Work related legal/ethical issues - Research Paper Example

? Work Related Legal/Ethical Issues This paper discusses ethical issues of doing business. Whenever engaged in any kind of business, there is the need to adopt all ethical issues which ensure that the business will be able to realize its goals. Ethical responsibility improves operations of businesses hence making partnering much convenient for businesses reading from the same script. Very many considerations are very important in business operations, and especially when operating globally. Introduction Ethical responsibility is a contentious issue in which people behave in a manner which is pleasing to all members of a given community. This responsibility is significant in making life comfortable to all people. Majority of the societies observe these ethical issues since they are very significant for any development. When in the business world, the same kind of ethical responsibility is very important (Witzel & Ambler, 2008). This integrates all the major internal or external issues which should be adequately manifested. This involves the constant marriage of the positive factors of the economy within the operations of the business. As well, there should be a constant interaction of positive social and ecological effects affecting the given society. Basically, while ethics has remained something very contentious within all societies, it is still the same thing whenever talking of business engagements (Johnson, 2004). For example, let’s think of a process of advertising. It would be necessary to adopt a positive approach in which the truth is delivered to the possible buyer. Generally, ethical issues are very necessary cab adversely impact on the dealings with international businesses. This discussion analyzes an ethical issue relating to potential future work environment. The chosen business is Target Corporation. Description of a Business Situation that Presents a Legal and Ethical Issue Target Corporation, simply known as Target, is a retailing American company began in 1902 and is founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as Dayton Dry Goods Company. Since 1962, Target has been growing very fast and in 2000 it assumed its present name. Today, Target is the second largest retailer in the United States after Wal-Mart. Presently; Target is planning to expand its business to Canada (Miller & Vandome, 2010). As a retailing business, Target deals with its customers directly and therefore there are different business strategies and cultures practiced in the organization to make sure the customers and shareholders are treated with dignity and by so doing promote its business (Miller & Vandome, 2010). The business culture is also very significant for the organization because its guarantees the realization of its goals. In this paper we will explore Target’s business culture and how such corporate responsibility promotes its business performance. Ethical Concerns Raised by the Situation Corporate culture is one of the most important aspects of business management. This is because a business is characterized by constant interactions involving employees, customers, stakeholders, suppliers and clients. Because of this, business culture defines how the human aspect in an organization is managed to promote gains (Goodpaster, 2007). This calls for proper managerial practices through which proper business culture is developed and retained. At Target Corporation, business culture is taken seriously so that the best services can be offered to the customers and other stakeholders while at the same time ensuring that the employees and workers are satisfied with the working conditions. Being a general merchandiser in the US, Target Corporation always focuses on ensuring the customers are provided with exceptional value and unrivaled service. This is done by ensuring that proper hiring process and management are done as an important aspect of corporate culture. Also, Target’s culture is related to the political and cultural ideologies of the American people in order to make sure every service provided to the people is justified and serves the people right. With very many business branches in the country, a challenging environment has been developed; however, this has shaped the experiences of the employee and customer in a positive manner (Miller & Vandome, 2010). With increased competition, it becomes easy to launch new managerial practices thus promoting the corporation’s business. Equality is a relevant value for any business (Goodpaster, 2007). At Target Corporation, there is an excellent treatment of minorities and especially women. For example, there is the Insight Group whereby the minorities are given a chance to work and by so doing promoting diversity. The managerial and leadership duties have also been given to women as one way of promoting gender equality and diversity in the business. The other important value practiced at Target Corporation is customer satisfaction. The corporation’s managers believe that the customer is very important and should be served right if the business is to prosper. As well, the interior design and approach at Target Corporation ensures that a unique business identity is maintained (Miller & Vandome, 2010). The roles played by different players and employees are significant because they have greatly helped promote the process through which the needs of the customers are met. Integrity is also a top value at Target Corporation. The management process makes sure the promises and expectations communicated to the employees, customers and stakeholders are fulfilled accordingly. Agreements, decisions and policies are adhered to at Target as an important business element. In order to achieve its targeted goals, the organization has another important value: resourcefulness. A lot of diversity, creativity, self-reliability, and analyses of business position are encouraged in order to promote performance (Singh, 2004). Another important value practiced here is ‘service to society’. This is achieved by ensuring the environment has been protected, development of services that meet the overall needs of the consumer, and also making sure it is engaged in welfare and developments issues for the society (Goodpaster, 2007). Proper cooperation, communication and accountability are also practiced as major values and ideals at Target Corporation. It is because of these values, among others, that the company has succeeded in its business for the last five decades. It is thus acknowledgeable that proper business ideals and values play a significant role in ensuring that targeted goals are realized within the specified time period (Goodpaster, 2007). As well, Target Corporation makes sure its business is connected to the cultural and political ideologies of the population as an important aspect of corporate culture. This has made sure the services provided in by the organization satisfy the needs and expectations of the consumers, and without comprising the political foundations of the land. This approach has made it possible for the company to achieve its goals as