Business Ethics: Ethical Theories, Dilemmas, and Professional Practice

This essay delves into the critical domain of business ethics, examining its significance in contemporary business practices and decision-making processes. The author emphasizes the value of "Enquiry Based Learning (EBL)" in understanding ethical concepts, highlighting the importance of self-directed learning and research. The essay presents a personal ethical dilemma, offering insights into the application of ethical theories such as Kantianism and Utilitarianism. The author advocates for Utilitarianism as a guiding principle for business decisions, emphasizing the need to consider the impact of actions on stakeholders and the broader society. The essay concludes by underscoring the importance of ethical theories and moral reasoning in shaping professional practice and contributing to a more just and sustainable business environment, advocating for the integration of ethical considerations into all aspects of business operations and decision-making.

Running head: BUSINESS ETHICS
Business Ethics
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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Question 1
In the present times the concept of business ethics has emerged as one of the most
important ones and most of the business organizations are taking the help of this particular
concept to make the kinds of decisions which are not only likely to further enhance the
prospects of their business but also contribute in a significant manner towards the cause of
the society (Adcroft and Willis 2013). It is a reflection of this particular fact that the “Enquiry
Based Learning (EBL)” process in the present times focus on the concept of ethics within the
particular framework of the business world (Adcroft and Willis 2013). It is significant to note
that the concept of “Enquiry Based Learning (EBL) process” requires the students to
undertake learning for themselves (Judson and Taylor 2014). The concept of “Enquiry Based
Learning (EBL) process” also requires the students to bring a “real research-orientated
approach to the subject” (Judson and Taylor 2014). It is significant to note that in the present
day context the primary focus of the various individuals as well as educational institutions is
on this particular kind of learning activity since this particular kind of learning activity helps
the individuals not only to undertake the various learning activities on their own but also to
focus on the enquiry which the traditional form of learning rarely provides them with
(Conklin 2013).
I would like to comment here that I myself am a firm believer in the concept of
“Enquiry Based Learning (EBL) process” and since an early age my parents had encouraged
me to indulge in this particular kind of learning process. I would also like to comment here
my parents had always taught me about the importance of being ethical in every sphere of
life. Therefore, the concept of business ethics is of considerable importance as well as interest
to me. I would also like to comment here during the course of my “Enquiry Based Learning
(EBL) process” I came across various kinds of information related to the concept of business

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ethics which encouraged to undertake a detailed study of the concept of business ethics. I
found that the concept of business ethics is one which almost all the major business
organisations of the world in the present times are taking into consideration and it is a result
of this particular fact that the concept has gained a considerable amount of significance in the
present day context of the business world. I would like to comment in this particular context
that the focus of the “Enquiry Based Learning (EBL) process” is on the concept of enquiry
and the various individuals are encouraged to use this particular tool to enhance the
knowledge gained by them. Therefore, taking the help of this particular concept I tried to
derive as much information as well as knowledge about the concept of business ethics as
possible. The concept of business ethics is not only a very wider one but also needs wider
canvas for the effective understanding of the process. Therefore, the traditional styles of
learning which just focus on the theories as well as frameworks of the process of business
ethics is not enough for the students and it is generally seen that the students are able to learn
very little in these kinds of learning processes. Therefore, I took the help of the “Enquiry
Based Learning (EBL) process” to explore the concept of the business ethics in its true sense
of the term. The enquiry based method helped to explore a wide range of business
organisations which in the present as well as in the present times are facing different kinds of
ethical issues and the different types of methods which they use for the resolution of the issue
(Conklin 2013). Furthermore, the implications of the decisions made by them were also very
helpful for me to understand the concept in the true sense of the term which the various kinds
of traditional learning styles would not have provided me with (Conklin 2013). Therefore, I
would like to say that the “Enquiry Based Learning (EBL) process” was especially helpful for
me as it enabled me to undertake a deeper analysis of the topic of business ethics and helped
me to understand the way it normally functions in the present day business world.

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Question 2
The various professionals related to the business organisations often come across
situations where they are in some kind of moral or ethical dilemma (Bardy, Drew and
Kennedy 2012). It is significant to note that these moral as well as ethical dilemma situations
are very dicey ones where the individual concerned needs to make decision which apart from
taking into consideration the prospects of the business organisation under consideration also
takes into consideration its ethical responsibility towards the environment as well as the
society (Bardy, Drew and Kennedy 2012). Therefore, it can be said that it is very important
for the various business organisations to follow the concept of business ethics not only for the
process of their business operation but also for the “decision making process” (Giacalone and
Promislo 2013).
I would like to comment here about a past incident of my life in which I was involved
in an ethical dilemma situation. The past moral dilemma I faced was witnessing somebody
steal while shopping and choosing to ignore it. The organisation which I worked for is one of
the leading business organisations of the nation however in a bid to enhance the amount of
net profit gained by them they used to take the help of various kinds of practices which in my
opinion were completely unethical. For example, one of the common practises of the business
organisation under consideration here was that they used to charge the customers extra
amount of money for the products sold by them to the customers and therefore many of the
customers who did not have the requisite amount of money to buy the products used to steal
them. In my personal opinion this was a completely unethical practice and needed to be
solved not only for the benefit of the business organisation as it was likely to affect the
prospects of the concerned business organisation in an adverse manner but as it was unfair for
the other customers who used to pay the full price for the products purchased by them
whereas the people who used to steal them did not pay anything for it. Therefore, I placed the

