You will assume the role of a leader and decide what strategies you will use to develop a strong organizational ethical climate. In your position as a leader, you will need to identify primary and secondary stakeholders and satisfy their concerns, understand the organization’s ethical standing, and develop an ethics training program.

QUESTION

COMPETENCIES

3008.1.3 : Policy and Program Development

Don't use plagiarized sources. Get Your Custom Essay on
You will assume the role of a leader and decide what strategies you will use to develop a strong organizational ethical climate. In your position as a leader, you will need to identify primary and secondary stakeholders and satisfy their concerns, understand the organization’s ethical standing, and develop an ethics training program.
Just from $13/Page
Order Essay

The graduate develops policies, practices, procedures, and programs that foster organizational ethics and socially responsible behavior.

INTRODUCTION

As an organizational leader, one of your primary roles is establishing programs and policies that ensure the organization operates under ethical considerations and legal mandates. This responsibility includes informing employees of the organization’s code of ethics, communicating the code of ethics, providing training, and ensuring that operational aspects are administered in a legal and ethical manner.

You will assume the role of a leader and decide what strategies you will use to develop a strong organizational ethical climate. In your position as a leader, you will need to identify primary and secondary stakeholders and satisfy their concerns, understand the organization’s ethical standing, and develop an ethics training program.

SCENARIO

You are a business manager of Paradigm Toys, a publicly held company that is a retailer and manufacturer of children’s toys. The board of directors has asked you to conduct an ethics audit of the company and report to the board if you find the need for ethics training.

REQUIREMENTS

Your submission must be your original work. No more than a combined total of 30% of the submission and no more than a 10% match to any one individual source can be directly quoted or closely paraphrased from sources, even if cited correctly. The originality report that is provided when you submit your task can be used as a guide.

 

You must use the rubric to direct the creation of your submission because it provides detailed criteria that will be used to evaluate your work. Each requirement below may be evaluated by more than one rubric aspect. The rubric aspect titles may contain hyperlinks to relevant portions of the course.

 

Prepare a report (suggested length of 6–8 pages) for Paradigm Toys in which you do the following:

 

  1.  Discuss the purpose of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in an organization.
  2.  Identify twoprimary and two secondary stakeholders that influence Paradigm Toys.
  3.  Analyze twoways that Paradigm Toys should meet their CSR for the primary and secondary stakeholders identified in part A1.

 

  1.  Reflect on the importance of ethical leadership by doing the following:
  2.  Explain why it is important for an organization to develop an ethical culture.
  3.  Discuss the role that Paradigm Toys’ leadership can play in fostering an ethical culture.
  4.  Explain the purpose of an ethics audit.
  5.  Discuss the value that an ethics audit could bring to Paradigm Toys.

 

  1.  Develop the ethical framework that you would use if you were faced with an ethical dilemma by doing the following:
  2.  Identify and analyze an ethical dilemma in a business setting.

 

Note: You may also choose an ethical dilemma you have witnessed at your current place of employment.

 

  1.  Evaluate twopotential solutions to the ethical dilemma identified in part C1.
  2.  Explain which solution from part C2 you would recommend and why that solution would be the more ethical choice.

 

  1.  Create a proposal for implementing an ethics training program at Paradigm Toys by doing the following:
  2.  Identify threekey topics that you would cover in your ethics training program.
  3.  Explain why you would include the threetopics from part D1 in your training program.
  4.  Recommend a delivery method that you believe would be most effective for the training program.
  5.  Justify why the delivery method recommended in part D2 would be most effective for the training program.

 

  1.  Acknowledge sources, using in-text citations and references, for content that is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.

 

  1.  Demonstrate professional communication in the content and presentation of your submission.

File Restrictions

File name may contain only letters, numbers, spaces, and these symbols: ! – _ . * ‘ ( )
File size limit: 200 MB
File types allowed: doc, docx, rtf, xls, xlsx, ppt, pptx, odt, pdf, txt, qt, mov, mpg, avi, mp3, wav, mp4, wma, flv, asf, mpeg, wmv, m4v, svg, tif, tiff, jpeg, jpg, gif, png, zip, rar, tar, 7z

ANSWER

Developing an Ethical Climate at Paradigm Toys

Introduction

As the business manager of Paradigm Toys, it is essential to establish programs and policies that promote ethical behavior and corporate social responsibility (CSR). This report aims to address the board of directors’ request for an ethics audit and propose an ethics training program for Paradigm Toys. By doing so, the organization can create a strong ethical climate, meet the expectations of stakeholders, and ensure legal compliance.

Purpose of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Corporate social responsibility refers to an organization’s commitment to act ethically and contribute positively to society beyond its economic objectives. In the case of Paradigm Toys, CSR serves several purposes. Firstly, it enhances the company’s reputation by demonstrating a genuine commitment to social and environmental concerns. This, in turn, can attract customers, investors, and talented employees who align with the organization’s values. Secondly, CSR is crucial for satisfying primary stakeholders such as customers and employees. Customers expect safe and responsibly manufactured toys that align with their values, while employees value fair wages, safe working conditions, and opportunities for professional growth. Meeting these expectations strengthens stakeholder trust and loyalty. Finally, CSR practices mitigate potential risks associated with legal non-compliance, environmental damage, and negative public perception.

