Description
The doc explains about Vignette; Analysis of Vignette; Kantian approach; Virtue ethics.
Vignette Development and Analysis
Management Ethics
Vignette: I have worked in a petrochemical company. In such hazardous working environments, safety of a human being is of utmost concern. We used to have periodic safety audits conducted by third party organisations such as British safety council. A five star rating from this organisation can improve investor goodwill for the company. In such audits I witnessed that many checklists, calibration reports, safety audit checks conducted by internal personnel, safety certificates were manipulated as per the instructions of department heads. Under normal circumstances the plant executives used to bypass safety norms to increase productivity, but at the time of audit all norms were strictly followed. On account of such window dressing the company however managed to get the five star rating, but accidents were prone to happen under normal days on account of negligence by supervisors and department heads, who put productivity ahead of human safety. Analysis: Kantian approach: Applying the Kantian philosophy of categorical imperative in the above case one can formulate a universal maxim that any industry having hazardous working environment can forge documents and make some window dressing at the time of safety audits while conducting its operations in an unsafe working environment otherwise. This maxim is self defeating as no worker would trust his employer to provide him a safe working environment. Such companies may not find workforce willing to work there. Hence this act is not correct according to Kantian theory. Virtue ethics: According to Solomon’s Aristotelian approach honesty and trust are some of the basic business virtues. By manipulating relevant documents at the time of audit, a company not only misguides the auditing firm to get a good rating, but also gives a fake image of following safety norms to prospective employees. Such a dishonest act by the department heads shows that they lack the above mentioned virtues and are not prepared to follow the norms as a regular practice. They need to understand that by imbibing these virtues and following norms they not only provide a safe working environment but also can lead successful and rewarding career life.
doc_785659018.docx
The doc explains about Vignette; Analysis of Vignette; Kantian approach; Virtue ethics.
Vignette Development and Analysis
Management Ethics
Vignette: I have worked in a petrochemical company. In such hazardous working environments, safety of a human being is of utmost concern. We used to have periodic safety audits conducted by third party organisations such as British safety council. A five star rating from this organisation can improve investor goodwill for the company. In such audits I witnessed that many checklists, calibration reports, safety audit checks conducted by internal personnel, safety certificates were manipulated as per the instructions of department heads. Under normal circumstances the plant executives used to bypass safety norms to increase productivity, but at the time of audit all norms were strictly followed. On account of such window dressing the company however managed to get the five star rating, but accidents were prone to happen under normal days on account of negligence by supervisors and department heads, who put productivity ahead of human safety. Analysis: Kantian approach: Applying the Kantian philosophy of categorical imperative in the above case one can formulate a universal maxim that any industry having hazardous working environment can forge documents and make some window dressing at the time of safety audits while conducting its operations in an unsafe working environment otherwise. This maxim is self defeating as no worker would trust his employer to provide him a safe working environment. Such companies may not find workforce willing to work there. Hence this act is not correct according to Kantian theory. Virtue ethics: According to Solomon’s Aristotelian approach honesty and trust are some of the basic business virtues. By manipulating relevant documents at the time of audit, a company not only misguides the auditing firm to get a good rating, but also gives a fake image of following safety norms to prospective employees. Such a dishonest act by the department heads shows that they lack the above mentioned virtues and are not prepared to follow the norms as a regular practice. They need to understand that by imbibing these virtues and following norms they not only provide a safe working environment but also can lead successful and rewarding career life.
doc_785659018.docx