Giving Voice to Values: A Responsible Business Practice Case Study

This case study explores an ethical dilemma faced by Billy, the captain of a soccer team, when his best friend and star player, Joseph, violates a team rule against alcohol consumption. The study applies the concept of 'Giving Voice to Values' to analyze the situation, considering the arguments for upholding team rules versus the potential impact on the team's performance. It identifies the stakeholders, including Billy, Joseph, and the team, and evaluates the ethical implications of Joseph's actions using Utilitarianism and Deontology theories. The suggested approach involves a stern warning to Joseph, emphasizing the importance of his role while reinforcing team discipline. A script is provided to illustrate a role-play scenario where Billy confronts Joseph, demonstrating how to address the issue while preserving team cohesion. Desklib provides access to this and other solved assignments to aid students in their studies.

Applied Principle for Responsible
Business Practice

Table of Content
Introduction to the Case Study................................................................................................................................... 3
Concept of Giving Voice to Values............................................................................................................................. 3
The main arguments in the case................................................................................................................................ 3
The reasons and Rationalization............................................................................................................................... 4
Persons who are at Stake.............................................................................................................................................. 4
Billy................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Joseph.............................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Most suitable approach................................................................................................................................................. 5
The Script............................................................................................................................................................................ 6
References........................................................................................................................................................................ 10

Introduction to the Case Study
Billy is the elected captain of the soccer team and enjoys the love, support and
appreciation of his team mates and coach. Billy and his team have geared up for a
mission, and the mission is to win the National Soccer championship. This is their final
year and the team does not want to leave any lose ends which might come in the way of
their winning. In order to bring discipline in the team and make them focussed towards
the needs of the team, strong rules were laid down for the entire team. Everybody had
to report on the practice ground without any delay, additionally Billy imposed that none
of the team mates would consume alcohol during the entire season. However, much to
the surprise of Billy, his best friend and the best player on the team, Joseph consumed
alcohol and put Billy in a difficult situation. Thus, now Billy has to stand up for the rules
he set for his team and address the situation, additionally he also has to speak with
Joseph and the rest of the team mates and come up with an amicable solution.
Concept of Giving Voice to Values
Giving Voice to Values or GVV is an innovative approach towards leadership
development in business education and at the workplace (Choondassery, 2017). The
curriculum on GVV focuses the ethical implementation and puts across questions: “How
could I be most effective? What if I were going to act on my values? What would I say
and do?” Thus, Billy has to work in accordance to the concept of Giving Voice to Values
and get over this ethical dilemma and do justice to the situation (Pieczka, 2018).
The main arguments in the case
According to the concept of Giving Voice to Values there is No I in the team, and
everybody has a joint responsibility and accountability towards the goals of the
organization. The rules of not drinking were set out for the entire team and it was set to
not get distracted from the main goal of winning the tournament. The action of Joseph
were highly unethical as he did not only jeopardise the entire team, he even put his best
friend Billy in an ethical dilemma.

The reasons and Rationalization
Billy’s leadership style when it comes to resolving a conflict within a team or with the
team members is based on sitting down with the person and discussing the issue face to
face. This is a very practical approach on resolving a conflict and is highly effective.
Thus, it was important for Billy to raise the issue with Joseph and live onto the
expectations of his 30 membered team.
Ethically, if the issues have to be considered specifically Joseph’s action, it can be said
with utmost certainty that he did not cared about the rules neither about his teams. His
action can be seen as highly unethical and immoral. According to the Utilitarianism
theory, a person should do the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
According to this theory, the actions of Joseph were highly unethical and also wrong in
consideration to the ethical theory. One of the most serious implications oh Joseph
action can be that rest of the team mates can also walk in his footsteps, which would
lead to mayhem in the team (Lawrence & Kacmar, 2017). Hence, it is much required
from Billy to stand up to the occasion, keep his relationship with Joseph aside and give
him the punishment as was decided. The ethical dilemma here is that it’s the team’s last
senior year and they want to win the tournament for the school. Joseph is an integral
support to the team and most definitely one of the best players in the team, thus his loss
can prove fatal to the team. Thus, Billy has to really decide what is important for the
team and also decide on what is right and wrong.
Persons who are at Stake
In the case here there are three parties which are at stake, Billy, Joseph and the
entire team. However, within the purview of the case, we will discuss about Billy and
Joseph and their role in the entire process.
Billy
Billy was the elected captain of the team, and the captain who at last wanted to go down
in the books of national soccer championship by winning the title. In a bid to stay
focussed on the goals, Billy acted accordingly and created rules which would ensure
discipline in the team, as well as keep the team focussed on the job. He clearly stated

