business ethical dilemma essay

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What Are Business Ethics & Why Are They Important?

• 27 Jul 2023

From artificial intelligence to facial recognition technology, organizations face an increasing number of ethical dilemmas. While innovation can aid business growth, it can also create opportunities for potential abuse.

“The long-term impacts of a new technology—both positive and negative—may not become apparent until years after it’s introduced,” says Harvard Business School Professor Nien-hê Hsieh in the online course Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability . “For example, the impact of social media on children and teenagers didn’t become evident until we watched it play out over time.”

If you’re a current or prospective leader concerned about navigating difficult situations, here's an overview of business ethics, why they're important, and how to ensure ethical behavior in your organization.

Access your free e-book today.

What Are Business Ethics?

Business ethics are principles that guide decision-making . As a leader, you’ll face many challenges in the workplace because of different interpretations of what's ethical. Situations often require navigating the “gray area,” where it’s unclear what’s right and wrong.

When making decisions, your experiences, opinions, and perspectives can influence what you believe to be ethical, making it vital to:

• Be transparent.
• Invite feedback.
• Consider impacts on employees, stakeholders, and society.
• Reflect on past experiences to learn what you could have done better.

“The way to think about ethics, in my view, is: What are the externalities that your business creates, both positive and negative?” says Harvard Business School Professor Vikram Gandhi in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability . “And, therefore, how do you actually increase the positive element of externalities? And how do you decrease the negative?”

Related: Why Managers Should Involve Their Team in the Decision-Making Process

Ethical Responsibilities to Society

Promoting ethical conduct can benefit both your company and society long term.

“I'm a strong believer that a long-term focus is what creates long-term value,” Gandhi says in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability . “So you should get shareholders in your company that have that same perspective.”

Prioritizing the triple bottom line is an effective way for your business to fulfill its environmental responsibilities and create long-term value. It focuses on three factors:

• Profit: The financial return your company generates for shareholders
• People: How your company affects customers, employees, and stakeholders
• Planet: Your company’s impact on the planet and environment

Check out the video below to learn more about the triple bottom line, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more explainer content!

Ethical and corporate social responsibility (CSR) considerations can go a long way toward creating value, especially since an increasing number of customers, employees, and investors expect organizations to prioritize CSR. According to the Conscious Consumer Spending Index , 67 percent of customers prefer buying from socially responsible companies.

To prevent costly employee turnover and satisfy customers, strive to fulfill your ethical responsibilities to society.

Ethical Responsibilities to Customers

As a leader, you must ensure you don’t mislead your customers. Doing so can backfire, negatively impacting your organization’s credibility and profits.

Actions to avoid include:

• Greenwashing : Taking advantage of customers’ CSR preferences by claiming your business practices are sustainable when they aren't.
• False advertising : Making unverified or untrue claims in advertisements or promotional material.
• Making false promises : Lying to make a sale.

These unethical practices can result in multi-million dollar lawsuits, as well as highly dissatisfied customers.

Ethical Responsibilities to Employees

You also have ethical responsibilities to your employees—from the beginning to the end of their employment.

One area of business ethics that receives a lot of attention is employee termination. According to Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability , letting an employee go requires an individualized approach that ensures fairness.

Not only can wrongful termination cost your company upwards of $100,000 in legal expenses , it can also negatively impact other employees’ morale and how they perceive your leadership.

Ethical business practices have additional benefits, such as attracting and retaining talented employees willing to take a pay cut to work for a socially responsible company. Approximately 40 percent of millennials say they would switch jobs to work for a company that emphasizes sustainability.

Ultimately, it's critical to do your best to treat employees fairly.

“Fairness is not only an ethical response to power asymmetries in the work environment,” Hsieh says in the course. “Fairness—and having a successful organizational culture–can benefit the organization economically and legally.”

Why Are Business Ethics Important?

Failure to understand and apply business ethics can result in moral disengagement .

“Moral disengagement refers to ways in which we convince ourselves that what we’re doing is not wrong,” Hsieh says in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability . “It can upset the balance of judgment—causing us to prioritize our personal commitments over shared beliefs, rules, and principles—or it can skew our logic to make unethical behaviors appear less harmful or not wrong.”

Moral disengagement can also lead to questionable decisions, such as insider trading .

“In the U.S., insider trading is defined in common, federal, and state laws regulating the opportunity for insiders to benefit from material, non-public information, or MNPI,” Hsieh explains.

This type of unethical behavior can carry severe legal consequences and negatively impact your company's bottom line.

“If you create a certain amount of harm to a society, your customers, or employees over a period of time, that’s going to have a negative impact on your economic value,” Gandhi says in the course.

This is reflected in over half of the top 10 largest bankruptcies between 1980 and 2013 that resulted from unethical behavior. As a business leader, strive to make ethical decisions and fulfill your responsibilities to stakeholders.

How to Implement Business Ethics

To become a more ethical leader, it's crucial to have a balanced, long-term focus.

“It's very important to balance the fact that, even if you're focused on the long term, you have to perform in the short term as well and have a very clear, articulated strategy around that,” Gandhi says in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability .

Making ethical decisions requires reflective leadership.

“Reflecting on complex, gray-area decisions is a key part of what it means to be human, as well as an effective leader,” Hsieh says. “You have agency. You must choose how to act. And with that agency comes responsibility.”

Related: Why Are Ethics Important in Engineering?

Hsieh advises asking the following questions:

• Are you using the “greater good” to justify unethical behavior?
• Are you downplaying your actions to feel better?

“Asking these and similar questions at regular intervals can help you notice when you or others may be approaching the line between making a tough but ethical call and justifying problematic actions,” Hsieh says.

Become a More Ethical Leader

Learning from past successes and mistakes can enable you to improve your ethical decision-making.

“As a leader, when trying to determine what to do, it can be helpful to start by simply asking in any given situation, ‘What can we do?’ and ‘What would be wrong to do?’” Hsieh says.

Many times, the answers come from experience.

Gain insights from others’ ethical decisions, too. One way to do so is by taking an online course, such as Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability , which includes case studies that immerse you in real-world business situations, as well as a reflective leadership model to inform your decision-making.

Ready to become a better leader? Enroll in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability —one of our online leadership and management courses —and download our free e-book on how to be a more effective leader.

About the Author

28 Ethical Dilemma Examples

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Learn about our Editorial Process

An ethical dilemma is a situation where two or more moral principles conflict, forcing the individual to choose between them.

The conflict between these principles often makes people struggle with deciding which one to follow and which one to compromise.

A common social dilemma example is when a physician has to choose between breaking a patient’s confidentiality or preventing harm to another person.

Ethical dilemmas go beyond being just ideas on paper (Barrett, 2018). They have a direct impact on the decisions people make in the real world.

