Business Ethics Case

Abstract

This paper highlights an ethical situation observed. Governed by the understanding of business ethics, analysis of the situation for the repercussions and possible way to conclude the ethical dilemma is suggested.

Business Ethics

Ethics mean well founded standards of right and wrong. Honesty, trust, loyalty and common good of all are the cornerstones of the ethical behavior. Continuous efforts of studying own moral beliefs and conduct; promoting human welfare by treating all parties fairly is the essence of ethical behavior. Many historians tend to reason ethical negligence with lack of character. Kautilya’s notes “dharmena dharyate lokah (The world is supported/looked after through ethics) and dharmena jayti loan (he wins over the people through ethics)” [5]. Kautilya always interconnected ethics with economics in his teachings. Philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle believed ethical values are the building blocks of a person’s character. Post et al [2002, p. 129] notes: "Moral values acknowledged by Aristotle include courage, temperance, justice, and prudence. St. Thomas Aquinas added the Christian values of faith, hope, and charity to the list of morally desirable virtues. Additional virtues include honesty, compassion, generosity, fidelity, integrity, and self-con- trol." [2004, p. 145]. In an organization practicing moral awareness, moral reasoning, moral courage and moral effectiveness with set of goals and beliefs make it an ethical organization. No organization shall undermine social norms and rights of human beings. All human beings are responsible to carry forward the ethical practices in the society they belong to and the organization they are associated with.

Ethical Dilemma

The colleague working in the same organization shares his password of his computer to deliver an urgent deliverable to the client due to exigencies of work and his personal avocation elsewhere. While sending the deliverable to meet company time lines, it was observed that colleague is using the office computer and internet facility for his personal use.

Such acts are declared as misuse of computer facility provided for office use. The code of conduct and standing orders of the company clearly state that such misuse of computer is not permitted and can lead disciplinary actions. As a responsible network and IT engineer of the company I was in a dilemma as to what to be done.

In the above incident I was at cross roads to take ethical decision either to maintain good relations with a friend and a colleague or to take up the responsibility bestowed up on me by the organization. The ethical responsibility in me has rung bells to examine the case. The incident was reviewed by me to assess the severity of harm, certainty of harm, degree of involvement, cost of acting to address the problem and certainty of