And meanwhile it will use some examples in the business world to describe Kant’s theories thoroughly and at the same time it will also analyze these limitations of his theories. To find out, Kant would require us to universalize the maxim of this action: “It is morally permissible for anyone in desperate financial circumstances to make a lying promise, that is, to promise to repay borrowed money with no intention of doing so.” Would such a universalized maxim be logically coherent? Deontology advises not to violate this rule. Kantian Business Ethics. The business ethics area this issue falls under is ethical issues in the workplace, which include for example discrimination, invasion of privacy but the main concentration in this report will be put on workplace harassment. Each maxim will be examined on their strengths and weaknesses supported by examples that are related to business. So, an individual should be able to take a moral action without much dilemma if the decision is right and govern to a set of rules that can be universalized (Case, 1996). Painter-Morland, M & Werhane, P (2010). Bowie makes the point that “the categorical imperative is not irrelevant in the world of business” (7). However, they only considered the cost to the company. This is because most employers argue that employees should be well aware there is a chance of unemployment when they are hired for the job position. Content Marketing Team Lead at Udemy for Business . Would such a tactic pass the test of formulation one? (Amazon verified Customer), http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/content/BPL_Images/Content_store/Sample_chapter/1405101024%5C001.pdf. Sample Answer. Examples of Ethical Decision Making In Business 10 Great Examples of Ethical Decision Making In Business 1. However, one concept cannot stand on its own without being dependent on the others (Shaw & Barry, 2009). • A business manager who accepts Kantian morality would ask for any given decision, does the principle on which the decision is based pass the test of the first formulation, that is, can it be willed universally without contradiction? If a maxim that permitted contract breaking were universalized, there could be no contracts (and contracts would cease to exist). At present, there are at least five journals devoted to the field (Business Ethics Quarterly, Business Ethics: A European Review, Business & Society, Business & Society Review, Journal of Business Ethics), and work in business ethics appears in mainstream philosophy and social science journals as … D (2008). Business Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us ... At the moment, we're studying Kantian ethics. In discussing this issue, people seem to assume that actions that enhance the bottom line are acts of self-interest on the part of the corporation. The 'Confusion to Avoid' sections at the end of each chapter will be particularly useful.” Motivation to work harder can come in many forms. Morality involves unwavering adherence to the categorical imperative, i.e. No one is used as merely a means in a voluntary economic exchange where both parties benefit. The United Nations, formed centuries after Kant’s first book was published, is largely based on his vision of an international government that binds nation … This method is headed by Jack Stack from Springfield Manufacturing Company (Case, 1996). If everyone were free to take from everyone else, then nothing could be owned. Since Kant stresses the importance of morally motivated actions, organizations will be able to create a positive working experience (Boje, 2008). Employees lay off during economic turmoil has bad consequences. Kantian Ethics is straight to the point duty inspired. Thus, if the employee steals from the boss, the theft is morally wrong. For example, a business may manufacture and sell substandard and unsafe products in their quest for more. This seems to reflect the way some human beings think. Beverly. One of the methods of applying Kant’s duty-based ethics is to have a more democratic workplace. Many people engaged in business activity, including accountants andlawyers, are professionals. The success of these honest firms has led other firms to be more honest to the point where the Russian stock market became viable. For example, from a business point of view, a company who tried to re-negotiate a contract is considered as immoral. The hypothetical imperative is when an individual will perform a certain action in order to achieve a desired end result (Bowie, 1999). Therefore, these moral philosophies are inter-related. This article will discuss moral issues that are involved in a business environment by using the principles from normative ethics or deontology. He finds it comprehensive but yet written in simple language which is ready to understand. Each member of the organization stands in a moral relationship to all the others. The second maxim states that a person should be treated as an end and not the means to achieve an end (Bowie, 1999). People get a chance to act, to take responsibility, rather than just doing their job. For example, a rich person is not required to work hard, because he has all he needs. For instance, businesses that commit themselves to