Instructions: Use this form as the outline for ethical dilemma case study analysis and decision-making by filling out sections 2-11 below:
1.
Review the case study at hand, thinking carefully about your answers to the tasks below.
2.
In the space below, identify the key facts:
Johnson and Johnson had a continuous manufacturing and quality control challenges in most of its manufacturing plants. Further, J"J has faced crisis leading to defects and recalls. Also, they used pharmaceuticals without full evidence of their effectiveness. These facts have negatively affected the reputation of the company.
3.
In the space below, identify the ethical question(s) or issue(s):
The ethical issues for this company find its basis on challenges on medical devices, consumer products, and pharmaceuticals. The activities of the company have posed potential and actual harm to the consumers while the firm responds inadequately to the patients and consumer complaints arising from using the company’s products. Illegal marketing of devices and medications for profit motive without considering possible harm to the consumers. Inferior quality product and occasional monitoring of equipment is another issue.
4.
Identify the potentially affected parties:
The affected parties are all the stakeholders in this company. They include consumers of the products, Johnson and Johnson, supplier and distributors, the medical community, J"J employees, the FDA, the board of directors and J"J management.
5.
Identify the potential positive or negative consequences of this dilemma:
The negative result of this dilemma is that the company did not adhere to its stipulated values of conduct and therefore breaching its trust. The company was supposed to investigate and rectify problems in their plants and the marketing operations. Further, they had an obligation to recall their products as directed by the FDA in their letters. All these sums up to break the company’s reputation and trust.
6.
Identify which of your moral obligations (principles, rights, elements of justice or injustice) are being impacted by this dilemma:
This dilemma affects the right to information. The company did not provide the correct information to the public as well as to its salesmen to ensure ethical behavior. Moreover, there is a component of injustice in this dilemma as the operations of the company resulted in an adverse effect on the consumers and society. Additionally, the failure to recall the company’s pharmaceuticals and equipment as stated by the FDA shows non adherence to laws.
7.
Identify what elements of the drafted or complete part(s) of your EMMP and course content (ethical approach, valued virtues, faith, preferred consequences, professional code, etc.) are being impacted by this moral dilemma:
The dilemma impacts on the ethical strategy in which the management, workers, and customers must adhere. The administration should play a part in preventing and handling crises, as well as providing favorable work condition and respect to the employees. Professional code of conduct is not upheld by the researchers as they facilitate the release of inadequately tested drugs to the market.
8.
Identify two or more possible solutions to the ethical dilemma(s) you believe are consistent with your evolving EMMP and personal moral perspective:
a. The should provide quick and thorough investigations to the rising problems and give a fast and efficient corrective measure.
b. The firm should reliably and consistently produce high-quality products and call back defective products more often from the market.
9.
Apply stress tests to possible solutions: What would your mentor say? What would be your reaction if this solution along with your name and picture appeared in the local newspaper or on Facebook? Respond to these hypotheticals below:
My mentor would complement my recommendations to the company. On finding my name and picture on the facebook alongside with my solutions, I would be happy for the popularity knowing that I suggested considerable solutions to the firm.
10.
Consider what sincere and civil opponents of your potential solutions might say about it?
The critics of my solutions would possibly say that a company with a good name and reputation from the public cannot lack proper responsive measures to the customer's complaints.
11.
Recommend an action to address the ethical dilemma(s) in this case study including the rationale for your recommendation and possible responses to sincere and civil opponents:
Action:
Inspection of the company facilities and taking corrective action for any fault and providing adequate testing of the products before releasing them to the market. Also, offer proper ethical training.
Rationale:
. A proper inspection will help in addressing any potential problem that would lead to the production of defective equipment and harmful medicines.
. When the company releases faulty devices to the market, the firm must make sure the community is informed to make proper decisions.
. Proper training will mobilize the workforce towards achieving ethical values
By doing so, the employees will feel good about their company and themselves improving productivity
Response(s) to opponents:
. By taking a thorough look at the reality of the matter, you will realize why J"J requires reviewing their codes of conduct. For the past decades, this firm has built a reputation and trust. Therefore, they must take all means to protect their brand.
. To build reputation takes a long time, but to tarnish it, takes a blink of the eye.
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