Ethical Dilemma Analysis: Leadership and Business Ethics Case Study

This case study examines ethical dilemmas in the workplace, focusing on the challenges faced by managers in making ethical decisions. It explores the nature of ethical dilemmas, where choices involve conflicting values and potential impacts on business outcomes and stakeholders. The case study emphasizes the importance of ethical reasoning, adherence to company policies, and the role of managers in fostering an ethical environment. It highlights the need for managers to understand ethical issues, clarify expectations, and consider alternative courses of action. An example of an ethical dilemma is presented, involving credit for work, and suggests solutions for resolving such issues. The study also references relevant literature on business ethics and decision-making, providing a comprehensive overview of the subject.

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Ethical dilemma

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Ethical dilemma
An ethical dilemma is considered as a moral situation which requires to make choice between
two equally undesirable alternatives. Dilemmas occur because of different behavior and attitudes
and in some situations, it arises because of the failure of personal character, personal values
conflicts and organizational values. The dilemma in business occurs in making the decisions
between the two or more options which directly impacts the profits and competitiveness of the
organization and to stakeholders. It is considered a problem in the process of decision making in
two options and the options are not acceptable from an ethical perspective (Boatright, 2013).
Ethical dilemmas are faced by the managers in the workplace and such dilemmas are essential
for managers for making effective decisions. It is necessary for the managers of different
business functions to make decisions for operations. Managers are required to identify the
alternative course of action and ethical reasoning is required for evaluating the alternatives.
Managers are required to follow the law and policy of the company which also includes the
provisions of code of conduct. During the resolving the dilemma, managers are required to be
honest, reliable, responsible and accountable for the action. The responsibilities which are
required to be considered by a manager for making the ethical decision include the learning of
ethical issues faced by employees and understanding the potential actions and decisions which
impact on the performance of the other. Managers are required to clarify the policies, code of
ethics and laws to employees. It is analyzed that the managers are required to consider ethical
reasoning for evaluating alternative courses of action (Tota and Shehu, 2012). Managers are
required to consider value-based decision making in the process as they are required to
emphasize the ethical values which reflect the approach of rights and obligations. Managers are
required to act in accordance with the behavior and traits which include responsibility, respect,
objectivity and integrity.
An example of an ethical dilemma is when an employee work in the organization and the credit
of the work is taken by another employee. In a team, members work together for achieving the
target in which one employee takes the credit of all the work. In some cases, the work is done by
a few members in the team but the credit of the work is given to all the employees (Schwartz,
2016). It can be resolved by the manager that the team members are required to perform the
specific tasks for completing the project. It will help the manager in analyzing the work of each

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member. An action that is required to be taken by an employee in this situation is reporting to a
colleague for unethical behavior. An employee can adopt the blow the whistle strategy for the
unethical behavior of other employees at the workplace. At the workplace, ethical dilemma
requires the establishment of facts. It is necessary for the managers to determine the legal
obligations as well as duties for resolving the ethical dilemma (LaMontagne, 2016).

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Reference
Boatright, J.R., Confronting ethical dilemmas in the workplace, 2013.
LaMontagne, R.M., Ethical Dilemmas in the Workplace: HR Managers' Perceptions of
Behavioral Influences with Implications for Building an Ethical Culture in
Organizations. International Journal of Knowledge, Culture & Change in Organizations: Annual
Review.2016, 15.
Schwartz, M.S.,. Ethical decision-making theory: An integrated approach. Journal of Business
Ethics. 2016, 139(4), pp.755-776.
Tota, I. and Shehu, H., 2012. The dilemma of business ethics. Procedia Economics and Finance.
2012, 3, pp.555-559.