the principle of consequentialism may encourage their employees to act as they wish as long as the essential outcome will be to the benefit of the organization. When duties are conflicted, Kant duty-based ethics does not suggest any resolution for the situation (Donaldson & Werhane, 2007). Kantian ethics, with an emphasis on the concepts of patient dignity, autonomy, and the second formulation of the Categorical Imperative, could be a helpful addition for medical ethics education. Based on full article to be found at:http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/content/BPL_Images/Content_store/Sample_chapter/1405101024%5C001.pdf. Boston. This happens with General Motors who tried to reduce the price that are stated in the initial contracts with their suppliers (SAGE Publication, 2011). There are positive stories that illustrate Kant’s point. Businesses in today’s world raise many ethical issues and it is important to understand which actions are right and which ones are wrong. Such forms of theorizing are prevalent within business ethics: not only the work of Rawls (see, for example, Cohen 2010;Marens 2007) but an array of other Kantian and neo-Kantian … In a real business scenario, it will involve giving employees a lot of autonomy when it comes to decision making. They define whats right and wrong, and outline the kind of behavior that businesses should not engage in. Ethics on the job: Cases and Strategies. I think it would be best used as a companion to a text book and as a revision aid. Based on the first maxim from the categorical imperative, Kant suggests that every action should follow a certain set of guidelines that is adheres by everyone as a universal law without any exception (Pfeiffer & Forsberg, … For example, in a family run business, they may be partial to choose employees based on who they know and so are motivated by personal interest. For example, when I offer a bribe, am I impinging on the right of another to compete on a level playing field for the same business? Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Another advantage of applying this ethical theory is the emphasis given to the moral values of every person. For Kant, that means developing one’s rational and moral capacities. . As a result, critics argue that Kant’s duty-based ethics permits wrong actions to occur that consequently will make the world a less happy place (Painter-Morland & Werhane, 2010). Share this article . They are metaethics, normative ethics and applied ethics (Shaw & Barry, 2009). A favorite ploy of General Motors, was to demand price reductions from negotiated contracts with suppliers. Due to the current economic downturn, many companies are laying off their employees. There are three strategies that are suggested; virtue theories, duty theories and consequentialist theories (Brenkert & Beauchamp, 2009). Implying that firms cannot exploit consumers and employees for profit and profit should be used to satisfy all stakeholders. Also read utilitarianism and business ethics essay 5 pages, ... closely. The paper presents the issues that are associated with the application of Kantian ethics to modern healthcare. A contract that is made 5 years ago may no longer be relevant today. This provides little discrimination according to race, class or age etc. “I’m just so grateful without your site I would have crumbled this year” As a result, employees will more likely cooperate with the organization in order to help it to get over these hard times. Act Utilitarianism and Kantian ethical theories will be applied to this report and will be used to conclude if this issue is morally permissible. Wadsworth Publishing. With complete information and the proper incentive, employees behave responsibly without the necessity of layers of supervision. Meanwhile, positive freedom is the privilege to allow an individual to develop to his or her full capability (Ferrell & Fraedrich, 2010). Kant’s theory . Moral virtues: cultivated by habit Offsetting CO 2 emissions sounds great in theory, putting right the things we do wrong so that we are Zcarbon neutral [, but we will get into bad habits. Do your extreme financial circumstances justify a lying promise? Both the action and principle must be coherent in order to be considered as ethically or morally wrong (Pfeiffer & Forsberg, 2004). • One example Kant used to illustrate this was a business one. Business ethics is the study of how a business should act in the face of ethical dilemmas and controversial situations. To act from a good will is to act from duty. This article argues that rational environmental discourse demands that business has an imperfect duty to develop relevant unbiased information, and perhaps to disseminate this information through … One has to decide whether it is possible to make an untruthful agreement when one is in a desperate situation into a universal law. During this time, workers are looking at their employers to treat them with respect and reward them for their loyalty. First maxim, then, contract making will become irrelevant at a rate of 7.35 on. Corporate world and beyond be owned supports positive freedom hard, because he has all he needs off... 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