Organizational Ethics
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Organizational Ethics
ETH 316
April 21, 2015
Arthur Murphy
Organizational Ethics
Every business that exist must have a code of ethics that their staff should follow. Ethics are the principles and values that an organization uses to govern their activities and decisions in regards to internal and external stimulus (Kelchner, 2015). I have chosen to conduct this paper on Walmart because it is one of the largest corporations in the world. Throughout its existence this organization has dealt with numerous issues that may have influenced their ethical status. Altogether, some 5,000 lawsuits are filed against Wal-Mart each year, or roughly 17 suits per working day (The Good, The Bad, 2015). Walmart has a high volume of lawsuits, and utilizing the code of ethics they have in place helps they determine the best solution. All these issues are intertwined and allow business to conduct organizational and personal individual decisions which display the relationship of legal and ethical issues.
As the nation’s largest retailer, second-largest corporation, and largest private employer (with 1.3 million workers), Wal-Mart made headlines this past year at an unprecedented rate (The Good, The Bad, 2015). Unfortunately due to its financial status, Walmart has been subjected by many for lawsuits. The organizations low prices have caused many small business to close because they aim at under undermining competitor prices. These practices affect thousands who then have to work for or below iminium wages that may lead to government assistance. External social pressures are an everyday issue that are dealt with and have an effect on the economy. In some sense Walmart is great for the economy because it offers employment to some individuals and affordable merchandise to others. However, was this corporation justified by providing below minimum wages and hazardous working environments? The management team of Walmart has continually been challenged for their code of ethics that in place. Walmart’s practices caused The Large Retailer Accountability Act, or the “living wage” bill, would require large retailers with corporate sales of $1 billion or more and operating spaces 75,000 square feet or larger, to pay its work force a minimum-wage of $12.50 an hour to be implemented (Garcia, 2013). This bill was supposed to be reviews and passed to assist the people that were being affected by Walmart’s unethical practices. Although the inspiration of The Large Retailer Accountability Acts was necessary the bill was not passed. Fortunately, the media coverage surrounding Walmart and it negligence inspired debates and brought to light the many issues Walmart employees encounter.
Yes, external social pressures are significant to both organizational and personal decisions because they help conclude if our ethical preference are suitable. It is probable that some individuals accommodate their personal