Jennings Ethics Case Paper

BLAW201

ETHICS ASSIGNMENT

Summer 2011

The given case delves into ethical dilemma pertaining to violation of federal laws for product safety and then trying to export the product overseas without informing the potential consumers about the related safety issues of the product. A brand builds its reputation by its products and keeping consumers in the dark about the safety of a product meant for toddler usage is highly dangerous and can damage the brand’s image for life. Such business practices from a brand can also ensue in a legal action against it from the users. Serving as an agent who exports a banned product to foreign markets, I would be faced with a multitude of dilemmas of varying nature. Based on the Jennings Ethical reading, some of them can be categorized as mentioned below.

Hiding or divulging information

This is a dilemma that involves trying to sell the product overseas without informing the public overseas of the possible counter effects of the product usage and the ban placed in the United States on the product. Being unaware of the ban placed by the local federal organizations, and continuing to sell the product at other places where no news about the product has reached, the customers abroad would be vulnerable to the damage caused by the products that I will be exporting. Hiding the information about the product safety failure and the injuries it has caused to previous infant users can not only be detrimental to the consumers, but also to the company, its brand image and my own reputation as an export agent of an unsafe product.

Taking Unfair Advantage

By performing the aforementioned action of export, I would also be accountable for another ethical breach of taking unfair advantage of the foreign consumers by having an incomplete disclosure about the possible effects of using the said product.

Condoning Unethical Actions

Lastly, if the company does not make any attempts to improve the product and if I engage in active export of...