Thursday, January 28, 2016

Week 4 Reading Reflection


1) I was surprised to learn that the process of making ethical decisions is a lot more complex than simply company employees and representatives making decisions. I didn't realize previously that there are so many legal guidelines and procedures that factor into a company's determination of whether or not certain practices are ethical.
2) One thing that confused me in the reading was the section where the author defined ethics as doing things in an "acceptable" manner. In today's society, the definition of "acceptable" varies widely based on people's personal beliefs, and also seems to heavily depend on a person's role in society. Behaviors that might be "acceptable" for celebrities are not necessarily "acceptable" for everyday people. 
3) Two questions I have for the author are: Who determines what is considered ethical and/or acceptable? How has the definition of ethical and/or acceptable changed over time?
4) I disagree with the author's point that corporate entrepreneurs must walk a fine line between cleverly orchestrating opportunities/outcomes and blatantly breaking the rules. While I'm sure many businesses and corporations can be sneaky and manipulative in their (un)ethical practices, I don't think that this the way they have to be. There are countless successful companies (for example, Everlane, a clothing company that runs on the concept of "radical transparency") who are completely upfront about their business practices (from factory conditions, to the materials they utilize, to costs and markups). These are the companies who will make it in the long run, because they are rewarded by loyal customers who appreciate the uncompromising importance they place on honesty and quality.

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