Importance of Maintaining Ethics in Organizations

Question:

What are the different kinds of factors, which will conclude about the application of the various kinds of ethical dilemma in the organizational plans and procedures.
 

The current assignment will focus on what are the different kinds of factors, which will conclude about the application of the various kinds of ethical dilemma in the organizational plans and procedures. A different organization based on the nature as well as objectives of the business faces certain issues towards maintaining an absolute moral dilemma in the organization (Arnold, Beauchamp, & Bowie, 2013). The idea of the moral dilemma is a complex situation often concludes an apparent mental conflict between the employees and the management in the overall organizational plans and procedures. The moral dilemma should obey result in transgressing other activities (Baggini, 2012). There are three conditions, which needs to develop to conclude the notion of ethical dilemma in the organization. The first factors need to complete about which the best decision among various kinds of decision is making activities. The second point, which needs to analyze, is there must be the application of different course of actions, which will provide the employees vast ranges of alternativeness (Bredeson, 2012). The third point is to maintain an ethical dilemma, which will maintain a proper discipline in the overall organizational operations (Carroll, 2012).

In the assignment, the company, which is highlighted, is Woolworths. Woolworths is an Australian supermarket chain, which mainly operates its overall business proceedings in the retail sector management (“Woolworths Supermarket – Buy Groceries Online”, 2016). In recent time, over a year or two this particular organization is facing an absolute ethical dilemma in the overall business operations. The objective of the study, to analyze all the major factors, which will conclude about the dilemma, and what are the various kinds of alternative solutions, which can be finished to solve the current issues (Collins, 2012).

The outline of the study will analyze all the important factors, which will conclude about various applications of ethical dilemma in the overall business activities of Woolworths. One of the major ethical dilemmas, which were highlighted in the year 2014, is Woolworth’s response to boycott irresponsible (De Cremer & Tenbrunsel, 2012). It was one of the major issues, which was found in the business operations of Woolworths. Various Woolworth’s shareholders have made this point that they are showing a lack of responsibilities on which the management of Woolworths is handling the boycott campaign of Woolworths (“Woolworths Supermarket – Buy Groceries Online”, 2016). The importance of ethical dilemma is one of the crucial points which throughout the organizational activities (McShane & Von Glinow, 2012). The idea of ethics can be concluded as the code of moral standards which majority of the organization needs to develop a proper corporate plan (George & Jones, 2012). On the other hand, the notion of the ethical behavior can be concluded as the context of the governing moral code.

The company firmly believes in the point that maintaining ethics is the backbone of the organization process as well as organizational objectivities. The notion of the ethical dilemma arises as a test of various personal ethics as well as values. There are certain standards, which be concluded. However, it is more important to complete the notion of the organizational values in the overall business operations (Ghillyer & Ghillyer, 2012). The concept of business ethics involves applying general as well as ethical principle, which includes applications of various standards to all the business plans as well as business activities, which includes behaviors and decisions. However, the notions of the ethical principle are not different from general principles. The third factors which can be concluded as the business actions, which are judged, by general ethical standards of society and not more by lax standards (Herman & Sousa, 2012).

Types and Nature of Ethical Dilemmas

The notions of the culture, as well as the knowledge of ethics, are interrelated.  An employee of the different organization needs to focus on various factors, which will maintain the discipline of the team.  However, the notion of the ethical dilemma is a situation that offers potential benefits in the organization (Homann, Koslowski, & Lütge, 2007). One of the most common ethical dilemmas occurs the culture of the company conflicts with an employee’s personal ethics. However, on the other hand, some of the other additional factors, which will focus on the employee’s values, are moral development (Johnson, 2007).  There are certain stages, which are included towards the elaboration of a proper moral standard. Principled, conventional, and preconvention are the three points, which needs to be analyzed in an appropriate manner to conclude the importance of the overall organizational ethics which different organization including Woolworths faces in the overall business activities (Johnson, 2012).

The notion of the ethical leadership is another point, which is highlighted in the study. The role of the managers is very much crucial in the overall organizational operations. Managers must provide a proper position towards following ethical and honesty at all the times (Jurkiewicz, 2012). The role of the managerial activities is very much diversified. Managers cannot perform all the operations at a single point in time. Business can be explained as the principle and morale, which arises in a business environment (May, 2013). The manner in which some business conduct themselves which brings up the question of the ethical practices. Based on different kinds of the statistical report there are some ethical scandals, which Woolworths in the operations of the business is facing. Woolworths is demanding that every supplier to the supermarket chain undertake an ethical audit (McShane & Von Glinow, 2012). The study will conclude that a Woolworth’s auditor required that a provider answer questions and provide documents for review. It was one of the most common problems, which Woolworths faced in the operational management (Michelini, 2012). The notion of the ethical issue can be defined as a situation, which requires through discussion and investigation to make a proper decision. However, an ethical issue is a problem and opportunity, which requires an individual or a group to choose among actions, which are evaluated as ethical or unethical (Primeaux, Schwartz, & Harris, 2012). On the other hand, a moral dilemma can be explained as a problem, situation, and opportunity, which requires different individuals or group to choose among several wrong or unethical actions (Robbins & Judge, 2012). Conflicts of interest exist when a person must choose whether to advance their personal interest of the organization. Information and emotional description in negotiation, manager’s moral reasoning, data mining, managerial, and technical work and information technology are some of the key factors, which this particular organization faces towards organizing a proper business structure (Werhane, 2012). On the other hand, an ethical dilemma occurs when different social workers choose between two contradictory moral principles based on the objectives of the firm and directives (Williams, 2012). The notion of the corporate social responsibility is one of the most important theories which can be included in the management theories and in management ethics. The levels of CRS can be concluded in four points which every organization needs to follow in the business operations. Economic level, legal level, ethical level and discretionary are the four levels in which the majority of the companies needs to follow in order to maintain a  proper business ethical business operation. However the concept of the ethical decision model is another theory which needs to analyze by every company towards developing a proper business operations.  Moral intensity includes recognize, make moral judgment, establish moral intent and engage in moral behavior are the most important factors that needs to analyzed in a proper manner.

