Abstract This paper argues that lying in business cannot be justified, even if it is to protect trade secrets. The paper uses two high profile cases as examples: Martha Stewart's case where she was found guilty of insider trading and the Enron scandal which involved the entire financial assets of the company.
From the Paper "Some executives justifying to protect trade secrets or to maintain a competitive advantage that could affect their ability to remain profitable. There are those, however, who feel that lying calls an individual's-or a company's-integrity into question. If a company is willing to lie about its product, or its plans or in its advertising what else does it lie about? This research examines two recent high-profile instances of company executives caught lying and concludes that lying by company officials cannot be justified."
Abstract This paper addresses the following issues: Analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of Walmart's Corporate code of conduct; identifies the ethical risks to which the company is subject to and gives recommendations to strengthening and/or clarifying the current company's code to help management strategy to minimize those risks.
From the Paper "Wal-Mart recently became the largest company in the world. Wal-Mart employs more than one million Americans and has sales worldwide of approximately ..."
Tags: Wal mart, code of conduct, suppliers, offshore, comparative advantage, business ethics, consumerism
Abstract This essay discusses John Stuart Mill's liberal views on individual freedom. The writer then compares these views to the views of Karl Marx on freedom and social class offered in the "Communist Manifesto." The writer concludes by addressing whether or not Marx' analysis is a valid counter to Mill's more liberal view of the concept.
From the Paper "Both John Stuart Mill and Karl Marx were philosophers with a strong emphasis on individual freedom. Mill viewed freedom under a legitimate government concerned with the greatest good as necessary and possible. Mill argued in 'On Liberty' that individual freedom is and must be viewed as a sacrosanct quality and that there are few if any circumstances under which a state may rightfully interfere with individual freedom. Karl Marx also theorized about society's evolution toward true freedom believing society evolved toward freedom ... "
Abstract This paper first takes a close look at what ethics are, in relation to humankind and its history. Next, it
differentiates what ethics are as opposed to morals, values, and beliefs. Third, it discusses exactly what the writer's ethics are, discussing some reasons why they are what they are and what their development was. Next, how these ethics are manifested in the writer's professional life is discussed, along with these ethical implications in professional decision-making. Finally, the critical thinking that this writer has gained while furthering education is discussed.
From the Paper "Ethics have been around as long as humans have roamed the earth, interacting with each other in appropriate or inappropriate manners and deciding which is the best way to lead life while around others. Throughout the centuries and millennia, thinkers and scholars and clergy have argued and defined, discussed and written, while attempting to define just what is ethical and how such behavior and actions should best be incorporated into the ethical individual's everyday life and overall existence. Yet, despite the innumerable words and volumes that have been designated to the study of ethics, despite all of the thought and prescription by government and religious institutions which have been made to individuals, ethical decisions and theories are just that: individual, personal, only able to be defined and made and instituted by each individual person for themselves."
Abstract This paper discusses ethics in the field of nursing and medicine. It discusses the ethical questions and problems that can arise for health professionals while caring for their patients. The paper discusses the four principles of veracity, justice, fidelity and paternalism, as they relate to these particular professions.
From the Paper "Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing In the fields of nursing and medicine, as a whole, one of the biggest issues to come up for professionals in these lines of work is ethics. By ethics, we mean issues where one's moral fiber and ability to decide between right and wrong, between good and bad are called into play. Each and every day where patient care is employed and lives are at stake, healthcare professionals such as nurses must make ethical decisions for the good of all. This essay will evaluate four different principles that come up when ethical reasoning is used in the nursing field. The four principles that will be discussed are: veracity, justice, fidelity, and paternalism. The first principle that this paper will discuss is that of veracity."
Abstract The paper argues that euthanasia should be decriminalized. The paper is written from an ethical point of view. The writer explains that the argument is based on weighing the ethics of permitting death within the medical establishment, or the ethics of limiting personal freedom and responsibility. The paper concludes that in the end, the right to choose must be given greater importance than the moral concerns of only one contingent of society.
From the Paper "To be sure, euthanasia represents one of the most complex and heavily debated issues in modern, Western society. With recent high-profile examples like the Terri Schiavo case in Florida or the failed attempts by the Bush administration to outlaw euthanasia in Oregon, the topic seems to be at the forefront of cultural development. When we consider the ethics of the matter, it is important to weigh the moral cost of death against the moral cost of restricting freedom. This paper will argue that euthanasia should be decriminalized because it is the final example of the importance of freedom and the right to choose."