that this entire season would be a dry season, implying that none of the player would
consume even a drop of alcohol without the tournament getting over. He also brings
certain other rules related to timing, practice time, attendance on the field and many
others. Billy, in order to bring discipline connected all his rules with penalties, so that
the team players adhere to the rules and do not flout them. Billy thus has a legal
obligation towards his entire team, his school and his coaches, for whom he want to win
the tournament. Being a leader of his team, he is also supposed to act in the best favour
of the team and keep certain issues under the rug. But this situation especially, calls for
a stricter action, something which would create a right example in front of everyone and
help them develop ethical behaviour.
Joseph
Joseph is undoubtedly the best player on the team and the most experienced one.
Joseph also shares a good rapport with Billy, who is his best friend. Joseph however
made a mistake and consumed alcohol at one party. This was most certainly highly
unethical, irresponsible and careless on the part of Joseph to engage in an activity which
was prohibited. It could have been that Joseph knew that Billy is his best friend and he
will not let the situation escalate, that is keeping the issue under the rug. However, Billy
has to definitely stand for what is right and take a call which is beneficial to all.
Most suitable approach
There are no two doubts that actions of Joseph were self-harming as well as damaging
for the entire team. At the same time, his action clearly reflected that he did not respect
Billy (Captain) and acted on his own will. Even in accordance to ethical theories of
Utilitarianism and Deontology, his actions were highly unethical. Joseph was completely
wrong to act on his accord and put the entire team into jeopardy.
However, keeping all the points in mind, this is the last year when the entire team will
be playing together, and the team wants to make this season the best and create a
history in the championship. Joseph, who is the best player of the team, his absence can
most definitely harm the chances of the team winning. Hence, the most probable
solution can be to teach a lesson to Joseph by explaining him what he did wrong and

make him acknowledge his mistake. Additionally, Joseph should be given last warning
that if he flouted any more rules in the near future, he will be thrown out of the team.
Ethically, this is wrong, but going in accordance to the concept of giving voice to the
values, it seemed a very probable solution.
The Script
The script is about the role play of the Giving Voice and Value case:
Role Play:
Narrator: Kindly fill accordingly
Billy:
The Coach:
Joseph:
Narrator: The soccer season is approaching and Billy has been picked as the captain
and leader of the team due to his natural skills, dedication and commitment for the
team. The entire team wants to win the last tournament and find a name for itself in the
history. In order to do so, certain new rules have to be created to ensure everybody is
on the same page and is putting in the extra efforts to win the tournament for the team.
Scene 1: At the practice ground, everybody is training; Billy and the coach discussed the
new rules for winning the game.
Coach: Hey Billy!!! How are you doing this fine morning and congratulation for being
elected as the captain. I am certain that with your skills, commitment and dedication
you will be able to get this team a success.
Billy: Thanks a lot coach; I will do my best and win this tournament for the team. Do
you have any suggestion which could increase our chances of winning the game.
Coach: Sure, I do have few things in my mind which I wanted to discuss with you, can
we go someplace quiet and discuss what I have in mind.

Billy: Great, sure, let’s do it.
Both move to a quieter place and sit with a cup of Coffee.
Coach: I was thinking that we should prohibit all the team members from consuming
alcohol during the entire season. As alcohol has negative impact on player’s health, we
should create a rule where no one is supposed to drink in the entire season. Alcohol is
one of the biggest hazard, which adversely impacts the stamina and concentration of the
players, thus, in the best interest of everyone we should prohibit players from
consuming alcohol.
Billy: Coach, I would like to call it a Eureka moment, or something which is called as the
synchronicities of the universe. I absolutely concur with your thought and it is in the
best interest of the team if the entire team did not consume alcohol. This will have
plethora of positive impact on their stamina, strength, determination and focused. I am
thinking that we should discuss this with the team and have their opinion on it.
Coach: Could not agree more, lets head to the team and discuss this new rule which
would improve our chances of winning the tournament.
Scene 2: The next practice day, everybody is at field along with coach and Billy.
Billy: Hey guys, first things first, I want to congratulate all you guys for putting in extra
efforts to win this tournament. I have a suggestion to make here which will improve our
chances of winning the game. Coach and I were discussing and we came to a conclusion
that alcohol is injurious to the health of an athlete and it severely compromises with his
health and stamina. Thus, we are thinking of looking at the bigger picture, which is
winning the tournament and prohibiting alcohol for the entire season.
Team Mates: (A lot of hush-hush around the new rules and everyone is discussing
amongst themselves. Unanimously, they agreed to the decision and feel that it is in the
best interest of the team) Yes Billy, let’s do this.
Billy: Thanks a lot guys for understanding the rationale here, I am really proud and
happy that I have got such an amazing and cooperative team.

