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    Types and Applications of Business Ethics


    Question 1:
    A job applicant is very brilliant in all ways (top of his class, able to do the work, etc) except that he is shy and therefore has a communication problem. When applying, he passed the exam but failed in the interview. However, the chairman of the company knows the applicant and knows his personality and brilliance so he recommends the company to recruit this applicant anyway, knowing that this applicant can do the job.

    What ethical issues are involved in this job application process? Was it just to employ the applicant despite having failed the interview, where others may have passed both?

    Question 2:
    a. What are the most important areas of business responsibility that you personally believe ethics are essential to? How is it fair in real-life business?

    b. Which are the most common "deceptive techniques' used in businesses nowadays? Provide a clear example.

    Question 3:
    Define ethical theories and give examples for each:
    a. Egoism
    b. Means-ends
    c. Utilitarianism
    d. Virtue theory
    e. Islamic

    Question 4:
    Social networking and media has gained popularity - especially Facebook, Twitter, etc. This has caused spreading rumours to become a big issue as it is the best medium to do so. What ethics issues are involved and how can you prevent or solve problems of this nature? Respond in terms of ethical theory.


    Solution Preview

    Of course, I cannot answer these directly, but I do have ideas and sources for you to begin to structure your research around.

    Question 1.
    Here, the ethical case is partiality. It would seem that all job recruiting process should be based strictly on merit. Having social anxiety (I think that's what "shy" means here - that is, it's a mental problem rather than just a harmless trait) can harm job performance. How does the chairman "know" that he can do the job? This is the negative approach.

    On the other hand, the applicant is clearly qualified. If the job is of the sort that high levels of interpersonal communication is needed, then we have a problem. If it is not, then there is no reason why this person should not get the job.

    The ethical theory to use here is Kantian - deontological. Can this kind of hiring decision be made universal? Yes it can - we have a qualified applicant with a problem in communication. This kind of hiring strategy can be used all the time without contradiction. There are plenty of ways to help the applicant overcome his introversion. It need not be destructive to his career or to the company. Not to mention the simple fact that the chairman is helping an otherwise good fit to become a better person be overcoming his pathological fears of others.

    Question 2.
    a) One great place to go here is basic workplace democracy. The concept here is that workers should have a share in the decisions of the firm. This is especially the case for employees of long standing. ...

    Solution Summary

    Types and applications of business ethics are examined.