Reference no: EM132835989

Ethical Decision-Making Framework

Karwan is about to finish his double degree in Business and Media/Communication - studying business was the choice of Karwan's father, while Karwan took Media/Communications because that was his passion. Karwan studied business because his Father owns a Grocery store chain in Lebanon, and his Father wanted Karwan to study business so that one day he could take over the chain. Karwans' family rely on the income from the Grocery store chain, and the chain also supports over 50 jobs locally in Lebanon. While many businesses in Lebanon are failing, the chain was surviving, and could potentially grow with the right expertise. While studying, Karwan began to question whether he wants to take over the business or not. During his studies, Karwan enjoyed his Media/Communication courses, and although he didn't like business at first, grew to love Marketing while he was studying it and could see the usefulness of studying Marketing with Media/Communications as they were complementary.

Karwan now has to decide on what to do after he has finishes his degree, and has three options in front of him. First is to take over the business. Karwan's father is growing old, and potentially can only work for another 3-5 years. Secondly, Karwan has been offered a job as a Marking/Communications lead at a major retail outlet. The job pays well, and is what Karwan is interested in. Third, Karwan was offered by a friend to start a new Media/Communications consultancy company in the UAE. Starting the company is a major long term undertaking, and although it may become profitable, there is also a risk that the business might fail.

Considering Karwan's responsibility to his family, use the DMF to evaluate his choices and decide which is the best path to take.

1. Determine the facts: Students should determine all relevant facts to the case. It should be objective and not the opinion of the student about the case. It could be short bullet point sentences.

2. Identify the ethical issues involved: Students should state all relevant ethical issues to the case (ex: discrimination; fraud; etc.) and explain in a sentence why. However, it is important that the student determines which one is the most important ethical issue in the case and clearly state it. He/she will have to analyze the rest of the framework using the main ethical issue.

3. Identify stakeholders and consider the situation from their point of view: Students should identify the primary and secondary stakeholders.

4. Consider the available alternatives: Students should identify 4 alternatives. Moral imagination is key in this step.

5. Consider how a decision affects stakeholders:

Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D

Stakeholder1

Stakeholder2

Stakeholder3

Stakeholder4

6. Make a decision: Students have to clearly decide on the most appropriate decision and explain why they think it is the best.

7. Monitor the outcome: Students should explain how the organization should monitor the outcomes in order to learn from its mistake and take any corrective action needed.