Ethics

Susan Whitehead serves on the City Planning Commission. The city is planning to build a new subway system and is accepting bids on the proposal. Susans brother-in-law, Jerry who owns the Custom Transportation Co., has submitted the lowest bid for the system. The Worldwide Transportation C o. has submitted a slightly higher bid for the job. Susan knows that Jerry could complete the job for the estimated amount, but she also knows that if Jerry gets and completes this project he will have enough money to sell his company and quit working. Susan is concerned that Custom Transportations subsequent management might not be as easy to work with if revisions need to be made on the subway after its completion. She is torn as to whether she should tell the city about the potential changes in Custom Transportations management. If the city knew about the instability of Custom Transportation, it might prefer to give the contract to Worldwide Transportation whose bid was higher than Custom Transportations bid by only a small amount. Does Susan have an ethical obligation to disclose the information about Jerry to the City Planning Commission

Introduction and situational analysis
The case problem at hand is the issue of ethics involving conflict of interests and disclosure of critical information. The case of Susan Whitehead of the City Planning Commission (CPC) case is a highly sensitive issue and concern that is likely to seriously affect her in her decision processes at work. Public sector rHerecontracts with significant budgetary allocations, as in the planned projects of the City Planning Commission are likely to become sources of ethical dilemmas. Susan Whitehead is confronted with such dilemma, thus specific performance on contracts require awareness of transparency, good governance and disclosure requirements to preempt or prevent any issue that can be construed as a form of misconduct, impropriety or acts of nepotism arising out of kinship and relationship, professional affiliations or related interest thereby giving rise to a conflict of interest.

Professionals, who suddenly find themselves in the middle of ethical issues, are constrained to forego perks and privileges to project a semblance or a genuine appearance of integrity at work to manifest and articulate good governance practices. Here, the need for proper conduct is demanded. Thus, public officials are to exude and provide living examples and models of exemplary behavior. This behavior is likely to showcase discipline and order. Clearly the practice of professionalism insulates one against possible breach of ethical practices. For Susan Whitehead, it is a call for proper conduct even in the absence of rules that is, acting lawful, ethical even when no one is looking. Further, the essence of the practice of ethics is its universal applicability  reversibility.

The Ethical Dilemma        
Susan Whitehead is faced with an ethical dilemma as the city plans to build a new subway system. Here, the ethical dilemma is a form of conflict of interest and Jerry, who happens to be her brother-in-law, owns the company, Custom Transportation Company that offered the lowest bid for the subway project.  Ethics dictate that either Jerry or Susan inhibit themselves in participating in the bidding processesJerry as a bidder and Susan as a member of the city commission. From all perspectives, Susan and Jerry must exercise caution in their official moves as vested interest aim to scrutinize every possible means to insure fair bidding processes.

Here, the dilemma appears Should Jerry win the contract, the results will cast doubts on the integrity of the bidding processes. Jerry will likely be mistakenly identified as having received tips from Susan in terms of any condition leading to the awarding of the bid Susan Whitehead, on the other hand, will likely be construed as having provided some form of assistance or hint to Jerry to prepare his bid and thus, is likely to upstage other bidders. Besides, both Susan and Jerry will be presumed as having discussed some sensitive areas of the contract in their private capacities as in-laws. Even the small difference in the contract prices will add some more sensitive issues into the agreement as soon as the relationship is disclosed. In all likelihood, these forms of ethical dilemma are likely going to affect the credibility to the City Planning commission.

Giving false impression is another category of ethical issue prevailing in the case. This takes the form of knowledge of information considered material to the case. Here, the ethical issue is the possibility of Jerrys company, being sold to another entity and the possible difficulty of the new firm tasked to undertake revision work after it is completed. Susans nondisclosure of information is likely to put her in a compromising stance with the city planning office. It is highly probable that changes in its management might be difficult to deal with and the city might bring this issue to Susan and unnecessarily link her to the prospect of actually knowing this possibility of risk even if she never had any influence or knowledge about the issue in the first place.

Susan will not find it easy and comfortable that knowing certain sensitive information about the future of Custom Transportation, she will start having some fits of conscience striking her when this risk actually does happen. Here, one has to be ethically consistent.

This dilemma being confronted by Susan may have to be initially addressed by requiring Jerry and his successor in interest to be legally bound by the contract to honor any form of work revision after any change in ownership. This value of integrity had to be inculcated and sustained on all undertakings.

With this provision installed in all pre-qualified bidders, Susan should feel safe on the issue of relationship should this legal provision is adhered to by all parties. Nevertheless, this ethical dilemma should be disclosed by Susan to the Commission and officially documented as enforceable legal issue. Nonetheless, Susan should feel comfortable with the compensating provisions included, but must not take active frontline role, or inhibit from sensitive participation in deliberations that will equally involve Jerry or his outfit, the Customs Transportation. Here, rationalizations must be avoided. Observers are becoming more mature.    

Stakeholder analysis
In this case, the stakeholders include the following Susan Whitehead as the official from the City Planning Commission who is related to Jerry, one of the bidders and contractors for the subway project Jerry as the point person in the project and who owns the firm, Custom Transportation Company, and is the one likely to win the contract for the construction of the subway project. Here, Jerry becomes affected by the conduct of the project as they are expected to be implementer of the project. The city itself is a stakeholder in this case as this is a sample of a public sector project funded by the city and is expected to be supervised by its people through the offices directly tasked with its implementation and supervision together with the winning contractor, Jerry. The city will definitely be in the line of fire for any unethical disposition here as it is assumed that the government spearheaded the project construction knowing the full details of the participants including making sure that any form of succession or successor-in-interest should be considered in the bidding process.
In addition, the competitor bidder World Transportation Company is similarly a stakeholder in this case because of its legitimate interest in participating in the bidding processes for which it believes it is capable of handling. This stakeholder will be impacted by the potential issue of discovery of the conflict of internet as well as the disclosure issue considering it proposed the next possible winner in the bid and which could have indeed won the contract had Jerry, Susan Whitehead acted in more ethical means to avoid potential problems brought about by this affinity relationship.  Another stakeholder in this case could be the family where Jerry and Susan Whitehead belong, them being related by virtue of affinity.
 
