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Business ethics and CSR
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Ethical theory Questions4. Peter is working for a large multinational corporation that produces sportswear. He has
been asked by a board member to review a series of new supply chain partners to expand
production in South East Asia. The director has asked Peter to consider business ethics as part of
this review process. How could Peter draw upon ethical theories to develop this element of the
review? (50 marks)
5. A) This question asks you to explain a series of classical/contemporary ethical
theories (from the lectures - but also, if you like, those from your own reading) and discuss how
those theories could inform a review. I would advise you to focus more on depth than breadth
when answering this question. For example, trying to cover all 7 ethical theories might mean you
don't explain them sufficiently. You might also want to consider how multiple ethical theories
could work with each other - perhaps providing complementary insights. You could also consider
whether different aspects of supply chain ethics could be addressed by different types of theories -
for example, child labour, pollution, gender discrimination, corruption etc.
6. “Contemporary ethical theories have very little relevance to contemporary
business”. Critically evaluate this statement. (50 marks)
Ethics is derived from the Greek word, Ethos means customs, character which Is concerned with
values and morals an individual or society ascribes as desirable or appropriate. It also focuses on
the virtuousness of individuals and their motives. Ethical theory is a system that provides
principles or rules for an individual in the decision making process about what is right or wrong
and good/bad in a specific situation. It provides a basic understanding of what it means to be a
decent human being. Ethics is a reflection of morality. Contemporary business refers to the
circumstances and ideas of the present time in a business environment. This implies that trends
would keep changing and thus requires businesses to be adaptable.
1) THE OTHER (Levinas, 2005)
The Other by Levinas 2005 is a contemporary theory which focuses on how we treat people and
our relationships with them. It does not consider developing laws about governance or how to act
or not. Treating people like objects is not ethical as we are denying their humanity.
We can treat them as same as us similar to Kant, and reason the same. However, this is the
constraint or limits on moral imagination. Hence not ethical because people are different from us.
Treat people as others who don’t affect us, their opinions and thoughts would be different hence,
don’t let their opinions affect us or views change us, don’t listen to us. That’s not moral, because
, not moving ahead and not changing our values or listening to others' opinions. For him, ethics is
about change and contingency. It is about arguing and debating various views by other peoples’
perspectives. He stated that their way of thinking can transform our thinking.
Treat them as the ‘other’ that changes who we are. It is a recognition that people are
fundamentally different to us but not separate from us.
UNLIKE KANT, who told us to create rules and laws, the other ethical theory is open to emotions
and relationships thus, overcoming the issue of rule based approach of classical ethical theories.
Allows us to examine the ethics of other ethical theories and practices (we can be critical of other
theories and practices, including business, for closing us down from the Other).
FOR
The Other theory guides a leader to run a successful business. The business world involves daily
operating processes with the aim of profit maximisation, return on investment, shareholder
return, and progress. He highlights the importance of respecting,listening to and responding to
stakeholders which would open leaders’ consciousness and wider moral imagination. The other
implies that others include the entire stakeholder and the relations with all of them which cannot
be achieved through a single way of listening and responding. For example, an employee could
also be a customer and community member.
Although the business context is rational, abstract, reductionist and impersonal, eventually the
firm and the target market are humans. With increased public expectations over CSR activities,
transparency of business’ morales and values and communicating emotions is valuable to ensure
they are aligned with the customers leading to stronger relationships between them. Some firms
are moving from employees needing to follow the bureaucratic rules for a decision to direct
communication with the senior in order to adapt to changing trends. Realisation of the
importance of human resources especially during pandemic has forced businesses to prioritise
listening to employees’ problems, opinions and thoughts. Lastly, with increased competition due
to digitalization, in order to gain greater market share than our competitors, companies are
focusing on personalization and creating relationships and bonds with consumers. Sales
associates tactics have changed from using pressure tactics leading to win-lose relations to win-
win relations with consumers.
AGAINST
Levinas's states that listening and learning from the Other is primary. It involves de-centering the
Self in order to truly experience the needs of Others.Additionally, listening creates space between
the Self and Other, which is necessary to receive the Other. Listening also involves engaging
without judgement or interpreting through the Self. This requires a high level of self practice and
self awareness. In communicating on a global scale, responsible leadership involves intercultural
communication that at times may be quite difficult.
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