Leading & Managing Individuals

Leading & Managing Individuals

Background

This paper intends to discuss an ethical decision making scenario. I have been hired as the elementary division manager of a toy company. Soon after being hired, I have received a memo from the manager of quality assurance department. A metal whistle included in the toy collection did not pass testing mainly because it had small traces of lead present in it. Moreover, the amount of lead present in the whistles was above the legally acceptable limits of United States of America laws. Another important thing to analyze is that a shipment is scheduled within a week's time. If the reproduction of whistles is meant to be done, the approximate costs are $100,000 for the reproduction and repackaging estimates. The purpose of this paper is to prepare a memo for the CEO and the executive team presenting them with three possible decision alternatives to address the problem regarding the whistles. Various ethical decision making alternatives will be explored and assessed within the paper.

Memo

Memo from the Elementary Division Manager

To: Chief Executive Officer and Executive Team

From: Elementary Division Manager

Subject: Potential Ethical Decision Making

The company is faced with the ethical decision making situation where the whistles are found to possess excessive lead components then the allowed limits by the United States authorities. A shipment related to the whistles is due in one week's time. If the entire lot of whistles is to be reproduced and repackaged, it would cost around $100,000 to the company. On the other hand, if the lot is shipped directly, the health of children might be at stake and the reputation of the company as well. Moreover, the company might also have to face certain legal circumstances as a result. The decision has to be made as soon as possible in order to deliver the shipment in time. The following work has been done for your convenience to take the most appropriate decision.

Three Possible Decision Alternatives

Reproduce and repacking the entire lot of whistles in order to avoid health problems of children and negative reputation of the company within one week's time.

Ship the same whistles without informing anyone about the lead component.

Negotiate with the customer asking for more time to complete the order.

Process for Selecting Alternatives

The process for selecting the alternatives seems to be quite complicated. The above mentioned alternatives are assumed to be the only choices company has at this point in time. The alternatives have been chosen after a deep analysis of the situation and the related consequences to the company. All the related personnel were asked to provide their opinions regarding the situation and the most suitable alternatives are provided above.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Alternative

Each of the alternatives has several underlying advantages and disadvantages both. Before deciding with the best alternative, it is important to analyze the advantages and disadvantages both. The advantages of first alternative are that the health of children would not be at risk and the company will not have to face ...