Analysis based on ethical theories        
In the case under consideration, the issue and theory of cultural relativism challenges the ordinary belief in the objectivity and universality of moral truth. The theory propounds that there is no universal truth in ethics only cultural practices and codes that had been handed down over generations and presumed to be the right way.

Here, society believes that the right way is the way the ancestors used and handed the cultural codes down the generations. For them, the traditional way is correct for they contain the authority of the ancestors.

The involvement of the cultural relativism is at the fringes of the practice of entering into contracts despite the factors that are likely to cause future problems of disclosure by Susan Whitehead which are likely to be ignored by some stakeholders. For some, participating in the bidding is considered a right arising from having someone in the corridors of power and any imperfections therein can confidently be resolved by the relationship prevailing. Here integrity is perennially challenged.
         
Teleology, which is looking at consequences as in the most natural way possible thus acting for the greater good can equally be impacted by this case in the form of the outcome of actions and decisions based on reasons for doing such acts. Here, the outcome is important but is subordinated to the truthfulness or wrongfulness of the act or decision. What is more important is that in many ways, this approach can be characterized by the need to determine the consequences of an act. The case fits into the aspect of the consequences of the decisions of Susan Whitehead along the fringes of affinity and how this can be justified under the circumstances which can indeed hardly be made.  But deontology, which is based on the aspect of duties and principles, may likely compel Susan to report the relationship and inhibit herself. Likewise, the aspect of virtue, every stakeholder is expected to discharge their duties and principles in the most virtuous way to avoid future consequences which are relatively unpredictable.  

Using the utilitarian theory, Susan Whitehead is compelled to disclose the ethical demand of the moment as being responsive to the needs of the greater majority for protection and benefit. Possibly, the assumption of the position of virtuousness must indeed compel every stakeholder to work for the common good rather the self called ethical egoism.  

Conclusion and recommendations.          
Using the various ethical theories and considering them as the framework in the case of Susan Whitehead, the mix of approaches to resolve the ethical dilemma is to reconfigure the theories and determine the mix that will help preserve the continuity of practicing ethics every inch of the way in business transactions that compel man to look beyond the acts and minds of man every time and endlessly presume that ethics cannot out the chaotic world in order and systematic with all stakeholders benefitted. All ethical theories support and benefit the stakeholders. Here, Susan Whitehead must disclose all.

Here, the risks of not fairly implementing an action or model must be clearly anticipated. thus, in the case problem, Susan Whitehead and Jerry must talk and appreciate the virtues of ethical behavior against short-term gratification. The aspect of broader benefit accruing to more people will help us understand the rigors of the practice considering they were indeed plenty of benefits but very little utility among stakeholders or that the benefits illustrates the skewness of thinking that benefit that not only a few stakeholders drawn into the fold, but considering others ethics that design its own ethical practice in the most open way possible. For these to be reported and help create an ideal mix of ethical behavior means the relative sacrifice each stakeholder is willing to render to the sake of peace, respect, care, order and progress.        

Thus, the issue and practice of ethics and ethical dilemmas immortal means of perpetuating positive values. To become exemplary, ethics is the ultimate test aimed at imposing and sustaining order and discipline in society perennially confronted with a growing concern for good governance and transparency. Here, Susan is constantly reminded that values are what one says he believes and ethics is on how one actually behaves. This axiom reminds society that ethics is a dynamic discipline for sustaining order and discipline in good governance. The need for ethics demands the need for appropriate behavior and the need for appropriate behavior is demanded by society as an extended enterprise. .  

Here, the risks and uncertainties of an emerging business and interpersonal environments further demand that the pervasive practice of ethics should bring meaning, order and sense in every stage of relationships. Susans ethical predicaments are no exceptions.

Life is known to be full of conflict, strife, and issues. It is spilling with such complexities that it is a great wonder why anyone would even want to be part of it. But that conclusion is not one that is derived from a morose mind but rather a statement derived from the truth seen in life, a statement which is from personal experiences of a cursed and blessed lifethat of being half and half. Before fictional characters like half-humanhalf Avatar or demigods come into your mind, let me point out what it is I am trying to saythat of having mixed nationalities and of belonging to two races, cultures, and countries. It can be likened to that of being a drink, like a chocolate-fruit drink There is a part which is the chocolate-y and there is the part where there is the fruity. While both flavors can stand on their own, and it might be slightly uncommon and even weird to mix two conventional flavors into something unconventional in the end, it actually works. Hence, I can be referred to as that person who is of mixed nationalityor a personified chocolate-fruit shake (or other analogies that you can come up with).

