Ethical Portfolio Final Project

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ETH560Portfolio_Turner.docx

Ethical Decision-Making Framework Model

Assessment

Summary

Alternatives

Analysis

Application

Action

Notes

Ethical Assessment #1

Ethical Knowledge check

I was able to answer all the questions through process of elimination

I will use the common core knowledge of the assessment in my professional life.

These actions would impact my professional life.

This was a test of my basic knowledge of business ethics.

Ethical Assessment #2

I was given a list of five values and I had to rank them in order of important to least important.

Character

Assistance

Candor

Assurance

Charity

Integrity

Honesty

Fairness

Environment

Exacting the truth

Truthfulness

Sacrifice

Tolerance

Perseverance

Seriousness

You meet different people and values will differ from person to person.

Integrity is very strong trait that I feel is important in both my professional life and

Ethical Assessment #3

If I chose to give my family member the medication to speed of the dying process. This act would be on my conscious. This act is not a part of my religious belief.

The pros of my decision would keep the person that I cared alive but in a vegetative state. The con is that the person that I care so much about is suffering in pain.

After reading a few articles when a person has stopped eating and taking medication

My actions would impact my personal life.

This scenario was a very difficult decision but cannot imagine having someone’s life in my hands. I agree that during a time like this you should focus on make the person as comfortable as possible as they prepare for transition. This was a gut-wrenching decision. There is no right or wrong answer, in the end the person would be at peace. I think it would help more if I knew the person’s wishes. Watching someone that you love die is a dramatic experience.

Week One Summary

Week one consisted of three personal ethics assessments. I was given a basic knowledge quiz, given words, and ranked them in order from important to least important. The last scenario was more on a personal level to see what decisions I would make with a love one that was terminally ill. What I be willing to

Week Two Summary

Banking on Nature was a case study that focused on a business partnering with nature to be both profitable and help out the environment.

Microchip an employee

Going green is good for business and the community. A few pros are it builds a reputation, attract. Some cons are it is a process, it cannot happen overnight. Additionally, the start-up could be very expensive.

There are pros when an employer choice to implant microchips in their employees.

Organizations in contemporary society need to focus on making ethical decisions to move to sustainability. The two case studies present interesting issues surrounding the topic of ethics and integrity of organizations towards the community and employees are some of the key stakeholders who determine the sustainability of businesses.

Ethically implanting a microchip is an invasion of privacy.

Businesses that frequently patronize have found ways implement initiatives to protect the environment and still be profitable.

Implanting microchips is considered to be generational. The younger generation are more likely to adapt to the new technology. I personally would not be comfortable with putting any device in my skin.

Starbucks, Auto Dealerships and department stores.

It should be a volunteer basis. There are several advantages. But I don’t think the medical side has been studied enough.

Week Three Summary

Reviewed an article focused on how business students’ views and understanding on business ethics are challenged and changed in their courses of study.

Ethical dilemmas and challenges that have faced the Uber company in its business operations. Business leaders at Uber have been involved in decision making with objectives to expand their organization. One of the decisions was to use a communication system with encrypted messages that spy on other organizational rival and legal authorities’ data and information.

Provided understanding on the relationships between the legal and ethical guidelines in business ethics. In this point of view, the law may provide the legal guidelines in making ethical decision.

The concepts in the article can be applied in gaining ethical concerns insight. From this article, ethical self-awareness in increased by considering the impacts of the Uber organization decision.

The content can be applied in enhancing self-awareness in ethics by the gained insight on the complex nature of the ethical issues. Such knowledge can be used in the complex business decision actions.

Alternative options can be considering in cases of ethical challenges and dilemmas in business leadership decision. Uber organization could have formed a form of partnership with other business rival with aim to share and get business ideas.

Student need to do away with their beliefs and perceptions on the ethics issue. Provided insight on how the students perceptions towards business ethics education have been changed by the study of ethics courses.

The issues of integrity and moral principles also add up to the ethical self-awareness and can be considered preferred action in case of ethical challenges. Deciding to terminate Jacobs employment could have been unethical decision. The Jacobs

Students may not be aware of the importance of business ethics education in their courses.

Decisions are made from the top and flows down to the employees. Ethical culture has to established.

