Introduction

Business ethics is a standard from which an organization succeeds to accomplish its goal while at the same time guaranteeing a moral behavior through its actions. As such, various ethical theories have long been formulated to illustrate the wrongs from the rights through a code of conduct (Waggoner, 2010). Philosophers such as Socrates terms morality as a move that protects other people from harm as the main priority in any moral dilemma. Ethics has been explained from different perspectives such as Utilitarianism, deontological, Nietzsean ethics, and pragmatic. As a newly appointed Senior Manager at Bakersfield Plant owned by MM Brands, I am faced with an ethical dilemma to evaluate whether my actions at the organization together with MM Brands was justified based on pertinent ethical theories stipulated in the case scenario and how they apply to this specific actions. Finally, the paper uses moral pluralism to reach a rationale regarding the overall moral correctness.

Analysis Based on Theoretical Provision Utilitarian Moral Perspective

Based on the utilitarian moral perspective, neither MM Brands actions nor my actions as a Senior Manager were morally justified. According to "Wireless Philosophy" (2014), utilitarianism works based on the idea that any action undertook is morally allowable if and only if it produces at least as much net happiness as any other available action. My actions and MM brands as an organization failed to factor in both aspects of utilitarianism theory which are value theory and theory of right action. The organization's action left a notable (third) number of previous employees unemployed, another third securing low-paying and low-skilled jobs, and only a third upgrading to better-paying jobs. Thus, the actions were not morally correct based on this theoretical provision.

Kantian/Deontological Moral Perspective

Kant's theory (Deontological moral theory) is another provision that disputes the actions (as a Senior Manager) and MM Brands as morally correct. First, this perspective accredits that "the rightness or wrongness of any action does not depend on their consequences but to whether one fulfills duty" ("College Binary," 2009). The actions made by MM Brands to outsource labor and render other employees jobless does not make the organization morally straight. Moreover, my actions as the senior manager are not morally correct since while fulfilling my duty, my actions are not predetermined by the categorical imperative. Based on categorical imperative, both the organization and senior manager failed to honor the unconditional command whereby, despite speculating personal interests from the outcome, it was morally wrong to outsource the organization without proper rules and laws involved.

Nietzsean Ethics

Nietzsean theoretical provision conflicts with utilitarianism and Kantian theory based on the definition of morality. Nietzsean perspective on ethics has been widely controversial because of his profound critique of morality (Pierce, 2016). While many ethical theories base morality on intentions of the actor consequences of the act, Nietzsean claims that no one has knowledge regarding the future and as a result, one can never know the consequences of the action taken (Pierce, 2016). For this reason, both MM Brands and the senior manager were morally correct to engage in the action undertaken collectively. Reason for this evaluation is because, the theory indicates that it is difficult to prove the truth of any action since our opinions about noble, good or moral are unknowable.

Pragmatic theory

Pragmatic ethics theory views morality from a practical point of view. Besides, it stipulates that whatever an individual practice is a habit he/she develops. From a pragmatist's point of view, there are no habits in nature that have no flaws and as such, the theory holds that morality is a social value but changing habits for a moral motive is essential (Cavanagh, Moberg, & Velasquez, 1995). From this dimension, as senior manager, a habit to become successful by accepting favors to allow outsourcing the organization can be corrected to factor in the implications on the larger social group. Moreover, MM Brands habits to be successful could have conflicted with equality as a virtue and thus, a call to change its habits.

Solution through Moral Pluralism

The case of MM Brands can be resolved through Moral Pluralism which subscribes to the notion that such a scenario might have conflicting moral views that can exclusively be worthy of respect (Burton, Dunn, & Goldsby, 2006). In this case, the outsourcing case could be solved by being open-minded even after being faced with competing viewpoints by making an analysis that can be backed from numerous dimensions before deciding to take an action.

The overall moral correctness of this case viewed at a moral pluralistic point might conclude that there was no definitive approach to decide the course of action that would emerge as moral. The reason behind this theory is because, at times, it is difficult to make a choice between two or more competing values (Burton, Dunn, & Goldsby, 2006). The approach thus takes a middle ground between moral absolutism and moral relativism.

Ways Actions could have been altered for a better moral outcome

For a better moral outcome, I think the best actions to be incorporated in the organization ethical code of conduct is having a workforce with values that align with organizational goals.

The action undertook could have been based on values such as justice/equality, responsibility, and respect and trustworthy. For a moral driven decision making an action, the organization could have worked based on a social contract in terms of concrete principles that guide how decisions and employee performance translates to the overall outcome of the business.

Moral values that guide Outsourcing

In every organization, values are basics for any organization and always act as guiding policies and principles which command the way people should act. Through the company's values, people are able to differentiate between right and wrong and also assist an organization to evaluate whether they are on the right course in satisfying organization objectives.

Transparency is one moral an organization should stipulate as a guideline in outsourcing.

Through it, an organization maintains moral reasoning by being open, honest and direct to all issues pertinent to outsourcing (Godar, O'Connor, & Taylor, 2005). Also, accountability of the organization and any individual involved in outsourcing decision is a guideline that ensures that individuals own up to their actions and avoid blame. Lastly, protecting the organization reputation is also important when considering outsourcing an organization.

References