Think about how business leaders have to balance making money and being responsible to society (Reynolds, 2014). Also, consider how journalists have to balance giving the public information and respecting people’s privacy (Plaisance, 2017).

Types of Ethical Dilemmas

Rushworth Kidder, an author and ethicist, introduced a framework outlining four types of ethical dilemmas—truth vs. loyalty, individual vs. community, short-term vs. long-term, and justice vs. mercy (Kidder, 2010).

Understanding these classifications aids in dissecting complex moral quandaries and enables effective decision-making .

Below is each type:

• Truth vs Loyalty: This type of ethical dilemma arises when one is caught between absolute honesty and allegiance to individuals or groups (Kidder, 2015). For instance, consider an employee who discovers fraudulent activities in their company. If they disclose this information, they remain truthful but might violate their loyalty to the company and colleagues (real-world example of whistleblowing).
• Individual vs. Community: Individual vs. community dilemmas involve discrepancies between personal interests and collective benefits (Kidder, 2010). A pandemic situation offers an apt example—individuals might resist wearing masks for personal comfort, but this stands contrary to the community’s need for public safety (this is a contemporary real-world example).
• Short-term vs. Long-term: This type of ethical dilemma compels one to choose between immediate benefits or long-term consequences (Kidder, 2015). For instance, a business might opt to cut corners and make profits now, despite the potential long-term detriment to its reputation and customer trust (real-world example of businesses taking shortcuts).
• Justice vs Mercy: Lastly, justice vs. mercy dilemmas highlight the tension between fair consequences and compassion (Kidder, 2010). In the courtroom, for example, a judge might struggle with issuing a strict sentence (justice) or leniency (mercy), particularly in extenuating circumstances such as the accused being a first-time offender (real-world example from the legal system).

Throughout these categories, Kidder advocated for thoughtful analysis and dialogue to navigate the complexities accompanying ethical dilemmas. His work illuminates the intricacies of moral decision-making, underscoring ethics as a dynamic and challenging field.

Examples of Ethical Dilemmas

Truth vs loyalty.

1. Conflict of Interest This occurs when your loyalty to one party undermines your ability to be truthful or impartial to another. For instance, an auditor reviewing the accounts of a company where a relative is an executive officer faces a truth versus loyalty dilemma.

2. Whistleblowing This situation evolves when an employee uncovers illegal or unethical practices within an organization. The employee must choose between loyalty to the organization and telling the truth by exposing the wrongdoing.

3. Professional Secrecy When professionals like doctors or lawyers have information about a client that could harm others––like a patient revealing they intend to harm someone, they face a truth versus loyalty debate about whether to break confidentiality.

4. Journalism Confidentiality Reporters often deal with the dilemma when protecting a source’s anonymity may protect wrongdoing or cause harm. They must weigh their loyalty to the source against their commitment to truth and public interest.

5. Employee Favoritism Managers might face dilemmas when choosing between treating all employees fairly (truth) and giving preferential treatment to friends or family in the workplace (loyalty).

6. Client Representation Lawyers often grapple with representing a client faithfully––even when the client is guilty of a crime and denying it in court. This dilemma pits their loyalty to the client against their commitment to the truth.

7. Academic Cheating A student who is aware of another student’s academic dishonesty faces the problem of loyalty to a friend versus the truthful reporting of misconduct.

Individual vs Community

Also known as: Social Dilemma

8. Vaccination Debates Individuals may resist getting vaccinated for personal health beliefs, conflicting with the community’s wellbeing, which benefits from herd immunity. 

9. Resource Allocation Communities may require certain resources for the common good , which may limit an individual’s access to these resources for personal use.

10. Zoning Disputes A city’s decision to allow commercial developments in residential areas could harm the quality of life for individual residents while promoting the economic growth of the community.

11. Public Health Measures During a pandemic, individuals may disagree with measures like lockdowns that limit their personal freedoms, even if these measures are beneficial to the community as a whole.

12. Education Policy Changes Policies like school consolidation can affect individual children who prefer smaller, neighborhood schools over larger institutions preferable for budgetary and educational reasons. 

13. Environmental Regulations Regulations that protect the environment often restrict individual liberties by limiting options for property development or resource use.

14. Freedom of Speech A person’s right to express potentially harmful or offensive ideas can conflict with a community’s desire for safety and respect.

Short-term vs Long-term

15. Financial Investments Deciding to spend money now (short-term) for immediate comforts or investing it for future gains (long-term) is a classic short-term vs long-term dilemma.

16. Career Advancement You may face the dilemma of taking an appealing job now versus pursuing education or training that may open better opportunities in the long run.

17. Environmental Considerations A company might face a choice between using cheap, environmentally damaging production methods (short-term) or investing in sustainable practices that may bring future reputation boost and savings (long-term). 

18. Health Choices An individual may need to decide between enjoying unhealthy habits, like junk food or smoking, now versus considering the long-term health implications.

19. Business Growth Entrepreneurs confront this dilemma when deciding whether to reinvest earnings into the company for long-term growth or take more profits in the short term.

20. Public Policy Politicians often have to choose between pursuing policies with immediate benefits that voters will notice or focusing on the long-term, slower solutions like infrastructure development.

21. Technology Upgrades A company might have to decide between sticking to older, cheaper technology now or investing in a costly, cutting-edge technology that promises improved efficiency and profitability in the future.

Justice vs Mercy

22. Leniency for First-Time Offenders A judge might choose to give a strict sentence to a first-time offender to uphold justice. Conversely, mercy would suggest a more lenient sentence or rehabilitation effort, given that it’s the offender’s first mistake.

23. Pardon of a Death Row Inmate A governor may face an ethical dilemma where they have to decide between granting a pardon to a remorseful death row inmate (mercy), and upholding the court’s decision to execute, based on the gravity of the crime committed (justice). 

24. Hate Crime Retribution A victim of a hate crime could be torn between wanting justice done – seeing the offenders punished to the full extent of the law – and showing mercy, hoping that education and awareness could change the offenders’ prejudices.

25. Academic Misconduct A professor who catches a student plagiarizing could provide a second chance, valuing mercy to allow for learning and growth, or they could issue immediate punishment (like failing the student) to uphold academic integrity and justice.

26. Role of Advisors in Financial Crisis Companies may seek to punish advisors implicated in a financial crisis to preserve justice, but showing mercy, reprimanding and educating them instead of outright firing, may be more constructive and prevent recurrence.

27. War Crimes Dilemma Post-war scenarios often involve a decision between seeking justice by prosecuting war criminals, or demonstrating mercy by forgiving and focusing on national healing and reconciliation.

28. Social Welfare Decisions Policymakers might struggle between enforcing strict eligibility criteria to ensure that only those truly deserving get social benefits (justice), versus being flexible in applying rules to avoid denying assistance to those in dire need (mercy).

