Ethics is the accepted code of conduct (principles of wrong or right) that control the behavior of an individual, an organization or group of a profession. It is always considered to be a factor of variation in politics, economic growth, culture and legal systems. Particular practices might be unethical when viewed by other countries' standards. Most common ethical issues are related to human rights, labor standards, and financial standards, accounting standards, environmental regulations, moral obligations, and corruption.
The international business setting, through its economic and cultural diversity, time and again exposes foreign executives to significant challenges. On a short term, getting solutions and obeying the organizational codes of business ethics could lead to an increase in regulatory costs and, therefore, a reduction of efficacy. But, in the long run, though there is the chance for the ethical management practices are not connected to the particular indicators of financial profitability, there is no inexorable risk between the profit and ethical practices. This is shown by the well-known companies that are valued by the consistency with which they partake their moral responsibilities and achieve superior financial results. Some of the challenges facing employees include neglect, mistreatment and poor health conditions, a case that can clearly be seen in the case of Bernie Banton and James Herdie.
Ethical analysis involves the application of efficient ways of fair assessment with the use of moral theory in giving the explanation to a particular case study. Regarding this, this paper provides an in-depth ethical analysis on the Bernie Banton / James Herdie Case. It is a case that involves two parties with the complainant, Mr. Banton, having getting exposure to asbestos (Arnold et al., 2013). During the given time, he was an employee to James Herdie. In the span of 2007, Mr. Banton dies from the deadly mesothelioma which is rare cancer with its roots coming from asbestos. The allegations of the case are that James Herdie was aware of the exposure of the disease to his employees, only that he was less concerned about the following risks (Brooks and Dunn, 2010). Secondly, the given firm is alleged to having refused to offer entirely compensation and provision of essentials to its assigned employees.
Ethical issues offer tremendous benefits to the business society and ethical management. It provides both employees and customers a competitive advantage. Through ethical management, it offers employees a chance to validate their security while operating under a given company (McPhail & Walters, 2009). On the other hand, the corporate world also stands a chance of trusting ethical products. The general public benefits from commerce ethics. It occurs when the given ethical companies toil extra hard with an aim of identifying their social tasks. Given ethical theories also have a role in managing arising moral principles with integrity? When it comes to ethical theories, they often have guiding principles on a basis of the rational and systematic nitty-gritty (Des Jardins, 2007). They span back to history, thereby offering a viable guidance in the case of providing a solution to any given rising issue.
In this paper, we suggest an emphasis on the various types of ethical theories with their relevance to the arising ethical issues as already mentioned above. The given ethical principles include; Utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, Justice (including Rawls and Nozick), Rights and The challenge of normative moral relativism.
Utilitarianism moral theory has an attribution to be one of the most functional methods in the act of finding a solution to raising ethical issues. Some scholars often refer to it as consequentialism. Its principal purpose involves promotion of ends that are seen as good or have value instead of using the application of the right way. It is a theory that focuses on advising the fanatics to employ given outcomes that work in goodwill of the most gain preferentially to the mainstream of affected persons (Des Jardins, 2007). The given process should also occur in an entire impartial approach possible. In summary, it is a theory that aims at achieving an immense benefit for the majority of the affected groups. In relevance to the given case, Utilitarianism advocates for an equitable way of compensating the assigned employees. First, it is important to note that James Herdie Company is somehow suffering financially. It is due to the numerous numbers of employees regarding the vast amounts of money that each and every one of them expects to receive (Fritzsche, 2005). All the staff deserves an equal amount of pay. On the other hand, the theory also advocates for the company to offer a plan of treatment to the given employees. In this ways, most or all of the employees stand a chance to receive better treatment about seeking money each and every one of them.
Kantian deontology is an example of an ethical theory has a belief in our lives; numerous of the important aspects have control by given indissoluble moral policies. In this theory, the given rule cannot be out of order. It stands to the given rules to an extent that even if breaking them stands a chance of improving decision making; they still may not be out of order (Des Jardins, 2007). Most researchers often relate this given theory to be similar to the Ten Commandments which also have a basis of not being broken at all. In relevance to the particular case study, gross negligence and unfair discrimination to a human race are an entirely unacceptable deed in the business world of today (Boss, 2011). The given theory, therefore, advocates for the full compensation of the employees involved in the exposure of asbestos by James Herdie Company. On the other hand, it also has a requirement for the full execution of the company and it should face the law regarding the given standards of the judiciary of the particular country.
