Ethics Case Paper
Little Enough or Too Much 1.) Describe the factual situation
Bryan, a new employee of the X Chemical company has been placed in charge to oversee the production and construction of their newly released product, industrial lubricant. The X Chemical company was built nearby a river and asked permission from the government agencies to release their excess waste into the river. Other companies also reside along the river and are dumping their excess waste into it as well. This strikes as a concern to Bryan, adding an additional step to their production process would have allowed the X Chemical company to reduce their waste and recycle some materials. Because X Chemical Company was granted a permit, which stated they are allowed to dump excess waste materials into the river, that additional step was omitted. The new product is a success, the production for the new industrial lubricant is below the cost of competitors, has increased the companies confidence after several quarters of average production, and because of the success of this new product employees are anticipating sizable bonuses from the company’s profit sharing plan. Though the new product is doing well, Bryan is still upset that the company did not add that additional step to reduce pollution into the river and he feels that the company is only focusing on short run satisfaction. Bryan addresses his concerns to Bill Gates, the Plant Supervisor. Bill Gates responds by telling Bryan that the waste being dumped in the river poses no threat, according to the government agency, that the company does not need any unwanted attention from environmental groups, and even threatens Bryan’s employment. At this point, Bryan is unsure of what to do, but knows that something needs to be done. 2.) Identify the possible courses of action (at least 2) 1. The company can add the additional step to the production process to reduce the waste and recycle some materials. Though the company may receive unwanted attention
Bryan, a new employee of the X Chemical company has been placed in charge to oversee the production and construction of their newly released product, industrial lubricant. The X Chemical company was built nearby a river and asked permission from the government agencies to release their excess waste into the river. Other companies also reside along the river and are dumping their excess waste into it as well. This strikes as a concern to Bryan, adding an additional step to their production process would have allowed the X Chemical company to reduce their waste and recycle some materials. Because X Chemical Company was granted a permit, which stated they are allowed to dump excess waste materials into the river, that additional step was omitted. The new product is a success, the production for the new industrial lubricant is below the cost of competitors, has increased the companies confidence after several quarters of average production, and because of the success of this new product employees are anticipating sizable bonuses from the company’s profit sharing plan. Though the new product is doing well, Bryan is still upset that the company did not add that additional step to reduce pollution into the river and he feels that the company is only focusing on short run satisfaction. Bryan addresses his concerns to Bill Gates, the Plant Supervisor. Bill Gates responds by telling Bryan that the waste being dumped in the river poses no threat, according to the government agency, that the company does not need any unwanted attention from environmental groups, and even threatens Bryan’s employment. At this point, Bryan is unsure of what to do, but knows that something needs to be done. 2.) Identify the possible courses of action (at least 2) 1. The company can add the additional step to the production process to reduce the waste and recycle some materials. Though the company may receive unwanted attention