When a man is an Arab, the first thing that is associated with him is oil. When a man is British, the first thing that is associated with him is the Queen. When a man is both an Arab and a British, the first thing that he receives is a blank stare followed by a weak attempt on conversation about anything under the sun except culture, country, and religionand this is where the problem lies. It is like trying to not notice and talk about the big elephant sitting in the room with its legs crossed. Being part of two cultures and of being mixed nationalities is something which is happily accepted in liberal London. Europe is after all known for its multitudes of immigrants and migrants that came from all parts of the world. While in the United States of America, there are horrible cases of racism against the Africans, African-Americans, and Asians, Europe fares better as the population if so diverse in its origins. Europe is like one big assorted candy store with so much diversity and differences. London is one of those places where people look forward in going to while in Europe, this place is no exemption.

However, even if with the culturally diverse London atmosphere, there are still a lot of setbacks that a person with mixed nationalities would encounter on daily basis. Sometimes, it would come to the point that a foot is childishly stamped on the ground and whoever is in charge of fate is cursed. Because a great part of a persons perception would feel thatbeing cursed. Being different and yet so similar from the rest of the world is a curse so frustrating since there is nothing to be done about a persons birth circumstances. It is not like some recently bought shoes that can be replaced anytime. It is not like some beer belly that can be extinguished by rigorous and painful daily exercises. Ones nationality and birth are something unchangeable. While Michael Jackson even had the resources to change how he looked like, he was still who he was even if he had permanent eyebrow tattoos, snow-white skin, and peach-pink lips. Like what has been stated beforeit is a curse.

Struggling in a country you are a part of but which is apart from you is not uncommon of a circumstance and is not uncommon as an issue in life. There have been cases about it that even literature and history books have been known to portray such situations being torn between two cultures which are different from each other and which seem to oppose the other. While the conflict often revolves around choosing which to belong to and the results often end in not making a choice at all, there is still the struggle to live through everyday after not making the decision. The whole point is that being of mixed nationalities is not easy that it is condemnable. Ironically though, such condemnation is often retracted and this is because being a member of two cultures is a great part of the person already that not having mixed nationalities is like the removal of half of ones soul or half of ones heart. Dramatic this may seem to be, but it is the entire truthfor how can one person simply disregard the other half or other part of himself

We have already established that by having mixed nationalities, in particular that of being a Kuwaiti and being British. It is like a curse and a blessing at the same timecursed in a sense that a person is torn between traditions, philosophies, and beliefs. It is inevitable that I be influenced by polar-different cultures, that of both the western and middle-eastern cultures. When the West believes in individuality and independence, the Middle-East believes in strong familial relations. When the West believes in the power of the logic and intellect alone, the Middle-East takes into consideration other factors that could be regarded as ridiculous by the West. If I find myself right smack in the middle of two opposing forces, what is the best course to take When values and beliefs are sacrificed for the sake of fitting in and acceptance by society, where does that leave me Where does that leave a person who has mixed nationalities

This may seem emotional and melodramatic, but for those people who have one single nation they belong to, they can never understand what it feels like to be mixed. The general feeling is that of being an outsider and yet being inside. It is like those beautiful snow globes wherein a person sees the beauty and magic inside the globe and yet, all that a person can do is to helplessly and silently admire from outside and sigh in frustration. It would be painstaking because the person wants to be inside the snow globe and enjoy the beauty and magic as well and yet, being on the outside has its advantages too. Thus, no matter what other people may say about the liberal and open-mindedness of the West, people with mixed nationalities like me will always be different not because we are mixed but because we think and act differently because we are mixed. Mixed nationalities are outsiders and will always be outsiders, and this is not because we want to be like this but because it is just the way things are. Being an outsider is as unchangeable as the circumstances of ones birth and the nation he or she belongs to.

The main issue with mixed nationalities is the two cultures that we belong to. Belonging to a culture is very important. It brings a sense of belongingness and identity. As what Veltman (1997) wrote on the importance of culture

Culture is concerned with the development of coherent viewpoints which bring a cumulative effect to otherwise isolated experiences of a group, making them feel special yet allowing others to have a parallel experience. Hence, an Italians culture links them with Dante and Petrarch, and yet they can respect an Indians culture which links them with the Vedas and Mahabharata.

However, if we have two cultures in which we belong to, does this mean that we have two identities as well If I both embody, practice, and partake of the culture of the West and the Middle-East, then does this mean that I am both Kuwaiti and British This is what remains to be most confusing, for how can anyone have a dual identity It would be like having sworn allegiance to a king and then only to remember that the knight has already sworn his fealty to another king. But this duality of nationality, of being mixed, is not really of a betrayal of one country to the other but more of wanting truly and wholly to belong to one nation without limits and without exemptions. Since I (and many other people in this world) have mixed nationalities, then this would be very impossible. Like what was stated beforeit is a curse.

There is nothing really wrong with being mixed. It is not some disease that is contagious and which should be cured. Even if I likened it to a curse, it is something I also emphasize to be a blessing. In actuality, the comparison of being mixed nationality to curse is to some extent just an exaggeration but which was needed to point out the difficulties that one faces because of that particular circumstance and to reveal the feelings of what a person would have regarding having mixed nationalities. But when I declared that it was also a blessing, it is very true in all the sense of the word, for indeed, being Kuwaiti and being British is truly a blessingone blessing that is often taken for granted.

Being both a Kuwaiti and British allows me to see both sides of the culturesno biases and no prejudices against either culture. This is one thing which makes it exhilarating and even rewarding to be part of both cultures I get to see the world in two perspectives instead of just a single one. When others are finding it difficult to find any perspective at all, I am rewarded with two. Although it may be complicated to have such opposing beliefs, the fact that they are so different from the other makes it all the more fair and judicious. I can actually see myself as one of those fair judges sitting on the throne and about to delegate some verdict to his subjects. But then again, that would be just a product of my overactive imagination but which holds some truth in itnot the being-a-king analogy but of being fair to all people concerned. Because I am a product of two cultures, I can see the conservative from the liberal. I can see the open-minded from the narrow-minded. I can see the want for independence and the need for dependence. This is where the blessing of having mixed nationalities comes inI have the ability which other people do not. I have developed a sense of understanding for other people and their predicament. I can see other cultures clearly and identity their faults, failures, and fortitude.