Abstract This paper discusses a recent article by Carpenter, Fennema, Fretwell, and Hillison, entitled "A Changing Corporate Culture: How Companies Are Adjusting to Sarbanes-Oxley. " In this article these researchers reveal how Sarbanes-Oxley has required public companies to elevate the importance of ethical leadership in financial reporting and management. Additionally, these researchers have illustrated several strategies that companies have taken to execute Sarbanes-Oxley and to even further its impact within an organization.
From the Paper "In a recent article Carpenter, Fennema, Fretwell, and Hillison (2004) discuss the effects of two legislative acts, one by the accounting industry itself and one by the federal government. These two legislated acts have brought greater control and oversight to the financial management and reporting processes of public companies: the SAS no.99 or the Consideration of Fraud in a Financial Statement Audit, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Carpenter, Fennema, Fretwell, & Hillison, 2004). These researchers base their observations on both qualitative secondary research as well as quantitative primary research. The secondary qualitative research centers on a thorough analysis of both of the aforementioned acts and on a quantitative survey of corporate representatives. While these researchers caution that their sample group is too small to make substantive assumptions, they are able to draw some valid and useful conclusions regarding how financial reporting requirements have changed and what companies are..."
Abstract The question of an employee's right to privacy in the issue of drug testing presents a dilemma for employers in terms of the correct action to take in this regard. This essay critically examines this question, and argues the thesis that although ethical principles support employer's right to test in numerous cases, legal requirements constrain this right. The paper contends that the result is an ethical, legal and practical minefield for management. In this context, this essay recommends that a utilitarian perspective offers the best single ethical and legal guide to follow in this question.
Abstract This paper looks at how in today's workplaces, issues of ethics and excessive (and/or unethical) technology are each key considerations in the area of organizational behavior for managers, employees, and others. It discusses how issues of workplace ethics, including technological ethics, will likely continue to cause stress, moreover, as narrower definitions of workplace privacy continue to emerge.
From the Paper " It is simply too easy in today's world for technologies to become ubiquitous at work and home, blurring the line between work and time off. At one time, workers at the end of their day simply walked away from their desks, files, typewriters, telephones, etc., and returned the next morning. Now, with cell phones; e-mail; fax machines; pagers; text-messages, etc., one's work environment intrudes regularly on home life and other time away from the workplace. Increasingly, anxious workers even bring laptop computers on vacation, in order to "check in" when away. Laptop computers permit workers, literally, to take their offices home (or to doctor's offices; waiting rooms; airports, etc.). "
Abstract This paper reviews the writer's personal philosophy of care and individual ethics in a case scenario of a patient (referred to as Mr. Smith) with advanced Alzheimer's and dementia. The writer discusses how the family often appeared indifferent and unconcerned with their father's condition especially at his untimely demise, which proved difficult for the nursing staff as they cared profoundly for the patient. The writer explores the specific ethical principles involved, including autonomy, justice, beneficence, and nonmaleficence and links the clinical situation to a specific theory of grief, loss and bereavement. The writer suggests alternative actions which could have led to a more satisfying and ethical outcome in the case of Mr. Smith, his family and the nurses concerned.
Outline:
Introduction
My Philosophy of Care in my Nursing Practice
Autonomy, Justice, Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
Related Theory of Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
Suggested Alternative Solutions
Conclusion
From the Paper "Ethics in healthcare is fundamental in the day-to-day care provided to patients' particularly in nursing and certainly with end of life issues. Essentially, the code of ethics for registered nurses is a declaration of commitment to those we serve, it is a guideline that sets out behaviors expected of us, and it advocates for quality care and serves as a self-reflection tool (Canadian Nurses Association, 1998). The codes of ethics and the standards of care made available by our governing body ensure that the best nursing practices will be provided to our patients (Aiken, 2005). Part of our nursing practice is to assist in life-threatening situations. Coping with death is challenging for nurses since the ability to cope with one's own grief or beliefs highly depends on the relationship of the healthcare provider to the patient, to their families and to their own experiences with death."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the electronic health record (EHR) is an example of the advancements in medical informatics. The writer points out that the EHR is becoming the standard for the management of patient health information. This electronic technology offers a new way to manage information of all types, including text and video. The writer discusses that as with all technological advancements, the EHR brings about concerns for privacy and confidentiality. The writer maintains that healthcare organizations must recognize ethical issues, implement fair information principles, and apply adequate strategies to maintain the integrity of the use of health information.
