Business Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 3

Business Ethics - Essay ExampleIn this case, there are no ifs and buts. However, a close look reveals the item that applying Kants principles into the modern business world is a hardened task due to many reasons. The first much(prenominal) issue that requires attention is the fact that Kant proposes that the same apothegm can be applied to two moral dilemmas. However, it seems that at times, there are issues of conflicting duties. For example, the join States in the 1990s witnessed the shutting down and massive layoffs of many enterprises. A closer look reveals the fact it becomes impossible to assess this situation using Kants ideology. To illustrate, the Kants philosophy would argue that the employees, in such cases, are being used as mere means to enhance the shareholder wealth, and hence, it is immoral from the go of the accompany to shut down. If some champion agrees that it is immoral from the part of the company to shut down, and that the company should run irrespective of the consequences of that action, the issue gets more complicated. For example, the company is showing injustice towards its shareholders. In other words, when the company resorts to showing religion towards the employees by avoiding layoffs, it fails to show the same morality towards its shareholders. Thus, it becomes apparent(a) that Kants theory of categorical imperative is not absolute in nature. Yet another example is the forced retirement of employees in a company so that the company can pass through a financial crisis by reducing expenses. It is in truth evident that according to the widely accepted notion in the business field, it is justifiable to crucify a few innocent if it does good to the majority. However, the Kant ideology is in stark contradiction with this ideology. In both the cases, it seems unenviable to find a solution that can do justice to all the stakeholders. However, a solution to this conformation of issues comes from the notion of open book manage ment. This method was developed and implemented by Jack Stack at the Springfield Manufacturing Company. According to Schuster, Carpenter and Kane (227), under the open book management system, the company informs its employees about the financial situation of the company on a regular basis. Thus, when the employees possess sufficient knowledge about the military operation and financial situation of the company, they too have an equal responsibility in the running of the company. It is very evident that in open book management, employees get a chance to take wise decisions about their surgical operation and career. So, if the company faces a situation like layoff, the level of suspicion and confusion will be outlying(prenominal) less, and sometimes, the committed employees may propose to work for a limited wage to face the crisis. Anyhow, it is highly incredible from the part of employees to allege that they are deceived by the company. Thus, it becomes evident that a proper under standing of the Kant ideology and its industry in the workplace will make more meaningful workplace by enhancing self-respect and freedom. In addition, it means the removal of a layer of supervisors as the company no longer requires supervisors to monitor its employees. To supply up, when the employees are allowed autonomy, when they are provided reasonable salary and conducive workplace, and when the company does not interfere with their moral development, one can say that Kants theory of categorical imperative is accepted in spirit. II Principles of approving action are the principles which are intended