Self Reflection

SELF-REFLECTION
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Volkswagen Ethical Issue
Every business organization must ensure that their products, services, and activities are not harmful to the society. In the recent years, there has been advocacy on environmental conservation. Any organization whose activities are not in line with environmental conservation requirements should compensate through corporate social responsibility actions that correct the damage they cause (Kizza, 2010 p.35). All executives and managers in today’s global workplace should ensure that all the workers make ethical decisions that are in the interests of the environment and the society and whose effects will be felt in the long-run.
In this case, Volkswagen Corporation must produce cars that comply with the emission standards. It has been attempting to crack the United States diesel market and has consequently become a major seller in the market. The company, however, deceived the market by developing car software that falsifies the data. This is against their obligation regarding the environmental conservation. The deontological ethical theory can explain the unethical act. Every person or corporation is expected to fulfill their duties as well as obligations when they are faced with decisions where ethics is in play (Kizza, 2010 p.35). They are expected to make a decision that protects the wellbeing of the other individual and the society at large. For instance, as an individual, I must behave in a manner that does not overstep the wellbeing of other individuals and society.

Volkswagen failed to fulfill its obligation in protecting the society through environmental conservation and instead opted to deceive the government and the public. It continued to produce cars that emit carbon gas to the environment and hence have negative effects on the society. The actions and decisions of the company should always be as per the set obligations. Additionally, the company failed to did not adhere to the consequentialist ethical theory. This is a theory that focuses on the consequences of an action. Any action is regarded as ethical if its outcome inflicts happiness on a large number of people. For instance, I should always engage in actions whose consequences have positivity to the society and other people. Volkswagen’s actions were not good for the larger society as they end up destroying the environment hence they are against the consequentialist ethical theory. In other words, the actions contributed to the utility of the company, and hence it would be correct to adduce that the company applied the utilitarian ethical theory in its actions. This is a theory that increases utility for an individual or corporate without regard for the implication on other individuals and society. Although there is a need for individual engage in actions that increase one’s satisfaction, it is important to consider the wellbeing of others.

Reference List
Kizza, J. M., 2010, Ethical and social issues in the information age. London: Springer.