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Ethical Decision Making

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Ethical Decision-Making

An ethical dilemma occurs when two opposing values must be chosen, and the

decision made will inevitably have an impact (Haar et.al, 2020). A morally upright society is

established by moral norms and rules of behavior, which are established through ethical

decision-making. Ethical decision-making aids in avoiding ethical dilemmas, as the decision-

maker uses a defined ethical model that guides them. Vassilios (2023) admits that ethical

dilemmas are part of business and marketing and are why organizations must make moral

strategic decisions. A seven-step ethical decision-making model involves defining the issue,

getting help and support, identifying and assessing potential decisions and their implication,

and finally, making, implementing, and assessing the decision (The Ethics and Compliance

Initiative, 2021). By applying this model, individuals in an organization can avoid ethical

dilemmas and promote a morally upright society.

An example of an ethical dilemma is evident in a marketing agency I interned. There

was a team project that would have impacted the agency’s future. Since the project was

complex, it required different skill sets from the team members. However, it was Lisa, an

intern, who stood out. She was a creative powerhouse and worked tirelessly to drive the

project forward. As the project neared completion, the team manager, Jason, prepared the

final presentation. He understood that receiving recognition from any team member for a

well-done job could boost their career prospects in the agency.

Jason found himself in an ethical dilemma. First, he believed in giving credit where it

is due. Lisa had undeniably contributed more than anyone else. Recognizing her efforts

seemed like the right thing to do. On the other hand, he also knew that singling out Lisa in an

executives’ meeting could cause tension by making the other team members feel

undervalued. This ethical dilemma challenged Jason to evaluate the principles of fairness,
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recognition, and team harmony. The decision required careful thought, empathy, and moral

courage since no matter what he chose, an ethical principle would be compromised.

The model is a systematic approach to ethical decision-making that has seven steps.

Step one emphasizes the importance of accurately defining the problem. Step two recognizes

the value of seeking assistance and using available resources in decision-making. This can

lead to more informed and balanced decisions. Steps three and four involve identifying and

evaluating alternatives to encourage open-mindedness and critical thinking, essential for

ethical decision-making. Step five is the decision-making point. Step six highlights the

importance of action following decision-making. This step is crucial as it highlights that a

decision is only as good as its implementation. Lastly, step seven involves evaluating the

decision, an often-overlooked step that ensures accountability and continuous learning.

The given ethical decision-making model is beneficial as it incorporates the element

of consequentialism. According to this theory, a decision is correct if other actions do not

provide better outcomes (Andersen, 2022). The model’s strength includes an easy-to-follow

structure that is comprehensive. It ensures accountability and transparency in decision-

making by guiding the decision from problem definition to decision evaluation.

Although the model has a well-laid structure, it has certain drawbacks. First, It begins

by assuming that the person making the decision is capable of precisely defining the issue

and recognizing all pertinent options. This may only sometimes be the case, only in rare

circumstances— especially those that are unclear or complex. Additionally, the model needs

to provide specific guidance on how to weigh the ethical implications of different

alternatives, which can be a significant challenge in ethical decision-making. Also, the model

does not include instructions on potential conflicts between ethical principles or values.

The decision-making model can be used in steps to evaluate Jason’s dilemma. In step

one, define the problem: the problem is whether to give Lisa the majority of the credit or
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present the project as a collective effort. Step two: seeking assistance, guidance, and support:

Jason could consult with a mentor and review the company’s recognition and teamwork

policies to understand the organization’s expectations and norms. Step three: Identify

alternatives: Jason could give Lisa most of the credit, present the project as a team effort, or

find a middle ground where he acknowledges the team’s effort but highlights Lisa’s

exceptional contribution. Step four: Evaluate alternatives: Jason needs to consider the

potential consequences of each alternative. Step five: Make the decision: Jason needs to

decide after evaluating the alternatives. This should be based on his understanding of the

problem, the potential consequences of each alternative, and the ethical implications of each

option. Step six: Implement the decision: Jason needs to implement it once he decides. Step

seven: Evaluate the decision: Jason should reflect on the impact of the presentation. For

example, did it cause conflict within the team? Did it acknowledge Lisa’s contribution

appropriately?

Using the ethical decision-making model, Jason could have had a better approach to

mitigating his ethical dilemma. First, the model would have clearly defined Jason’s problem,

giving him a better understanding of the ethical dilemma. Secondly, by seeking advice and

referring to company policies, Jason could have gained additional perspectives that could

have aided him in making an informed decision. Using step three, Jason could have ensured

that he considered all potential solutions. This could have helped him avoid a binary choice

and explore more nuanced options. Also, evaluating each alternative could have helped Jason

understand the potential consequences of each option. The fifth step of the model could have

helped Jason decide based on a thorough understanding of the problem, the alternatives, and

their potential consequences. The sixth step could have helped Jason understand that making

a decision is not enough; it needs to be implemented. Lastly, Jason could have learned from

the situation by evaluating his decision and gaining insights for future decision-making.
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In conclusion, the presented ethical decision-making model offers a crucial seven-step

method for handling ethical dilemmas. It provides instructions on how to make decisions,

which include carefully analyzing the issues, weighing your options, and carefully

considering the consequences of your choice. Although the model provides an essential guide

to decision-making, it has limitations, and the decision might depend on the integrity of the

decision-maker.
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References

Andersen, M. M. (2022). Consequentialism. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics.

https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.2019

Ethics and Compliance Initiative. (2021). The PLUS Ethical Decision-Making model. Ethics

& Compliance Initiative. https://www.ethics.org/resources/free-toolkit/decision-

making-model/

Haahr, A., Norlyk, A., Martinsen, B., & Dreyer, P. (2020). Nurses experiences of ethical

dilemmas: A review. Nursing ethics, 27(1), 258-272.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733019832941

Vassilios, B. (2023). ETHICS AT THE CROSSROADS: NAVIGATING DILEMMAS AND

MAKING MORAL STRATEGIC DECISIONS IN BUSINESS AND

MARKETING. The American Journal of Management and Economics

Innovations, 5(07), 41-44. https://doi.org/10.37547/tajmei/Volume05Issue07-06