Ethical Decision Making Report
Running Head: ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING REPORT
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Ethical Decision-making Report Cassandra S. Parker Western Governors University
ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING REPORT
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Ethical Decision-making Report B.1. Ethical decision-making strategies In order to ensure that ethical decision-making takes place at all levels within Cascadia Toyco, I am suggesting that the company implement the following two strategies: (1) establish a business code of ethics, and (2) adopt both formal and informal decision-making processes. Establishing a business code of ethics will provide an internal guidance system for the company. The code will exemplify the best practices of the company, and uphold our core values. It will be a source of reference for all employees, creating ethical thinking in all that we do, which should help to ensure that decision-making is ethical. Once the business code of ethics is established, then each department will be tasked to create their own code. The departmental code of ethics will need to meet the company ideals, as well as create an ethical functioning structure for the department. The purpose of an informal decision-making process is to get employees thinking. This kind of process works well as a memorable graphic. For instance, we could adapt several of the “tests” described by Willard (2002) for safe internet use. These tests are just as applicable to business decisions, and in fact life decisions. We could be creative with this informal process by displaying the tests on posters in the hallways and animated reminders on our company intranet. The idea is simply to make employees ask questions. Willard’s tests include the Golden Rule Test, in which a person asks themselves how they would feel if the same thing were done to them. The Trusted Adult Test asks a person to think about what their mom or dad would think. There are several decision-making tests that would we could use as visual reminders for our employees to think before they act.
1
Ethical Decision-making Report Cassandra S. Parker Western Governors University
ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING REPORT
2
Ethical Decision-making Report B.1. Ethical decision-making strategies In order to ensure that ethical decision-making takes place at all levels within Cascadia Toyco, I am suggesting that the company implement the following two strategies: (1) establish a business code of ethics, and (2) adopt both formal and informal decision-making processes. Establishing a business code of ethics will provide an internal guidance system for the company. The code will exemplify the best practices of the company, and uphold our core values. It will be a source of reference for all employees, creating ethical thinking in all that we do, which should help to ensure that decision-making is ethical. Once the business code of ethics is established, then each department will be tasked to create their own code. The departmental code of ethics will need to meet the company ideals, as well as create an ethical functioning structure for the department. The purpose of an informal decision-making process is to get employees thinking. This kind of process works well as a memorable graphic. For instance, we could adapt several of the “tests” described by Willard (2002) for safe internet use. These tests are just as applicable to business decisions, and in fact life decisions. We could be creative with this informal process by displaying the tests on posters in the hallways and animated reminders on our company intranet. The idea is simply to make employees ask questions. Willard’s tests include the Golden Rule Test, in which a person asks themselves how they would feel if the same thing were done to them. The Trusted Adult Test asks a person to think about what their mom or dad would think. There are several decision-making tests that would we could use as visual reminders for our employees to think before they act.
References: Willard, N. E. (2002) Computer ethics, etiquette, and safety for the 21st century student. Intl Society for Technology in Education. Heizer, J., & Render, B. (2011). Operations management (10th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson. Southwest Airlines Co. (2008). Southwest airlines co. code of ethics. Retrieved from http://public.thecorporatelibrary.net/ethics/eth_14186.pdf