Ethical decision-making and bribery practices at Megacomp

Business Ethics Megacomp

Ethics are play a major role in how an organization carries out its duties and responsibilities. Ethical behavior is a leader driven quality that resonates throughout the company files. By default, the leader of an organization sets the ethical and moral tone of the organization, and will reflect the inner most qualities of the leader.

Ms. Werner, as the CEO of Megacomp, needs to be aware of her role as a leader and that what she says and does will most likely be repeated in other business scenarios. The importance of Ms. Werner's decision regarding what she must tell her division managers regarding the business practices of the Chinese cannot be understated. The important issue dealing with this case is not necessary ethics but more of a practical or moral situation.

Megacomp was created and grew successful under a certain ethical approach. That approach needs to be modified if it is to continue to grow. Ms. Werener must sacrifice some of her old ethical methods in order to achieve the growths and profits her eagerness is driving at. Any directions given to her Division Chiefs must include the necessity of the ethical transformation that must take place to succeed.

Ethics are a more of a personal issues, but when organizations adopt ethics, they are internalized by the those in the company. By directing her chiefs in a new ethical direction, one that reflects a more global society that requires a suspension of normal behavior, a new ethical precedent is created. Ethics are subjective and can be used in certain situations. Blanket behaviors do not usually work and reason, temperance and careful thought may adjust the ethical boundaries of any situation including this case with Megacomp.

Question 2

The act of bribing Chinese officials is not too much different than the normal sales approach that takes place in America and the rest of the world. While Chinese officials need to be bribed, other environments require the customer to be wined and dined and treated as special. The nature of Megacomp's business deals with making profits and I see no problem with continuing the practices directed by Ms. Werner here in Hong Kong and throughout China.

The ability for international business to succeed requires that business to remain flexible. Growing and expanding Megacomp's business into Asia and the untapped markets the Chinese provide is quite exciting and there is ample room to grow the company and create more of a competitive advantage within the software industry.

Overall, I am enjoying this position and would prefer to keep this job for as long as possible or as long as Ms. Werner sees fit. Hong Kong is an exciting place with many resources and has a rich and interesting culture. I enjoy doing a different type of approach to my job, and the act of bribing officials so openly is stimulating due to the illegality of this act in other parts of the world. These types of challenges are fun and present a new way to grow and develop may own business acumen and become a better leader with a wider appreciation for ethical frameworks that do not reflect the cultures of the West.

Question 4

Ethics are more individual than anything. When individuals agree with each other on a certain behavioral standard, a shared ethic has been created and signifies a sacred bond between those individuals. Because what is right for one person in a certain situation may be wrong for another person in that same situation suggests that there is no completely shared or universal business ethic.

Ethics signify responsibility and taking control over a situation. When organizations apply a collective ethic by its business practices it denotes that it is taking control of the situation. This situation suggests that Megacomp is being aggressive and is not letting certain restrictions get in its way as it creates a competitive advantage in search of profits and power. This is dangerous if not tempered with human qualities such as empathy. Doing to others as they would do unto you is a golden rule that stands to be an ethical guiding point for those in tricky situations such as this.

Organizations eventually become reflections of their internal intent and that include moral and ethical guidelines and behaviors. A business ethic must be practical and not be too conservative or too loose in its application. Remaining flexible and open minded in these situations is a useful approach when considering the ethical implications of different cultures and environment where best business practices shift from what may be traditionally celebrated in one's own homeland.