Strategic Management: The Response to Michelle Boscaino
Acting according to business ethics is unquestionably the core principle of a prosperous, and respectful company. Nevertheless, in the contemporary business environment, where the level of competition is unprecedentedly high, the principle “business is warfare; and everything is fair in love and war” turned into the main reason for unethical behavior among counterparts (Pandita, 2017, para. № 1). Occasionally, various brands start to concentrate extremely on their opponents’ activities, therefore spying on competitors becomes prevalent.
Generally, I agree with Michelle’s distinction between ethical and unethical activities. Interviewing former employees and consultants, once they are no longer connected with the competitor firms and are not provided with updated information, can be considered reasonably acceptable. Meanwhile, I suggest taking competitors’ plant tours anonymously to be ethical as it is not required to pose as a potential client or quiz staff workers (Elia, 2019). In addition to this, studying labor contracts of the rival organizations is considered illegal as receiving the confidential information of the company (such as all kinds of internal contracts with employees and partners) violates the law.
Strategic Management: The Response to Kelly Moore
The authenticity of a product or service and strict ethical standards within a company play an essential role in this firm’s perception by customers. The focus on personal experience, creating unique techniques in processing, and following the rules of moral behavior and respect to the clients distinguish a successful market brand (Elia, n.d.). The company that will copy its competitors by uncovered spying instead of developing its product with the help of the market research will be respected neither by customers nor its attendants. For this reason, I regard counting tractor-trailer trucks leaving competitors’ loading bays, studying aerial photographs of competitors’ facilities, and quizzing customers’ and buyers about the sales of competitors’ products as unethical activities for a self-respecting brand. Hiring key managers away from competitors is a controversial issue, though, in case the company solicits an employee away from the competitor by reasonable, valid conditions of work and the relevant salary, it can be ethically accepted.
References
- Elia, L. (n.d.). Ethics in business: How spying on and copying competitors can backfire and harm your brand. Web.
- Pandita, R. (2017). Causes of unethical business behavior and how to avoid them. Web.