Navigating an ethical or moral dilemma is no easy task, and often there is no clear right or wrong answer. Yet, understanding the principles and theories underlying ethical decision making can guide you in evaluating potential actions and their consequences (Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 2018). It should help in choosing the least harmful or most beneficial course of action.

Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2018). Business ethics: Ethical decision making & cases (12th ed.). Boston: Cengage.

Barrett, C. (2018). Everyday ethics for practicing planners . London: Routledge.

Plaisance, P-L. (2017). Media Ethics: Key Principles for Responsible Practice (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.

Reynolds, G. (2014). Ethics in Information Technology (4th ed.). New York: Cengage Learning.

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
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Business Ethics and Business Dilemmas

Business ethics relate to the generally accepted morals that govern an organization. The conduct determines what is wrong or correct and goes beyond government control (De Bakker et al., 2019). Ethical issues arise when an individual or business conduct contradicts society’s moral and social standards. An ethical dilemma arises where a course of action would conflict with one or more moral standards. Ethics affect both the business and other stakeholders. This paper evaluated how business ethics affect the business and other stakeholders. Moreover, two examples of business dilemmas will be evaluated.

A business that is ethically managed has various benefits. The bottom line of the organization will improve. Ethical issues lead to the motivation of workers, which results in increased productivity. Unethical behaviors that lead to loss include theft of organization assets and misappropriation (De Bakker et al., 2019). Often, workers may carry home the organization’s assets or misuse organization assets. The organization may also incur financial losses through creative accounting that prevent the management from undertaking corrective measures. Ethical observation ensures that the community supports the business and provides a conducive business environment. The company can source resources and staff from the community at a low cost. Society forms the market for the business; moreover, the organization ensures the retention of skilled workers. Where the organization observes ethical issues, workers remain loyal, and the cost of recruitment is low. The business’s reputation is enhanced by maintaining moral standards.

The business belongs to these people who are the shareholders of the business. The owners benefit from sharing the profit and are affected by the losses. Business ethics help grow the wealth of the owners. Ethical issues such as illegal tax manipulation and child labor may result in the total closure of the organization. Moreover, the owners may become bankrupt, where their sole source of income is the business.

The motive of workers is to grow and develop in their careers. Ethical issues may define the trajectory of the workers. Where ethical issues are observed, the workers are promoted accordingly while their salary increases, leading to motivation and personal growth. On the other hand, ethical issues result in discrimination, where the potential and growth of workers are inhibited. Such workers are demoralized due to a lack of fairness while stagnating in one position over a long period.

These are people who volunteer their services to organizations without pay. Observing business ethics attracts more volunteers. The volunteers are motivated to work and feel their services are properly utilized. There is an increased bond and trust with the organization. In an ethical environment, the volunteers may end up being hired. In conditions of unethical behavior, the volunteer feels their services are misused. The volunteers suffer from excessive allocation of duties while those under pay take a leave.

Ethics benefit the consumer by ensuring the consumer obtains the right quality product at the right price. The essence is that the consumer gets value for their money. An organization with ethical issues results in poor product service and quality. Consumers may obtain defective products. The consumers may incur losses where the product was meant to be durable, and the client is forced to repurchase the product.

The suppliers

The suppliers are those that provide raw materials to the organization. Ethical issues ensure that the suppliers receive their payments on time. They get their tender to supply on merit, and defective raw materials are recognized relatively. Where their ethical issues, the suppliers incur losses through returns. There is delayed payment to some suppliers and cancellation of tenders without notice.

Investors buy shares and commit their resources to an organization. Ethics ensure an organization has an accurate financial report that reflects the true and fair picture. The investor expected return is met through the growth of a business. Where there are unethical issues, the investors suffer from losses. The information relied upon is falsified, which impairs the investor’s decision-making. The investors make losses as the predicted growth is never achieved the value of the organization drops.

The Government

The government depends on business through payment of licenses and taxes. A business that is governed by business ethics results in increased income. There is little follow-up with the organization as the taxes are limited on time. An organization with ethical issues results in court suits and closure of enterprises. The government is continuously auditing the organization while trying to get information from informers, which is a costly affair. There is animosity between the business owners and the government.

Competitors

Companies face competition from other organizations that offer similar products, except for monopolies. Every organization has a moral obligation to conduct business fairly. If an organization practices business ethics, the competitors benefit from fair pricing and marketing. A competitor may be phased out in an unethical environment. Large organizations may use economies of scale to lower prices, a strategy competitor cannot follow.

The Community

Community benefits where the organization is ethical in its operation. The community members are hired in various capacities. The organization source the material from the locals. The environment is protected through controlled disposal of waste products, such as the carbon dioxide released into the environment. The organization maintains the rules and laws of the environment. An organization with ethical issues sources raw materials from other areas and ignores labor from the local communities.

Ethical Dilemma

An ethical dilemma results in a situation where an individual faces a conflict of moral standards through a course of action. T the first case involved a departmental head who had to issue a report to the CEO regarding a worker’s performance for promotion. The worker was to be promoted to branch manager. The head of the department did not want to lose the worker and therefore issued a false report denying the worker the opportunity to get promoted. The negative factious issues raised by the head of the department made the CEO fire the worker in the subsequent month.

The second case involved a financial director who was compelled by the CEO to adjust the quarterly financial reports to induce the bank to issue an overdraft to solve the company from a financial crisis. The CEO and the financial director felt the financial crisis was temporary and that the company would be able to repay the loan.

Comparing the two cases, an ethical dilemma and a conflict of interest are apparent. In the first case, the head of a department wants to retain the worker in his department, but this can only occur if he issues a falsified personal performance report; in doing so, the worker will lose the promotion opportunity. In the second case, the financial director has to issue a falsified financial report to obtain an overdraft, putting the financial institution at risk.; failure to do that, the organization will not be able to meet its financial obligation.

Contrasting the two cases, the first one was easy to handle as the department would have overcome the loss over time. The second case was tricky as this would have resulted in the organization’s operation is stopped. To remain ethical, the concerned parties should have issued the correct reports and found solutions for the outcome.

Ethical issues affect businesses and stakeholders. Ethical dilemmas lead to conflict in decision-making. Some of the stakeholders affected include the workers and government. Maintaining standard ethical benefit the stakeholders and the business in general.

De Bakker, F. G., Rasche, A., & Ponte, S. (2019). Multi-stakeholder initiatives on sustainability: A cross-disciplinary review and research agenda for business ethics.  Business Ethics Quarterly ,  29 (3), 343-383

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Ethical Dilemmas in Business and How to Address Them

Trust plays a significant role in how the public perceives a company—and this perception can make or break an organization. This is where business ethics come into play. A 2021 survey by PwC found that 49 percent of consumers began purchasing—or purchased more—from businesses they trusted. Issues such as data protection and cybersecurity, treating employees well, ethical business practices, and admitting mistakes were identified as key drivers of trust among consumers.

