A few years ago Shell, a British oil-company, had to close an old oil-rig in the North Sea. All relevant scientists and governments agreed pulling it down into the sea would be best in terms of environment and costs. But when the idea was launched by Shells managers there was a lot of protest all over Europe. People, heavily supported by Greenpeace, started to boycott Shells petrol stations and stopped buying in their shops. As a result the company decided to rebuild the oil-rig on land accepting several negative consequences.
This essay therefore aims by way of the examples of Shell and others to become more familiar with the issue of practical business ethics and it gives details about its routes and meanings. Also, the reasons for implementing ethical action into daily business are explained more detailed and questions of why the management has to behave socially responsible are tackled. Thoughts are spend on “How could ethical behaviour be introduced into the business world?” and ‘social responsibility’ is divided into three main strands and directions. And finally, some practical advice for future behaviour is give, too.
Table of Contents
1. DRAWING ON RELEVANT THEORIES OF BUSINESS ETHICS, EXAMINE MANAGERIAL APPROACHES USED IN DEALING WITH ETHICAL DILEMMAS.
Objective & Topics
This essay examines the role of business ethics in modern management, focusing on how companies can effectively address ethical dilemmas while balancing stakeholder interests with corporate goals. The research explores the motivations for implementing ethical behavior and provides practical frameworks for integrating these principles into daily business operations.
- Theoretical foundations of moral reasoning and business ethics
- Individual and collective motivations for social responsibility
- Strategies for implementing corporate codes of conduct
- Case studies on ethical challenges in multinational corporations
- The impact of ethical behavior on corporate reputation and employee motivation
Excerpt from the book
DRAWING ON RELEVANT THEORIES OF BUSINESS ETHICS, EXAMINE MANAGERIAL APPROACHES USED IN DEALING WITH ETHICAL DILEMMAS.
A few years ago Shell, a British oil-company, had to close an old oil-rig in the North Sea. All relevant scientists and governments agreed, pulling it down onto the ground of the sea. This seemed to be the best solution in terms of environment and costs. But when the idea was launched by Shells managers there was a lot of protest all over Europe. People, heavily supported by Greenpeace, started to boycott Shells petrol stations and stopped buying in their shops. As an result the company decided to rebuild the oil-rig on land.
The reasons for peoples behaviour might have been diverse. Some probably could not believe that companies are allowed to waste environment that much. Others might be concerned how this could affect the food chain. But the majority of protestants argued that companies are responsible for their surroundings [Palazzo, G., 2002]. Namely managers should take care about their stakeholders. They have to respect others and to behave therefore. This essay is going to outline several aspects of ethical behaviour to be done by managers recently.
Summary of Chapters
1. DRAWING ON RELEVANT THEORIES OF BUSINESS ETHICS, EXAMINE MANAGERIAL APPROACHES USED IN DEALING WITH ETHICAL DILEMMAS.: This section introduces the core concepts of moral judgment and ethics, utilizes real-world case studies like Shell and ABB to highlight ethical challenges, and offers practical guidelines for managers to implement ethical codes in their organizations.
Keywords
Business ethics, Social responsibility, Stakeholder management, Corporate governance, Ethical dilemmas, Moral reasoning, Code of conduct, Corporate values, Management strategies, Employee motivation, Stakeholder interests, Transparency, Professional integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper explores the intersection of business ethics and management, investigating how managers can navigate ethical dilemmas while maintaining organizational success.
What are the core themes addressed?
Key themes include the distinction between morality and ethics, the drivers for corporate social responsibility, and the practical implementation of ethical standards within a firm.
What is the central research question?
The paper seeks to examine the managerial approaches used to deal with ethical dilemmas, specifically drawing on relevant theories of business ethics.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The author utilizes a qualitative analytical approach, combining management theory, literature reviews, and case study analysis of corporate practices.
What does the main part of the document cover?
The main body covers the definition of moral and ethical frameworks, the individual and collective reasons for adopting ethical practices, and step-by-step guides for creating and maintaining an ethical code of conduct.
Which keywords define this work?
Central terms include business ethics, corporate social responsibility, stakeholders, and ethical implementation strategies.
How does the author analyze the Shell case study?
The author uses the Shell case to demonstrate how public pressure and stakeholder concerns can override purely economic or technical decisions, emphasizing the importance of corporate responsibility.
What is the significance of the ABB example mentioned?
The ABB case is used to illustrate the conflict between legal actions and public perceptions of morality, particularly regarding executive compensation during times of financial crisis.
What practical advice is offered to managers?
Managers are encouraged to use the "Golden Rule" as a compass, follow established practical guidelines for good conduct, and implement formal twelve-step processes for ethical codes.
Why is stakeholder management considered vital?
Stakeholder management is viewed as a strategy for long-term success, ensuring that companies maintain their reputation, employee motivation, and social license to operate.
- Quote paper
- Michael A. Braun (Author), 2002, Drawing on relevant theories of business ethics, examine managerial approaches used in dealing with ethical dilemmas, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/43158
