Reference no: EM133615519
The ethical issues in this case include the pressure to compromise ethical standards in exchange for personal gain, the abuse of power and authority, bribery, and the potential for favoritism and unfair treatment. Bill, the sales director of the third region, is using his position of power to coerce the marketing manager into prioritizing his needs over those of the other regions and is offering personal incentives to do so. This creates a conflict of interest. His judgment is compromised because he is the biggest money maker, and raises questions about his integrity. (Treviño & Nelson, 2021)
The decision-maker in this case may be inclined to go along with Bill's demands to secure his recommendation and the promise of a personal bonus. Especially if the decision-maker has been going through a hard time financially. He could also not be inclined to go along with Bill's demands because it would compromise the ethical standards of the company and could lead to negative consequences, such as accusations of favoritism and damage to the company's reputation.
If I were the decision maker in this case, I would handle the situation by respectfully declining Bill's offer and explaining that my team is committed to serving all regions equally and providing the best possible support to all sales professionals. I would emphasize the importance of ethical and fair business practices and explain that compromising these standards could have negative consequences for the company in the long term.
I would definitely report the conversation to my manager to ensure transparency and accountability (Treviño & Nelson, 2021). It is important to document any attempts to compromise ethical standards and to seek guidance from higher-ups to ensure that the company's values and standards are upheld.