ETHICS AND GOVERNANCE

Ethics and Governance: BAE Systems Case Study



Ethics And Governance: BAE Systems Case Study

TASK 1

Analysing timeline of events taking place regarding BAe Systems (BAES) one can apply The Institute of Business Ethics Framework as a Good practice guide for Ethics in decision-making. The Framework enables to categorize decisions into laudable, culpable and non-culpable. UK government's Foreign Secretary Mr Robin Cook's decision to promote an ethical foreign policy in 1997 is a laudable decision, as this promotes the role of Government as caretaker and provider of selfless and unbiased service to its citizens.

In June 2009 OECD's assertion of criticizing the UK government for halting SFO's Al-Yamamah inquiry is ethically a laudable decision because corrupt business practices cannot be allowed by making national security threat as excuse.

The conduct of the CEO of BAES in 1997 was culpable as it colluded with Premiership candidate Tony Blair and had vested corporate interests in his success; therefore he bucked him up in pursuit of maximization of BAES profits and corporate benefits.

Tanzanian President in 2005 seems ignorant when he said that no one showed him evidence of wrongdoing taking place in civil procurements as mentioned by World Bank. President has active government machinery that acts as eyes and years of the state. This decision is culpable as President's government could not make proper and efficient use of public funds by spending four times more on civilian radar.

In the Al-Yamamah contract case in February 2007 reveals role of UK Defence Minister Jonathan Aitken as negotiator and lubricator in making deal between BAES and the other party. Defense Minister's role is as public representative and servant, therefore he cannot take part in patching up commercial deals between corporate entities.

In this case study the non-culpable decision is that one reason for the continuing support by governments of the arms industry is the historical equation of military power with importance in the world. Governments are reluctant to face accusations of being weak if they do not have a range of the military aircraft, ships and tanks. This military mindset is reinforced by a close relationship between military companies and some governments which can give the former immense influence over government decision-making.

For this particular case of BAE systems , the words "cul. prist" were then entered on the roll, showing that issue had been joined. When French law terms were discontinued, the words were taken as forming one word addressed to the prisoner. The formula "Culprit, how will you be tried?" in answer to a plea of "not guilty," is first found in the trial for murder of the 7th Earl of Pembroke in 1678. Under modern criminal law, the preferred term is defendant. The secret thoughts of a man run over all things holy, prophane, clean, obscene, grave, and light, without shame, or blame; which verbal discourse cannot do, farther than the judgement shall approve of the time, place, and persons.

TASK 2

Standard Ways To Place Blame and its Response

Blaming is also a ...