Case scenario
Craft never completed his PhD program which might as well granted him the title of being a doctor. However without any feeling of pity he decided against all moral ethics to apply for the advertised position as a PhD holder. Though well known for his good works on his area of specialization, he do not deserve to be called a doctor since according to educational rules and regulations he has to fully complete his doctorate program.
Some people like Craft see ethics as personal ideal not knowing that the same ideals are required for business to function effectively. On the other hand Connie has to show ethical leadership since it takes the moral character of the committee to keep the company in better position (Power, 2008).
Work place ethics shows that when Craft is considered for the position, he might as employee become less ethical since he will be forced to adapt corporate values that do not stand for integrity at work place. Compromise reached by Connie and the committee on this issue will mean that the employees are prone to lose the same ethical standards with time.
The functionality of the team will only be raised based on the standards they stand for. Business ethics focus on making right choices which may not seem to suit the individual at that particular time. In this case the ethics on the side of Connie will stand as a good example irrespective of fame or gain that might accompany it (Power, 2008).
The values of honesty and fairness stand out in this case. Connie has been honest in restricting herself to the qualifications required, and would want to give others who meet the qualifications a chance to do the job.
Connie’s whistle blowing is protected under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and her action would not in any way jeopardize her work. Reporting fraudulent activities is a show of social responsibility to the organization and stakeholders; it also serves for accountability purposes whereby anything that may seem harmful to the company’s reputation is reported immediately (Power, 2008).
The action of Craft towards Connie and her company revealed a harsh picture of how an individual can misuse his influence to violate ethical standards. This action of imposing a scandal is not expected of him who holds a doctorate degree. This will not in any way improve or create a good feeling within the job environment if allowed to happen.
Using the gut feeling can never be a substitute for doing right. Connie should make a final decision that contributes to the comeback of ethics within the places of employment. The committee should not fear on the reactions of the people since ethical rules apply in private as well as in public life, the two shouldn’t be treated as separate entities in this case (Power, 2008).
Moral conviction of the committee members should be closely examined to determine the motive behind their actions. According to Bentley college centre for business ethics, it is indeed possible to put into action the management tools that supports or discourages ethical activities.
Problem definition
Connie and the organization need to use relevant tools to avert the problem brought by Mr. Craft. The first tool is the use of the Critical Success factors; they should refer to their company’s core ethical values and then decide on what best suits the organization’s environment.
Second tool used is the Causal texture modeling; this will help the organization to respond some hidden factors instead of only looking at the sharp edge of Mr. Craft. These include low morale, poor training, and defects amongst others. There is the scenario writing that may assist Connie prepare for future activities. Finally is the use of After-Action-Reviewers which will help them learn from the past events (Bentley College Centre for Business Ethics 482).
Enquiry centre functions overview
Connie’s committee should accomplish the following functions as enquiry centre:
- Define the potential ethical problem which is Craft involvement in cheating and model it;
- obtain data that is morally supported;
- bring the data which is Crafts resume and produce evidence;
- they should sit down reflect on the discrepancies;
- they should deeply scrutinize and share the information;
- work together as an organization to inform relevant parties (Bentley College Centre For Business Ethics 482).
Acquisition of data that morally relates to the situation
The organization truly scanned all the application papers that helped them to detect that some information was wrong somewhere within one of the application letters. The data can be obtained from the internal sources and internal communications that contain tips on current information and trends. External data from the University was rightly used to detect on the authenticity of Craft’s allegations (Bentley College Centre for Business Ethics 482).
Bring the data which is Crafts resume to produce evidence
The company must use the modern technology to detect the problem before hand. Search engines were used to pull the relevant information. Modern technology application such as use of modern computer programs in sorting out and filtering information from the data base is necessary.
The committee should sit down reflect on the discrepancies
This could enable them to sense some warning and critically think about them as a group. They should think about the situation and make an ethical decision out of it. They should be aware that all the information must always contain world views; therefore however much they try to react in favor of Craft, the world will still have its view. However the reaction of other people outside the company should not threaten them since information is never free of bias (Bentley College Centre for Business Ethics 482).
Deeply scrutinize and share the information
Connie’s actions must be influenced by the true knowledge of company’s ethical standards and moral integrity of the business community. Her actions must be supported by clear mind maps. She should apply the best prescription possible on such cheats as Craft in order to put the society on safe grounds (Bentley College Centre for Business Ethics 482).
Working together as an organization to inform relevant parties
The management must bring together all the gathered information concerning the situation. There is need to filter every information flow to other employees, communicate freely with members before making any decision on Mr. Craft’s case. The perpetrators of ethical codes like Craft should not be preserved but forwarded to relevant authorities; hence Connie and her organization need to be on high alert.
The basic integrity and ethics to business should be restored and practiced to professional standards. The moral conviction of Connie and fellow committee members should steer the company to greater heights (Bentley College Centre for Business Ethics 482).