Overall, I can see the underlying beliefs, philosophies, and values that govern them. I can understand why people act the way they are, why they say such things, why they think that wayand this is not because I am all-knowing but because I just know. Having mixed nationalities has enabled me to consider the situation of other people and allowed me to judge or form my conclusions based on who they are and not what they are. Since I have experienced how other people judge me because of what I am (meaning my two nationalities), I understand it all the more when other people also do their judgments. After all, though culture, race and skin color are all important parts of a person, they are not the only things which make up the person. There are other factors as well such as intellect, ability and personality. Just because I am Kuwaiti and British, it does not mean that my identity ends there. I too have my identity as a person and as a member of the society. Thus, people should not judge other people just because of a persons nationalityand I have learned this the hard way.

The other aspect which makes mixed nationalities such a blessing is because of the diversity of cultures, traditions, and philosophies that we are part of. Because of this, there is a great tendency that information, knowledge, and experiences are passed down to me. Because of my exposure to both the Arabian culture that boasts so much history and to the British way of life, which also boasts such a tremendous and colorful past, I am able to access two stories of two cultures, and this makes me much more knowledgeable compared to other people with just one single culture they are part of.
Cecil Rhodes (1913) as cited by Abdullah (2004) was once quoted to be saying, Ask any man what nationality he would prefer to be, and ninety-nine out of a hundred will tell you that they would prefer to be Englishmen. Perhaps, when Rhodes stated this, he did not consider that there is a vast majority of people who are proud of their culture and heritage even if they are not Englishmen. Perhaps, he also did not consider the fact that there would be people who are both English and non-English and proud to be so. I feel an overwhelming sense of happiness for being a part of two cultures, and though it may seem pretentious, it is actually the entire truth. So far, being Kuwaiti and British has taught me one important thing A persons happiness does not lie on trying to change something which is already permanent like a persons nationality. Instead, happiness lies on being content on what one has been givenand I am very content in being a chocolate-fruit shake.

As stated by Epstein and Gawande, currently the United States allows the gift of organs but not their sale. Individuals are encouraged to give part or whole organs at death or even during life, but are discouraged from doing the same if it is meant for transaction. The US government in short has totally banned the sale of human organs. There are those who support the ban and those opposing it. I take this opportunity to argue my case as a strong recommender for the sale of organs. With increase in population in the contemporary world, so is the increase in adverse medical conditions that require serious attention. Some of these grave conditions would be reversed with transplant of other functional organs. However, people are dying due to the shortage of vital organs for transplantation. It has been greatly argued that if price was introduced in the human organs transplant sector, their supply would drastically increase hence reduce the excessive demand that exists. Many people who otherwise would not be willing to donate an organ will do so in exchange for some cash. It is much better to have a population of a hundred people with one healthy kidney than a population of fifty people with two kidneys. In cases where there are no willing donors to strangers, sellers of the same would come in handy. Lifting of the ban would bring into equilibrium of the demand supply gap that exists.

Critics for this proposal argue that willing sellers are provided with meager information concerning the risks and benefits associated with this practice. However, that is not the case the practitioners provide such people with the maximum possible information on risks involved in organs removal. They also argue that it will develop to be a form of exploitation. This however, does not give a concrete reason as to why organ selling should be banned. All cases of organs transplantation are odd. For example, the organs of deceased people may be harvested for sale if they had made a legal agreement. Though those who sell may benefit from the transaction, they are not the prime beneficiaries. The patients who benefit from these transplantations are people who are mostly abstemious with economical practices and are not the very aged. If this situation is looked at from another perspective, it is a mutual benefit. Both the donor and the recipient benefit from the transaction. The fear of exploitation can be counteracted if the sale of organs is made legal. Legalizing the sale will broaden markets. This will also avail the necessary information to the general public thereby cutting short any chance of exploitation. It is wrong to argue that legalizing the sale of organs will lead to development of illegal markets. The process of organs selling should be left in the hands of more responsible people so as to minimize any form of abuse arising in this sector. Lifting of the ban on sale of organs would overturn the market considerably. Though people are not supposed to trade fortunes for a living, the case should not apply for donations. Critics argue that there are lots of confusion and ignorance that would arise as a result of legalizing the sale of human organs. However, the use of intermediaries would play a major role in eliminating these confusions.

A very big question that arises regarding the sale and donation of organs is why organ donations should be legalized but their sale illegalized. If this question was to be looked at critically, it would be realized that whether donations or sale, the physical effects are the same to the donor. Donors end up having the same mutilation that would otherwise have been inflicted if the organs were harvested for donation rather than for sale.

Epstein and Gawande (p, 4) argue that allowing for donation and banning of sale of organs is letting benefits to have a unidirectional flow. The ban on the sale of organs should therefore be lifted as the benefits are enjoyed by both parties. Instead of banning the sale of organs, their prices should be regulated rather than giving organs for free. Establishing institutions that are wholly responsible of organs transactions will help identify any possible difficulties that might arise from the transactions.

