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Exxon Oil Spill and Ethical Issues

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Submitted By lukeE
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Exxon Valdez Case Study

Executive summary

The ethical issues faced by management of corporations, and Exxon in particular, originate from the objective of cost cutting with the purpose of profit maximization. As was seen in Exxon’s case, where the disaster could have been prevented if the proper mechanisms and equipment were put in place. Conflict of interest is also a major ethical problem faced by management as well as employees in corporations, as human beings always look to benefit for themselves above others. Respect to others is another major aspect ethical aspect that should be present in organizations.

Exxon Valdez allowed happenings which were seen as common practice. In any other situation this would taboo and not ethical. There was conflict of interest in the safety of the crew and the environment as seen with the emergency training and planning and the captaining skills which resulted in a natural disaster which should have been prevented.

An analysis of the traits of a profession evidently suggests management would arguably not be classified as a profession. Ultimately managers therefore do not adhere to the same level of ethical standards as professionals.

For Exxon managers to be ethically responsible in their commercial roles they need to find ways of balancing the needs of the company and satisfying their own personal interests with that of the organisation. One way of achieving this is to strictly adhere to the organisations code of ethics, which sets out the best way to behave in certain situations.

Table of Contents

Oceana Pharmaceutical 1
Executive summary 2
Introduction 3
Body 5
Ethical issues faced by Management at Exxon and similar corporations 5
Relevant norms, ethical principles, codes of ethics, applicable to the management of Exxon Valdez 8
Is management a profession?

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