Henry is ABC Inc.’s manager and Claire is XYZ Inc.’s representative. ABC deals in computer equipments and office supplies in the retail market. Henry is responsible for purchasing new products for ABC Inc. from Claire. Claire and Henry are single parents and do occasionally meet and spend a lot of time together.
Henry confides to Claire about the failure of his son’s school to give him prior information about his son’s projects and the requirements for the project. Henry discloses his financial crisis with Claire and the position that he could not afford to meet the expenses for a new digital camera and a color printer. Due to their relationship, Claire offers to send these equipments to Henry and charges only the company’s cost. Claire stated to Henry that she had authority to act in that manner.
Issue
BookMark: 2
Focus: Critical thinking….
Feedback: Your arguments seem to be incomplete.
References: Assignment Guidelines; Trevino & Ne…. Henry is in an ethical dilemma to accept or to reject Claire’s offer of a digital camera and color printer. What are the ethical considerations for Henry in accepting or rejecting Claire’s offer? Whereas Claire has the authority to make that decision we are not told whether Henry has the same authority. In that light therefore Claire may be making an ethical decision by extending her authority to provide Henry a service. Henry on the other hand is a manager and we are not told whether his organization is prepared to allow all staff to make use of such offers as that which Claire has provided in response to Henry’s dilemma.
Analysis
Kant’s “categorical imperative”
This theory focuses on the premise that each individual should act in a manner that one’s action becomes a universal law. The deontological theory has its foundation on the morality of duty. Moral duty is innate. We have personal inclinations that are summed up in our raw desires and wants and our actions are enshrined in moral statements. (Liuzzo and Anthony 23).
Henry’s action could be moral and in a manner that it becomes universal because it is universally acceptable. If Henry and Claire could come up with a proposal that could be used within ABC Inc., to take advantage of offers such as this in future to ease the process of making purchases for staff then it would be an ethical decision. This proposal would have to be approved by ABC Inc., and the supplier XYZ Inc., before he or any other staff member can begin to receive any items.
This course of action would appear as the best option available to Henry in this case. It is important to keep in mind that this does not suggest that he can collect the items but instead suggests that an avenue be prepared to assist both himself and his staff in meeting their objectives and needs. However the benefits he is bound to gain by accepting Claire’s offer have to be carefully evaluated since his act may conflict with other universal values and beliefs.
A universal act in this case is one that is acceptable to all and by all. Therefore, Henry’s act of accepting Claire’s offer should be evaluated against the fact of it becoming universally acceptable. A universally accepted act should reflect fairness and justice on the part of both parties in view of the business, climate, industry, organization, society, and personal levels. Henry’s act of accepting the offer should reflect fairness and integrity while Claire has to critically evaluate and distinguish between duty and inclination.
BookMark: 5
Focus: Critical thinking….
Feedback: Considering Pat’s professional inte….
References: Assignment Guidelines; Trevino & Ne….
BookMark: 3
Focus: Knowledge application….
Feedback: The theory application is on the ri….
References: Assignment Guidelines; Trevino & Ne…. Henry has to evaluate the moral nature of his actions if he accepts these equipments by carefully weighing the resulting impact of the action on Claire, her employer, himself, and his employer. By accepting the color printer, Henry could be asserting the universal nature of his actions. That implies Henry’s act of accepting these equipments is an act that can be duplicated elsewhere.
However, careful consideration indicates that this action could look in the public eye as accepting an inducement and not a moral act. This could adversely affect the image of Henry’s company and be a disaster rather than a benefit. It is also important to remember that the position held by Henry is administrative and in addition to his duties there is the duty to act as an example. In light of this Henry must provide a good example that would serve his situation and other situations in future.
Virtue ethics
According to Liuzzo and Anthony, this theory focuses on virtue as a trait that should be imbued in human beings. Every one runs away from vice but seeks virtue. Such a trait could be good for every person. The theory emphasizes on love, social feelings, and the quality of the relationship between people and the moral motivation for taking certain actions (Fieser 1). On f the dominant rule in virtue ethics is the disclosure rule, which ask the question, “How would you feel if your behavior were to appear on TV or the newspaper?” The driving force behind this line of thought is if an individual expected public scrutiny for their decisions they are likely to make more ethical choices. Using this rule to our case it becomes clear that Henry can not accept the items due to the negative reaction public scrutiny this is likely to cause.
As mentioned earlier in the paper it has been observed that Henry is the manager. If the news were to reveal that the manager of ABC Inc. was taking advantage of office to receive privileges from suppliers it is possible he could be dismissed. Such news will not only ruin his reputation within the firm but if dismissed it could cause serious difficulty for Henry as far as getting another job is concerned. Such consequences indicate that based on the disclosure rule embodied in virtue ethics acceptance of these products would be unethical.
Claire’s motive with regards to this action is deemed necessary as it will improve customer relations. This suggests that it is in fact the additional security such a deal would offer XYZ inc., is the source of motivation for her decision. Based on this it is clear that Claire’s empathy does not extend to all members of Henry’s staff probably because they do not serve her company interests. It would appear that if Henry accepted the goods he would be taking advantage of ABC to serve his personal interest.
In addition to that it is important for Henry to keep in mind that this action could turn against him in future. In the case that he were to stick with ABC Inc., and receives a promotion it is likely that the person who steps into his shoes may begin to perform similar acts on Claire’s prompting. In this case he would then be unable to bring an end to the action without damage to his credibility. It is clear that Claire’s motivation is not based on virtue but self interest.
Recommendations
Henry should accept the color printer since the act could be ethically correct if he follows the proper procedure. This course of action would appear as the best option available to Henry in this case. It is important to keep in mind that this does not suggest that he can collect the items but instead suggests that an avenue be prepared to assist both himself and his staff in meeting their objectives and needs.
Works Cited
Fieser, James. Business Ethics. 2010. Web.
Liuzzo, Anthony & Anthony, Liuzzo. Essentials of Business Law. 7th ed. Harbor Town, New York. Career Education, 2009.