Factors Contributing to Ethical Dilemmas in Woolworths

The assignment will also conclude about different kinds of progression on various kinds of ethical as well as sustainable sourcing. The company also faces some problem towards the development process of a proper corporate social responsibility, which were published in the late November by mentioning the underlying theme that is getting closer with the progression of the day. The company has decided to reduce emission and in sustainable sourcing, policies from palm oil, timber, and paper (Yang, Greenberg, & Endsley, 2012). It is very much familiar that ethics in the workplace are quite common and not always easy to answer in different circumstances. All the concepts are straightforward and in particular, conditions, it becomes very much challenging towards proper execution (Yehia, Tantawi, & El Sahn, 2013). Although when a different organization has developed various policies as well as procedures and need to follow the rules and regulations which are still at a high risk of the different kinds of unethical behavior. Some employees may not know the resources which are present in the organization towards developing a decision making process (Arnold, Beauchamp, & Bowie, 2013). There is the particular reason which needs to be analyzed why the managers of Woolworths needs to examine some of the other missteps which will include the following points (Baggini, 2012). Various senior leaders in the organization fail to walk the talk of which they are guilty towards the individual in particular behaviors (Herman & Sousa, 2012). Leaders in the various organizations may in the form towards cutting concerns which will be misplaced when a team including Woolworths needs to develop all the activities in a right as well as in a positive manner. Woolworths were benefited in particular ways towards applying a proper ethical dilemma in the organization. It is the first thing which needs to be noted that decent people in the organization need to recognize the difference between the right as well as the different between wrong (Bredeson, 2012).  In a business setting, an ethical operation means applying principles of honesty and fairness to the relationship with its employees and with its customers (Carroll, 2012). Moral individuals make an effort to treat different people to make everyone with whom they come in contact, as they would like to maintain all the ethics of the organization in the right manner. Some of the key points which need to be analyzed in a proper manner are developing customer loyalty, retain good employees in the organization, developing a positive working environment and concentrate on various legal problems in the organization (Clements & Gido, 2012).    

Clients in the business organization may take different kinds of advantages once they believe that they are treated in an unfair manner such as by overcharging and bad feedback in the overall business process (Collins, 2012). Developing a loyal customer base is one of the most difficult as well as one of the most challenging jobs which majority of the managers in business faces in the business proceedings. The reputation of the company can be developed if all the business operations are preceded in an ethical manner, which will result towards developing a company’s reputation for ethical behavior, which will produce more positive impact in the business proceedings (De Cremer & Tenbrunsel, 2012). Employees are the backbone of every organization. The role of the employees contributes a significant portion towards the accomplishment of the organizational goals and objectives (George & Jones, 2012). If good as well as experienced employees can be, retain in the corporate the organization will be benefited in particular ways. Talented individuals in all the levels of management want to be compensated reasonably for their work and dedication. An employee in different organizational level expects a proper growth in the corporate objectives (Ghillyer & Ghillyer, 2012). All the staff in the different organization want to be a part of a company, where terms, as well as policies, are very much evident as well as transparent (Herman & Sousa, 2012). Enterprises in the business operations needed to be fair as well as open in their dealing towards the employees that will provide a stable as well as a better chance to retain all their existing employees in a positive manner as well as in an active approach (Clements & Gido, 2012). On the other hand, providing a positive working environment is another part in the legal aspect of the organizational plans and procedures. An ethical employee contributes and performs more as a team or as individuals (Homann, Koslowski, & Lütge, 2007). If all the ethics are maintained both by the employees as well as by the organization, it will result towards contributing an active combination to develop a proper working environment in the organizational (Johnson, 2007).

