Patricia Cingerana October 11, 2011 Module 5 Ethics In the Real-to-Life Example regarding suggesting a competitor to a prospective client,

, I wouldnt suggest the other business as a source for his needs. I dont want him to go without the product, but at the same time it is his responsibility to find suppliers for his business. If he chooses not to work with our company then hell have to find an alternate source. In order to resolve this ethical dilemma I chose method three, twelve questions posed by Laura Nash. 1. Yes. The problem: should I suggest a competitor to a customer. 2. The problem: Is there another supplier who can help me? 3. A customer is unable to buy our product because of cost and is interested in scouting other sources as suppliers. 4. I am being loyal to the company by not suggesting a rival competitor. 5. My intentions are indifferent; I do not intend to force the customer to pay or prices nor do I intend to lead him to another competitor. 6. Because my intentions arent ill in nature they do not affect the results. 7. My decision will not harm anyone or anything. 8. Yes, I could discuss my decision with affected parties. 9. Yes, I am confident my decision will be as relevant in the future as it is now. 10. Yes, I could disclose without qualm my decision to my boss, CEO, the board of directors, my family, and society as a whole? 11. The customer might be upset that I am not willing to offer information about the competitor. 12. There would be no condition that would change my stand. I chose to use the twelve questions to solve this dilemma because it forced me to evaluate the situation honestly. By looking at the scenario from both points of view I know I am confident in my decision. The customer should understand I am not being rude by refusing to suggest a competitor but simply protecting our company. The information is public knowledge, so Im not withholding important information, he just has to do the footwork and research himself. If my fellow employee confided in me that he was planning on leaving the company in two months to pursue another venture Id be supportive of him. However, if I was missing a chance to be promoted because the boss is planning to offer the position to him Id encourage my peer to honestly reject the offer. It isnt my place to consult the boss on this matter because my coworker may change his mind but it would be most fair if my coworker were honest with the boss.

To resolve this ethical dilemma I used method one, the ethical checklist. Ethical Checklist 1. Bold the appropriate answer on the scale; "1" = not at all; "5" = totally yes 2 3 4 5

Relevant Information Test. Have I/we obtained as 1 much information as possible to make an informed decision and action plan for this situation? Involvement Test. Have I/we involved all who have 1 a right to have input and/or to be involved in making this decision and action plan? Consequential Test. Have I/we anticipated and attempted to accommodate for the consequences of this decision and action plan on any who are significantly effected by it? 1

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Fairness Test. If I/we were assigned to take the 1 place of any one of the stakeholders in this situation, would I/we perceive this decision and action plan to be essentially fair, given all of the circumstances? Enduring Values Test. Does this decision and action 1 plan uphold my/our priority enduring values that are relevant to this situation? Universality Test. Would I/we want this decision and 1 action plan to become a universal law applicable to all similar situation, even to myself/ourselves? Light-of-Day Test. How would I/we feel and be 1 regarded by others (working associates, family, etc.) if the details of this decision and action plan were disclosed for all to know? Total Ethical Analysis Confidence Score . Place the total of all circled numbers here.

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How confident can you be that you have done a good job of ethical analysis? 7-14 15-21 22-28 29-35 Not very confident Somewhat confident Quite confident Very confident

I chose to use the ethical checklist to solve this dilemma because it seemed the most objective. Because Im using a numerical scale to rate the questions, it feels less impacted by my personal feelings and desires. Of course I would be interested in advancing in the company but it wouldnt be ethical to do whatever I needed to do to get it; I should be appointed the position because I rightfully earned it, not because I shared information that someone expected me to keep confidential.