Applied Business Ethics

Ethical Dilemma Essay

Personal and professional ethical dilemmas are part of everyday life in the realm of business management. Business professionals are often faced with difficult situations that demand challenging decisions. I have come across one during my project management of supply chain for a well-known Swiss Watch Maker. As working for a supply chain consulting firm, I was given an onshore client project of this Swiss watch maker to study and improve the losses they are facing because of their supply chain management and certify that there company supply chain management practises are as per the Swiss Legal Law. This ABC Corp. is our main and most profitable client. On completion of the project I have helped the company to save $50 million in 6 months and as the company policies for all the supply chain management were as per Swiss law, a certificate was also issued. Due to this the CEO of the Swiss Watch Maker decided to gift me their Latest limited edition Watch which he insist that he want to give as a token of appreciation. He did inform that their company will use our company’s consultancy services for some other supply chain management issues.

I would have accepted the gift which in fact have a market value of $45,000 but as per our company corporate policy we cannot accept any gift in any form or bribe from our client. If I don’t accept the gift from the CEO I may offend him and loose future business too. I am getting a gift for my good work that worth $45000.I might end up losing my job if I accept the gift as it’s against the company policies.

Personal ethical dilemmas confronted by business management professionals include being offered gifts, compromising quality, lowering the quality of communication with co-workers and management, as well as with clients, and the abuse of power along with the transparency and openness of information (Rutland, 2002).

One of the key problems faced by business professionals is whether or not to...