Introduction
Business and moral issues. Business and morality are closely connected. Business issues can be considered contradictory because the business and moral actions are not always aimed at achieving the same goals. So, the morality can be discussed within the concept of business and different organizations. The current paper suggests discussion of different decision-making approaches with a view to three basic concerns introduced by Professor Ruggiero (quoted in Shaw, Barry, & Sansbury 2009:90-91).
Three Common Concerns
Obligations in terms of rights and duties. Obligations are considered to be those aspects of human life which bind us. As we all live within a definite society, we should live according to the rules o this society. It is necessary to establish moral norms and stick to them in order not to act immorally or inappropriately. This means that any kind of human relationships in the society causes obligations. The morality requires that we should do certain things instead of doing others. This approach can be considered rather logic because we all have some moral obligations and are bind with responsibilities and promises.
Human relationships are both the reason for arising obligations and the sphere where these obligations are used. Obligations are the first concern in terms of creating an appropriate approach to ethical decision-making. When encountered by a dilemma of a choice, one should choose the “stronger one” (Shaw et. al 2009:91). In this respect, the obligations vary for different people because different people would name different stronger obligations while facing the problem of choosing between two obligations.
Ideals and the business aspects. The second concern of the ethical decision-making approach is the ideals. This concern may be established towards the notions, people, and behavioural models. The ideals are said to be notions or virtues “of excellence worth striving for” (Shaw et. al 2009:90). Ideals can be different for different people as well as obligations, consequently, it is necessary to establish a common system of virtues as different cultures, nations, and even families have various ideals.
It is necessary to honour the most important ideal when facing the problem of choice. This problem presupposes that the action should be done, though two or more concerns are involved into a certain conflict. People should decide what is of primary importance for them; only after establishing a priority it becomes possible to make decisions. When any concerns are involved into conflict, people should recollect what they claim to be of greater importance.
Effects of our actions. The third concern considers effects of actions. This concern can be attributed to both consequentialists and non-consequentialists because neither party denies the effect of actions. However, non-consequentialists do not pay so much attention to the results of certain actions. All people realize that there are definite results for definite actions. This means that a range of possible variant of succession of events suggests an alternative way in this or that case.
When making a decision, people should think about moral and other consequences of these decisions. When an action is supposed to have two or more possible effects, it is necessary to choose that which will cause more good or less harm.
Critical discussion of the approach concerning a decision-making framework. I think that this approach of three concerns provides a great decision-making framework that can be equally acceptable to supporters of the different normative theories. These three concerns cover the approaches and views of different theories of moral and ethical actions. As the guideline imply that people are aware of the strongest obligations, the highest ideals, and the most important effects.
As an example, I would like to introduce a personnel manager of a large company which deals with metal goods. She has been working for the company for twenty four years; she overcame the previous crisis as well the company as a whole. She has been told she must reduce the working forces by 10 percent (as it was in the beginning of the current world economic crunch). She is supposed to work for two years more before retire. She does not want to be remembered as a bad person, though she can do nothing in terms of measures provided by the board to save the company’s positions.
Conclusion
To conclude, people do not always know the best decision, though they have a right to choose between different virtues. As you can see, the manager from the example has faced the dilemma of ethical decision: She has to reduce the personnel and does not want to have such an immoral action in her record. She would rather resign and work for some more years in the alien company than would make a decision that contradicts with her concept of morality and ethical actions. Some people are not able to choose the strongest obligation, the highest ideal, and the most appropriate effect. The manager from the example should choose the most appropriate concern out of three and make a decision which would harm her and other people concerned less than it can.
Reference
Shaw, W.H., Barry, V., & Sansbury, G. 2009, Moral Issues in Business: Asia Pacific Edition, 1st Edition, Cengage Learning, Connecticut.