ANALYZING ETHICAL CASES
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ANALYZING ETHICAL CASES
Ethical cases include a combination of values, duties, goals, and needs. One characteristic of a good ethical analysis procedure is it must be systematic. It should follow a certain, well-defined procedure to avoid arguments from both parties. It should not be biased because if this happens, the right decision will not be reached; this argument will not end. A good ethical analysis procedure can specify the base of the analysis. This might be based on traditional beliefs, the available standards, and principles that can be used to come up with a good conclusion that is fair to every party. An example of an analysis is the MCCGAAN BOX. R.B potter designed the procedure in his essay named “The Logic of Moral argument.” Concerning the discipline of social ethics (Paul Deats, ed ) Boston University Press,1972.). To conclude an ethical case argument, one must uphold the key steps of arguments in analyzing the ethical case. The following steps are the steps which are followed when analyzing ethical related cases.
The first step in the ethical analysis is to identify and clearly define the facts. This is to find out the cause of the whole issue. The one who did the issue, the one the issue is done to, the location. This will enhance quick and fair decision making based on the case. For this case, we have the sole practitioner of a public account, Bremerton Hardware, The Byre’s Hardware, and Speedy Electric. The sole practitioner was the one who is responsible for giving accountancy services to Bremerton Hardware. Byers hardware is one of the chief competitors of Bremerton Hardware based on profits gained and cost. Both Big Four accounting firm and Bremerton Hardware have been asked to assign themselves an amount of money to Purchase the Byers’s hardware, which is their chief competitor. The sole practitioner has also been assigned to run another local sole practitioner in the town. Speedy Electric wants to purchase The Byers’s Hardware, and she is not aware that Bremerton Hardware is one of the business’s bidders. You also come to realize that Speedy Electric has some confidential plans with previous clients. Analyzing and defining the facts is the base step for every argument.
Defining the case and identify the high priority values involved in the conflict is the second step in the ethical case analysis. The parties involved claim to be processing high values, such as freedom, confidentiality, and property protection. At this step, the case is about the Speedy Electric having some confidential information with the Bremerton previous client hardware without you knowing as the current continuity provider.
Identifying the participants in the case is the third step in analyzing an ethical issue. In any case, either political, social have the participants or the stakeholders involved. This step is used in finding out the identity of the parties and what each party wants. How is each related to the case? How is the case affecting the participants? Is the question that these steps try to answer? Each of the stakeholders wants a fair judgment to be done upheld based on each has contributed. In our case, we have Speedy Electric, the Continuity provider of the Bremerton Hardware, and the previous provider. In our case, the speedy electronic wants to purchase the Byers hardware. The Byers hardware’s continuity service provider is against that because he was left in charge after the owner was hospitalized.
Find out the options you can take when solving an ethical case. Take an option that results in a greater value or which is highly prioritized (Utilitarian Principle). One should have a variety of options that can suit the argument. Some might not be effective, but while others might be effective in the analysis of the case. Getting into a good or ethical solution may not be fair to both participants based on the consequences. One party might be favored while the other might not be happy with the judgment, probably because they have loosed the case. For our case, you can opt to stop Speedy Electrical to purchase the Byre’s hardware, and you can also sell the Byers’s hardware. The consequences of this could be either positive or negative.
Making a decision is the final step in ethical case analysis. This is the most crucial step, and it’s the final step. Each party is eagerly waiting to see how the judgment will be done. You must be very wise when dealing with this step. A poor decision may lead to a bias whereby the participants would not be happy. Consequences of poor decision making will lead to damage of property, unfair judgment. Take a decision that produces less harm or potential cost (Risk Aversion Principle). The steps to arriving at a decision include identifying and clearly analyzing the facts. This is where you gather facts and analyze them. Choose the best option you can take in making a decision. Give the best decision which will be fair to both parties. If an action does not please everyone, it is not right for everyone (Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative). We should do things to others as we would like them to do (Golden Rule).
For this case, I will not let Speedy Electric purchase Byre’s Hardware without consulting the previous service provider.
To develop good ethical case analysis, you must follow the key steps to develop the correct judgment, which will balance the two parties. If you consider the key points and steps in this essay, you will definitely come up with a fair conclusion.
Reference
G Gotsis, Z Kortezi – Journal of Organizational Change Management, 2013 – emerald.com
University of Michigan /business/BUS3381/