Week Four Summary

In the case study on the Theo Chocolate, ethical behavior is highly demonstrated. The principle of utilitarianism comes handy. This is because the organization is set to ensure that the society in general benefits. Every partner throughout the organization benefited, from the stakeholders to the farmers. They issued support to the farmers to aid the development of their resident society, while improving their supply of Cacao trees.

The other scenario involving the CVS. CVS went through legal suits for ethical violation. This was a company that was accused for HIPPA violations. Employees were suspected of throwing medicine bottle tags and old prescriptions into the waste without destroying private patient data.

Theo Chocolate was able to make a connection from the farmer and the customers. Mr. Whinney feels that people will pay more the candy bar because of the quality of the bar and their commitment to the environment. They also invested in the farmers and used “star power” with the same beliefs to gain investors.

CVS was able to rebound from their unethical behavior. They ensured that they fostered ethical culture to win back their client’s trust. CVS revised its policies and enhanced mechanisms for monitoring, training and reporting procedures.

The concept of justice, utilitarianism and social-economic development will greatly inform my future practices whether in business or as a professional. This includes being alert on safeguarding our environment through minimizing the release of harmful wastes to our environment. The other ethical practice of philanthropy will be a drive in my future career endeavors. This will include impacting the society in the various ways possible.

Ethics can involve philanthropic activities, which are geared towards supporting less fortunate or a vulnerable population or region. The aspect of collaboration as core in enhancing ethical behavior. The concept common good for all is another central aspect in ethics. This means trying to ensure that the general society benefits, including the suppliers.

Unethical practices can occur in the most successful business. Code of Conduct must established and employees must be held accountable. adhere to the code. Training must be put in place. Customer Appreciation and donation to charities that are aligned with the organization’s values.

No sure how long Theo Chocolate will be able to survive in the industry. The CEO is hoping to partner with other candy makers to utilize the same practices and farmers. In hopes that the region and the company are both profitable.

CVS was able to overcome adversity and continue to grow. Code of Ethics should be established and hold employees accountable.

Week Five Summary

It is important for an organization to have Code of Ethics to govern the way the conduct business and their employees. BP was faced with an oil spill that forced them to hard look at their procedures a look at the pressure they were under with the stakeholders.

Audits are important for all organizations. Internal controls establish safeguards to an organization’s assets and minimize the opportunities of committing fraud and allowing errors to go undetected in an organization’s daily operations.

In business organizations, leaders may not recognize that their actions and behaviors may pose ethical threats. Understanding different organizational mistake therefore increases the ethical self-awareness aspect and such awareness and understanding can be applied in the contemporary business context.

Implementing and ethics audit will give a comparison between the actual behavior and the guidance that is put in place. Establishing a Code of Ethics will provide a clear mission.

It is important for business manager to consider ethical issues in business program in order to increase their knowledge in business ethics.

Week Six Summary

The case of Google presents a company under struggle and which has gained global market but viewed to be under violation of some of the principles. Google has been under high scrutiny by the competitors as well as the governments which have to protect the privacy of their people.

When a company operates in another country, they must take in consideration ethics groups, social organizations, and culture; they all impact values.

Google had several alternatives in the case of remaining ethical, investments in China and in the user privacy issue. The company has demonstrated in many circumstances the will to remain ethical and the strive to maintain its ethical principles. The Chinese investment was also a major test of Google’s ethical operation and they had several alternatives.

In order not to violate major ethical issues within the country of operation as this the main reason why Google is being taunted for violation of privacy regulations. The company needs to develop a platform where they will locate a user’s information only if the user authorizes and thus, the process will be optional for the clients and thus, no violation will be committed. This will promote its trust by its clients.

All companies are going to be faced with ethical issues at some point. The difference

will be the way they are handled. A company has to remain ethical by working towards achieving a positive contribution for its clients. The Google case study shows that a company can operate ethically and do its CSR and still have an ethical issue.

Week Seven Summary

Leadership within an organization is very important. Leaders in business

organizations need to analyses ethical issues and try to change the negative assumption on the ethical issues in business Ethical self-awareness can enable business leaders to manage ethical issues that constraint business operation activities by considering different approaches to ethical issues. The Case studies focused on two successful companies. Zappos and Lululemon.