Appealing to customers is a motivating factor for making ethical business decisions, but hefty costs attached to unethical practices also play a role. A 2022 report by law firm Seyfeld Shaw found that companies paid damages exceeding $3.19 billion in 2021 from the top ten settlements in employment class action cases alone. A report from Vault Platform found that 45 percent of workers who personally experienced or witnessed workplace misconduct left their role, with businesses expected to lose $20.2 billion on hiring costs annually to replace them.

It’s clear that there are benefits to practicing good business ethics, but measures that reduce costs in the short term, such as putting off expensive maintenance or repairs on old equipment that could become hazardous, can still tempt many businesses to act unethically. Businesses need employees capable of addressing ethical dilemmas with critical thinking, informed decision-making, and well-written policies. Those looking to develop these skills should consider the benefits of an online certificate demonstrating their knowledge in solving ethical dilemmas in business.

What Are Ethical Dilemmas?

Ethical dilemmas are problems for which there are no obvious right or wrong answers. Instead, the solutions are determined by how they align with one’s morals and principles. Ethical dilemmas can manifest as day-to-day choices, such as returning the shopping cart to the store instead of leaving it in the parking lot for someone else to retrieve. However, in a business setting, ethical dilemmas can affect large groups of people—potentially on a global scale.

In the world of business, an ethical dilemma is a situation in which a company must choose between conduct that is most beneficial to them and behavior that is just, fair, and ethically correct for their employees, stakeholders, and customers. When a business, or an individual within the business, does not behave ethically, it’s often due to a desire for personal or business gain.

Some common motivators for making unethical business decisions include wanting to cut costs by going against regulation and policy, abusing a position of power for personal profit, or taking advantage of other company members or customers to achieve a desired outcome. To help prevent businesses from making unethical decisions, government agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have been established to enforce regulations on companies. While many take issue with the tedium that regulations can present, the regulatory bodies enforcing them offer protection by keeping companies in check and deterring them from behaving unethically.

Company policymakers should work internally with these agencies to prevent potential unethical actions. By designing company policies that dictate acceptable behavior when facing an ethical dilemma, companies may prevent unethical behavior or quickly resolve dilemmas when they arise. For example, detailing how to act when offered a bribe can help employees respond appropriately and save business costs from potential lawsuits and poor public relations.

Types of Ethical Dilemmas

Companies face various ethical dilemmas in business scenarios, so those who write the policies and explain their nuances to company stakeholders need to understand them. Differentiating between moral, ethical, and legal decisions is crucial to solving ethical dilemmas. Here are examples of different types of ethical dilemmas and why they require proper policy or guidance.

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Council (EEOC), any discrimination based on sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity) is unlawful due to protections from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This includes sexual harassment, which is defined as unwanted sexual approaches, demands for sexual favors, or other sexual verbal or physical harassment. The harasser might be the victim’s boss, another supervisor, a coworker, or even a client or customer.

Many companies attempt to remain impartial when hearing cases of harassment to resolve the issue quickly, but an ethical issue arises in cases where company policy isn’t clear—or if the person handling the complaint doesn’t comply. Companies must implement effective harassment policies to prevent these scenarios and have an ethical course of action in place to reduce damages and harm to any victims.

Harassment in the workplace also extends to gender discrimination. It is unlawful to harass an individual by making derogatory remarks about their identity or gender expression.

Although the law does not ban simple mocking, offhand remarks, or isolated minor incidents, harassment is prohibited when it creates a hostile or offensive work environment. This may be due to frequency or severity or results in an unfavorable employment decision for the victim, such as termination or demotion. Favoring certain employees for promotion based on gender alone is an ethical dilemma.

Discrimination

Discrimination in business is defined as treating individuals or groups unjustly or unequally over protected characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, disabilities, sexual orientation, religious views, or nationality. Employees can be the target of discriminatory promotion or hiring practices, while customers can experience discrimination if service is refused for discriminatory reasons, for example.

Hiring practices that don’t foster a diverse workforce are another form of discrimination. Hiring managers may have biases when selecting new hires, and if companies don’t have policies to prevent this, it can result in a lack of quality applicants. According to a 2020 survey from Glassdoor, one in three employees would choose not to work at companies that lack diversity in their workforce, and two in five would choose not to work at companies with ethnic and racial disparities in employee satisfaction.

According to a 2021 survey by Ten Spot, 70 percent of respondents said they had faced discrimination or abusive conduct at work, with that figure rising to 86 percent among Gen-Z, the youngest generation currently entering the workforce. The survey also showed that 61 percent of Gen-Z said they would be more productive if their company addressed social issues through policy and practice.

Discrimination-based ethical dilemmas in business can create a toxic environment where quality workers leave or refuse to apply. To remain competitive in the job market, companies should implement policies that curtail discriminatory practices.

Unethical Accounting

Unethical accounting can ruin a business. Clients must be able to trust accountants to make choices that align with company values regarding ethical dilemmas. Accounting with too much power and too little scrutiny from superiors might be able to embezzle money from the firm while concealing that they’ve done so or enrich themselves or their company through false accounting reports. Dishonest accounting in corporations may result in modified or intentionally misinterpreted bookkeeping numbers, potentially resulting in fraud or tax evasion.

Some accountants are also pressured by company representatives to act unethically. The UK-based Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB) found in a 2021 survey of accountants that 27 percent of respondents felt pressured to perform unethically over three years, with six percent being offered bonuses and other incentives to do so.

While there’s always the chance of errors, businesses need to implement an ethical policy for accountants to ensure that they follow proper guidelines and protocols.

Health and Safety Issues

Overlooking or ignoring health and safety concerns to cut costs or speed up production is another example of an ethical dilemma in business. But disregarding worker health and safety can result in expensive consequences. According to a National Safety Council report, occupational injuries cost $163.9 billion in 2020, accounting for missed pay, decreased productivity, and medical and administrative costs. In addition, these injuries cost firms 65 million days of work, restricting potential development and productivity.

