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Ensayo Ingles
Ensayo Ingles
UNIVERSIDAD DE TOLIMA
FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS ECONOMICAS Y ADMINISTRATIVAS
ADMINISTRACION DE EMPRESAS
INVESTIGACION DE OPERACIONES
IBAGUE, 2022
Conflicts of Interest in Academic and Professional Environments
By: Karen Rodriguez
KEYWORDS:
THESIS:
Conflicts of interest are complex and pervasive phenomena that often emerge in academic
and professional environments, giving rise to tensions and potentially detrimental consequences.
In this essay, we delve into various general scenarios of conflict and report a specific case of
conflict of interest within the academic process. Through an argumentative analysis using
adjectives with "-ed" and "-ing," we explore the implications of these conflicts on the integrity and
fairness of academic and professional pursuits. Additionally, we discuss the processes involved in
these conflicts and propose effective mitigation strategies to address and resolve them.
In academic and professional contexts, conflicts of interest arise from diverse situations,
such as differences in opinions on specific topics, disagreements over the allocation of resources,
competitions for promotions or academic recognition, communication breakdowns leading to
misunderstandings, and the influence of personal or financial interests on decision-making. These
scenarios highlight the inherent complexity and potential biases that can challenge the objectivity
and impartiality of individuals within these environments.
One particular situation that merits attention involves a research advisor assigned to
evaluate grant proposals from students, among whom is a close relative of the advisor. This
situation poses a clear conflict of interest, as the impartial evaluation of all submissions may be
compromised due to the advisor's personal relationship with one of the applicants. In such cases,
the conflict could lead to the relative-student receiving preferential treatment, potentially creating
a sense of unfairness and demotivation among other candidates who may feel disadvantaged.
Moreover, the perceived bias in the evaluation process may damage the institution's reputation,
eroding trust in the academic community and affecting productivity and collaboration.
The processes involved in conflicts of interest in academia can vary, but they commonly
manifest during evaluation and decision-making phases. In the aforementioned case, the research
advisor struggles to provide unbiased assessments due to their personal connection with one of
the applicants. This highlights the challenges of navigating conflicts when they directly influence
critical academic processes.
The impact of conflicts of interest on academic and professional fields can be far-reaching.
These conflicts have the potential to compromise the integrity of research findings, skew decision-
making processes, and hinder the pursuit of objective knowledge. In professional settings,
conflicts of interest can lead to questionable business decisions, financial losses, and reputational
damage, undermining the trust and confidence of stakeholders.
To effectively address and resolve conflicts of interest, several mitigation strategies are
essential. Transparency and disclosure mechanisms should be implemented to ensure that
potential conflicts are identified and communicated openly. In cases where conflicts are
unavoidable, involving an independent committee or evaluator can help ensure impartiality and
fair decision-making. Establishing a clear code of ethics that provides guidelines for handling
conflicts of interest is crucial in guiding individuals' behavior and actions. Encouraging individuals
with conflicts to recuse themselves from decision-making processes can mitigate biases and
maintain objectivity.
Conflicts of interest can significantly compromise the objectivity and impartiality of people.
The presence of conflicts of interest in academic institutions can damage their reputation,
since the perceived bias can raise doubts about the fairness of decision-making processes.
This can have a negative impact on collaboration and productivity within the academic
community, hindering the advancement of knowledge and innovation. The
implementation of transparent conflict management strategies becomes essential to
maintain trust and credibility.
BIBLIGRAFIA:
Asociación Nacional de Trabajadores Sociales. (2017). Codigo de tica Del trabajador social.
[Código de ÉticaEspañol]. Recuperado el 6 de agosto de 2023, de
https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-Spanish