Ethics model questions (14)

Q12. You are the manager of a spare parts company A and you have to negotiate a deal with the manager of a large manufacturing company B. The deal is highly competitive and sealing the deal is critical for your company. The deal is being worked out over dinner. After dinner the manager of manufacturing company B offered to drop you to the hotel in his car. On the way to the hotel he happens to hit a motorcycle injuring the motorcyclist badly. You know the manager was driving fast and thus lost control. The law enforcement officer comes to investigate the issue and you are the sole eyewitness to it. Knowing the strict laws pertaining to road accidents you are aware that your honest account of the incident would lead to the prosecution of the manager and as a consequence the deal is likely to be jeopardised, which is of immense importance to your company.

What are the dilemmas you face? What will be your response to the situation? (250 Words, 20)

Ans: In the given scenario, there are several dilemmas that the manager of company A faces:

• Ethical Dilemma: The manager is faced with the ethical dilemma of choosing between honesty and the potential negative consequences for their company. They have knowledge that the manager of company B was driving fast and caused an accident, and providing an honest account would likely lead to legal consequences for the manager.

• Legal Dilemma: The manager is aware of the strict laws pertaining to road accidents and the potential legal ramifications for the manager of company B. If they provide an honest account, it may lead to the prosecution of the manager, potentially resulting in negative implications for their company's business deal.

• Professional Dilemma: The manager is responsible for the success and growth of their own company, and sealing the deal with company B is of immense importance. Reporting the incident truthfully may jeopardize the business deal, potentially impacting the company's reputation, financial stability, and future prospects.

In response to this situation, the manager has a few options, each with their own implications:

• Honesty and Reporting: The manager can choose to provide an honest account of the incident to the law enforcement officer, ensuring justice and upholding ethical principles. However, this may lead to the prosecution of the manager of company B and jeopardise the business deal.

• Partial Truth or Omission: The manager may be tempted to provide a partial account of the incident, omitting or downplaying the manager of company B's responsibility. This would be a compromise on honesty, and while it may preserve the business deal, it could also lead to feelings of guilt, ethical conflicts, and potential legal consequences for themselves.

• Concealment or False Account: The manager could choose to withhold or manipulate the truth entirely, providing a false account of the incident to protect the manager of company B and preserve the business deal. This option, however, is highly unethical and potentially illegal, with potential long-term consequences for the manager's personal and professional integrity.

In this situation, the most ethically responsible course of action would be to prioritize honesty and integrity, even if it means risking the business deal. Upholding the law, ensuring justice, and maintaining personal and professional ethics are fundamental principles that should guide decision- making. By providing an honest account of the incident, the manager demonstrates integrity, accountability, and a commitment to ethical conduct, which are essential qualities in business relationships.

It is important to remember that compromising ethical principles for short- term gains can lead to long-term repercussions, including damage to one's reputation, loss of trust, and legal consequences. Ultimately, by making the right ethical choice, the manager can build a foundation for sustainable business relationships based on trust, transparency, and shared values.

Q13. A building permitted for three floors, while being extended illegally to 6 floors by a builder, collapses. As a consequence, a number of innocent labourers including women and children died. These labourers are migrants from different places. The government immediately announced cash relief to the aggrieved families and arrested the builder.

Give reasons for such incidents taking place across the country. Suggest measures to prevent their occurrence. (250 Words, 20)

Ans: Incidents like the one described, where buildings are illegally extended and collapse, leading to the loss of lives, can occur due to a combination of factors. Some reasons for such incidents taking place across the country include:

• Lack of Effective Regulation and Enforcement: Weak or inadequate building regulations, poor implementation, and limited enforcement mechanisms contribute to unauthorized construction activities. Corruption and negligence within regulatory bodies can also allow builders to flout the rules.

• Rapid Urbanization and Population Growth: The increasing demand for housing and inadequate supply lead to haphazard and unregulated construction practices. Builders may resort to illegal extensions to maximize profits or meet the demand, disregarding safety regulations.

• Informal Sector and Migrant Labor: The involvement of informal or unregistered builders and the reliance on migrant labor, often with limited legal protection and safety standards, can result in compromised construction practices.

• Lack of Awareness and Education: Many individuals, especially in marginalized communities, may be unaware of the risks associated with illegal construction or may lack knowledge about building regulations and safety measures.

To prevent such incidents from occurring, several measures can be implemented:

• Strengthening Regulations and Enforcement: Review and update building regulations to ensure they are comprehensive, clear, and enforceable. Establish strict penalties for non-compliance and strengthen monitoring mechanisms to identify and prevent illegal construction activities.

• Improved Governance and Transparency: Enhance the efficiency and transparency of the building approval process, reducing bureaucratic red tape and corruption. Implement regular audits and inspections to identify illegal constructions and take swift action against violators.

• Public Awareness and Education: Conduct awareness campaigns targeting both builders and the public to educate them about the importance of following building regulations and safety standards. Empower communities, especially migrants and marginalized groups, with knowledge about their rights and access to legal channels to report violations.

• Capacity Building and Training: Provide training programs for builders, architects, engineers, and construction workers to enhance their understanding of safety measures, structural integrity, and ethical construction practices. Encourage certifications and professional associations to uphold high standards.

• Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: Foster collaboration among government agencies, professional bodies, civil society organizations, and communities to tackle illegal construction activities collectively. Encourage public participation in decision- making processes and involve local communities in monitoring and reporting violations.

• Regular Inspections and Monitoring: Implement a robust system of regular inspections to identify non-compliant structures and take necessary action promptly. Leverage technology, such as satellite imagery and data analytics, to detect unauthorized constructions and monitor changes in the urban landscape.

• Support for Safe Migration: Provide support services, including safe and affordable housing, to migrant workers to discourage them from living in substandard or illegally extended structures. Collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure migrant workers are aware of their rights and have access to legal avenues for reporting violations.

By implementing these measures, there can be a significant reduction in illegal constructions and the associated risks, ensuring the safety and well- being of individuals and communities across the country.