a major retailer in the United States. At Target Corporation, communication is something of great significant. This is encouraged among employees and customers. Looking at the employee-manager relationship, it will be observed that there is proper communication whereby the manager acts as a leader, as a mentor, and also as an example regarding what is supposed to be done. This relationship also promotes communication process, decision-making and management (Goodpaster, 2007). As well, corporate culture at Target is always impossible without use of literature, images and other visual prompts to shape the experience of both the customers and employees. In order to do this, flyers, publications and business cards are used to inform the people about the business’ mission, goals and expectations. Basically, any available media for communicating to the employees and customers is utilized accordingly. The company’s website is also used to craft its image and identity. The major ideals and values practiced at Target Corporation are crafted on the website. These include business ethics, customer satisfaction, proper decision making processes, opportunity for all, indiscrimination, integrity, and society-relations (Miller & Vandome, 2010). As well, corporate identity and community is a very critical value or concept widely practiced at Target. For instance, the company has been engaged in different activities aimed at giving back to the society by sponsoring students from poor families, education the public about certain issues, and also promoting environmental welfare. Target Corporation’s employees are always encouraged to perform as a team in order to realize the best gains. Gender equality is also exercised in the working structure to achieve the best of gains. Basically, the corporate culture in the company requires that the employees perform different kinds of labor although teamwork is widely encouraged since it promotes performance. Identity is also another important thing at Target Corporation. The company always encourages the introduction of new business ideas and opinions without discrimination (Miller & Vandome, 2010). At the business, gender equality is practiced whereby everyone is treated equally; the important approach is to ensure the greatest gains are realized. As well, the corporation makes sure most of the employees have been recruited from different cultural backgrounds and races in order to promote diversity and introduction of new ideas to the business. From the above explanations, it will be observed that most of the materials and information learned in class helps us understand how diversity and workforce structure is something significant when addressing a company’s corporate culture. Some concepts such as employer-employee relationships play a big role in determining the overall success of any business (Singh, 2004). The success realized at Target Corporation is as a result of the concurrent management practices and encouragement of proper business culture whereby the employees, stakeholders, managers, and even the customers are integrated. Towards positive performance, most of the discussed concepts can adequately be applied at Target to promote its culture in order to promote performance and realization of profits. For instance, the ‘religion’ adopted for a given business eventually determines its success. At Target Corporation, a positive approach is adopted towards this ‘religion’, and this has contributed to its outstanding performance in the American retailing industry (Miller & Vandome, 2010). By adopting a neo-liberalism approach in the business, it has been possible to promote the core business of the organization and serving the customers with dignity. This has helped develop and retain a positive corporate identity and image, something that has continued to favor Target’s business. As explained by Melville in Bartleby the Scrivner, proper worker-manager relations promote understanding, make decision making process possible, and eventually promote service delivery (Goodpaster, 2007). This is exactly what is practiced at Target Corporation. Application of Ethical Theories to the Situation Today, a number of theorists and business analysts have described a number of concepts through which one is able to effectively measure the overall performance of a given business not through their financial standings and the amount of profits gained, but as well through analyzing how management of the people working for the organization. This also looks at the manner in which the environment is conserved and taken care of while engaging in any kind of international business. While engaged in business operations globally, the first thing worth considering is not harming the nation where the business operation is being carried out (Johnson, 2004). This is to say, the kind of business engagement should not harm the society. A company which fails to observe this ethical responsibility while conducting international dealings in business while lack clients and fail to realize profits. When talking of ethical responsibility, it means that the organization should right away begin by cleaning its own premise. While all businesses and organizations exist with the sole aim of making handsome profits, the responsibility aspect is vital, and this is where the ethical issue or approach lies. The manner in which money and profits are made within the given business is where ethical responsibility lie. The meaning of this is that, should a given firm realize that it is making good cash through involvement in harmful behaviors which are potentially damaging to the people, or selling to the people different products which can affect them, and then it must be standing in a very shaky ground in terms of its ethical performance (Brenkert, 2004). This will harm the business operations in a very big way. If this business is operating globally, chances became very high that the operations might be terminated within a given period of time. This has happened to a number of business firms like the McDonald’s believed to have had supplying foodstuffs not fit for people’s health. When a business engages in international business, there is the prime need of having ethical responsibilities since this will improve the performance of the organization. When a business applies all ethical responsibilities while doing its engagements overseas, it will reap many rewards both external and internal. The major responsibilities which should be considered for business operation include observation of all international laws concerning the rights of man as well as the local legislations that have been put in place (Boone & Kurtz, 2008). Employment laws are as well worth considering as these make sure all issues in the workplace have been addressed. People might lose trust with the business once it fails to consider such issues and analyzing all complains raised by specific individuals. When a business makes sure it has observed all these responsibilities towards ethical behaviors, the company ends up benefiting greatly since anything good done will reflect on the