Legalizing the sale of organs will lead to an increased supply of organs. Considering the high number of patients on the US organ donation waiting list, increased supply of organs will minimize the chances of their death. Banning the sale of organs leads to the development of anxiety, coercion pressures, haste and greed. Most people are introduced into circumstances that require transplantation only at the time of need. Due to their desperation, they are mostly uninformed of the consequences of certain operations. Legalizing sale of organs will avail vital information regarding the consequences of these procedures as well as allow interaction with those who may have undergone the process,

Banning the sale of organs is a very extreme decision that has curtailed other lesser treatments that would otherwise control the extremes. Bans will lead to an increment in the probability of total irrationality. Legalizing organs sale will play a great role in offsetting some of the losses that the donor may undergo without digging up all potential gains from a recipient. Instead of the ban, other intrusive remedies can be employed. An individual may undergo a counseling situation before an organ is harvested for sale. A standard waiting period could be introduced before transactions are put in place. This will greatly minimize exploitation where people will tend to sell organs out of financial difficulties in their families. The extensive experience of the real organs market will equip people with all the information necessary.

Though critics may argue that individuals will regret the sale of an organ after they are faced with a grave medical condition involving the organ, the case would apply even for donations. Nobody is fully guaranteed of the outcomes of organ harvest whether for donation or for purposes of transaction. If the case of transaction was taken and the donor develops a medical condition heshe will have little chances of regret because heshe will have accomplished the purpose intended with the cash. Though the government may ban the sale of organs from living individuals, why does it have to do the same for organs from cadavers The cadavers are no longer faced with the risk of development of a medical condition in future. To minimize misunderstanding that might occur in the sale of organs from cadavers, the government is just required to set rules concerning who the beneficiary of such transaction would be. Money from such a transaction would help the bereaved family in offsetting the medical expenses that might have been left by the deceased. Very few people have made legal arrangement in the United State for some of their vital organs to be harvested after death. If people were to be assured that their family would be given cash for organs harvested after their death, they would make legal arrangement on the matter. This would act as a life insurance for the benefit of the family of the deceased. As a result, mutual advantage would be developed. The family of the deceased would get the cash it really needs while the patient would benefit from the organ and hisher life would be saved.

As Epstein states, though the life of an individual whose part  or whole organ have been harvested may be cut short by some percentage the overall benefit is much greater as the life of the recipient is increased considerably. Some organs, for example the liver, as stated by Holcberg, have the ability to regenerate and regain their function after part of it has been harvested thereby reducing the risk an individual may be exposed to. Those who donate kidney have been seen to live normal lives without any reduction in their expectancy. It would therefore be wrong to generalize and say that a persons life expectancy would be reduced after one of hisher kidneys is removed for transaction.

Trapp (p, 132), asserts that organs sale ban is not justified because no scientific researches have been conducted to find out the psycho-socio-economic implications to the suppliers. It is wrong to justify the implications of organs transaction whereas the program has never been tested. Individuals may decide that it is for their own interest that an organ is harvested for transactions purposes. For example, a father may decide to transact one of his kidneys in order to get money for medical treatment of one of his family members. It would therefore be wrong to deny such a person a chance to act according to his will as he will have considered all the pertinent details. Considering that case, critics argue that individuals may sell their organs out of irrational decisions. However, this is not so individuals do not act irrationally always. Banning of organ sales will be denying a person of hisher rights. Everybody has the right to make and be ready to stand by his decisions. Others still argue that a poor person does not have the ability to make rational decisions and therefore should be protected from them. However, everybody has the freedom to exercise hisher capacity to reason as long as heshe is not putting the rights of others at risk. Generalizing the reason that some people might make illogical decisions is not a tangible reason to violate everyones rights. The same way law recognizes our right to give away part or whole of some of our organs, the same way it should allow their sale.

Critics argue that after legalizing the free market only the wealthy will benefit. Going contrary to this, it may be true that the wealthy will purchase these organs easily, but still the poor will depend on charity for such a course. Legalization of free markets will increase the capability of charitable organizations to acquire organs for the poor. People who are in desperate medical conditions can do anything in order to attain their health back. If such people require an organ transplant they can go all the way and purchase one from a willing seller. It is a right to life for a person to be allowed to purchase an organ or part of it to save hisher life. This right is violated when the law restricts individuals from buying an organ that would otherwise preserve their life.

According to Epstein, the main aim of legalizing the sale of organs is to increase their supply to medical institutions. Setting out of rules that govern without banning the sale of organs will go great lengths at eliminating all the doubts that may arise. Constricting of such supply by implementing bans increases the rate of death in the society. At the moment, as we wait for a time when scientists will develop a stable source of organs from animals, sale of human organs should be legalized.

The Golden Rule, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, is considered as the most common methodology in resolving ethical dilemmas. This rule has different variations in 15 different religions but universally carry the same meaning. It means that we should treat others in the manner as we would treat ourselves. All men value their survival and happiness and want to be treated with respect and justice. The Golden Rule first requires that we respect and care for ourselves. Then, it tells us to place ourselves in the position of others and deal with them in the same degree of care and respect we place upon ourselves. The rule is a universal form of ethics. Hence, it is applied in personal, professional, and social circumstances, and is even gaining acceptance in the business sphere. As a faith-based code of ethics, it is regarded as a message of service, square-dealing and of human brotherhood. Basically, the Golden Rule invites us to place value on human beings and regard them not simply as a means, but an end.

