ETHICAL DECISION MAKING

By Elizabeth Gonzalez

Abstract

In 1999, Salt Lake City, Utah was involved in a scandal that erupted when the city bid to host the 2002 Winter Olympics. This bid ultimately shed a bad light on the city and state due to accusations of bribery.  Utah is considered Mormon country due to the Mormon Church in that state which upholds high moral standards in their religious endeavors. Ethical decision-making was the key throughout this situation, which in many people’s eyes Utah fell short.

ETHICAL DECISION MAKING

Lobbying is the act of effecting to influence members of a legislative body or organization to give deference and vote in the favor of the lobbyist. In government, lobbyists have known groups that are acknowledged.  When a government legalizes lobbying it does not involve financial or monetary support.

Bribery is offering money in exchange for a favor be it political action or to influence a decision in an organization.  Bribes are most often in the form of cash and do not involve bank transactions so that they cannot be traced when possible.
Some companies who are trying to compete in international markets may try to argue that they are being put at a disadvantage if they are not able to pay a bribe due to bribery being a way of business for some countries. In addition, this situation could be argued that in many countries, gift giving is a part of their culture and therefore if it is not taken then the officials of these countries will feel insulted.
Laws are codified and agreed to by the legislature and are imperative to establish proper peace and order among society. Ethics are viewed and interpreted differently from person to person.

In society, our ethics differ also due to ethnicity and religious background.  Inherently people generally know right from wrong.  We as a society depend on the later and hope that people will ultimately do no wrong. Morality and ethics cannot be legislated no matter how many laws are on the books.

I do not believe it is right or just for an entire community to pay for the criminal behavior of an individual or a particular group of people involved in wrongdoing. If a person commits an offence, then they should face the consequences independently on their own or with only those other individuals that are also involved.

Reference

Washington Post. (1999). Key Olympic Scandal Stories From Jan. 1999.  Retrieved February 8, 2011 from, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp- srv/sports/olympics/ longterm/1999/scandal/keystoriesjan99.htm

Comments

[GoneWithTheWind]

Most of the big bucks engineering work done in rich middle East countries is done by Dutch, German and French companies. Not because they are better at it then us but simply because bribes are a way of life in the Middle East and American companies cannot participate in it.
Boeing has trouble competing with Airbus because not only can Airbus bribe buyers but since it is essentially a state owned corporation the countries that own it also bribe buyers.

[Always On Watch]

Good to see Elizabeth writing again!