1 5-2 Project Ethical Test or Framework Joshua Quirk Southern New Hampshire University BUS-206-Q3447 Business Law I 24EW3 Professor Teresa Knox February 11, 2024
2 5-2 Project Ethical Test or Framework Ethical Test or Framework for Mountain Top View Employees Selected Framework: Utilitarianism Description: Utilitarianism is an ethical framework that evaluates actions based on their overall impact on maximizing happiness or well-being and minimizing suffering. It posits that the morally right action is the one that produces the greatest overall happiness for the greatest number of people. This framework focuses on the consequences of actions and emphasizes the importance of considering the broader societal impact. Advantages: Quantifiable Measurement: Utilitarianism provides a quantifiable measure for assessing the consequences of actions, making it easier to evaluate the overall impact. Promotes the Greater Good: By prioritizing actions that lead to the greatest overall happiness, utilitarianism aligns with the notion of promoting the greater good for the majority. Potential Shortcomings: Individual Rights: Critics argue that utilitarianism may overlook the protection of individual rights if sacrificing one person's well-being leads to greater overall happiness. Complex Calculations: It can be challenging to accurately predict and measure the long- term consequences of actions, leading to complex calculations.
3 Appropriateness for Mountain Top View: Utilitarianism is appropriate for Mountain Top View because the company operates in a customer-centric industry where customer satisfaction is paramount. Prioritizing actions that lead to overall customer happiness aligns with the business's commitment to customer service and maintaining trust. Application to the Scenario: If Steve, the IT lead, had applied utilitarianism to the scenario, he would have considered the overall consequences of not reporting the data breach. By transparently disclosing the breach, he could have contributed to the happiness and trust of the affected customers. The potential short-term discomfort caused by disclosure would be outweighed by the long-term benefits of maintaining customer trust, protecting the company's reputation, and fulfilling its commitment to data protection. Steve could have utilized a utilitarian calculus by considering the happiness of the affected customers, the potential damage to the company's reputation, and the long-term trust-building impact of transparent communication. In this way, he could have guided his decision-making to align with the principle of maximizing overall happiness. Conclusion: Utilitarianism offers a practical ethical framework for employees at Mountain Top View to guide their decision-making, especially in scenarios involving customer trust and data protection. By prioritizing the overall happiness of customers and stakeholders, employees can contribute to the company's ethical standards and commitment to corporate social responsibility.