The Golden Rule is important in the relationships we form with our friends and loved ones. When we are faced with ethical problems concerning our friends or colleagues, the Golden Rule is a simple method to help us resolve our dilemma. Even the moral dilemmas which are particularly difficult to handle can be made simpler with the help of the Golden Rule. To illustrate, there is an experience of a mother whose son has shot a fellow motorist to death over a traffic dispute. The mother is torn between turning his son in or helping him flee from the authorities. Applying the Golden Rule, the son would be better off if he surrendered to the police because it would give the person he has slain justice. If their situations were reversed, wouldnt that son wish that the perpetrator would give himself up in the interest of justice  How would the mother feel if the situation were reversed The same applies in the dilemmas we encounter at work. Our professional life is competitive and advancement to the top of the corporate ladder sometimes means that loyalties are compromised. Cutthroat maneuvers, backstabbing, and power plays are even considered to be natural and unavoidable occurrences. Would it be ethical for an employee to concoct false accusations or start rumors against a colleague in order to eliminate him as a competitor for a higher post The Golden Rule would suggest that this is not the kind and caring treatment that would place value on the human being. Doing such a thing transforms the person simply into a means or a vehicle for promotion.

The Golden Rule is a primary basis for ethical behavior. However, in the world of business where the primary aim is securing profit, does this rule apply Is this rule relevant or meaningful in the conduct of business To be sure, the governing principle of free enterprise or capitalism is contradictory to the Rule. In the corporate world, the rule is simple do whatever it takes to reap a profitable return for the stockholders and owners. Even if this means using child labor or laying off thousands of needy workers, as long as it is good for the stockholders, this is proper and good. In business, we can say that it is the rule of gold rather than the golden rule that applies. However, there are also instances where the golden rule can harmonize with the principles of business. Coming up with products that are useful enough that we ourselves would want to buy can stimulate patronage from customers. If business owners treat customers kindly despite occasional rudeness from them, then it could guarantee steady influx of customers. If they can provide as much benefits and incentives as much as possible for employees, then retention and performance would be maximized. It is evident that in some cases, businesses often make irrational decisions that have negative impacts on others.

This should not be the case. A business that acts in accordance with the Golden Rule may flourish because the rule enhances and improves service. An ethical business is much more successful than an unethical one. Although difficult, the golden rule in business must not be regarded as counterproductive, but rather, as a guide toward success.

In the hands of the medical industry lies the worlds most valuable product called life. Bio-chemistry and stem cell researchers have claimed that their results will lead to prolonged life. Unlike in Europe the stem cell research has been faced with legal impediments in the U.S. The Americans are traveling abroad in search of better treatment facilities as a result of the global competition (Schwartz, 2006). This essay seeks to analyze the effects of global competition to the healthcare policy in U.S.A. in relation to the stem cell research and the best licensure methods that the U.S. can undertake.

Effects of global competition on the U.S. healthcare policy
According to Uwe Reinhardt, a health economist from Princeton University, there is high global competition as far as American healthcare is concerned. This has brought about both positive and negative effects to the U.S. The effects on the US healthcare system in the US are both positive and negative (Herrick, 2007).

To start with, the global competition has impacted the U.S. healthcare policy in a positive way. Information technology has led to the provision of medical services to remote places or countries through outsourcing. This is often achieved through telemedicine, which is treating or monitoring patients in remote areas by use of video feed, web cam or the telephone. American hospitals have found the outsourcing technology very efficient. The hospitals have used radiologists in other countries like India to read X-rays. A good example is the Nighthawk Radiology Services which has a contract with American physicians who live in Australia so that they can be responsible for interpretations of scans and X-rays on overnight basis (Herrick, 2007).

Secondly, global competition has given American healthcare providers a good opportunity to collaborate with those from other countries. Medical providers collaborate so as to improve medical treatment through insistent management. Access Baja Blue Shield Medical Providers in California has catered for the interests of those who access healthcare from Mexico. This was as a result of a legislation passed by California which allowed the reimbursement of providers in Mexico. The advantages of this collaboration to the Americans are that Mexican healthcare costs less, and the Mexican nationals who speak French can access a doctor who has fluent Spanish language (Herrick, 2007).

Networking with foreign hospitals is the third positive effect of global competition on the US healthcare policy. These networks have led to the rise of health plans which allow the Americans enrolled to travel abroad so as to get lower-cost treatments. A good example is The South Carolina Blue Cross hospital which has added Bumrungrad International Hospital located in Thailand to its network. Therefore, patients in South Carolina would not be required to travel abroad so as to access low healthcare (Herrick, 2007).

Global competition has also impacted the U.S. healthcare policy in a positive way. This is because it has led to the rise of labor costs in America, which has been caused by the rising of the workers wages. The wages rise is caused by the fact that some medical nurses and physicians choose to work abroad leading to shortages of workers. This shortage is especially rampant in the medicine specialties where there exists no outsourcing (Herrick, 2007).

There has been a great shortage of primary health care physicians in America. This has been worsened by the global medical competition. This is because, a quarter of the practicing physicians in America studied in a foreign medical school. A quarter of the U.S. medical residency programs are occupied by foreigners. Also, there are better opportunities in their countries which lead to the reduction of the practicing physicians in the U.S. A good example of this shortage is that of nurses in America, where labor costs have been raised as a result of few foreign nurses willing to work in America (Herrick, 2007).

Stem cell research in Europe Effects to the U.S. economy and healthcare options
Stem cell is defined as an undifferentiated cell that can produce other cells that eventually make up specialized tissues and organs. Stem cells are classified into the Adult and embryonic cells (Answers, 2010).

