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Essay on Ethical Dilemmas and Normative Theories

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Essay Questions:

How does the situation facing John constitute an ethical dilemma?
Using two normative theories of ethics comment on the ethical aspects of the situation.

Business is an organisation or economic system where products and services are traded for money, a product or services. Businesses need investment or customers to make a profit and survive. In business, ethical issues may arise for example false advertising, misleading the public, exaggerations and disclaimers. In this case study the ethical issue identified is an exaggeration of how much the company makes and falsifying of documents by signing off on an order that has not yet been finalised. Business ethics is the study of business situations, activities, and …show more content…

In this case the company is venture-backed which means it needs to show investors that there is growth. Ralph is feeling pressure to show investors that the company is doing well and therefore putting pressure on John. John is under pressure to abide by the law, company policies, rules and principles. John has his own view of morals, beliefs and corporate ethics whether Ralph has the same view of such concepts is not an issue as both of them are bound by their duty to fulfil their roles as CFO and CEO in the company to show investors results.
Ethical theories in business are regulators of the business world, keeping a balance, normalising and linking laws, policies and regulations of law with a human aspect to morals and ethics. Ethical theories are divided in two categories, consequentialist and non-consequentialist. Consequentialist theories evaluate act based on the ‘goodness’ of the consequence. For example if john signs off on the order before it is finalised, then this act would be evaluated on what happens next or the outcome of his decision. Non-consequentialist theories determine the ‘rightness’ or wrongness of the act based on the nature of the act itself rather than the outcomes of the action. For example if john signs off on the order before it is finalised, then this act would be evaluated on the act itself whether it is right or wrong to have signed

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