Free Essay On Boeing Ethics Case Study

Ethics is an integral part of a corporation’s effort to ensure all its services are accomplished with an act of good faith and acceptable to all the parties involved in the business. The case is a demonstration of various ethical misfits that would occur in a corporation. The case explicates the ethical issues relating to Boeing’s services and its transactions with other corporations. It also unveils the ethical issues that paralyze its management and negotiation processes through its employees. The ethical issue in this case is Boeing’s manipulation of figures to display its impression as a worthy corporation, something intended to enable it get a deal with McDonnell Douglas. Moreover, Druyun’s recruitment into the corporation is intertwined with numerous ethical issues which invites inquisition into the company’s ethical position. This is an ethical issue because all forms of business corporations are expected to act in good faith and display their true and fair value before a deal is signed, a prospect the company went against.
Moreover, Druyun’s actions are deemed unethical and contrary to the rules of the company. A comprehensive evaluation of the unethical issues in the case unveils a score of parties and individuals affected by the unethical actions. Michael Sears violated the ethical rules of the company by discussing employment terms with Druyun, who was then a highly placed in a rival company. Additionally, Druyun acted unethically in the negotiations between Boeing and U.S. Air Force in which she closed the deal at a high price favoring Boeing to advantage her pending employment. Shea also lobbied politicians in Congress to ensure Boeing landed the tanker deal. Moreover, Sears, Druyun’s daughter and son-in-law, all employed by Boeing, are alleged to have communicated on Druyun’s employment in the company which is contrary to the company’s rules. Boeing equally violated the principle of good faith by manipulating its values to ensure they secure a deal with McDonnell Douglas. Condit was also romantically involved with some of the employees.
There are a number of leadership issues displayed in this case. Both Druyun and Sears were at the managerial level in the companies they worked in. In their capacity as leaders, they were mandated with the responsibility to represent their companies within the ethical confines. It is clear that the consequences of their actions affected the whole corporation. Additionally, the discrimination of the 38 female employees demonstrates the highest degree of bad leadership and unethical undertakings. The fact that the company paid different salaries for women in comparison to men shows gender discrimination. Stonecipher’s reign is paralyzed by his unethical actions. His relationship with an employee jeopardizes his mission to continue working for the corporation. It is evident that top leaders in the company did not take ethical considerations into account. The numerous leaders the company had showed varying ethical issues which challenged their responsibility to advocate ethical workmanship in the company. The leadership issues to be addressed in this case relates to their responsibility in ensuring ethical standards are observed.
In conclusion, the case demonstrates the place of ethics in the normal operations of a business. This is evident in the changes accompanied by the formation of Boeing Ethics Committee. It effected changes based on the ethical framework of the company. Moreover, McNerney transformed the implementation process of the company’s objectives to incorporate integrity and ethical considerations right from the managerial level to the lower ranking employees. Subsequently, the companies involved in the negotiation of the deal availed adequate representatives to act in their capacity contrary to Druyun’s actions of reaching individual decisions at the expense of the company with consideration of her individual interests to the detriment of the organizational interests.