Answer the question below thoroughly! Explain your reasoning citing material from the textbook chapters and applying the ideas on varying ethical perspectives graphically portrayed in the Bridge on the River Quai film clip. Also respond to 2 classmates.

Be sure to respond to the answer of at least one other class member. Also, remember that participation

on at least two days is required.

Q 2 Which ethical perspective best describes PPI’s approach to safety issues? Would you say PPI takes a utilitarian, duty, or virtue-based approach?

Q 3 Regarding safety issues, how does management see its responsibilities toward its employees?

How do the attorneys see their responsibilities toward PPI?

and respond to both classmates

2) Although Heifetz’s perspective highlights how leaders should help their followers confront different conflicts, Burn’s perspective most accurately describes PPI’s approach to safety issues. PPI is putting the safety of work conditions before the fear of a lawsuit. Burn’s method puts ethics at the center piece of the leadership process (Northouse, 2018). Burn’s perspective places a strong emphasis on followers needs, values, and morals (Northouse, 2018). The management team is putting their employees safety concerns first which raises the morality of the company. PPI is taking a duty approach because the management team believes it is their responsibility to ensure the safety of their employees. Regardless of the outcome of the audit results, the management team believes figuring out how to make the environment safer is the right thing for their employees. Even with the attorneys from PPI, they have brought up their concerns about outside consultants. Right or wrong, they think having an outside consultant that audits the company is a poor decision in case the company gets sued.

In the film Bridge on the River Quai, both the Japanese and British officers used the duty approach method. When the colonel told the prisoners to get to work, the British officer referred to an article in the Geneva Convention. By doing this, the British officer used the duty approach method to explain to the colonel about the “rules of war”. The colonel took offense to the British officer and told the prisoners to get back to work. The Japanese officer also used the duty approach method since his job was to put the prisoners to work. They both had their reasonings, and they both thought they were right in their own mind.

3)Both the management team and the attorneys are doing their jobs to ensure the safety of their company and employees. The management team is ensuring that the work conditions are safe for everyone that is working there. The primary way the management team is addressing this responsibility is by hiring an outside consultant to audit the safety of PPI working conditions. After the result come back, the management team addresses the concerns then repairs the areas the need improvement. The attorneys are making sure the company is prepared if/when they have a lawsuit filed against them. If PPI, gets sued, the plaintiff can use evidence from the safety reviews the outside consultant provided the company. The attorneys main concerns are if the consultant reported a hazardous work area and PPI did not fix the situation in a timely manner, then the plaintiff would have a valid argument in court. The lawyers are trying to protect the situations from occurring.

References:

Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and practice (8th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications

Stephanie McCory

Ethical Leadership – MGT 6615

Week 1 – Case 13.2 (Questions 2 & 3)

Q2 – Which ethical perspective best describes PPI’s approach to safety issues? Would you say PPI takes a utilitarian, duty, or virtue-based approach?

The Greek term associated with these theories is aretaic which means “excellence” or “virtue”. Virtue ethics refers to a philosophy that was developed by Aristotle and several other ancient Greeks (Northouse 2018). It is characterized by morality that assumes that people acquire virtue through various practices. Through practicing being generous, honest, brave, and honest among others one develops a moral and honorable character. Therefore, in the PPIs approach to safety issues, virtue-based approach is the most applicable. It is the moral obligation of the company to provide to its workers a safe working environment and availability of proper measures that are set forth for them to follow to regularly improve their safety standards. Obliviously, most companies are continuing to practice in good faith with the aim of boosting their facilities, lading to a creation of safe, efficient, and comfortable working environment. PPI is seen making positive and right decisions through working in best interest of employees through yearly improvements that are geared towards ensuring that these places are properly and adequately protected and governed.

PPI takes a virtue-based approach. Virtue -based theories they focus on who leaders are as people (Northouse2018). PPI’s approach to safety issues is virtue-based. Virtue ethics is characterized by morality that assumes that people acquire virtue through various practices. PPI is seen making positive and right decisions through working in best interest of employees through yearly improvements that are geared towards ensuring that these places are properly and adequately protected and governed. It is the moral obligation of the company to provide to its workers a safe working environment and availability of proper measures that are set forth for them to follow to regularly improve their safety standards. overall, most companies are continuing to practice in good faith with the aim of boosting their facilities, lading to a creation of safe, efficient, and comfortable working environment.

Q3 – Regarding safety issues, how does management see its responsibilities toward its employees? How do the attorneys see their responsibilities toward PPI?

Mr. Griffin looks for improvements to the safety and cleanliness of PPI for his employees as the audits was not required. Listening to the clip from Bridge to Kwai as you have one leader following the procedures and the other leader not following the procedures for manual labor. It was an ethical decision to not perform manual labor for one leader and the other leader will kill his officers if they do not perform manual labor. As the leader PPI guarantee safe working conditions for sure. As the overall safety improves every year. From an attorney’s perspective PPI’s main duty is to provide guidance and defend them from future prosecutions. Being that, the lawyer’s resistance to the organization about security and ensure the employees are safe within the workplace. The attorney is more like rules or duty-based approach. Audits are not necessary as it could cause a problem if someone misuse or tamper with the findings.

References

Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice (8th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA. SAGE Publications