Thursday, December 5, 2019
Business Behaviour and Understand Ethical Decision
Question: Discuss about theBusiness Behaviour and Understand Ethical Decision. Answer: Introduction Business behaviour is guided by the moral principles called business ethics. In a business there are times when a situation arises where it becomes difficult to decide that whether the decision taken is right or not. Nuclothing International has opened its manufacturing unit in Fiji because it will reduce its operating cost. In an article it reflected that children in Fiji are leaving schools to work due to various reasons (Albert, Reynolds, Turan, 2014). As an individual, I find child labour unethical but when discussing with John Nakarawa a citizen of Fiji and a member of board of directors who participated in the recruitments favours it with strong reasons. As a senior manager I have to come on a decision and for that different ethical theories need to be applied on the situation. The decision taken should be ethically correct and in favour of all (Aziz Iskandar, 2013). Ethically - Correct or Incorrect As an individual a person may have certain rules in life, but when it comes to business situation, action, and reaction everything becomes important before taking certain decision. Child labour is an offence, but in most of the underdeveloped and developing country it is very common. The situation in Fiji regarding child labour is severe as people their need money to survive which makes education unimportant for them (Bleazby, 2011). Ethically thinking on humanitarian grounds using children below the age of seventeen for the work made for adults is totally wrong and should be banned in all the countries. But, when a child is working to support his family and bring food in their plate than on some grounds it becomes right. The management of the company in which children are working in becomes questionable for its actions as it allows children to work for them. It is very difficult to decide what is right and what is wrong in the situation (Brannmark, 2009). To handle the situation in Fiji what rules should be followed-Personal rules or the Situational rules? As the situation has arisen in the business, then the theory of business ethics will be applicable to find the solution for the situation. If the decision is taken on the certain personal and moral rules then it means Absolutism theory is followed which says that child labour is a criminal offence and should be avoided in all grounds. If NUclothings International manufacturing unit fire such manpower, then it is going to affect the working of it (Fors, 2010). When applying the business ethic theory of Absolutism to the situation the company suffers a loss of man power, profits, cost of operations will increase, the new man power will be expensive, and the time consumed in finding the man power will decrease the production of the company. But on ethical grounds it will be a good decision because working as a child labour; children are being deprived from their right to get education and joy of childhood. Though, the stakeholders may not be happy with the decision taken as they will be the loss bearers. Also, the children who will lose their job will also suffer as it will affect the earnings of their family (Hahn, 2015). Money can buy everything and therefore it is very important. Another theory that can be applied here is relativism which states to analyse the situation think about its outcome and then take the decision. There is no question that using child labour is very wrong, but when it is helping the children and their family to bring food on their plates then at some point it feels ethical. Money for such families is very important as they are living a life of poverty and that is the reason they want their children to work rather than study (Jackson, 2017). If in the current situation the article is neglected and the things went as they are currently, then it will not going to affect anyone. Everyone one will be happy as the profits will boom, operating cost will reduce and the children working in the company for whatever reason will be earning living for their family. That means the main code of ethic of a business which is to keep stakeholders happy will be complete. But, on moral grounds t his is going to affect the thinking process of people who are associated with the company and on the sustainability of the company (Janzen, 2016). The decision need to be taken as to which theory suits the best Absolutism or Relativism? Technically child labour is an offence and thus, Absolutism theory is correct and whatever loss the company suffers, children should not used for the job. Children should be in school studying and that will bring a better job and life in future for these children. This is will the best way to be ethically and morally correct (Kennedy, Heinzman, Mujtaba, 2011). But, when thinking practically Relativism is the best suited theory and solution for the situation. If children will be removed from the company there is not certainty that they will not take another job as child labour is very common in Fiji so how it will be morally correct as in the company some steps could be taken to improve their situation. Secondly, it will adversely affect the company which means loss of profit, time and manpower. No one will be happy on monetary grounds all the stakeholders will be at loss. So knowing the situati on the things should be continued as they are and no change in the manpower should be done (Levison, Hoek, Lam, Duryea, 2007). The solution is not very difficult because as per the situation there is no certainty that company is using child labour or not. It is just an assumption on the grounds that it is a very common practice in Fiji and John a member of board of directors favours it. The best solution is found exactly what the exact situation of the companys labour is. There are many options that can be used to here to avoid any conflicts (Nepal Nepal, 2012). If there is child labour in the company then removing them will be relatively wrong and badly affect the company but, steps for their education can be taken by the company and some time out of their job can be used by giving them education in the company itself. The job given to these children should be according to their strength. This will help the company to earn sustainability and the situation will handled in somewhat on better moral grounds. This will make everyone happy financially, ethically and morally (Tseng, Duan, Tung, Kung, 2009). Conclusion Decision for anything or a situation is not taken by the business; it is the human who takes the decision and name it to the business. Here, also business is running because some people are running it. Ethically or unethically that business is not deciding. I as human being does not see the need of using child labour in the company, but as a senior manager of the company my responsibilities towards the company becomes more important which makes me take the decision that a thorough research needs to be done on the situation and the actual position of the child labour usage in the company need to be identified and then only decision should be taken. Hence, the theory of relativism fits perfectly in the present situation which will be making everyone happy especially the stakeholders. References Albert, L., Reynolds, S., Turan, B. (2014). Turning Inward or Focusing Out? Navigating Theories of Interpersonal and Ethical Cognitions to Understand Ethical Decision-Making.Journal Of Business Ethics,130(2), 467-484. Aziz, R. Iskandar, S. (2013). Working Children and Knowledge of Right to Education: A Study of Child Labour in Sabah, Malaysia.Asian Social Science,9(8). Bleazby, J. (2011). Overcoming Relativism and Absolutism: Dewey's ideals of truth and meaning in philosophy for children.Educational Philosophy And Theory,43(5), 453-466. Brannmark, J. (2009). Ethical Theories and the Transparency Condition.Ethical Theory And Moral Practice,12(5), 449-462. Fors, H. (2010). Child labour: A review of recent theory and evidence with policy implications.Journal Of Economic Surveys,26(4), 570-593. Hahn, J. (2015). The Effect of Ethical Climate on Employees Ethical Behavior and Well Being: Moderating Effect of Employees Ethical Value.The Korean Academic Association Of Business Administration,28(11), 2829-2849. Jackson, L. (2017). The power of relativism.Educational Philosophy And Theory, 1-1. Janzen, S. (2016). Child Labor Measurement: Whom Should We Ask?.International Labour Review. Kennedy, J., Heinzman, J., Mujtaba, B. (2011). The Early Organizational Management Theories: The Human Relations Movement Business Ethical Practices Pioneered By Visionary Leader Mary Parker Follett.Journal Of Business Economics Research (JBER),5(3). Levison, D., Hoek, J., Lam, D., Duryea, S. (2007). Intermittent child employment and its implications for estimates of child labour.International Labour Review,146(3-4), 217-251. Nepal, A. Nepal, M. (2012). Is child labour a substitute for adult labour? The relationship between child labour and adult illness in Nepal.International Labour Review,151(1-2), 109-121. Tseng, H., Duan, C., Tung, H., Kung, H. (2009). Retracted Article: Modern Business Ethics Research: Concepts, Theories, and Relationships.Journal Of Business Ethics,91(4), 587-597.
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