Zappo’s founder focused on ensuring that the employees had a good working environment took care of his employees. The CEO was very transparent and kept the employees in the know, good or bad news. He eventually sold his shares to Amazon under the conditions that he continue running the business under his terms. Lululemon was the second case study, they had very high standards. Leadership put the company in spotlight with comments

Leadership must set the example. Leaders must focus on alternatives to address ethical issues in a business organization. Once an issue is considered unethical, it is important to look into it further to address the ethical issues that emerge in business operations

Objecting to some business issues due to their moral and ethical issues, it is important to consider the aspects that can create a different and positive impression on what people believe about the issue. Implementing the positive leadership traits can be beneficial for the entire company.

The case studies detailed two successful companies with different leadership methods.

Week Eight Summary

This week’s case study examines the popular retail store, Lululemon. It provided a look at the leadership, culture and corporate social responsibility. They have been able to market a lifestyle and not just a product. The company has been able to achieve success and rapid growth, despite being put in the negative spotlight by controversial comments. Lululemon has been able to rebound with an effective ethics and compliance program and the quality of their clothing,

The cons of the company is that the founder made some comments that gave a negative publicity for the organization. The pros is that they rebounded to top quality clothing, strong branding and healthy competitive culture. The employees are dedicated to the organization and they been able to give back to the community. Involved in building a positive relationship between employees and customers.

Strong Leadership is important in any organization. Getting your employees to buy in to the company is very powerful and enables the company to find that niche. There are different leadership style and every organization must decide what works best for the organization.

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your leadership style to provide the best communication to your employees. This can lead to a better working environment, better communication. You should never be afraid to change out senior management. It is important to invest in your employees and be engaged with their personal and professional growth.

Lululemon is a very successful retail store. The quality of their products is so much better than their competitors they are able to get top dollar. Training and personal growth are important. The have a loyal customer base and values the feedback from their customers. Overcame unethical issues, racist and sexist comments from leaders and a yoga pants recall that cost them over $67 million.

Instructions: Below (on page 2) is a sample of the template data to assist you in your creative thinking for week one! On the weekly ethics portfolio, you are welcome to submit it along with the week one assignment, however it is not required. It is a note taking template. I highly encourage everyone to submit it each week, as this helps to keep you on track, but again, it is not required. You will use the template note-taking document to assist you in the final ethics portfolio assignment.

Additional Guidance:

For the week one assessment results, please add them to the template that you will use for the final course project. This template is a type of “note taking” document. For the formal final assignment, you will need to have your final project in paragraph format, proper APA format, etc. For the purpose of the week one assignment, etc. you are welcome to just include bullet point comments, as a note taking type record of your thoughts. Or you may elect to begin to formalize the document in paragraph format. You will not be deducted credit if you submit bullet point format for week one.

The instructions on this assignment are intentionally somewhat “loose” to not box you in on your thinking. You can begin to relate some of your assessment results to the template information. As you build this template document over the next several weeks, it will begin to “come together” and make sense and you continue to record your thoughts on all the items required each week. It may not seem to full start to make sense until week three or four, but it will!

The week one assessment results serve as somewhat of a foundational start and you will continue to build on those elements for the future weeks. You are welcome to discuss the results “overall” and conceptually. You do not need to box your thinking into what only the results say in black and white. Please feel free to expand on your thinking of what you believe the results mean to you.

The great thing about an ethics class, is that there is really not a “wrong” answer! You just need to show that you are outlining your thinking and that you continue to correlate your thinking to the assignments each week. Sometimes you may say, “I didn’t really agree with everyone” And that is ok! Or you may say, “My response this week didn’t directly tie into my assessment results, but for this topic, I do feel differently because…” And that is ok!

Example:

Assessment Summary

Alternatives

Analysis

Application

Action

Notes

Ethical Assessment #1

If I had chosen ABC then my results may have been XYZ. If I had not selected ABC then my ethical outlook may be different in the following ways… XYZ

The Pro’s and Con’s of my selection are… ABC. They are pro’s because of XYZ. They are con’s because of XYZ

Ethical principles from the reading or a journal article that support my viewpoints are… ABC

For the current time I will apply these actions in my professional life by… ABC In the future I could see this impacting my professional career by… XYZ

Any additional thoughts that you may have!

Assessment Make sure you have al lthe facts about the ethical dillemia

Alternatives Consider your choices

Analysis Identify your decision and tests its validity

Application Apply ethical principles to your decision

Action Make a decision