Case Studies: Analyzing Ethical Issues in Business Law

This assignment presents a series of case studies centered around ethical dilemmas in business law. The first case study focuses on 'data trimming' in medical research, where a researcher is pressured to manipulate data to meet investor expectations. The analysis explores the ethical implications of such actions, emphasizing the importance of transparency and the application of ethical theories such as utilitarianism, the rights approach, and the common good approach. The subsequent case studies delve into healthcare ethics, addressing issues such as the handling of patient data and the ethical responsibilities of scientists in medical research, including the potential for providing false hopes. The final case study examines a situation where a report presents misleading average consumption data, leading to potentially harmful outcomes. The analysis emphasizes the importance of ethical decision-making, the common good, and the potential consequences of unethical behavior in business, particularly concerning investor relations and public health. The assignment stresses the need for ethical conduct and the application of ethical principles in various business scenarios to ensure fairness, transparency, and the well-being of all stakeholders.

Reading Head: BUSINESS LAW 0
Business Law
February 25
2020
Case studies related to ethical behaviors.

BUSINESS LAW 1
Contents
Ethics Case Study 1: Trimming Data.........................................................................................2
Ethics Case Study 2: A Lengthy Dilemma................................................................................2
Ethics Case Study 3: Looking Toward a Medical Future.........................................................3
Ethics Case 4: Questioning the Average....................................................................................3
Bibliography...............................................................................................................................5

BUSINESS LAW 2
Ethics Case Study 1: Trimming Data
“Data trimming” is the process of removing extreme values from a set of data.
Joaquin and his boss can address the problem by implementing ethical theories in their
solutions. Theories/approaches that can be taken into considerations are the Utilitarian
Approach, the Right approach, the Justice or Fairness approach, the common goal approach,
and the virtue approach. All these approaches will set a base for Joaquin and his boss. These
approaches will also help them in solving this problem morally and ethically. In the end,
decisions should be taken on the basis of moral values of an individual but there employee
and boss both should have proper knowledge of fact and ethical values which are been
involved (Velasquez, Andre, Shanks, J., & Meyer, 2015).
Ethics Case Study 2: A Lengthy Dilemma
In the healthcare department, there are times when doctors and nurses face ethical
dilemmas. They have to choose an option according to their understanding and ethical
theories. In this case, Monica should return the form because she was told initially by her
supervisor that only those samples will be processed for laboratory testing that is attached to
the duly signed form. Monica is expected to follow the ethical behaviour of the organization.
Monica should follow the ethical principle i.e. “The Common Good approach and Virtue
Ethics”. Both of these approaches suggest that individuals should take decisions on the
objective of ethical thinking and thinking about the benefit of all individuals. Since Monica is
aware of the rules of the company she should not follow the comments of fellow members
instead she should follow the procedure of the company otherwise the company may have to
face trouble in the future due to Monica’s unethical behaviour.

BUSINESS LAW 3
Ethics Case Study 3: Looking Toward a Medical Future
The ethical responsibilities for scientist while discussing about their research is that
scientist should discuss intellectual property of that research it will offer some guidance to
listeners; scientist should informed about consent rules i.e. they should make people aware
about positive and negative impacts of this research; and scientist is also expected to follow
confidentiality about some important decisions were taken while undertaking research
(Smith, 2003).
The person who is desperate for a cure does not understand the consequences of the
negative impacts of research. That person will only think about positive outcomes of the
research but he is unable to compare both the aspects of the research. Yes, it is considered to
be an unethical behaviour for providing wrong hopes to the person. It is the responsibility of
the scientist to make that person aware of the research which is years away for the use of
humans. There are high numbers of chances that this research will react negatively and the
result of that will be very dangerous and serious for that person. Giving false hopes is also
against legal and ethical behaviour.
Ethics Case 4: Questioning the Average
Willow should not present the report which only shows the average consumption as it
will lead to false conclusions for investors. Willow should take decisions on the ethical
principle of “the common goal approach”. This experiment is for people and since it is
harmful as consumption of the drug is comparatively high then what company has expected it
can be harmful to people. Willow should take decisions that can provide common good to all
individuals (Lavis, 2019).
Although the company has given assurance to Willow that they will improve their
product but in case if they will not take this issue seriously and investors will also invest in

BUSINESS LAW 4
the product as reports which are shown to them is normal. This situation can create problem
for Willow in the future because if any individual will be affected negatively because of this
product Willow will have to face consequences. Willow should not change the report and she
should show true drug consumption reports to investors so that the company will take this
problem seriously and they will take some major steps to solve this issue.

BUSINESS LAW 5
Bibliography
Lavis, I. (2019, 02 25). How to improve ethical decision-making. Retrieved 02 26, 2020, from
Praxity : https://www.praxity.com/insights/thought-leadership/posts/2019/february/
how-to-improve-ethical-decision-making/
Smith, D. (2003, 01). Five principles for research ethics. Retrieved 02 26, 2020, from
American Psychological Associatio: https://www.apa.org/monitor/jan03/principles
Velasquez, M., Andre, C., Shanks, T., J., S., & Meyer, M. J. (2015, 08 01). Thinking
Ethically. Retrieved 02 26, 2020, from MARKKULA CENTER FOR APPLIED
ETHICS: https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/
thinking-ethically/