MGT301A Assessment 1: Reflective Paper on Ethics and Sustainability

This report presents a reflection on an ethical dilemma encountered in a workplace setting. The author, a manager, describes a conflict between a marketing team leader and team members regarding marketing procedures. The reflection explores alternative actions, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations and organizational values. The author chose to mediate the conflict, prioritizing mutual discussion and inclusivity. The paper applies two ethical frameworks: the utilitarian approach, which focuses on the greater good, and the common good approach, which considers the best intentions for all involved. The analysis highlights the importance of ethical decision-making in resolving workplace conflicts and upholding company values. The author provides references to support the ethical frameworks used.

0Running head: ETHIC AND SUSTAINIBILITY
Ethic and sustainability
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author notes

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ETHIC AND SUSTAINIBILITY
Description of Workplace event
I am working for an organization as a manager for last few years. In my course of work I
have faced several challenges based on the ethical issues. As a manager I have to take care of the
marketing and sales department in the organization. A recent workplace event has compelled me
to take an ethical decision for my job role. There was a conflict raised between a team leader of
marketing and some of the team members. This was regarding the marketing procedure. Some of
the team members were not ready to work according to the decision of the team leader and want
to incorporate some of their suggestions in it. I have to make an ethical decision by arranging a
meeting and solving the problem with mutual discussion.
Reflection
 In the given context there can be two alternative actions. First is the one to one meeting
with me and the team members and later having a mutual discussion to come to the
conclusion. On the other hand, I could have gone with the decision of the team leader as
he has the responsibility to manage the team and its work. Again, I could have only
listened to the team members and would not give importance to the opinion of the team
leader.
 The main issue was the conflict that rose from the differences of opinion among the team
leader and the team members. Hence, the first alternative has been chosen by me. This
gives me a clear and broader consideration of the issue. Other two alternatives could be a
biased decision in favour of one person of a group of people. That would not be an ethical

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ETHIC AND SUSTAINIBILITY
decision in this context. Choosing the first alternative has helped to come to an
constructive and effective ethical solution.
 The first factor that I considered here is the ethical aspect. The value practices of the
organization follows the inclusive policies. I have reconsidered the policies and practices
of our company that talks about the participation and importance of individual members
of the company. Ethical issues in the organisation involve various subjects including the
conflict between two individual and groups. The managers have the responsibility to
solve them in higher level with ethical consideration and company value aspects in
workplace.
Ethical Framework
Among the six ethical frameworks, the two that have helped me in my decision making
are Utilitarian approach and the Common Good approach. The utilitarian approach has enabled
me to decide that the decision should be for the good of most people (Fok, Payne & Corey,
2016). On the other hand, the common good approach worked as that gave me a perspective of
which is a better intention for the people involved in this ethical process (Ryan, 2018). Both of
the conflicting parties are the part of the company and therefore, the decision must be in the
favour of the majority of the people without hurting their sentiment.

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References
Fok, L. Y., Payne, D. M., & Corey, C. M. (2016). Cultural values, utilitarian orientation, and
ethical decision making: A comparison of US and Puerto Rican professionals. Journal of
Business Ethics, 134(2), 263-279. Retrieved from:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10551-014-2426-y
Ryan, M. R. (2018). Teaching the common good in business ethics: A case study approach.
Journal of Business Ethics, 147(4), 693-704. Retrieved from:
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
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