Statement of the ethical dilemma
The ethical dilemma in this case is tom’s consideration of whether or not to tell on the actions of Mary and Brenda. This is because on one hand, he considers the fact that Michael takes high pride on his job and would do anything to keep it running. Similarly, in the event that anything went wrong, the bottle shop would close down and they would be rendered jobless. On the other hand, he is sympathetic of Brenda’s situation as everyone is aware of the hardships that she faces (Jennings, 2010). She is a single parent with one kid seeking to pay all her bills by herself. Telling Michael on her malpractices will in turn render her jobless with minimal chances of re-employment.
Application of ethical egoism
Under the ethical egoism theory of ethical considerations, tom needs to embrace aspects that maximize on his interest. This means that it would be in order for him to tell on Brenda to Michael for purposes of maintaining his job in the end. It would develop a conflict of interest in the event that Michael establishes that Tom was aware of the misconduct and did not report it to home in good time (Lindemann, 2012). Additionally, this will be in line with upholding self-dignity and integrity with fellow members of staff.
Application of utilitarianism
In this theory of ethical projection, Tom needs to talk to both Brenda and Michael. This is aimed at making the two parties aware of the actual situation, the possible impacts in the event of an eventuality and the viable approaches of addressing this fact. At this point, one of the most adversarial approaches has to sit down with Michael to explain the misconduct and at the same time, warn Brenda of the possibility of mishap in the course of dealing with Mary (Lindemann, 2012). This will involve doing the morally right actions for all circumstances in which Tom tends to maximize his total happiness based on Bentham's deliberation of utilitarianism as widely known in the theory of utilitarianism for its simplest state.
Application of Kantian ethics
Under Kantian ethics, Tom needs to hold up the ideals and principles of universal acceptability, reversibility and respect. This will mean that the fact that the aspects of selling alcohol to under 18’s is criminalized across the world makes it illegal for Brenda to do the same. in this case, it would be in Michael’s interest to have Brenda change her trends and at the same time have Brenda take responsibility for her actions. Mary who is Brenda’s accomplice also needs to change on the provisions of this understanding (Jennings, 2010). Tom may also do this through reporting to the police who may otherwise never get hold of the illegal practice in play.
Application of Virtue ethics
Under Virtue ethics, Tom is expected to determine and uphold the morally acceptable elements in the situation. Using Carol Gilligan's virtue of care and wisdom, Tom needs to exercise vice of deficiency in Brenda’s actions (QUT, 2011). The aspect of inflexible rule following as well as vice of excess (appeasement) with respect to moral reasoning will enable Tom to exercise due diligence towards reporting the actions to the right authorities using the appropriated channels.
Part A (b) Are there any university policies (rules) against using Samantha’s assignment?
There are policies within Queensland University of Technology (QUT) that are against this action. First, this is nothing less of plagiarism, which is one of the major academic work offences. This involves using previously done works to develop one self’s and not accurately and duly referencing the source. Second, this amounts to an assessment irregularity in the long run.
Part A (c) Would I get 100% if I used Samantha’s assignment?
There is a possibility of getting a good mark in case Tom edited the text in good shape and uses appealing content. However, if the work is shoddy, the assessor will realize and both students will penalize for this misconduct (QUT, 2011). In most case, the probable mark will be half of what each of them earns. This makes it substantially hard for them to acquire the 100% target mark.
Part A (d) how would my fellow students think if I used Samantha’s assignment?
Most of my fellow students will think that tom is ignorant of the principal priorities in life as his substitutes work for his education (Cooper, 2008). This will mean that they will develop a certain attitude towards Tom, which will affect the relationship that they had in the first case. In the end, this could lower the academic performance of Tom in such an environment.
Part B
a) Identify four stakeholders in James Softley and explain why you believe they are stakeholders
The first stakeholders are the shareholders to James Softley as they have invested in the company and their interest is continuity and profits. The other stakeholders are the customers who are interested in quality products that provide satisfaction and health promotion. The third category is that of the building industry, which is, full dependent on James Softley’s products that is asbestos as building material and any variations will causes stoppages in their progress (Halbert & Ingulli, 2011). The last category in this case is the management, which is interested in maximizing its profit and remaining economically relevant to the society.
- Assume that you agree with Milton Friedman’s view that the only responsibility of business is to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits. Would you also have decided not to provide these products to the Australian market? Justify your answer using both Friedman’s arguments on agency and social taxes. In your answer you must also refer to two stakeholders you have identified in (a) above.
Based on Milton Friedman’s view, I would not have opted to place the products in the Australian court for the simple reason of having the community develop a perception that the organization upholds societal health (Halbert & Ingulli, 2011). This will also increase the reputability of the organization in the end. Further, this will enable a favorable relationship between the customers and the building industry in the end.
- Assume you agree with Edward Freeman’s theory ‘Managing for Stakeholders’. Would you also have decided not to provide these products to the Australian market? Justify your answer using two of Freeman’s arguments that he has put forward for his theory. This means two out of the following:
With respect to the consequences, there will be a multiplier effect of failure in the downstream industries, which will cause a difficult relationship between the organization and the building industry. Based on the rights and freedoms which are universal to all individuals, stakeholders are entitled to their individual decisions and opinions on how best to utilize their proceeds (Cooper, 2008). With respect to character, the conduct of all stakeholders will eventually develop a sustained relevance to the formulation of priorities of the stakeholders.
Reference:
Cooper, C. (2008). Extraordinary circumstances. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc
Halbert , Ingulli (2011) Law & Ethics in the Business Environment. New York: Cengage Learning
Jennings (2010) Business: Its Legal, Ethical, and Global Environment. New York: Cengage Learning
Lindemann, N. (2012). BSB111 Business Law and Ethics. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Inc
QUT. (2011). Business Law and Ethics (5thed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Australia
