Case Study: Empress Luxury Lines

[Name of Student]

[Name of Professor]

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Case Study: Empress Luxury Lines

Introduction

The paper aims to discuss the case of critical analysis “Empress Luxury Lines” in Chapter 5. The purpose of the paper is to identify management's role in coping up ethical dilemmas in a company. A complicated and complex situation, which implicates a mental conflict among moral constraints, and conforming to one would contravene other, is known as an ethical dilemma. It is generally believed that there is no real answer to an ethical dilemma. The paper analyzes the ethical dilemma faced by Antonio in the case study, and suggests two strategies for effectively addressing the ethical dilemma. Further, the paper addresses the pros and cons of using each strategy and examines the rationale for taking any one strategy in the situation.

Discussion

An ethical dilemma refers to a strong debate among two moral principles, in which conforming to one would result in contravening the other. Many companies encounter issues of ethical dilemmas in different situations. At workplaces, employees are continuously confronted with certain ethical dilemmas on regular basis. However, effectively and efficiently resolving such dilemmas must be the top priority of top management of any organization.

Ethical Dilemma Faced By Antonio

Antonio Melendez is the employee of Empress Luxury Lines, who is confronted with an ethical dilemma at workplace. Antonio has always requested for a computer systems' upgrade since his joining, two years ago. The situation arises when the company incurred several damages from a recent thunderstorm. Kevin Pfeiffer, a computer technician at Empress Luxury Lines, estimated damages from the recent thunderstorm. Kevin reported the estimated damages of $15,000 to his supervisor, Phil Bailey, and his chief financial officer. Phil Bailey asked Kevin to haul the remaining underground wires and the systems in order to elevate the amount to be claimed from the insurance company. If the remaining underground wires and the systems were hauled, the company would be capable of claiming the damages worth $500,000. However, Kevin refused to do this and Matt, another employee, was called up to perform the damages. Antonio, knowing the entire situation, is faced with a very serious ethical dilemma. Antonio could perform two actions such as either to take a lawful action or to compromise with person ethics. Antonio knows that Empress Luxury Lines also had a previous history of defrauding insurance company, but, it was before Antonio joined. Antonio also knows that there is no effective mechanism of reporting the fraud to the upper management, and there are no protections available for the whistle-blowers. Therefore, Antonio was unsure of his decision and is trapped in a serious ethical dilemma (Daft & Lane, 2010).

Two Strategies for Addressing the Situation

There are various approaches and strategies, which can be used while dealing with a situation of ethical dilemma. However, in this case Antonio may use two strategies, which are also ethically applicable in his situation, such as:

Individualism Approach

This approach will allow Antonio in promoting his best long-term interests. This approach vies that an ...