Index Prescriptive approach: consequentialist Prescriptive approach: deontological Prescriptive approach: virtue ethics Influences Under the pressures of authority, integrity and our values, as does an individual determine what virtue ethics is? right thing to do? In my previous role, as a packaging engineer, for Honda Manufacturing, I was tasked with designing and developing packaging solutions for various automotive components. These car components were produced and assembled at a supplier and shipped to the factory, for final assembly. The packaging design must sufficiently support the parts during transport, so that aesthetic and functional damage does not occur. To put my role in perspective, I was responsible for the car's components such as seats, sunroof, instrument panel and center console. The parts assigned to me were shipped domestically and internationally. The success of my project depended greatly on the Honda quality representative, Honda line associates, manufacturer and supplier. Each of these parties had an interest in packaging design. One ethical dilemma I encountered in my role was whether to use an existing rack design for the newly redesigned part. Based on the slightly steeper curvature, additional insulation foam, and history of past problems on the rack, I didn't believe the existing rack would last another 5 years through the transportation system. Nor did I believe it would provide protection. After getting approval for the new rack design, through all channels, the manufacturer began producing a functional prototype. Even though the design and cost of the prototype had been approved by the team, my project manager suddenly became concerned about the costs. As a result, my project manager directed me to push the existing designed rack for approval. This command has had enormous destructive implications for multiple parties along the internal and external value chain. The conflicting values ​​were authority, competence, customer satisfaction, integrity, and innovation. The conflict between these values ​​can be labeled as project manager versus employee deliverables. The authority value is directly aligned with the power of the project manager, while the remaining values ​​are aligned with the responsibilities of my role. The values ​​that directly align with my personal morals are competence and integrity. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Prescriptive Approach: Consequentialist When using the consequentialist approach, the stakeholders identified are: end consumers, quality representative, line associates, manufacturer, supplier, project manager, packaging department, and manufacturing plant. If I use the new design, the only stakeholder who might receive negative criticism is my project manager. The criticism would involve a discussion, with the unit manager, regarding the expected project cost overruns. While my project wasn't the only contributing factor to the budget being overrun, it was a small part. On the other hand, if you were to use the existing design, aesthetic and functional damage would occur. As a result, the remaining stakeholders would experience dissatisfaction. Once the part is shipped to the production line, imperfections in the part would be detected and the line would be stopped. In a manufacturing plant, time equals money. When the production line stops, an investigation team gets involved anddecides what the best immediate course of action is. An emergency meeting is arranged to figure out what happened, which department is at fault, and determine the next steps for a permeate solution. The manufacturer may be tasked with quickly modifying shelving not currently included in the production schedule. Unfortunately the supplier will be responsible for replacing damaged parts. Finally, the packaging department will receive criticism from other departments, due to the loss of production time. Prescriptive approach: deontological According to the deontological approach, I am obliged to produce packaging solutions at the best price according to the "JIT" model. Considering the golden rule, an appropriate response would be to push for a new design solution and negotiate the best cost per rack. Under a veil of ignorance, I would not have followed the direction of my project manager. This decision would be based on Kant's categorical imperative and not on my project manager's authority over me. According to Kant's categorical imperative, the textbook states, you should treat others as you believe they should treat all others. In my ethical dilemma, I believe that internal and external customers should be treated with respect. Prescriptive Approach: Virtue Ethics Considering the virtue ethics approach, my intention was to create a shelf design to reduce logistical bottlenecks. Since the rack design received prior approval from the team, I felt that the cost prerequisite was met. To understand whether my actions reflect a person of integrity, I consult with mentors, supervisors, and people at my company who I respect professionally. My ethical role model and mentor within the company is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion. With the goal of having a successful professional career in mind, both you and I are my harshest moral critic. I believe my mentor would think the best course of action was to fight for my design and identify alternative materials or specifications to reduce costs. He always encourages me to fight for what I believe is right. Influences My ethical decision, to follow the direction of my project leader, was influenced by several factors, which influenced what I believed was the best option. My cognitive moral development fell between Conventional (level II) and Postconventional (level III). Level II stage 4 states that an individual has a desire to follow rules and laws. In my ethical dilemma, I had a strong desire to follow the correct instructions to develop a rack that adequately supported the part. I also identified with the Level III stage 6 theory of following universal ethical principles. This universal ethical principle was the golden rule: “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Along with the golden rule, I also use the role of emotions to help me decide the right course of action. I put myself in the shoes of the other stakeholders and thought: how would I, as a supplier, react if I was provided with faulty shelving to support the parts during transport? I was fully aware that my actions directly affected the outcome many would face. This awareness can be considered an internal locus of control. Our text explains that an individual with an internal locus of control is more likely to do what he believes is right and less likely to be pressured by others. But why when I possess these moral cognitive developments, did I still decide to follow my project leader's direction? Moral disengagement mechanisms provided the best responses..