Current Ethical Issues in Business
Current Ethical Issue in Business
Introduction
Ethics and moral obligation are something that we all encounter at one time or another. Even in a professional setting, all persons should act in a manner that would uphold the good of society. Why is it that good, ethical and moral behavior is not always adhered to? Is it because some people do not understand ethics and what it means to be ethical? To be ethical, one has to decide between right and wrong, determine what is for the betterment of society and act accordingly. Ethics have three basic criteria that must be met obligations, moral ideas, and consequences (Ruggiero, 2004). Businesses have their own code of ethics and the individuals within that business have to determine whether or not they will follow that code of ethics. Ethical behavior in business is consistent with the principles, norms, and standards of business practice that have been agreed upon by society (Trevino & Nelson, 2004). At times, however, an individual decides to go against the code of ethical behavior for personal gain. This was just the case in the article researched by Team A.
The basis of the conflict.
In the article 2 Free care for UConn official (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, April 4, 2005), the University of Connecticut Athletic Director, Jeff Hathaway, and his wife each received free cars from a local dealership that does business with the athletic department of the university. The athletic director and his wife were provide the use of the two new cars in exchange for Hathaway's participation in an "advertising campaign" of television and print ads for Monaco, as well as his services as a consultant to the sales and marketing staff. Hathaway and his wife were to receive "unrestricted use" of a Ford 500 and a Ford Freestar minivan for "certain endorsements, marketing advice, and public speaking/motivational sales advice to Monaco Ford Company and its employees. Under a corporate sponsorship agreement the
Introduction
Ethics and moral obligation are something that we all encounter at one time or another. Even in a professional setting, all persons should act in a manner that would uphold the good of society. Why is it that good, ethical and moral behavior is not always adhered to? Is it because some people do not understand ethics and what it means to be ethical? To be ethical, one has to decide between right and wrong, determine what is for the betterment of society and act accordingly. Ethics have three basic criteria that must be met obligations, moral ideas, and consequences (Ruggiero, 2004). Businesses have their own code of ethics and the individuals within that business have to determine whether or not they will follow that code of ethics. Ethical behavior in business is consistent with the principles, norms, and standards of business practice that have been agreed upon by society (Trevino & Nelson, 2004). At times, however, an individual decides to go against the code of ethical behavior for personal gain. This was just the case in the article researched by Team A.
The basis of the conflict.
In the article 2 Free care for UConn official (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, April 4, 2005), the University of Connecticut Athletic Director, Jeff Hathaway, and his wife each received free cars from a local dealership that does business with the athletic department of the university. The athletic director and his wife were provide the use of the two new cars in exchange for Hathaway's participation in an "advertising campaign" of television and print ads for Monaco, as well as his services as a consultant to the sales and marketing staff. Hathaway and his wife were to receive "unrestricted use" of a Ford 500 and a Ford Freestar minivan for "certain endorsements, marketing advice, and public speaking/motivational sales advice to Monaco Ford Company and its employees. Under a corporate sponsorship agreement the
References: Chedekel, L. & Kauffmann, M. (2005). 2 free cars for UConn official. The Hartford Courant, April 4, 2005. Retrieved September 30, 2005 from http://proquest.umi.com/pdqlink?index=6&did=817666661&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=3&Vinst=Prod&VType Leadership Management, Inc. (2002). Effective organizational leadership. Retrieved October 1, 2005 from http://www.lmi-inc.com communication.utsa.edu/leblanc/articles/art11.pdf Canmexworkshop.com/documents/papers/111 Ruggiero, V., (2004). Thinking critically about ethical issues. (6th ed.). Burr Ridge, IL: McGraw-Hill. Trevino & Nelson, (2004). Managing Business Ethics: Straight Talk about How to Do it Right. (3rd ed.). Wiley.