The perceived gains from forgoing proper health and safety protocols aren’t worth the monetary losses from an accident or the potential for a public relations controversy. Health and safety issues involve more than simply cleaning up spills or maintaining equipment, as showcased by the top ten most commonly cited standard violations by OSHA as of 2021:

• Fall Protection : Sides and edges on elevated platforms that are unprotected or lack guards
• Respiratory Protection : Lacking emergency procedures and respiratory/filter equipment standards
• Ladders : Not correctly displaying standards for how much weight a ladder can sustain
• Hazard Communication : Not having proper labels and classifications on potentially harmful chemicals
• Scaffolding : Lacking required resistance and maximum weight numbers on equipment
• Fall Protection Training : No adequate training for employees and managers on proper safety techniques and policies
• Lockout/Tagout : Not properly controlling hazardous energy, such as from oil or gas
• Eye and Face Protection : Lacking proper protection when handling chemical, environmental, radiological, or mechanical irritants and hazards
• Powered Industrial Trucks : Lacking safety equipment used for large vehicles
• Machinery and Machine Guarding : Lacking accurate labeling for guards on equipment such as guillotine cutters, shears, power presses, and other machines that require a point of operation guarding

It’s not uncommon to have heard of an executive’s child or friend who has been hand-selected for a position without going through the traditional hiring processes. This is referred to as nepotism, an ethical dilemma that often occurs when a candidate is a known associate or relative of someone with hiring power. Nepotism happens when these candidates are given priority over others, even if they are less suited for the role than other applicants.

While nepotism might benefit some, it can negatively impact the company climate due to its effects on other employees. A study published in the journal Frontiers of Psychology found that employees reacted sensitively to the behavior of managers when greater favor was shown toward family members and friends. In addition, these employees often felt ostracized or “othered” by those who received this perceived beneficial treatment.

It’s best to follow traditional hiring policies for all applicants to avoid this ethical dilemma. This can keep current employees from feeling they have to work harder than others to receive the same promotions or bonuses.

Misleading or Deceptive Advertising

Businesses understand the dangers of fabricating or lying about details on their product or services. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) prohibits misleading or false advertising based on the idea that buyers have a legal right to know the precise details of what they purchase. However, advertising that skirts the line of what is legal remains an ethical dilemma in business.

Examples include false promises of savings through “limited-time deals” that never expire to encourage immediate spending or convincing customers to buy overpriced additions to their products that don’t last as long as advertised. While these may fall under legal and even standard business practices, deceptive business practices or cheap and ineffective products can ruin a company’s reputation with the public.

Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest arises when a business or individual has a vested interest in money, position, expertise, connections, or reputation that they allow to come before professional obligations or responsibilities. This conflict of interest calls into doubt the impartial nature of the company or individual’s activities, judgment, or decision-making.

An example of a conflict of interest is insider trading, where an employee uses confidential internal information within their company to personally profit in another business or through trading stocks. Those who feel they may be tempted by insider trading or other conflicts of interest should work to distance themselves from the conflicting interest for the company’s well-being.

Why Business Ethics Matters

Upholding ethics in business is important for many reasons. Not only does it contribute to a stronger, more unified company culture and structure, it also increases both short- and long-term corporate profitability.

Sound ethics can also improve an organization’s reputation and help build stronger relationships with stakeholders and clients who know that the business or corporation they are working with values integrity. If an organization has a negative reputation for unethical practices, investors and stakeholders will be less likely to financially support that organization.

With an increasing demand for social and ethical responsibility in corporations, organizations can also stand to benefit from exemplifying these values in their practices. By showing that social responsibility is a part of their ethos, organizations can increase profitability and encourage other businesses or corporations to adopt these values, as well.

Uphold Ethics in Business

With highly publicized examples of unethical business practices such as the Enron trading scandal and Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, it can seem as though too many companies operate unethically. Businesses often choose short-term profit over their stated values when faced with ethical dilemmas, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Many of these ethical blunders could be avoided through the advising of an individual capable of thinking critically and ethically.

Those who feel they could steer a company through ethical dilemmas in business should consider the benefits of the Business Ethics & Writing certificate offered by Suffolk University’s Center for Continuing & Professional Education. This program builds the skills necessary to help companies and their stakeholders navigate through uncharted ethical waters. By the end of this ten-week program, students should be able to navigate moral, ethical, and legal decisions through persuasive writing grounded in an ethical framework designed for businesses. Discover your potential to uphold ethics in business with Suffolk University.

Recommended Readings

Don’t Have Time to Do it Over? Be Efficient: Do the Right Things the Right Way, the First Time, Every Time. The Value of Microcredentials Continuing Education: Definition and Career Benefits

American Management Association, “The Latest on Workplace Monitoring and Surveillance” CCAB, “CCAB Ethics Survey 2021” Chron, “What Causes an Ethical Dilemma in Conducting Business? ” EEOC, “EEOC Data Highlight April 2022” Ethics and Compliance Initiative, “2021 Global Business Ethics Survey” Federal Trade Commission, “Truth In Advertising” Forbes , “Eight Common Ethical Dilemmas Business Owners Face (And How To Overcome Them)” Frontiers in Psychology , “How Do Nepotism and Favouritism Affect Organisational Climate?” Glassdoor, “Glassdoor Survey Finds Three In Five U.S. Employees Have Experienced Or Witnessed Discrimination Based On Age, Race, Gender Or LGBTQ Identity At Work” Glassdoor, “How To Calculate Cost-Per-Hire (CPH)”

Investopedia, “The Importance of Business Ethics” National Safety Council Injury Facts, Work Injury Costs Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards” PwC, “The Complexity of Trust: PwC’s Trust in US Business Survey” Seyfarth Shaw, “18th Annual Workplace Class Action Report – 2022 Edition” Ten Spot. “New Survey Reveals GenZ Holds the Key to the Evolution of Company Culture, with Social Issues, Workforce Engagement, and Treatment of Others at Work Top of Mind” Vault Platform, “ The High Costs of Misconduct: A Closer Look” Vault Platform, “ The Trust Gap: Expectation vs Reality in Workplace Misconduct and Speak Up Culture”

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Home — Essay Samples — Philosophy — Ethics and Moral Philosophy — Ethical Dilemma

Ethical Dilemma Essays

Understanding how to write an ethical dilemma essay.

If you're tasked with writing an ethical dilemma essay, it's essential to start with a clear understanding of the topic. Here are some prompt samples to help you grasp the key aspects:

• Prompt 1: Analyze a personal ethical dilemma you have faced and the decision-making process involved.
• Prompt 2: Discuss an ethical dilemma in a real-world professional setting and propose a solution.
• Prompt 3: Explore the ethical dilemmas surrounding advancements in technology and their impact on society.
• Prompt 4: Investigate the moral conflicts arising from environmental conservation efforts and economic development.

Brainstorming and Choosing a Compelling Essay Topic

Now that you have some prompts to work with, it's time to brainstorm and select a captivating essay topic. Consider the following points:

• Personal Experience: Reflect on personal ethical dilemmas you've encountered, as they can provide unique insights.
• Relevance: Ensure your topic is relevant to the prompt and highlights the complexity of ethical decision-making.
• Moral Ambiguity: Choose a topic that involves conflicting values or principles, making the dilemma truly ethical.
• Contemporary Issues: Explore current events or situations where ethical choices play a crucial role.

