Ethical Dilemmas in Business Today

Air pollution is not acceptable according to "green-friendly" standards.

Ethical dilemmas are a necessary aspect of operating a business. Some ethical challenges are specific to certain industries and companies, but others are universal and can affect many organizations.

Identification

Most ethical dilemmas faced by businesses derive from choices between doing what is "right" and doing what is "good for business." Frequently, a company must spend money or reduce profits to do the right thing for its employees, customers and society.

Features

Ethical areas that relate to most types of organizations include downsizing considerations in lean times, environmental controls, resource optimization, technology management, employee rights, and maintaining safe working conditions and products.

Considerations

Making a bad ethical choice can be a public relations nightmare. For example, companies that pollute the environment with operations and waste work against "green" societal norms. Technology advances business and industry, but also merits ethical boundaries with the capture and use of employee and customer data. Unsafe products do not last in the market due to recalls, and can give a company a bad reputation.

References

• "ERIC Digest" No. 112: Resolving Ethical Dilemmas in the Workplace--A New Focus for Career Development
• Small Business Notes: Business Ethics