In 2003, the European parliament allowed medical research on all the human cells that had been cloned using stem cell technique (Coghlan, 2003).However by the year 2008, only Belgium, Sweden and the United Kingdom allowed embryonic cell studies. Austria, Poland, Lithuania and Ireland were against all researches on the stem cell. Great criticism arose from Germany and Italy on the issue of extracting stem cells from human embryos. However, scientists were given the permission to conduct research on the stem cells which had their creation from other sources and not embryos. Spain, Greece, Netherlands, Finland and Denmark banned scientist from extracting stem cells from the embryos that were to be destroyed by fertility clinics (Vestal, 2008).

According to the European scientists, the research on the embryonic stem cells has instilled hope for the cures of debilitating and chronic conditions such as Alzheimers disease, Spinal cord injuries, blindness and Parkinsons disease. To the scientists, it is a revolutionary path for a discovery of other cures of human diseases (Vestal, 2008).Also, adult stem cells have successfully be used in the replacement of cells responsible for blood formation. The cells are normally killed during chemotherapy for the bone marrow transplant patients (Phillips, 2010)

Even though the debate on the stem cell research exists in Europe, laboratories have proceeded with their work operating under the regulations they have been given by their home countries. As a result, young researchers have opted for Europe as it is best suited for their aspirations in regard to career. The liberal policies in Europe towards human stem cell research have made it an attractive place for world experts. The international networks made possible by Euro Stem Cell Company have rendered Europe the best place for the stem cell research. The European government is active in funding the stem cell research. Elene Cattaneo, a University of Milan Head of Biology and Pharmacologist states that If you want to work on human embryonic stem cell lines, the only hope is to get an EU grant (European Commission, 2007).

For a long time, there has been a great controversy on the stem cell research issue by Europe and America. In the year 2001, President Bush stated that the American government would only fund the stem cell stocks which were maintained in the laboratories (Ross, 2001). In 2006, he voted out a bill which was passed by the American Senate on funding the embryonic stem cell research. He strongly advocated for funding of only the stem cells which existed as a result of destroyed embryos. He was against the action of scientists cloning embryos for research, and insisted that they had to use the embryos that had been discarded by couples and not any others (Philipps, 2010).

The research on stem cells from human embryos has been opposed by religious groups in America. According to them, this controversy is a war over abortion as embryo is life (Reaves, 2008).

The Europe stem cell research has affected the U.S. at a very high degree. Since the American government has not supported the research, most medical practitioners have opted for countries which support the research as there are better grounds for knowledge expansion. As a result, America has been left with inadequate staff in the medical field. Consequently, there has been a great rise in the U.S. labor costs as it tries to import medical knowledge from abroad by employing foreign practitioners. The U.S. citizens have resulted to being medical tourists, where they seek medical help from other countries. This is a global competition which has made the American government to make immediate changes like those of outsourcing and collaborating with the foreign hospitals in a bid to reduce the global competition (Schwartz, 2006). In 2009, President Obama overturned the ruling of President Bush and allowed the funding of the embryonic stem cell research. This was as a result of pressure from several American scientists to allow competition and participation with Europe (Philipps, 2010)

License and liability issues of telemedicine clinicians
The diversity of the services provided by telemedicine has grown in several parts in the U.S. and there is no consideration of the geopolitical boundaries. There are various ways in which the U.S. can deal with licensure issues in the states brought forth by telemedicine through the use of different models. The Federal government can form national licensure standards to clinicians practicing telemedicine across states or national borders in the U.S (Legal documents, 1997).

The first one is the National licensure system which involves the issuance of licenses based on a homogenous set of criteria for healthcare practice throughout the U.S. The administration of this type of system at the national level is left to the national professional organization. All the disciplinary actions are carried out at the state level in accordance to the national standards. The states are required to agree on common standards in relation to discipline and qualifications (Legal documents, 1997).

Another system that could be adopted is that of Federal licensure. In this system, health professionals are issued with a single license by the federal government. This is in accordance to the federally established standards. A federal licensure system can be administered through the states, national and local federal agencies. The administrative burden on the clinicians is eased by the formation of uniform standard at the federal level (Legal documents, 1997).

Lastly, the U.S. can adopt the mutual recognition system which involves an agreement by the licensing authorities to accept processes and policies of the clinicians home state. This is the approach used in Australia and the European community so as to allow the cross-border practice of medicine. This kind of licensure consists of a home state, a standard harmonization in relation to professional conduct and a host state. Once the clinician acquires the license from his or her home state, he or she is not required to get another one from the other states, but can use the same license during the cross-border medicine practice (Legal documents, 1997).

Conclusion
In conclusion, the U.S. should heed to the pleas of the American Scientists and allow them to research on the human stem cell so as to improve its medical field. This will also ensure that the effects of global competition on the U.S. are positive.

This paper talks about the recommendations proposed for Energy Cooperative and Clean Power Company. The paper has been divided into parts where in both cases have been discussed giving special emphasis to the ethical concerns if any regarding the companies being discussed. It also discusses the effect on stakeholders of these and supports the chosen argument with appropriate and relevant theory after which recommendations for each case has been talked about.

Case 1 Energy Cooperative
Statement of Ethical Concerns
The directors are practicing on unethical dimensions through informing their personal clients that they are directors of the company  when in real the company has had stated the position of these people being that of a self-employed consultant.

Effect on Stakeholders
This hangs over the realm of deception as other self-employed consultants who dont portray themselves this way, their position and reputation along with ways of working may get affected. Apart from the effect on other members of the cooperation through this, the deception might just even harm the companys own interest and functioning efficiency. Customers will get disappointed if they do not get the adequate service (education) that they desire due to internal conflicts within the company resulting from the deception. Another effect on a stakeholder would be alternative energy companies who work with Energy Cooperative that could possible think twice about doing business with the company.