Unique Ethical Dilemma Essay Topics

Here's a list of unique essay topics that go beyond the ordinary:

• The Ethical Dilemma of Artificial Intelligence in Autonomous Vehicles
• Ethical Decision-Making in Healthcare: The Case of Allocating Limited Resources During a Pandemic
• The Moral Implications of Genetic Editing and Designer Babies
• Corporate Responsibility: Balancing Profit and Ethical Practices in the Pharmaceutical Industry
• Environmental Ethics: The Conflict Between Conservation and Indigenous Rights
• The Ethical Challenges of Privacy and Surveillance in the Digital Age
• The Use of Torture in Interrogation: An Examination of the Ticking Time Bomb Scenario
• Ethical Dilemmas in Journalism: Reporting on Sensitive Subjects and the Public's Right to Know
• Animal Testing in Scientific Research: Balancing Scientific Advancement and Animal Welfare
• The Ethical Considerations of Assisted Suicide and End-of-Life Care
• Police Use of Force: Balancing Public Safety and Individual Rights
• Environmental Conservation vs. Economic Development: The Case of Deforestation
• AI and Employment: The Ethical Dilemma of Automation and Job Displacement
• The Ethics of Human Cloning and Its Potential Consequences
• Refugee Crisis: Ethical Obligations and National Sovereignty
• Ethical Challenges in Artificial Intelligence Research: Bias and Fairness
• Food Industry Ethics: The Dilemma of Factory Farming and Sustainable Alternatives
• Medical Trials in Developing Countries: Balancing Scientific Progress and Informed Consent
• The Ethical Implications of Space Exploration and Colonization
• Ethics of AI-Powered Deepfake Technology: Implications for Privacy and Misinformation

Paragraph and Phrase Inspiration

When crafting your essay, here are some sample paragraphs and phrases that can inspire your writing:

• Introduction: "Ethical dilemmas are the moral crossroads where our values and principles clash with real-life decisions."
• Main Body: "In the case of AI in autonomous vehicles, the ethical dilemma centers around the choice between prioritizing passenger safety or minimizing harm to pedestrians."
• Counterargument: "While some argue that sacrificing individual privacy for national security is justified, it's crucial to consider the potential abuses and erosion of civil liberties."
• Conclusion: "In conclusion, ethical dilemmas are not mere theoretical exercises; they shape our society and define our values. By examining these complex issues, we can strive for a more ethical and compassionate world."

Now that you have these tips and unique ideas in mind, go ahead and write an engaging ethical dilemma essay that leaves a lasting impact. Dive deep into the complexities of moral choices and spark thoughtful discussions.

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Mercy Killing: an Ethical Dilemma

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Ethical Dilemma in The Use of Information Technology

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A Case Study on The Ethical Dilemma Surrounding The Hospital Reimbursement after The Treatment of Illegal Immigrants

Ethical issues in digital immortality, ethical issues of using social media at workplace, ethical dilemmas in social work: solution to address the situation, ethical dilemma in nursing: abortion and euthanasia, the ethical dilemma of water privatization, the ethical dilemma of therapeutic cloning, medical and ethical dilemma: euthanasia or right to die, ethical structure in business decision making, ethical theories: deontology and utilitarianism, history and ethics: conflicting theories in areas of knowledge, the moral dilemma of euthanasia, applying ethical principles to reduce hospital readmission, moral permissibility of voluntary and non-voluntary active euthanasia, discussion of whether assisted suicide is morally acceptable, the moral and ethical views on the goal of euthanasia, research paper on the ethical issue of publishing the pentagon papers, discussion of whether it is ethical for parents to create saviour siblings, ethical controversies in mcdonalds dead dad advertisement, how being an authentic man is subject to moral evaluation.

An ethical dilemma refers to a situation or scenario in which an individual or group is faced with a complex decision that involves conflicting moral principles or values. It is a challenging predicament where there is no clear-cut right or wrong choice, and the decision-maker must carefully navigate the moral and ethical implications of their actions.

Personal Ethical Dilemmas: These arise when an individual faces conflicting moral values or principles in their personal life. For example, choosing between honesty and protecting a loved one's reputation. Professional Ethical Dilemmas: These occur in the workplace and involve conflicts between ethical responsibilities and professional obligations. For instance, deciding whether to blow the whistle on unethical practices that may harm others but jeopardize one's career. Societal Ethical Dilemmas: These pertain to broader societal issues and involve conflicting values or interests. Examples include debates on topics like euthanasia, abortion, or genetic engineering, where different ethical perspectives clash. Organizational Ethical Dilemmas: These dilemmas arise within organizations when employees face conflicting values or ethical standards. For instance, deciding between loyalty to the company and reporting unethical behavior by a colleague. Technological Ethical Dilemmas: With advancements in technology, ethical dilemmas have emerged, such as privacy concerns, AI ethics, or the impact of automation on employment.

Conflict of Values: Ethical dilemmas arise when individuals encounter conflicting values or principles, where there is no clear right or wrong answer. These conflicting values create a sense of moral uncertainty. Difficult Decision-Making: Ethical dilemmas require individuals to make difficult choices between competing options, each with their own ethical implications. The decision-making process involves weighing the potential consequences and considering the moral implications of each choice. No Perfect Solution: Ethical dilemmas often lack a perfect or ideal solution that satisfies all ethical considerations. Regardless of the decision made, there may be negative consequences or ethical trade-offs involved. Personal and Moral Significance: Ethical dilemmas are deeply personal and have significant moral implications for the individuals involved. They often challenge personal integrity and moral values, making the decision emotionally and morally burdensome. Ethical Reasoning: Resolving ethical dilemmas requires careful ethical reasoning, analysis, and consideration of different ethical theories or frameworks. It involves examining the principles, values, and potential consequences involved in order to make an informed and morally justifiable decision. Contextual Nature: Ethical dilemmas are influenced by the specific context in which they occur. Factors such as cultural norms, social expectations, legal considerations, and professional codes of conduct can further complicate the decision-making process.

Utilitarianism: Utilitarianism asserts that the ethical choice is the one that maximizes overall happiness or utility for the greatest number of people. When faced with an ethical dilemma, individuals utilizing this theory would weigh the potential consequences of each option and choose the one that leads to the greatest net benefit. Deontological Ethics: Deontological ethics focuses on adhering to moral duties and principles regardless of the outcomes. This approach emphasizes the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions rather than the consequences. Individuals using deontological reasoning would consider universal moral principles, such as honesty or respect for autonomy, when making ethical decisions. Virtue Ethics: Virtue ethics centers on the development of moral character and emphasizes the importance of virtuous traits and intentions in ethical decision-making. When faced with an ethical dilemma, individuals using this theory would consider which action aligns with virtuous qualities, such as honesty, compassion, or justice.

