Ethical decision-making in simulation-based games and applications

Ethics Game

The simulation presents some of the ethical issues involved in selling a product overseas. Safety standards are one of the key issues that was raised in the simulation, in particular the question of how to deal in countries that have lower safety standards than our own. This ties into the broader issue of how we should apply our own ethical lens to foreign cultures and countries in general.

To address these issues, I used the Baird Decision Making Model. This model analyzes ethical issues from four lenses: the rights and responsibilities lens, the results lens, the relationship lens and the reputation lens (Melingagio, n.d.). Taking this approach allowed me to see the situation from a number of different perspectives. One of the reasons why ethical dilemmas are so difficult is because there are usually at least two solutions, but those are mutually exclusive to one another (McConnell, 2010). There are drawbacks to either solution -- if the solutions were equally good this would not be much of a challenge.

3. First I analyzed the issue through the rights and responsibilities lens. This focuses on concepts of consumer rights and the rights that business needs to uphold. This lead to a number of positive actions taken, such as posting the FDA information on the label and the company website. Actions were also taken to ensure that internal quality standards are being met. Under the relationship lens, it was decided to apply U.S. safety standards to all sales, and not sell the product in nations that do not have these types of standards. This approach fosters a good relationship with consumers in other parts of the world, because they are going to see their living standards raised by having access to products that meet American quality standards, if those standards are higher than the local standards.

The decision was also analyzed through the reputational lens. This lens explores the virtues that are important for leadership, according to the simulation. As Quality Control Manager, I identified core competencies that are critical to my role. A couple of core competencies that I did not select were identified as important to contributing to decision making. Ultimately, I used all of the different lenses to help make my decision. The choice was made to uphold U.S. quality control standards, because to do so would treat all people equally, and would improve the quality of life for the people in countries with lax quality standards by giving them access to better products. To sell lesser goods simply because quality standards are lower is unethical. The product was not sold; they were recalled. This was deemed inconsistent with my role, but I do not agree -- my role is to ensure product safety, not to worry about profits. My decision was consistent and final that if the goods are not allowed to be sold in the U.S., they should not be sold at all. This fits with the reputational lens both for the company and for me personally, and it fits with the relationship lens given that we are trying to build a good relationship with consumers all over the world. I believe my decision was ethically consistent.

4. My mind was made up fairly early in the simulation as to the best course of action in this situation. I believe the role that the ethical lenses played was to support my decision. I feel that integrity and moral courage are important, and it takes courage to order a decision that will cost the company profit. I also believe that contributory justice is part of my decision, because I feel like all people should be treated equally, and to me that means not dumping a faulty product on consumers just because they happen to have been born in another country. I feel that the company's value and providing accurate information are two keys to my decision, and these were identified as important core competencies, so I feel that each step of the analysis supports my decision.

5. I feel that the concepts from this simulation are directly applicable to my workplace. There are always opportunities in every business to set aside ethics in favor of profit. Doing business internationally, there are even more opportunities where regulations are lax. My company does business overseas and undoubtedly a situation like this will arise in my own career. Having a framework like the Baird Decision Making Model will help me to work through ethical dilemmas that I will face. You always want to make the best decision possible, and in complex situation that usually means intently studying the situation. Having a framework like this to help examine the issue from a number of different perspectives I think will be quite helpful.