palanski, Avey
and Jiraporn, 2014). Every firm requires correct guidance and support to talented and skilled
individuals so they analyze the better performance of a person and growth of the business in
appropriate manner. Both these theoretical concept which used by company should be examined
by manager because this will help in maintaining attitude or behaviors of employees towards
their work. Apple firm using managerial practices for increasing development and growth in the
business operations. They also adopt latest technology and techniques for creating new products
and services for their customers. The cited company has executed managerial exercise for
business operations so they can manage and control management efforts in correct direction.
On the other hand, utilitarianism concept help in making correct decisions for the welfare
of society or community people in proper manner. There are various issues and problems which
are faced by organization buy using managerial practices that are not suitable for them and its
employees. Managerial exercise is influence on management of business and provides flexibility
to all the activities. Some other aspects which directly impact on business environment so this
will create major problem for their workers to perform their work. this concept also affect
managerial practices by lacking employees information, less knowledge and skills, improper
decision making process and wrong ethical values (Wu and et. al., 2015). All the managerial
factors are directly or indirectly linked with each and its basic concepts. Company leaders should
adopt those strategies which help in earning maximum profit and also achieving desired goals
and objectives in proper manner. Apple firm can operate business operations and functions that
can used for making required products and services for their customers in better manner. Such
theoretical concepts assist in making proper decision making of Apple Company with the
assistance of application of managerial skills so they will make sure that effectiveness should be
maintained within an organization (Ethics leadership and decision making. 2017). They can
mainly focus on society people who required basic and reasonable products at cheaper rate. So
managerial practices help in maintaining all these aspects of concept effectively.

CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned report it can be analyzed that Ethics term can be described
those factors which explain difference between right or wrong actions. Ethics is the moral
standard which is used by a person for conducting proper actions and activities in better manner.
Managerial ethics can be described as the set of standards which help and guide the manager a
proper manner in which they operate business within an organization. There are different
theories of ethical managerial which assist in making decision for the firm in appropriate
manner. Apple firm involve in making metal made products such as tablets, mobile phones and
many other items for their customers who willing to purchase only their company goods and
services in the large market place.

REFERENCES
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Lu, X., 2014. Ethical leadership and organizational citizenship behavior: The mediating roles of
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Online
Ethics leadership and decision making. 2017. [Online]. Available through: <
https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/ethical-leadership-and-the-psychology-of-decision-
making/>.