Rights theory focuses on the given human and constitutional rights put by a given governing body or society (Beauchamp & Bowie, 2009). The rights should incur maximum value and protection at all times. Literally, a right always have a consideration of impacting a positive attitude to the society. It is because, often, it is the majority of the people that often vote for them. However, one must be aware that given rights often go in hand with a particular society’s future objectives (Fritzsche, 2005). From the particular case study, there is a violation of human rights in the event of exposure to asbestos. The corporate world of today does not guarantee any employer to allow their employees to operate in a rather vulnerable area. Employees deserve to work in an environment that does not alter their health status. On the other hand, employees also have the right to receive compensation in the circumstances that their health security experiences a threat (Beauchamp & Bowie, 2009). They also have the right to work while putting on protective clothing from head to toe. It is a venture that assists in the offering of protection against any chances of inhaling or getting affections from hazardous materials. From the above explanation, this theory’s relevance to the case study is that the employees deserve compensation because the individual rights incurred a violation.
The challenge of normative ethical relativism is a theory that attributes on the inexistence of universally legitimate moral regulations. It contrasts other ideas in that from society to society; there are a variation in the moral incorrectness and rightness. In this regard, we focus our attention that each and every culture develops its moral rules sin line to the given society’s objective and beliefs. However, research indicates that this given theory for an extended period, have not received support from the majority of races (Beauchamp & Bowie, 2009). Regarding the particular case as mentioned above, this theory supports the fact that no moral right to another country can determine the absolute moral rights of the state that James Herdie Company is located. In relevance to the certain rights and morals of that country, justice to the given employees depends on them. From a general global outlook, the assigned employees deserve justice since no given society can abide by the gross negligence and discrimination of any human race (Fritzsche, 2005).
Justice (including Rawls and Nozick) theory is a concept of political philosophy regarding related ethics. The theory is written by John Rawls. In the given theory, John Rawls focuses more on an offering of a solution towards a distributive justice structure (Beauchamp & Bowie, 2009). This theory also has immediate relevance to the social contract. It also has an emphasis on two given principles so as to offer a viable solution in an event of a crisis in relation to ethical issues. They include difference and liberty principles. Liberty principle has a connection to equality in the society. This given theory has more focus on the deliberation of common equity to the society. It is because there is no one who certainly knows his / hers position when it comes to the breakdown of law (Beauchamp & Bowie, 2009). Rawls, therefore, advocates on one’s self-ignorance as a tool to offer justice and fairness to all. About the given case study, Rawls advocates for the self-ignorance of James Herdie in an attempt to provide a fair and equitable justice to all of his employees (Fritzsche, 2005).
Business ethics in line with the resource management practices has a requirement of offering an array of purposes to the given business as a whole. Stakeholders have a whole have the right to be given an ethical component regarding the making of the business decisions. Corporate governance also has the requirement of controlling, managing and being accountable to the day to day operations of a business entity (Blowfield & Murray, 2008). The offering of leading practices to the business earns the given business object a chance to maximize its profits. If such like practices could be available in the James Herdie Company, changes could be minimal for the assigned employees to get exposed to asbestos.
Ethical theories also have great significance to inform management practice and leadership. The given significance includes the offering of guidance so as to make appropriate decisions in the event of ethical issue crisis. Through the application of the given theories, every solution to a moral problem does encompass the most positive outcome for the majority of affected persons (Fritzsche, 2005). They also offer the least harm in the event of decision making. In this scenario, it does involve cases in which neither of the available choices is appropriate to the given involved parties. It, therefore, necessitates for choices that often incur the least possible harm as possible (Beauchamp & Bowie, 2009). For example, in the above case study, there should be technical plan on how to compensate the employees in a manner in which they will feel the recognition of support from the ethical management.
Ethical theories in many scenarios often advocates also for the principle of respect for autonomy. In this case, it permits the victims of a given case to make personal verdicts that have relevance to their individual lives. Each and every person has the right of upholding and controlling their way of life as they are the ones who feel the given impacts of continuously raising ethical issues (Fritzsche, 2005). Taking an example in the above case, the judicial system collectively with the employees has the right to make positive choices about James Herdie Company.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ethical management has a requirement to always ensure that a solution is found for the arising ethical issues in the business world of today. It is important to note that with the availability of ethical theories, executives of a business should impact them in their respective businesses (Blowfield & Murray, 2008). In doing this, there will be an existence of an equitable business environment for the stakeholders, the executives and the employees as a whole. A mutual relationship between the employees and the executives is also another important issue that needs to be taken into consideration at all times (McPhail & Walters, 2009). By doing this, the executives will stand a chance to always understand any arising ethical dilemma within the given business environment. The given relationship majorly should exist also between the corporate governance and the ethical management.
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