Benji_Watson

Discussion Board Post 1 Business Ethics Robert Dunaway Liberty University BUSI 561 D 10 Legal Issues In Business Dr. Sergio Gregorio March 24, 2013 Introduction The subject of this case study is Benji Watson, a successful graduate from Liberty University, who is in the job market and receiving offers from several national corporations. One company in particular, New Gen Health Sciences is a manufacturer and seller of health products. The case study provides information related to a recent invitation and visit to the company’s headquarters for a weekend event. The purpose of this document is to examine, from a biblical and ethical point of view, the information given in the provided case study and then give advice on whether he should sign the contract or not. The advice will be based upon several areas of observation related to corporate culture, core values of integrity and honesty, and finally strategically ethics verses real ethics. We will first take a look a corporate culture. Corporate Culture “Corporate culture refers to the shared values, attitudes, standards, and beliefs that characterize members of an organization and define its nature.”(Burton) An organization’s corporate culture is engrained in their objectives, policies, and their methods of handling their employees, clients, stockholders and their local community. While waiting on his flight to Seattle, Benji uncovered online documents showing New Gen’s management and company policies did not invoke a positive image to him in relation to company practices and policies. In his critique on virtue ethics, John Dobson states that a company tries to appear ethical and virtuous but it is only done to promote goodwill within the community. (Dobson, 2005) On the surface, New Gen promotes themselves as a company with a culture being concerned for promoting a healthier America. From information gleaned from the internet and what Benji was told at this event, they are more concerned with making money any way possible. This implies greed and deception. Benji would do well heading the advice of Paul, “10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:10-11 New International Version.) This leads us to the next observation concerning integrity and honesty. Integrity and Honesty It has been said that integrity is about conduct; honesty is about adherence to the facts. The person who without fail submits his timesheet every week, seeking clarification if unsure how to charge some time, is acting with integrity. He is probably also acting with honesty, ensuring that the numbers he reports are correct. False advertising is seen as “Any advertising or promotion that misrepresents the nature, characteristics, qualities or geographic origin of goods, services or commercial activities." (Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C.A. § 1125(a)) The examples given of forced purchase, tie-in agreements, and requirements “to purchase set amounts of less popular products if they wanted to purchase the more popular products” definitely does not indicate any description of positive core values of integrity and honesty. The company being aware that these policies put distributors out of business or into bankruptcy while the company prospers shows a corporate lack of responsibility, fairness, and compassion. The only honesty that seems to be found is when the recruiter admits to some of the schemes such as pictures from exotic places and inferences to how the lawyers make sure “all bases are covered”. How can Benji feel good about that' Where is the company’s integrity' Did any of this play into the gifts he received upon his arrival' A shirt and promotional materials are probably normal, but did he question the Apple iPad 4'” Could this be considered a form of bribery' Even though these idea seems to be mainstream when recruiting top candidates for corporations, can a Christian view this practice as honest and above reproach' Romans 12:1-2 says “I beseech you…that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God…and be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” It should be the goal of every businessman, firm or corporations to be to be a culture of integrity and honesty. Strategic Ethics vs. Real Ethics As Benji conducts online research focusing on the background and legitimacy of New Gen, he discovers positive reports about their financial success and world-wide research, their commitment to the health of Americans, and their outstanding business code of ethics. But he also finds reports of business practices that are questionable, contributions to secular organizations that defy biblical principles, and selfishly motivated company decisions. When he questions the recruiter, he is told that the company retains good public relations personnel to represent them in a positive light, even if the information isn’t always accurate. In essence, what the company is portraying to the public is a purposeful deception to cover business practices that are not ethically acceptable. An article in The New York Times quotes Business Ethics Professor Thomas White when he says that awareness is the key in determining the solution if faced with a problem like this because “if you work in a place where the culture implicitly or explicitly encourages unethical behavior, you’re going to face the same quandary over and over.” (Tugend, 2012) It is obvious that New Gen places emphasis on strategic ethics rather than maintaining real ethics. As a Christian, Watson is able to recognize the difference and probably remembers the advice Jesus gives in Matthew 7:15-20 (King James Bible). “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits…Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” Concussion Professional values and ethics have a close-knit relationship to the success of any individual in life as well as their career. Choosing to go against values or acting unethically can hamper a career, if not destroy it altogether. On the other hand holding values and being and upstanding employee with good ethics will have one on the right path to success. Before Benji considers signing the contract he would consider one last verse from Galatians 6:7 (NIV) “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” He should base his decision on his beliefs and values by not signing the contract for New Gen Health Services. References Burton, V. L. (n.d.). Corporate Culture. Retrieved 03 23, 2013, from Ezproxy: Corporate Culture (2011). In V. L. Burton, III (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Small Business (4th ed., Vol. 1, pp. 296-298). Detroit: Gale. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu: 2048/ps/i.do'id=GALE%7CCX2343700140&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=GVRL&sw =w Cornell University Law School. 15 USC § 54 - FALSE ADVERTISEMENTS; PENALTIES. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/54. Dobson, J. (2005) Virtue Ethics as a Foundation for Business Ethics. Retrieved 03 24 2013, from http//www.stthomas.edu/cathstudies/cst/conferneces/Antwerp/papers/Dobson.pdf Tugend, Alina. (2012, September 12). Doing the Right thing Whatever that Is. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/22/your-money/doing-the-right-thing-whatever- that-is-shortcuts.html'pagewanted=all