I.

Introduction

Ethics is a code of moral values that governs what is right and wrong in the

behaviors of an organization (Daft, 2014). In decision-making, ethics comes into play

when a person or an organization has to choose between good and bad. An ethical issue

arises when an action to be taken will bring in harm or benefit to others (Jones, 1991).

In the case “Should We Go Beyond the Law” (Daft, 2014), Nathan Rosillo is a

key product developer at Chem-Tech Corporation, an industry leader facing financial

distress. Mr. Rosillo is put into a situation at work where his new lubricant product will

affect the Dutch Valley River by disposing waste in there. He believes that this decision

is unethical, his supervisor ignores his opinion because, technically, the company is not

breaking any law. Mr. Rosillo is thinking about other ways to address the matter: (1)

by discussing to the manufacturing vide-president that this kind of waste management

is both ethically wrong and irresponsible, (2) by remaining silent because he may be

the reason for the company’s failure, or (3) by calling a local environment advocacy

group to protest against his company.

This paper aims to address the ethical dilemma Chem-Tech is facing by

discussing Furthermore, we will discuss variable approaches to support why Chem-

Tech should arrive at the best possible ethical decision.

II. Problem Statement

The challenge presented in this case is to determine whether or not it is ethical

to pursue his project to save the failing economic situation of the company his working

for, even if it involves dumping waste materials in the river near the office.

III. Analysis to the Problem

If Mr. Rosillo keeps silent and let Chem-Tech Corporation pursue with the

decision of dumping their wastes in the river, the company will be efficient in saving

from their operational expenses, thus will increase the company’s profit. This profit

may also mean that the employment of the workers will remain. Moreover, there will

not be any tension between Mr. Rosillo and his other colleagues.

However, the cons will most likely make the company hit rock bottom should

they proceed on the said disposal. The company will be violating the utilitarian ethics

of decision-making because they did not expect to consider the effects of the decision

for the greater good (Daft, 2014); they just thought of making the profit. The

fundamental rights of the community near the river will also be violated because the

supervisor pursues the disposal of wastes. It is important to note that the management

should not interfere moral rights of the other groups or communities (Daft, 2014). In

this case, Chem-Tech obstructed the fundamental rights of the community to live a less-

polluted environment and a source of livelihood and household consumption are

obstructed because of this irresponsible waste management decision.

IV. Recommendation

It is recommended that the best alternative for Mr. Rosillo is to endorse the

concern to the vice president. For the vice president to agree not to dump the waste in

the river, he should be able to highlight the management’s responsibility to create and

sustain an ethical organization (Gallerman, 1989).

It will be more effective if both pros and cons are presented to the vice president

so she can better empathize where Mr. Rosillo is coming from. While it is true that they

meet the government’s regulations on the waste management protocols and will be able

to see the profit from its cost-savings, Chem-Tech is needed to play a more vital role

in the society. They need to come up a better way to dispose their wastes so as not to

meet ethical issues that may arise such as pollution, and obstruction of the fundamental

rights of the community near the river, and the other people that may be affected it.

Although an alternative of a more responsible waste disposal may be more expeisve

than dumping the waste in the river, the alternative may still provide them chances in

staying in the industry. In fact, Mr. Rosillo can back up a suggestion of initiating a

Corporate Social Responsibility, and make it as their marketing strategy as partners for

environment sustainability. They can brand Chem-Tech as a responsible business

entity, and promote responsible waste management through CSR projects like

recycling something out of their wastes. Although it is a lot of work for the company,

and will not guarantee for them to stay relevant in their industry, it will be more worth

a shot than just going for an irresponsible decision on waste disposal.

 References:

Daft, R. L. (2010). Management. Mason, Ohio: South-Western Cengage Learning

Jones, T. M. (1991). Ethical decision making by individuals in organizations: An issue-contingent

model. The Academy of Management Review, 16(2), 366-395.

Gellerman, S. W. (1989). Managing ethics from the top down. Sloan Management Review, 30(2),

73-78.