Course: Business Ethics: BUS-202-1603 Assignment: Assignment 3 (following Class
ID: 460120 • Letter: C
Question
Course: Business Ethics: BUS-202-1603 Assignment: Assignment 3 (following Class 9) Please provide your answers in a thought-out, coherent form and use complete sentences. Each of these questions asks you to analyze the issues presented in the Chapter. In addition to presenting direct answers, you will also be expected to provide your opinion(s). If possible, please also share any unique insights you may have regarding the issues based on your background and life experiences. Read: Chapter 7 – Resolving Ethical Business Challenges (pages 209 - 210) One of the many challenging ethical dilemmas a person my face is the clash between corporate culture and personal ethics. When supervisors and managers make demands of their employees and pressure them to act unethically, employees have to choose between ethical conduct and caving in to the expectations of their bosses. In this hypothetical scenario, Cadence, an employee who “always tried to do the right thing” faces a new supervisor who demands unethical behavior from her. While reading the scenario, put yourself in both the supervisor and Cadence’s shoes and consider how you would act in the situation. Building on the concepts you have learned thus far, as well as the information you have read in this hypothetical scenario, answer the following questions: Describe the organizational structure of ABCO Corporation. Which type of leadership power is Britney using? Is it effective in this situation? Why or why not? Does Cadence have any other alternatives than the two that she is considering? Predict what will happen if she sticks to the two options she has considered already. How would you act if you were in Cadence’s position? How could Britney have approached the situation with Cadence differently to avoid the predicament Cadence is in? Is Britney’s leadership style effective in this situation? Justify your answer. Would government support for whistle-blowers in the form of monetary rewards be effective to help whistle-blowers step up? Why or why not? Justify your answer.Explanation / Answer
1) Organizational structure of ABCO corporation -
ABCO organization has Centralized organizational structure, since the decision making authority lies in the hands of top managers. In this case, the decision making authority lie in the hands of Britney. She could take one of important decisions of firing an employee on her own deal.
If the organization would have been decentralized, there would have been certain policies in place and Britney has to adhere them before taking up a decision. But as per the case, it shows the organization looks highly bureaucratic, which is one of the main characteristics of centralized organization.
2) Which type of leadership power is Britney using?
Britney is using Coercive power in this case. Since she is threatening her job if she does not reveal the names of the managers who promoted people with wrong intentions. Britney is also using Legitimate power.
3) Is it effective in this situation?
No. This is not effective in this situation. Since Britney is very new to the Organization, she has to understand people first, understand the process and culture of the organization first before she jumps to a conclusion. Since it is her first week, she wants to show off to the department that she is a valuable asset to the organization.
The effective solution should be, Britney should pacify Cadence on the situation she was in and assure that that will not repeat in future and further keep a close eye on the things that are happening in the department. Instead, Britney was adamant and demanded Cadence to be a whistle blower.
4) Does Cadence have any other alternatives than the two she is considering?
The only option left is to resign. Being a whistle blower can put her in more trouble. Instead she could resign.
5) How would you act if you were in Cadence's position?
I would resign. Instead of being in bad books with peers, i would better resign. Since i know my abilities, i know i can work any where. I will resign and take up a new job somewhere else.
6) Predict what will happen if she sticks to the options she has already considered?
If she sticks to the option of whistle blowing, he will have bad terms with her peers and tough time with her managers.
If she doesn't whistle blow, she will face consequences with her new boss.
7) How could Britney have approached the situation with cadence differently to avoid predicament cadence is in?
Britney could have pacified and helped Cadence to cope up with the situation she is in. Britney could have analysed the situation that happened in the past and ensure it does not happen in future with the help of Cadence.