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issue at hand before the management team of the business organisation. I would like to
comment here that initially the management team of the concerned business organisation was
reluctant to address the issue since accepting the issue meant that they needed to admit that
they were overcharging the customers. However, after much appeal and persuasions they
promised me that they would look into the issue and if possible will try to address it in the
most effective manner. However, no significant action was taken by them even after months
of the complaint which I made. This time I complained to the CEO of the business
organisation under consideration here and he promised to take the matter into consideration.
However, I would like to comment here this time my complaint was not only taken into
consideration but also action was taken to remedy the issue.
I would like to comment here that now when I look back upon the issue through the
lens of the various ethical theories and also with an insight into the concept of business ethics
I think that the incident had a much deeper implication than I thought it had. In a way it can
be said that the business organisation was following the policy of Kantianism according to
which the end justifies the means (May, Luth and Schwoerer 2014). Therefore, the policy of
the business organisation under consideration here when seen in this particular context would
seem completely logical (Rutherford et al. 2012). However, I would also like to say in this
particular context that I am more of a Utilitarian myself and decide each particular action on
the basis of the good or utility which it provides to the maximum number of people
(DesJardins and McCall 2014). Therefore, the practises of the business organisation under
consideration when viewed in this particular context become totally unjustified and it was
precisely for this particular reason that I protested against the practises of the business
organisation. I would also like to say in this particular context that I should have been more
insistent in my protest.

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Question 3
An understanding of ethical theories and moral reasoning will assist me to apply
business ethics in my future professional practice by helping me to make decisions which will
be influenced by the concept of ethics.The major theory which is used by the various
individuals as well as the business organisations in the present times for the process of
business ethics is the philosophical theory of Utilitarianism which focuses on taking the kind
of action which is likely to provide the maximum amount of good or utility to the maximum
number of people (Hartman, DesJardins and MacDonald 2014). In a way it can be said that
this is the guiding theory which is used by the majority of the business organisations in the
present times. I would also to add here that it is seen that the majority of the business
organisations in the present day take the help of the concept of Kantianism which focuses on
the concept that the end justifies the means taken (Hartman, DesJardins and MacDonald
2014). Therefore, it is seen that the various business organisations tend to justify the means
which they have taken to enhance the level of profit earned by them through the help of this
particular theory which focuses on the end result and not the process which is being taken to
achieve that particular end (Hoffman, Frederick and Schwartz 2014).
I my personal opinion the various business organisations of the present times should
try to follow the concept of Utilitarianism which focuses on the actions which causes the
maximum amount of good or utility to the maximum number of people (Hoffman, Frederick
and Schwartz 2014). This particular concept will not only help the various business
organisations of the present times to take the decisions which would further enhance the
prospects of the concerned business organisations but would also take into “effective
consideration the needs as well as the requirements of the customers who take the help of the
products and the services offered by the concerned business organisation” (Ferrell and
Fraedrich 2015). Furthermore, in the present times it is seen that the focus of the various

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business organisations have shifted towards the factor of positively contributing towards the
cause of the planet as well as the society from which they derive the majority of the resources
which are required for the successful operation of the business organisation (Crane and
Matten 2016). Therefore, it can be said that the concept of Utilitarianism would not only help
the various business organisations to take the kind of decisions which are likely to help them
to follow the ethics which are required from the various business organisations in the present
day business world but would also help them to make a positive contribution towards the
cause of the planet as well as the society in a positive manner (Trevino and Nelson 2016).
I would also like to add here that the concept of justice is another factor which should
guide the actions as well as the business practises of the various business organisations in the
present day business world (Buchholtz and Carroll 2012). It is significant to note that the
concept of justice is one of the most important ones in the framework of the modern day
society as well as the framework of the business world (Buchholtz and Carroll 2012).
Therefore, the various business organisations of the present times should seek to incorporate
this particular concept within the framework of their business organisations and take
decisions which are not only just in the context of their business but also for the various
customers who opt for the products as well as the services provided by them and form an
integral part of their business organisation (Hoffman, Frederick and Schwartz 2014). It is
significant to note that this particular concept would not only help the various business
organisations to provide effective services to the customers but also help to create a positive
brand image for themselves in the business world (Hoffman, Frederick and Schwartz 2014).
Therefore, it can be said that it becomes all the more important for the various business
organisations of present times related to the diverse industries to follow this particular
concept as it is likely to provide with the maximum amount of benefit (Cavanagh 2012).
Another important concept which the various business organisations can take the help of is

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the concept of virtue ethics which helps the various business organisations to focus on the
concept of virtue within the framework of their business and helps them to take decisions
which are not only ethically but at the same time morally right (Pearson 2017).

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