Running head: ETHICAL REFLECTIONS PAPER

Ethical Reflections Paper Melvonne R. Brooks STR/581 February 6, 2012 Briane Dufrene

ETHICAL REFLECTIONS PAPER

Ethical Reflections Paper The mission statement must include the rights of the stakeholders who are the internal and external customers, such as employees, vendors, stockholders, and customers. According to Pearce and Robinson (2011), employees seek broadly defined job satisfactions; customers want what they pay for; suppliers seek dependable buyers; governments want adherence to legislation; unions seek benefits for their members; competitors want fair competition; local communities want the firm to be a responsible citizen; and the general public expects the firms existence to improve the quality of life. The mission and vision statements provide a purpose and understanding of the organizations behavioral expectations and decisions. Ethics and social responsibility are key attributes for any organization and when incorporated in the corporate strategic plan, the managers must consider the importance of all of their decisions concerning the corporation. The decisions will have a lasting affect on the corporation as well as stakeholders. While developing a strategic plan the manager has the responsibility to consider how the ethical and social responsibilities will affect the stakeholders. Social responsibility is defined as an ethical theory that businesses should not function without regard to morals or judgment. Social responsibility also creates savings which can lead to increased profits such as adjusting the benefits to include PTO instead of vacation, sick, and personal days. Ethics are the moral principles that reflect societys beliefs about the actions of an individual or group that are right and wrong (Pearce and Robinson, 2011, p. 74). Most corporations have a code of ethics which is used to ensure that the internal and external customers or stakeholders are treated with fairness and honesty. When the code of ethics is not enforced, the company has a chance of violating their socially responsible duties.

ETHICAL REFLECTIONS PAPER

Evolved Ethical Perspective A commitment to personal ethics is about developing a moral self, capable of dealing with ethical issues as they arise (Ethics Awareness Inventory, 2011). In 2007, the ethical awareness assessment revealed a profile that was closely related to character or virtue. The assessment taken in 2012, revealed the same profile with the highest scores in character and results, and the lowest score in equity. The writers ethical perspective and style has not changed during the program. Ethics in Character Perspective Ethical perspective is based on what it is good to be and not what is good to do and compels a person to strive to be a person of wisdom and integrity. The ethical style compels a person to Ethics in character is focused on ways in which someone can achieve moral excellence. The character perspective does not focus on determining if an action is ethical, the focus is on the character of the person. Key words in this perspective are integrity, honesty, honor, justice, and virtue. Obeying the rules does not deem a person morally ethical. Because someone obeys the rules, does not indicate they are ethical. Ethics in Results Perspective Ethics in results focuses on the greatest good, production, efficiency, improvement, goals, and productivity. The results oriented person is always focused on measurable results and getting the job done. Ethical decisions have a significant impact on the lives of real people (Ethical Awareness Assessment, 2012). Ethical Decision Making

ETHICAL REFLECTIONS PAPER

One must be able to make good sound decisions and understand the reason for making good choices, be able to explain why the decision was made, and provide good ethical judgment. Who will be affected by the decisions and what is the impact of the decision. As indicated in the previous paragraphs, the assessment in 2012 revealed the same assessment results from the assessment taken in 2007. The writer believed that great changes would be reflected in the outcome, but the assessment was basically the same. Character is the ethical perspective that is reflected in the decision making process. When making decisions, certain questions must be asked to determine if the decisions are based on ethical grounds such as: What is the comfort level after making the decision Was the treatment fair Does decision fit ethical perspective and style Can the decision made be justified

Conclusion Looking back over the period of the program, the ethical perspective and style has only changed slightly. The greatest and highest number is still closely aligned with the character of a person because you always want to see the best in people. Ethics requires more than just obeying the rules because of the imminent consequences. Ethics requires a person to have at least an ounce of integrity or honesty in them. One must continuously work to improve and develop high moral excellence. References

Ethical Decision Making, Ethical Awareness Inventory, Williams Institute for Ethics and

ETHICAL REFLECTIONS PAPER

Management. Retrieved on February 6, 2012 on University Of Phoenix website, http://ecampus.phoenix.edu

Pearce, J.A., II Robinson, R.B. (2011). Strategic management: Formulation, implementation, And control (12th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.