Primary and Secondary Stakeholders

In the context of Paradigm Toys, primary stakeholders are directly affected by the company’s operations, while secondary stakeholders have an indirect influence. Two primary stakeholders for Paradigm Toys are customers and employees. Customers expect the company to provide safe toys that meet or exceed safety standards. They also value transparency in pricing and ethical sourcing practices. Employees, on the other hand, expect fair wages, safe working conditions, and opportunities for professional growth and development. By meeting these expectations, Paradigm Toys can foster a positive relationship with its primary stakeholders.

Two secondary stakeholders for Paradigm Toys are suppliers and the local community. Suppliers play a vital role in the organization’s supply chain. It is important to establish ethical standards for suppliers, including fair trade practices and adherence to labor rights. This ensures that the company’s products are sourced responsibly and ethically. Additionally, the local community expects Paradigm Toys to contribute positively by creating job opportunities and minimizing environmental impacts. Engaging in community outreach programs and implementing sustainable practices can help fulfill these expectations.

Meeting CSR for Primary and Secondary Stakeholders

To meet CSR obligations for primary stakeholders, Paradigm Toys can implement various strategies. Firstly, it should establish a rigorous product safety testing process to ensure all toys meet or exceed safety standards. This ensures that customers can trust the safety of the toys they purchase. Secondly, the company should adopt environmentally friendly manufacturing practices and use sustainable materials to address customers’ concerns about ecological impact. This demonstrates a commitment to responsible environmental stewardship.

For employees, Paradigm Toys should establish fair and transparent compensation policies. This includes providing competitive wages and benefits to ensure employees are adequately rewarded for their work. Additionally, the company should offer training and development programs to enhance employees’ skills and provide opportunities for career advancement. By investing in their employees’ growth, Paradigm Toys can foster a positive work environment and increase employee satisfaction.

Regarding secondary stakeholders, Paradigm Toys should develop a supplier code of conduct that includes ethical sourcing, fair trade practices, and respect for labor rights. Regular evaluations of suppliers based on their adherence to the code of conduct can help ensure ethical practices throughout the supply chain. To address the expectations of the local community, the company should engage in community outreach programs such as partnerships with local schools or charitable organizations. Implementing waste management systems and promoting energy-efficient practices will also contribute to minimizing the company’s environmental impact.

Importance of Ethical Leadership

The development of an ethical culture within an organization is crucial for various reasons. Firstly, an ethical culture fosters trust among employees and stakeholders. When individuals understand that their organization operates with integrity, they are more likely to trust its decisions and actions. This, in turn, leads to stronger relationships and improved employee morale. Secondly, an ethical culture promotes responsible decision-making. When employees are guided by ethical principles, they are more likely to make decisions that align with the organization’s values and long-term interests. Ethical decision-making also helps prevent legal and reputational risks. Finally, an ethical culture contributes to the organization’s reputation. Customers, investors, and other stakeholders are more inclined to engage with companies that demonstrate a commitment to ethical conduct.

Paradigm Toys’ leadership plays a crucial role in fostering an ethical culture within the organization. They must lead by example, demonstrating ethical behavior and integrity in all aspects of their work. By establishing clear ethical standards through a code of ethics, leadership communicates the organization’s expectations to employees. It is important for leaders to promote open dialogue and provide guidance to employees, empowering them to make ethical choices in their daily work. Through their actions and communication, leaders create a supportive environment where ethical behavior is valued and encouraged.

Purpose of an Ethics Audit

An ethics audit is a systematic assessment of an organization’s ethical practices, policies, and procedures. The purpose of conducting an ethics audit is to evaluate the company’s ethical standing, identify potential areas of improvement, and ensure compliance with ethical standards and legal requirements (Schöppl et al., 2022). It provides an opportunity to assess the organization’s ethical climate, identify gaps, and address any ethical concerns. By conducting regular ethics audits, Paradigm Toys can proactively identify areas for improvement and strengthen its ethical framework.

Value of an Ethics Audit for Paradigm Toys

An ethics audit can bring several valuable outcomes to Paradigm Toys. Firstly, it helps identify ethical gaps or weaknesses within the organization. By examining current practices, policies, and procedures, an ethics audit can highlight areas where the company may be falling short of ethical standards. This knowledge enables the organization to take corrective actions and enhance its ethical framework. Secondly, an ethics audit improves accountability. By conducting audits and communicating the findings to employees and stakeholders, the company reinforces the importance of ethical conduct and holds individuals accountable for their actions. This fosters a culture of responsibility and ensures that ethical expectations are clear. Finally, an ethics audit enhances the company’s reputation. Demonstrating a commitment to ethical behavior and transparency through an audit process can strengthen relationships with stakeholders and attract socially conscious customers and investors.

