Mitchell is part of an audit team who has been sent to Mexico to conduct an audi
ID: 2470277 • Letter: M
Question
Mitchell is part of an audit team who has been sent to Mexico to conduct an audit of one of their client’s subsidiary companies. During the audit Mitchell uncovers a series of bribes that the company has paid to local authorities. Bribes are considered a normal part of business in this particular city so the subsidiary company feels as though they have done nothing wrong. Mitchell thinks of herself as an honest person and is trying to decide what is ethically appropriate.
Required: Determine what decision Mitchell will make regarding whether or not she will report the bribes by applying ethical theories of teleology, deontology, virtue and relativism. (5 marks)
Explanation / Answer
Teleology says right/wrong on the action itself- so above case wrong
Deontology says right/ wrong on the consequences of action- above case the country culture to get positive results need bribe so action is right
Virtue means auditors morality in view of the case - above case bribe mandatory so action is right
Relativism itself is attached to the relative incident - above case it is right as in this country bribe is a tradition get positive action and result for the company
Mitchell will not report the incident as this will be in the detriment of the company as management may decide to close or run the subsidiary if it materially contributes to the bottom line of the organization