Role of Managers in Ethical Leadership

The role of different leaders provides a significant aspect in the overall business. There are different kinds of managerial activities, which both the leaders as well as the managers need to perform in the overall business activities (George & Jones, 2012). There are certain ethics, which made in the organizational perspective. The role of a proper ethical leader must be ethical in the business operations and their decisions and actions. On the other hand, leaders also have the responsibility to influence other employees in the organization to deliver ethically sound decisions and to behave ethically in the organization (Johnson, 2012). Honesty, competence, forward-looking mission as well as vision, inspirations and credibility are some of the essential character, which needs to be focused towards maintaining a healthy as well as proper leadership in the overall business operations. The notion of real leadership is creating various values in the organizational plans and proceedings. On the other hand, it can be concluded about taking different actions to achieve a shared goals and objectives (Jurkiewicz, 2012). Developing a proper trust as well as developing an appropriate service will allow different employees in the organization to support a real ethical contribution and ethics in a suitable manner (De Cremer & Tenbrunsel, 2012). Real leadership, proper situation, and relevant followers combine to evaluate a good leadership as well as an ethical leadership approach in the organizational procedures of Woolworths.  At some point of time, leaders as well as ethics become one (May, 2013). Integrity, recognition of a moral issue, something at risk and courage to act is some of the key examples, which contributes a positive impact in the overall business management of the organization. Woolworths needs to manage all the activities in the organization by following all the discussed ethics in the overall managerial activities (McShane & Von Glinow, 2012).

Woolworths believes that development of a proper business ethics is the primary and only responsibility of the firm. Different authors concluded this particular point in a different manner. The notion of the profitable business can be supported with the role of the shareholders (Michelini, 2012). The role of the shareholders contributes as one of the most significant parts of the overall business. Business ethics of a company offers a proper competitive advantage in the business proceedings. On the other hand, in some cases, the development of a good business ethics will result towards reducing the company’s profitability (Primeaux, Schwartz, & Harris, 2012). For example, if Woolworths tries to lower the cost, the company may move its manufacturing department to another country (Clements & Gido, 2012). On the other hand, it can be concluded that restrictions on businesses may have a limitation on freedom benefits to wider society (Robbins & Judge, 2012). The planet, people, and profit are the three points, which Woolworths needs to develop in a stable as well as in a proper business ethical business. The law, as well as workplace cultures, is some of the other options which Woolworths needs to develop in the firm. Local, State, as well as federal rules and regulations, often guide the ethical practices of Woolworths (Werhane, 2012). Ethical compliance established within an organization for the beneficial of the company and the useful of the employees. With proper moral appliances, the company will be able to develop a healthy work culture in the organization. In the modern business world, the notion towards developing a healthy culture in the organization will allow different employees are joining the team from various cultural backgrounds to work freely in the workplace activities (Williams, 2012). Behalf of that consumer will also learn to develop a proper trust in some of the ethical brands. The ethics of work culture where all the employees of the organization are trained with proper respect. All the staff in the organization need to give and allow equal access to achieve the opportunities, and the workplace of the organization will become confident. After analyzing the entire case study of Woolworths, the company concluded that one of the major disadvantages is, it requires a proper as well as a comprehensive support of the management to be effective (Yang, Greenberg, & Endsley, 2012). On the other hand, a strong ethical standard in the workplace will allow Woolworths to maintain a stable as well as a proper relationship between the staffs and with the employees. Developing and implementing an appropriate ethics within the organization can be expensive. The leaders need to develop an appropriate ethical policy in the organization and which is required to be continuously updated to reflect changes in the workplace culture of the organizational as well as managerial activities as the organization grows (Yehia, Tantawi, & El Sahn, 2013).  

Alternative Solutions to Ethical Dilemmas

A proper administration of various kinds of ethical policies, which are implemented in the overall corporate sector of Woolworths. Moral theory is valued over consequences. Moral obligations will appear towards referencing the daily duties of the organization’s practices. The boycott the entire story of Woolworths is the greater risk as comparing with boycotting some of the stores (Baggini, 2012). The present issues, which are highlighted in the study, will result in the application process of various kinds of ethical dilemma in the business operations (Carroll, 2012).  To bring back all the requirements back on track by applying a proper moral consolidation, the leaders, and the managers of the Woolworths needs to develop an appropriate structure of various kinds of ethics, which will result in the positive manner of the operational development of the company (Bredeson, 2012). 

Conclusion

The concluding part of the study will analyze all the crucial factors, which will conclude the effectiveness towards applying proper leadership skills in the organization. The situation analysis is made on one of the most famous multinational Australian group named as Woolworths. Woolworths develops its business operations in the retail sector management. The study is well supported by different kinds of ethical theory which will diversify how different organization follows management theories and practices.  The assignment will focus on different kinds of ethical issues, which Woolworths faced in the daily business operations in the recent two years. All the crucial points, which are required in order, emphasize what are the various approaches, which need to be analyzed to conclude what is the different ethical consolidation, which is necessary for effective leadership. The readers of this particular will be able to find out the various organizational issues and to develop different corrective measures that will analyze the various role pay towards maintaining a proper ethical organizational structure. It is very much important for the managers to contribute both for the organization and for the employees by maintaining a proper ethical consolidation. The assignment also supported with an ethical issue which Woolworths faced in the year 2014 known as Boycott campaigns by the shareholders.  

Reference List

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