Ethical Dilemma in a Business Setting

One ethical dilemma that Paradigm Toys may face is the decision to outsource manufacturing to a foreign country with lower labor standards and wages. While this decision may reduce costs and increase profits, it raises concerns about labor exploitation and unfair trade practices. On one hand, outsourcing could potentially boost the company’s financial performance, enabling it to offer competitive prices and invest in research and development. However, this choice may compromise the company’s commitment to ethical conduct, human rights, and fair labor practices.

Evaluation of Potential Solutions

Solution 1: Proceed with Outsourcing This solution prioritizes cost savings and short-term financial gains for Paradigm Toys. By outsourcing manufacturing to a country with lower labor standards, the company can reduce production costs and increase profits. However, this solution disregards the ethical implications of supporting unfair labor practices and exploiting workers’ rights. It may also lead to reputational damage and potential backlash from stakeholders concerned about responsible sourcing.

Solution 2: Implement Ethical Sourcing Practices This solution involves seeking suppliers in countries that maintain fair labor standards and providing support for their employees. Although it may increase manufacturing costs, it aligns with the organization’s ethical responsibilities and long-term sustainability(Gaumnitz & Lere, 2002). By choosing suppliers that adhere to ethical labor practices, Paradigm Toys can ensure that its products are manufactured in a socially responsible manner. This solution upholds the company’s commitment to ethical conduct and contributes to the well-being of workers involved in the manufacturing process.

Recommended Ethical Solution

The recommended solution for Paradigm Toys is to implement ethical sourcing practices. This choice aligns with the organization’s CSR objectives and demonstrates a commitment to responsible business practices. By selecting suppliers that prioritize fair labor standards and worker well-being, the company can ensure that its manufacturing process is conducted ethically. Although implementing ethical sourcing practices may result in higher manufacturing costs, it is the more ethical choice in the long run. This decision not only upholds the organization’s values but also mitigates the risks associated with reputational damage and stakeholder dissatisfaction. By embracing ethical sourcing, Paradigm Toys can build trust with its primary stakeholders, attract socially conscious customers, and contribute to positive change in the industry.

Proposal for Implementing an Ethics Training Program

To develop an ethics training program at Paradigm Toys, three key topics should be covered:

Understanding Ethical Principles: This topic focuses on educating employees about the fundamental principles of ethical conduct, such as integrity, honesty, and respect for stakeholders. By establishing a shared understanding of ethical values, employees can align their behaviors and decisions with the organization’s ethical framework.

Ethical Decision-Making: This topic provides employees with frameworks and tools to make ethical decisions in complex situations. It equips them with the skills to navigate ethical dilemmas and encourages critical thinking and reflection when faced with ethical challenges.

Compliance and Legal Obligations: This topic ensures that employees are aware of relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards to avoid legal pitfalls (Logsdon & Yuthas, 1997). It emphasizes the importance of compliance with ethical and legal requirements, minimizing the organization’s exposure to legal risks and reputational damage.

The chosen topics are crucial for the ethics training program because they address key aspects of ethical behavior, decision-making, and legal compliance. By covering these topics, employees will have a comprehensive understanding of their ethical responsibilities and the tools necessary to uphold ethical standards in their daily work.

The recommended delivery method for the training program is a combination of in-person workshops and online training modules. In-person workshops provide opportunities for interactive discussions, case studies, and role-playing activities, fostering engagement and active learning. These workshops facilitate meaningful dialogue and the sharing of experiences among participants. Online training modules offer flexibility and accessibility, allowing employees in different locations and time zones to access the training at their convenience. Online modules can include video presentations, quizzes, and interactive exercises to reinforce learning. Combining these delivery methods ensures a comprehensive and effective training program that caters to different learning styles and organizational needs.

Conclusion

By prioritizing corporate social responsibility, fostering an ethical culture, conducting ethics audits, and implementing an ethics training program, Paradigm Toys can create a strong ethical climate within the organization. This approach not only meets the expectations of primary and secondary stakeholders but also ensures legal compliance and contributes to the long-term success and reputation of the company. By embracing ethical practices, Paradigm Toys can establish itself as a socially responsible organization in the toy industry, attracting customers and stakeholders who value ethical conduct and contributing to positive change in the industry as a whole.

References

Gaumnitz, B. R., & Lere, J. C. (2002). Journal of Business Ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 35(1), 35–49. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1012718103007 

Logsdon, J. M., & Yuthas, K. (1997). Journal of Business Ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 16(12/13), 1213–1226. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1005741931995 

Schöppl, N., Taddeo, M., & Floridi, L. (2022). Ethics Auditing: Lessons from Business Ethics for Ethics Auditing of AI. In Springer eBooks (pp. 209–227). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09846-8_13 

 

Homework Writing Bay
Calculator

Calculate the price of your paper

Total price:$26
Our features

We've got everything to become your favourite writing service

Need a better grade?
We've got you covered.

Order your paper