Scene 3: The scene is set in the office, as an incident occurred where the best player of
the team has been found that he consumed alcohol and caused harm to the team spirit
and also break the rule.
Billy: Joseph you know that we go a long way, and we have known each other for the
longest time. I have heard some rumours going behind your back, and as a friend I
would like to confront you on the authenticity of the rumour. I have heard that last
evening at one of the party, you were drunk, is it right?
Joseph: (A brief silence, no voice from Joseph, after a minute or two) I am sorry Billy, I
am extremely sorry and apologetic for my behaviour. I was clear that I was not
supposed to consume alcohol also I was living my days of sobriety with strength and
determination. However, to my surprise I could not get over the temptation of alcohol
and my friends pestering me to have some drink. I completely forgot, I swear to god, and
thus consumed some alcohol. I am guilty of my behaviour and I can do whatever it takes
to do well.
Billy: (Highly disappointed, stress and tension can be seen clearly on his face) Joseph,
you my friend have let me down big time, I really don’t know how to react. I am in a
conundrum here, on one hand you are the best player on the team and my best friend,
and on the other you broke a rule which implies suspension. I really have no idea, what
to do now (GVV).
Joseph: Billy your frustration and disappointment is valid, and I take full ownership for
my fault. However, I would request you to kindly forgive me and keep this matter under
the rug. I promise you that I will play in the best of the abilities and ensure that we have
a great tournament. Please forgive me Billy, please forgive me.
Narrator: Billy was extremely confused on what should be the right thing to do in this
case, on one hand it is Joseph who is the best player of the team, and on other is a
person who flouted the rules and liable to be suspended from his team. He is absolutely
confused what should he do, should he give a chance to Joseph and forgive him, or set an
example in front of other team mates. He calls the entire team to discuss the incident
and take the feedback of his team.

Billy: My fellow team mates, we are stuck in a situation and I want you guys to help me
in getting out of this troublesome situation. Joseph, our star performer has broken a
very important rule and consumed alcohol. We all know that we decided that any
person who consumes alcohol will be suspended from the team. Joseph has repeatedly
apologized to me and he feels guilt for his actions. Keeping Joseph out of the team will
severely compromise our chances of winning the tournament, thus we have to think of
other alternative. I am of the opinion that we value Joseph accomplishment for his team
in the past, his performance, his game and his commitment to the team and forgive him.
I would like to hear from you in unison, as to be me thinking straight?
Team members: (All in once, oh my god! silence in the team. Team Mates discussing
amongst themselves as to what has to be done. After 15-20 mins of discussion, they all
unanimously speak, FORGIVE HIM)
Joseph: I am grateful to Billy and all my friends here who acknowledged my mistake,
accepted my apology and gave me a chance to win the tournament for the team. Thank
you so much guys, I can assure you that I won’t let you fail.
Billy: I am thankful to all you guys for evaluating the situation for the best possible
outcome and forgiving Joseph. Without wasting any more time, let the practice begin
and let’s lift the trophy for the team. Let’s do it!!!
Team mates: (Filled with enthusiasm, let’s do it Captain!!!!)

References
Pieczka, M. (2018). Zygmunt Bauman's liquid modernity: power, ethics and social
hermeneutics. Public Relations and Social Thoery.
Lawrence, E. R., & Kacmar, K. M. (2017). Exploring the impact of job insecurity on
employees’ unethical behavior. Business Ethics Quarterly, 27(1), 39-70.
Choondassery, Y. (2017). Rights-based Approach: The Hub of Sustainable
Development. Discourse and Communication for Sustainable Education, 8(2), 17-
23.