Film: In the movie "12 Angry Men," a jury must decide the fate of a young man accused of murder. Jurors face an ethical dilemma as they confront their biases, prejudices, and the weight of the evidence, ultimately questioning their responsibility to deliver a just verdict. Literature: In the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, the character Atticus Finch faces an ethical dilemma when defending an innocent black man accused of rape in a racially divided society. He confronts the moral choice between upholding justice and challenging deeply ingrained prejudices. Television: The series "The Good Place" revolves around ethical dilemmas and moral philosophy. Characters navigate complex ethical situations as they question the nature of good and bad, exploring themes such as utilitarianism, deontology, and moral relativism.

The topic of ethical dilemmas is crucial to explore and discuss in essays due to its profound impact on individuals, societies, and decision-making processes. Ethical dilemmas present complex situations where individuals face conflicting moral choices, and examining them allows for a deeper understanding of ethical principles, values, and the complexities of human behavior. Writing an essay on ethical dilemmas offers several benefits. Firstly, it encourages critical thinking and ethical reasoning by presenting real or hypothetical scenarios that challenge one's moral compass. It prompts individuals to analyze different perspectives, weigh the consequences of actions, and navigate moral gray areas. Secondly, exploring ethical dilemmas fosters ethical awareness and character development. By examining these dilemmas, individuals gain insights into their own values, biases, and decision-making processes. It promotes self-reflection and the cultivation of moral virtues such as empathy, integrity, and responsibility. Lastly, the topic of ethical dilemmas is relevant to various fields, including medicine, business, law, and technology. Essays on this subject provide an opportunity to explore how ethical frameworks and principles can guide professionals in making ethically sound decisions within their respective domains.

1. Beauchamp, T. L., & Bowie, N. E. (2020). Ethical theory and business (10th ed.). Pearson. 2. Bredeson, D. (2017). Ethical dilemmas and decisions in criminal justice (10th ed.). Cengage Learning. 3. Davis, M. (2016). Ethics and the university. Routledge. 4. Kidder, R. M. (2005). How good people make tough choices: Resolving the dilemmas of ethical living. Harper Perennial. 5. Lo, B., & Field, M. J. (Eds.). (2009). Conflict of interest in medical research, education, and practice. National Academies Press. 6. May, L., & Vandekerckhove, W. (Eds.). (2019). Routledge handbook of whistleblowing studies. Routledge. 7. Resnik, D. B. (2015). Playing politics with science: Balancing scientific independence and government oversight. Oxford University Press. 8. Singer, P. (2015). Ethics in the real world: 82 brief essays on things that matter. Princeton University Press. 9. Treviño, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2020). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do it right (8th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. 10. Velasquez, M. (2018). Business ethics: Concepts and cases. Pearson.

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• Personal Philosophy
• Enlightenment

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Business Ethics Journal Review

Edited by alexei marcoux & chris macdonald — issn 2326-7526.

• About BEJR — Now 10 years in!
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Student’s Guide to Writing Critical Essays in Business Ethics (and beyond)

Here is some advice for writing critical essays, in business ethics but also in other fields. There is of course much more to say on the topic, but this is a start.

Writing your own critical essay:

What kinds of criticisms should you offer in your essay? There are a nearly infinite number of errors or problems that you might spot in an essay or book that you want to critique. Here are a few common ones to look for, to get you started:

• Point out one or more logical fallacies. Did the author present a false dilemma , for example? Or an argument from ignorance ? Has the author presented a false analogy or a hasty generalization ?
• Critique the scope of the author’s claim. For example, does the author claim that his or her conclusion applies to all cases, rather than just to the small number of cases he or she has actually argued for?
• Point out unjustified assumptions. Has the author made questionable assumptions about some matter of fact, without providing evidence? Alternatively, has the author assumed that readers share some questionable ethical starting point, perhaps a belief in a particular debatable principle?
• Point out internal contradictions. Does the author say two things that, perhaps subtly, contradict each other?
• Point out undesirable implications / consequences. Does the author’s position imply, perhaps accidentally, some further conclusion that the author (or audience) is unlikely to want to accept, upon reflection?

In general, a good critical essay should:

• Describe and explain in neutral terms the article or book being critiqued. Before you start offering criticism, you should demonstrate that you understand the point of view you are critiquing.
• Be modest. Your goal should be to offer some insight, rather than to win a debate. Rather than to “show that Smith is wrong” or “prove that Sen’s view is incorrect,” you should set your aims on some more reasonable goal, such as “casting doubt” on the view you are critiquing, or “suggesting reason why so-and-so should modify her view.”
• Be fair. Sometimes this is referred to as the “principle of charity.” It has nothing to do with donating money. Rather, it is about giving the other side what you owe them, namely a fair reading. Your goal is not to make the author whose work you are criticizing sound dumb. Rather, the goal is to make her sound smart, but then to make yourself sound smart, too, but showing how her view could be improved.
• Be well structured . Professors love structure. Remember: a critical essay is not just a bunch of ideas; it is an orderly attempt to convince someone (in most cases, your professor) of a particular point of view. Your ideas will only have real punch if you put them in a suitable structure. That’s not all that hard. For example, make sure your opening paragraph acts as a roadmap for what follows — telling the reader where you’re going and how you propose to get there. Make sure each paragraph in the body of your essay has a main point (a point connected to the goal of your essay!) and that its point is clearly explained.
• Stick to two or maybe three main arguments . “The three main problems with Jones’s argument are x, y, and z.”
• Be clear. That means not just that your essay should be clearly structured, but also that each sentence should be clear. Proof-reading is important: get someone with good writing skills to proof-read your essay for you. If you can’t do that before your deadline, you can proof-read your essay yourself by reading it out loud. We’re serious. It is much easier to spot errors in your own writing if you read out loud.

A few more tips:

• Cite your sources carefully. Use whichever citation method your professor says to use. If in doubt, use one of the established methods (such as APA or Chicago ). But whatever you do, make sure to give credit to the people whose ideas you use, if you want to avoid being charged with plagiarism.
• Use what you’ve learned in class. Your professor would love nothing more than to know that you’ve been paying attention. So try to make use of some of the concepts discussed in class, or in your course textbook.
• Don’t try to sound like an author. Just say what you want to say. Trying to sound like an author just leads people to use big words they don’t understand and to write complex sentences that overshoot their grammatical skills. Just write it more or less the way you would say it out loud, in short, clear sentences.
• Follow instructions. Failing to follow instructions is easily the most common way students screw up when writing critical essays. Read the assignment instructions through carefully — twice! — and then if anything is unclear, ask your professor for clarification.

Looking for essay topics? Check out Business Ethics Highlights .

See also: The Concise Encyclopedia of Business Ethics

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3 comments on “student’s guide to writing critical essays in business ethics (and beyond)”.

