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Business ethics - Coggle Diagram
Business ethics
Whistleblowing
refers to any situation where an employee/stakeholder raises concerns of an ethical or legal nature about how an organisation is behaving
it is an ethical concern rather than a personal grievance - it differs from normal concern in that they are likely to have gone above their immediate management or outside the organisation altogether
private - whistleblower raises concerns internally within the company in question - e.g. a concerned colleague uses the college whistleblowing policy to raise this with governors as a case of racial discrimination
public - the whistleblower raises concerns outside the organisation in question for example by altering the media e.g. following failed attempts to explain the issues of new procedure to managers and having seen negative impacts she contacts the newspapers
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ethics
allowing whistleblowing ensures that companies take their corporate social responsibilities seriously - they know that there may be follow up if they behave unethically
encourages integrity from employees - knowing colleagues can file reports ensures employees behave honestly
however it can be argued that there are some situations where loyalty to the company is the most important thing
in kantian ethics one must carry out ones duty as an employee - however there are occasions when wider duties to our fellow human beings may override these
in some professions such as medicine and teaching there are certain duties that are integral to the profession regardless of what an individual hospital or school may be saying
for utilitarians whistleblowers have to make calculations about the greater good or harm that may come from choosing to speak out or remain silent
Globalisation
refers to the integration of economies, trading and political movements around the world
our ability to make connections is both quicker and more widespread than our ancestors who wouldve done most business within their local town
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politcally and economically - countries are open to trade and very few countries have closed borders or are totally self-reliant
culturally - we are more connected, we are able to purchase the same brands wherever we are and are able to enjoy worldwide food in our own highstreets
effects of globalisation
- the rise of larger multinational corporations with divisions in various countries
- increased competition in manufacturing and services - it is often possible to get thungs done cheaper in other countries
- lower wages or loss of jobs in developed countries such as UK or USA as manufacturing can be done cheaper abroad
- in developing countries such as Africa and Asia economic growth has been achieved as these countries are competitive economically
- a loss of culture or national identity where global brands are seen on every hughstreet
ethics
given that different countries have different health and safety requirements, government regulations and wages, globalisation enables businesses to 'shop around'
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manufacturers may be tempted to resort to the lowest common denominator and cut corners in terms of workers rights in order to get products made cheaply
a utilitarian may point to the benefits of gloabalisation as millions of people have been lifted out of poverty in countries such as china as a result of global trade
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the utilitarian does not have a clear notion of rights and may see the greater good of globalisation as worth the price of some individual suffering
a kantian may be concerned that globalisation may increase the exploitation of persons in developing countries where multinationals dictate the terms of business
this may be seen almost as neo-colonialism which may lead to a loss of identity in developing countries - likewise in developed countries jibs may be lost as things can be made cheaper elsewhere
a further issue on globalisation is the environment - there is little incentive to have rigorous environmental standards if the neighbouring country worries less about global warming
a country's president may then have to choose between enforcing environmental rules and losing business or reducing poverty in the country by relaxing environmental laws
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