WGU C717 FZP2 Task 2: Ethical Dilemmas in Business|
Passed on First Attempt |Latest Update with Complete
Solution
Student Name:
Student ID:
A. Ethical Dilemma: Conflict of Interest
A1. Possible Consequences of Accepting the Bid
Accepting a bid from a friend’s business could undermine confidence in the company’s
procurement process. Other suppliers and employees may perceive the decision as
favoritism, which could damage the company’s reputation for fairness, transparency, and
ethical conduct. This perception may discourage other suppliers from participating in
future bidding opportunities, reducing competition, and potentially increasing
procurement costs. Additionally, if the procurement manager fails to disclose the personal
relationship, the company could face internal investigations, disciplinary action, or other
consequences related to a breach of its conflict-of-interest policies.
A2. Possible Consequences of Turning Down the Bid
Rejecting the bid solely because of the personal relationship could cause the company to
miss an opportunity to work with a supplier offering competitive pricing, superior quality,
or better service. This decision could lead to higher procurement costs or limit access to
valuable products and services. Furthermore, excluding the friend’s business without
objectively evaluating its proposal could be perceived as unfair treatment. To maintain
ethical standards while protecting the company’s interests, the procurement manager
should disclose the relationship and allow an impartial decisionmaker to evaluate the bid
according to established procurement criteria.
, A3. Utilitarian Ethics
A3a. Explanation of Utilitarian Ethics
According to DesJardins (2017), utilitarian ethics evaluates actions based on their
consequences, with the goal of maximizing overall benefits for the greatest number of
people. A key principle of utilitarianism is consequentialism, which holds that the morality
of an action is determined by its outcomes. Under this ethical framework, the most morally
appropriate decision is the one that produces the greatest overall good while minimizing
harm to affected stakeholders. In business, utilitarian ethics involves considering how
decisions impact employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders, and the broader
community.
A3b. Utilitarian Ethics Resolution
Using utilitarian ethics, the procurement manager should determine which supplier would
provide the greatest overall benefit to the company and its stakeholders. This requires an
objective evaluation of each bid based on predetermined criteria, including price, quality,
reliability, and service. The procurement manager should also disclose the personal
relationship and ensure that an impartial individual or committee oversees the selection
process. If the friend's business submits the strongest proposal and meets all established
requirements, accepting the bid may be ethically justified, provided the decision is
transparent, fair, and free from favoritism.
B. Ethical Dilemma: Whistleblowing
B1. Potential Impact of Reporting the Fraud
Reporting the fraud could protect the company from further financial losses, legal
penalties, and reputational damage. Addressing the misconduct promptly would allow
management to investigate the allegations, correct inaccurate financial records, and
strengthen internal controls to prevent similar incidents in the future. Furthermore,
reporting the fraud would demonstrate accountability and reinforce the company's
commitment to ethical business practices. These actions could help maintain the trust of
key stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors, and regulatory authorities.
B2. Possible Consequences of Failing to Report the Fraud
Failing to report the fraud could allow unethical behavior to continue and potentially
escalate, resulting in greater financial losses and further misconduct. If the fraud is
Passed on First Attempt |Latest Update with Complete
Solution
Student Name:
Student ID:
A. Ethical Dilemma: Conflict of Interest
A1. Possible Consequences of Accepting the Bid
Accepting a bid from a friend’s business could undermine confidence in the company’s
procurement process. Other suppliers and employees may perceive the decision as
favoritism, which could damage the company’s reputation for fairness, transparency, and
ethical conduct. This perception may discourage other suppliers from participating in
future bidding opportunities, reducing competition, and potentially increasing
procurement costs. Additionally, if the procurement manager fails to disclose the personal
relationship, the company could face internal investigations, disciplinary action, or other
consequences related to a breach of its conflict-of-interest policies.
A2. Possible Consequences of Turning Down the Bid
Rejecting the bid solely because of the personal relationship could cause the company to
miss an opportunity to work with a supplier offering competitive pricing, superior quality,
or better service. This decision could lead to higher procurement costs or limit access to
valuable products and services. Furthermore, excluding the friend’s business without
objectively evaluating its proposal could be perceived as unfair treatment. To maintain
ethical standards while protecting the company’s interests, the procurement manager
should disclose the relationship and allow an impartial decisionmaker to evaluate the bid
according to established procurement criteria.
, A3. Utilitarian Ethics
A3a. Explanation of Utilitarian Ethics
According to DesJardins (2017), utilitarian ethics evaluates actions based on their
consequences, with the goal of maximizing overall benefits for the greatest number of
people. A key principle of utilitarianism is consequentialism, which holds that the morality
of an action is determined by its outcomes. Under this ethical framework, the most morally
appropriate decision is the one that produces the greatest overall good while minimizing
harm to affected stakeholders. In business, utilitarian ethics involves considering how
decisions impact employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders, and the broader
community.
A3b. Utilitarian Ethics Resolution
Using utilitarian ethics, the procurement manager should determine which supplier would
provide the greatest overall benefit to the company and its stakeholders. This requires an
objective evaluation of each bid based on predetermined criteria, including price, quality,
reliability, and service. The procurement manager should also disclose the personal
relationship and ensure that an impartial individual or committee oversees the selection
process. If the friend's business submits the strongest proposal and meets all established
requirements, accepting the bid may be ethically justified, provided the decision is
transparent, fair, and free from favoritism.
B. Ethical Dilemma: Whistleblowing
B1. Potential Impact of Reporting the Fraud
Reporting the fraud could protect the company from further financial losses, legal
penalties, and reputational damage. Addressing the misconduct promptly would allow
management to investigate the allegations, correct inaccurate financial records, and
strengthen internal controls to prevent similar incidents in the future. Furthermore,
reporting the fraud would demonstrate accountability and reinforce the company's
commitment to ethical business practices. These actions could help maintain the trust of
key stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors, and regulatory authorities.
B2. Possible Consequences of Failing to Report the Fraud
Failing to report the fraud could allow unethical behavior to continue and potentially
escalate, resulting in greater financial losses and further misconduct. If the fraud is