This is a useful resource – thanks Chris

“Shack”

Arthur Shacklock (Griffith University Queensland, Australia)

I’m currently a student at Arizona Christian University taking a Business Ethics course. I’m in the midst of completing an assignment that requires me to post on an open blog forum. It was very difficult for me to find something interesting and that pertained to my class. Then I stumbled across your blog then more specifically, this article. The purpose of this specific assignment is to share my individual and collective experiences derived from collaborative learning and expressed through the narrative, as “actionable knowledge.” Actionable knowledge reflects the learning capability of individuals and organizations to connect elements including; social, political, economic, technological.

Knowing how to write critical essays in Business Ethics is an important element of success. I enjoyed reading through these helpful tips. This is useful information that will help in college and beyond.

Supporting evidence is an important part of writing a sound paper. Like you mentioned in the blog, it can’t be based on bias or ignorance. Rather, backed up by factual evidence to help support your claim. I love the general key points as well. Describe and explain, be modest, be fair, be well structured, and be clear. I am very familiar with these key elements as we have spoken on them in class. They are very important components of business ethics. We’ve learned things about leading in the business world, Capitalism, Socialism, and Communism, Business advertising, and more. In the essay I write in this course, I will refer back to this blog.

Like any other course, it is important to cite your sources like you’ve mentioned above as well as use information that we’ve learned in class. Sound like yourself and speak from your own understanding. The last tip was to follow instructions WHICH IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS! It’s all in the fine print. Read until you understand and ask questions if you don’t.

Good luck with your studies, Deon!

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Ethical Dilemma

A problem in the decision-making process between two possible but unacceptable options from an ethical perspective

What is an Ethical Dilemma?

An ethical dilemma (ethical paradox or moral dilemma) is a problem in the decision-making process between two possible options, neither of which is absolutely acceptable from an ethical perspective. Although we face many ethical and moral problems in our lives, most of them come with relatively straightforward solutions.

On the other hand, ethical dilemmas are extremely complicated challenges that cannot be easily solved. Therefore, the ability to find the optimal solution in such situations is critical to everyone.

Every person may encounter an ethical dilemma in almost every aspect of their life, including personal, social, and professional .

How to Solve an Ethical Dilemma?

The biggest challenge of an ethical dilemma is that it does not offer an obvious solution that would comply with ethics al norms. Throughout the history of humanity, people have faced such dilemmas, and philosophers aimed and worked to find solutions to them.

The following approaches to solve an ethical dilemma were deduced:

• Refute the paradox (dilemma): The situation must be carefully analyzed. In some cases, the existence of the dilemma can be logically refuted.
• Value theory approach: Choose the alternative that offers the greater good or the lesser evil.
• Find alternative solutions: In some cases, the problem can be reconsidered, and new alternative solutions may arise.

Some examples of ethical dilemma include:

• Taking credit for others’ work
• Offering a client a worse product for your own profit
• Utilizing inside knowledge for your own profit

Ethical Dilemmas in Business

Ethical dilemmas are especially significant in professional life, as they frequently occur in the workplace. Some companies and professional organizations (e.g., CFA ) adhere to their own codes of conduct and ethical standards. Violation of the standards may lead to disciplinary sanctions.

Almost every aspect of business can become a possible ground for ethical dilemmas. It may include relationships with co-workers, management, clients, and business partners.

People’s inability to determine the optimal solution to such dilemmas in a professional setting may result in serious consequences for businesses and organizations. The situation may be common in companies that value results the most.

In order to solve ethical problems, companies and organizations should develop strict ethical standards for their employees. Every company must demonstrate its concerns regarding the ethical norms within the organization. In addition, companies may provide ethical training for their employees.

More Resources

CFI now offers the Business Essentials Bundle with courses on Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, business communication, data visualization, and an understanding of corporate strategy. To keep learning, we suggest these resources:

• Business Ethics
• Kantian Ethics
• Types of Due Diligence
• Whistleblower Policy
• See all ESG resources

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Myself / Ethical Dilemma

Ethical Dilemma Essay Examples

The death penalty debate: weighing the pros and cons.

I chose the field of Law because I am interested in it. Law is my main topic because you can research many different things that have to do with our everyday lives. This is death penalty pros and cons essay in which I will briefly...

Death Penalty - Whether It's an Effective Sanction

The death penalty remains a highly debated topic within today’s society; albeit it presents itself as a sanction whose cons outweigh its pros, thus accentuating its unworthiness for reimplementation within Victoria. Though countries that maintain capital punishment for the most severe crimes have morphed into...

The Death Penalty Debate: an Argumentative Analysis

The topic of the death penalty or capital punishment has been one of controversy for a very long time now. The practice, which began many centuries ago, has seen various societies execute criminals for different capital offenses or crimes. In those countries where the death...

Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work - Personal Experience

This is one of the ethical dilemmas in social work essays where I will explore some ethical dilemmas I had during placement. I will be highlighting on a case that I dealt with as a form of my learning and development. I will be working...

The Heinz Dilemma: Moral Complexity in Everyday Life

The Heinz dilemma, is one where you have to question is stealing morally wrong? This is Heinz dilemma essay where I will give the answer to this question.   Heinz’s wife was on her deathbed and the doctor informed him there was a drug that...

Ethical Dilemma: Ways to Solve It

To start ethical dilemma essay lets understand the terminology of this phrase. Ethical dilemma is a basically a problem in a decision-making process between possible options. These options can be approved from an ethical view, this can be extremely challenging for companies or employers. Ethical...

Endless Dilemma: Should Abortion Be Legal Or Illegal

One of the most debated topics in bioethics is abortion. This debate might not ever come to an agreement whether to legalize or illegalize abortion, but it’s very important that we, as a country, try. The problem with the debates in bioethics on abortion is...

A Fetus is not a Person: the Concept of Self-ownership

The United States was founded upon the notion that all persons are born with “inalienable rights.” However, even to this day, “life, liberty, and happiness” are not guaranteed to citizens of this nation, especially its women. America has allowed patriarchal and sexist influences to contaminate...

Abortion: the Role of Contraception and Religious Belief

Abortion ends a pregnancy before the fetus or the unborn child can live independently outside the mother. This issue happens approximately before 24 weeks of pregnancy. This essay considers that an abortion is a crime. Even if it is a fetus, it is still a...

Ethical Dilemma in Nursing: Chemically Impaired Nurses

Chemically impaired nurse on duty is the ethical dilemma in nursing that I will be writing about in the essay. It can be easy for a nurse to want to be chemically impaired due to stress of trying to keep someone alive and getting them...

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About Ethical Dilemma

An ethical dilemma describes a conflict between two morally correct courses of action, it takes place in a decision-making context where any of the available options requires the agent to violate or compromise on their ethical standards.

Truth vs loyalty, short-term vs long-term, individual vs community, and justice vs mercy.

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