Reference no: EM133753318

Case: During the Ethics section of this course you will be analyzing and writing commentaries on the ethical decision-making process in "real world" ethics cases. Your analytical commentary must fully articulate your positions - and what arguments, critical thinking and reasoning you have used to arrive at them. The commentaries will also help you in understanding and applying the readings and discussions.
Although you will consider your own personal ethics, remember that the norms and standards of business ethics should be a primary consideration. Your commentary should not be a criticism, but an analysis of all the ethical considerations that go into your decision- making process. It should take into account ALL sides of an issue. Your case commentaries and discussions should address the following:

1. Relevant facts of the case: Identify and summarize the key relevant facts and issues of the case. Sort out information that will be useful in determining the ethical situation and issues. Develop a diagnosis (nature and scope) of the current situation. Summarize the primary concepts or topics from the case that apply.

2. Critical ethical issue(s) or dilemma(s): After you have analyzed the situation and the key facts, summarize the critical ethical problem(s) or dilemma(s) in the case and explain your interpretation of the situation. Have any laws been broken? Have any ethical guidelines or professional codes of conduct been violated? Dig beneath the surface and identify issues at the individual, organizational or societal levels.

3. Relevant affected parties (stakeholders): Who are the key parties (stakeholders) affected by the ethical issue? Identify the important rights from the perspective of the affected stakeholders in the case. Who is most affected by this?

4. Ethical Frameworks (Theories): Discuss all relevant ethical frameworks (theories) that apply to the case and a thorough analysis of each: rights, duties, fairness or justice, common good, virtue, utilitarian, etc. More than one may be applicable. Evaluate the pros and cons of each applicable framework.

5. Identify possible alternative courses of action or solutions: Brainstorm a list of all possible solutions or actions that could be taken. Be creative and do not limit yourself to just ideas presented in the case. Look at:
(a) Legal solutions
(b) Possible legal but unethical solutions
(c) Economic solutions
(d) Moral/ethical solutions.

6. Evaluate pros and cons of alternative courses of action or solutions: Once you have ascertained all the facts and possible courses of action, evaluate the pros and cons of each of these alternative solutions. e.g.
(a) Who benefits, who is harmed? What are the benefits and harms of each of these actions for the stakeholders (parties) most affected?
(b) What are the potential consequences?
(c) Which course of action best respects the moral rights of those affected?
(d) Which course of action advances the common good?
(e) Which course of action treats everyone fairly and justly?
(f) Potential consequences (long term and short term), consequences of not doing anything? Also consider practical constraints, if any.
(g) Are there any conflicts resulting from cultural relativism?

7. Recommend best solution or course of action: From the alternative solutions or courses of action, recommend the best course of action to resolve the ethical dilemma in the case. You may decide that a combination of solutions is the best course of action. Your recommendations must be supported by well-reasoned arguments and counter arguments.