company’s final performance (Weber, 2001). A number experts have explained that the observation of ethical issues within business operation overseas brings a better name, improves reputation of the business, the recruitment of new employees becomes much easy, and also reduces employee turnover. This will therefore see the business having better gains from the operations. On the opposite, when the business does badly internationally, it constantly equates to what is known as backlash on the side of the customers and other partners in the business. One of the outstanding examples of poor business ethical adoption was that of Think Nike back in the 1990s. This company has been sourcing its labor from minors in Indonesian Republic. This killed the good reputation in the organization, something which led to a sudden reduction of the organization’s sales. Once a business suffers this kind of situation, it becomes hard to achieve its business goals. Once companies try to ignore some of the major issues affecting the society, they end up suffering a very big loss which they will regret. It is hence necessary to effectively all the major scenarios and considerations which might promote the business as well as the ones that will result in failed performance (Johnson, 2004). With the environment being very important, business operations will be able to put it into consideration hence making sure that human posterity has been taken care of. Ethical responsibility will greatly consider the environment as the home of man, and this will mean that polluted will be avoided. Businesses which fail to put this into consideration should be held responsible by governing legislations and laws. Sometimes it is necessary for businesses to extend their obligations and benefactions internationally by planting trees which will help in the conservation of our environment. Use of environmentally friendly materials and wrappings play an ethical role. This will make realization of a better world possible. As well, a business operating internationally might not be required to provide the employees working with the company or organization a decent pay and allowances plus housing, but something small like being cool and kind to them is very beneficial. This increases loyal responses hence improving performance in the business (Brenkert, 2004). Good business does not only require extensive means of profit accumulation but by adopting new measures which will address all ethical issues affecting man in this modern world. This ranges from human rights, labor issues, employee demands, the society and the environment. Giving back to the society is also in order and an ethical responsibility when engaged in overseas businesses. This capitalize the major strategies of the business hence improving the gains abstained in the very end. Payment of all taxes in foreign lands should also be made a priority since it will improve the performance of the organization and escape some legal issues which might influence the business in a negative manner. A Recommendation to Reduce Liability Positive thinking and continued motivation is a critical concept that will help this organization realize its potential. This concept is therefore significant and helps develop a spectacular corporate culture. By ensuring that appropriate values and motivation practices are encouraged in the business, it will be possible to achieve the anticipated goals, thus promoting productivity and customer satisfaction. Positive business culture is necessary for any organization because the process ensures that the needs of the customers and employees are met (Goodpaster, 2007). This also improves the morale of the workers and eventually promotes teamwork. At Target Corporation, a unique corporate culture is maintained whereby diversity is widely encouraged and recruitment of minority groups and women. Different values are also applied to ensure the best services are delivered to the customer. In conclusion, an appropriate corporate culture at Target has played a huge role in promoting its business. When operating internationally, a business should intently look at the support whenever dealing with different clients, customers or suppliers from other countries. This will make sure that the business has adequately analyzed the environment in which the international business partners are operating in. If for example a given business is dealing furniture from a different nation, there would be the necessity of ensuring and understanding where the timber has been sourced from (Witzel & Ambler, 2008). This is ethically a responsibility in ensuring that not a single endangered tree species has been used. Also, this analysis makes sure that there is no child labor that has been used in the assembly of the furniture. This kind of ethical responsibility is important as it makes sure that businesses deal with international traders who observe these issues hence preventing any kind of damage on the environment. This will make sure that positive business engagement has been achieved Conclusion As we have seen in this paper, ethical responsibility of doing business globally is something which should be greatly considered by any business organization. This begins from the inside of the business all the way to its involvement with all its partners. This kind of responsibility is very important because it improves the life of man, makes business performance, and also improves international cooperation (Boone & Kurtz, 2008). This study has presented all the major engagements which can help in the realization of business goals whenever operating in other nations. While the major aim behind any business is to make profits, it is necessary to put the above issues into consideration since they help in realization of wider markets and increasing customer trust. The ethical issue and legal aspects have a role with such decisions and in that case there should be the need of ensuring that the ultimate decision favors the greatest majority, and does not compromise any one’s life. References Brenkert, G. (2004). Corporate integrity and accountability. New York: New Press. Boone, L. & Kurtz, D. (2008). Contemporary Business 2009 Update. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Gilbert, K. (2008). Ethical Views on Global Health Issues. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Goodpaster, K. (2007). Conscience and Corporate Culture. New York: John Wiley and Sons. Johnson, C. (2004). Meeting the Ethical Challenges of Leadership: Casting Light or Shadow. New York: John Wiley and Sons. Miller, F. & Vandome, A. (2010). Target Corporation. New York: Longman. Philip, D. (2003). Designing and managing the supply chain: concepts, strategies and case studies. New Jersey, NJ: Prentice Hall. Singh, S. (2004). Market Orientation, Corporate Culture and Business Performance. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. Weber, L. (2001). Business Ethics in Healthcare: Beyond Compliance. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Witzel, M. & Ambler, T. (2008). Doing Business in China. Beijing: Oxford University Press. Read More