Outline:
Background
Ethical Issues
Application to EHR
Conclusion
From the Paper "The use of electronic technology for the management of health information presents expanded security risks due to increased capacity and mass storage. A single breach in security could lead to the unauthorized disclosure of private health information. Both health care organizations and providers are at an increased risk for licensure and legal consequences as a result of unprotected electronic health information. In addition to the legal consequences, organizations also have an ethical obligation to ensure proper protection of the information.
"The use of EHRs allow for quick access to accurate and complete medical records. Healthcare organizations face the challenge of providing complete information while balancing patient privacy and confidentiality. These challenges could include but are not limited to, access, reliability and security of the information. With so much private information available on the computer, hackers have become a concern."
This paper argues that just war theory, and the international law which is based upon it, are inherently flawed and lead powerful states justifying violent actions.
2,700 words (approx. 10.8 pages), 12 sources, 2001, $ 80.95
Abstract In this paper, it is argued that throughout history and in present day, the criteria of just war theory, and the international law which is based upon, have been applied only subjectively toward the fulfillment of national and self-interest, and that the plurality of human culture and the nature of war itself make it impossible to ever apply the criteria of just war theory in an objective manner. Because just war theory can never succeed in its goals of objectively determining when a state can justly go to war or how a war can be morally waged, it serves only as justification for the actions taken by states powerful enough to fulfill their national interest through violent conflict.
From the paper:
"?This semester, I had the opportunity to participate in a seminar on the foreign policy of the Clinton administration taught by Leon Fuerth, the national security advisor to former Vice-President Al Gore. As a member of the national security council, Fuerth provided an inside look at how American foreign policy was formulated over the last eight years. During one session, Fuerth discussed the process of deciding what objects to target during the Kosovo air campaign. He related that "the lawyers" advised the administration that it could not legally bomb the power grids of Serbian cities because it may lead to civilian injury. However, Fuerth recalled, they found no legal quandary with deploying a massive invasion force in Serbian territory or the civilian casualties that could result from such an invasion. Fuerth asked the class, almost rhetorically, which option was more moral?"
Abstract The following paper explores the question of ethics according to the author's own set of religious principles and beliefs. The author's own version of moral behavior has been influenced by many experiences, family and the method in which he was raised, as well as the American and international societies in which he has lived. The author's opinions tend to be metropolitan, forward looking, and based on thought as opposed to tradition or the beliefs of others. Opposing the ambiguity of the definition of "moral", the word "ethics" is more precisely defined.
From the Paper "The question of whether one can be a moral person while simultaneously practicing law as an ethical attorney is a circular argument that has no clear answer. The situation is a philosophical one that can easily be compared to the age-old quandary, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" Each side can be argued equally well as long as no restrictions are placed upon the circumstances. However, in order to provide more clarity to the issue, it is critical to impose specific requirements and boundaries to the issue."
Abstract This paper examines the management of these two companies and asks the question of which was more corrupt than the other. Economic factors are taken into account as well as the partner organizations each company had to assist in their deception.
From the Paper "To construct a comparison between Enron and American Fur, it is useful to ask some questions. Were the executives at Enron more unethical than John Jacob Astor? Or was Astor more unethical than they were? Were there any indications that Astor or the Enron executives felt any social responsibility for their actions?
"To answer these questions, several factors need to be considered. The regulatory environment for a company operating in the late 1900s, Enron, differed greatly from the environment for a company operating in the early 1800s, American Fur. Dissimilar regulatory atmospheres caused the companies to act in unlike fashions even though both companies existed in a capitalistic country where the primary goal was the same for both, monetary profit. To reach the goal, both companies relied on some unethical practices."
Tags: unethical, auditor, investment, community, competition, employee, government, profit, public
Abstract By using examples and sources from the Bible, the author of this paper shows God's intentions for his followers on issues relating to the environment. The paper shows that Christian Environmentalists believe that the earth was given to Man as a gift with certain conditions and that Man is not fulfilling these conditions by destroying the earth and annihilating species.
From the Paper "There are many examples in the Bible of Christianity's environmental concerns. There is a broad belief in taking care of all of God's creations, and we, as humans are to be the caretakers. God put the responsibility of caring for the earth with man. Man is required to take care of the resources God put on earth. The Bible warns us that those who destroy the earth will be destroyed themselves. God has put man to watch over his creation and it is our commitment to do so that portrays the ideas about nature in Christian beliefs."