Application to Course Material
Since this ethical issue is that of deception, Kants categorical imperative is relevant here since Kant talked about the duty of people and this being pure so as to not provide any harm to anyone. Since this is a non-profit organization, it is important that Kants theory is applied and no personal gain is taken out of the company. Twisting words, as is being done by the Directors hence violates this theory on a huge extent (McPhee, n.d.).

Another pertinent theory would be that of MILLs Theory of Utilitarianism, since it talks about total social utility or benefit of things from a holistic perspective. Hence, if approached from the other members point of views, the act is unethical because the cost of lost potential business is greater than the gain (Philosophy Pages, n.d.). The Rights theory too states that if the board members represent themselves to personal potential customers as directors of the co-op, the other members do not have the same chances and opportunities thereby depriving others of their rights and the directors of their true duty (Rights Theory, n.d.). The justice based theory in decision making tells us that personal gain through representing oneself as a member when in fact one is not removes the opportunity that others may have available to work effectively and fairly (Justice Theory, 2002).

Recommendation
Recommendation for Energy Cooperative to tackle the ethical issue that I propose is that members should vote and decide which cooperatives stay and who do not, and before this is done a proper final warning be sent out. But, before these all those who breached the statement that they signed before appointment should be penalized and fined legally, after which the above proposition be implemented to ensure nothing of this unethical business takes place in future.

Case 2 Clean Power Company
Statement of Ethical Concerns
The company wants to move out of their current area  physically by including more sites to its areas of operations. The proposed new location however has its repercussion, negative since we can clearly see that the area will need development by changing the tropical feel to it from that to a location that has infrastructure, well-built operational capacity and electric power and lines possessing capability. Also, choosing which employees go where is again unethical since their opinions need to be taken into account as well.

Effect on Stakeholders
This might raise issues in regard with environmental concerns, harm to local people and other surroundings of the location and the site which means removing the tropical feel from the area. Self-directing sewerage lines into river is another ethical concern since it means deploying natural resources by putting in waste and corrupting the water resource that people in the area use or even drink from

Application to Course Material
CSR means different things to different people  for Friedman it is anything that is unprofitable for societal concern related people, it is hypocritical window-dressing. Theories tell us that the welfare costs although being high in CSR Environment efforts, companies like Clean Power could really use the recommendation of Good management, and borrowed virtue according to the model mentioned in the Economist to reap benefits arising from increasing social welfare. A very important stakeholder  society and the community hence would stay protected and feel cared for and respected by the company if it does the above by Policy Lifecycle component for instance and not throw waste in the river. (Maxwell and Lyon, 2007)

The third ethical concern related to choosing which employees go where is again unethical since their opinions need to be taken into account as well. Change is a difficult thing to handle for most employees and proper training and mentoring sessions at least need to be carried out so that employees morale does not go down if they are made to feel forced through the managements decision. A sufficient part our businesses main asset and corporate social responsibility is that of our human resource which should not be forgotten at all times.

Recommendation
Recommendation to better handle change related conflicts for employees, would be that that appropriate change management theories be put into practice. This will not only prevent talent from leaving the company but also prove lucrative by employees feeling motivated after the training and discussions so that they know that their say too is important in the company to the management. This will, according to theory lead to maximum contribution, development and retaining of motivated, productive employees. During organization related changes, management needs to hence here too give attention to employee development and not only focus on the business day to day demands so that organization really moves forward in all arenas of its corporate social responsibility to a key stakeholder  its employees. (Papmehl, 2002)

As the Director of Corporate Development I would suggest the company could expand its horizons by going into timber salvaging so that the tropical side to the site is not affected negatively and the company is able to make profits by having CSR Developments and Business functioning simultaneously (Accountability21, 2009). ESIA is an authority the company should be in correspondence with to gain from CSR and Environmental theories that stress on the benefits of environmental certification, which will help understand the stakeholders  employees, community and the company itself of its environmental commitment (CSR Developments, n.d.). However, it needs to properly seek approval from all those people living in the vicinity area about the developments the company is seeking before going ahead with the project. As far as the disposing waste in the river is concerned, a committee should be set up that explores other options that do not come out as unethical as this one and not be harmful to the environment, community, people and surroundings of the companys location in this case.

Upholding a competitive corporate culture is any organization is quite crucial in ensuring a sustainable competitive advantage in the marketplace (Velasquez, 2004). This is because such are the core determinants of the values, attitude and beliefs as well as the experience of the organization. Corporate culture should also be understood as the core values and norms which are commonly shared among the workers of the organization for the ultimate long term success in the marketplace. It is to be clearly noted that the sustainability of any company is highly dependent on the uniqueness of its products as well as the appreciation of the workforce in the company (The Coca-Cola Company, 2009). This paper is written as a discussion of the author interest in working for the Coca-Cola Company due to its strong cooperate culture. The paper in particular takes about the culture suits the author in terms of benefits and ethical issues among other factors.

The Coca-Cola Company is mainly a sugared water seller company. It is however evidently clear that the company has conducted its activities since its establishment in such a skillful way that it has not only succeeded in the global market, but also managed to mysteriously gain full support from its workforce. This has been basically attributed to it strong cooperate culture.  The first and most outstanding cooperate culture in this company is its workplace culture and its concern for the rights of its employees as well as defining the sustainable success of its strategic plans (The Coca-Cola Company, 2009). The company has and still is highly focused on creating and executing strategic workplace policies which seek not only to ensure its business prosperity but also appreciating and nurturing a workforce driven working environment. It is the culture of embracing the commonalities and diversity is its workforce both in culture and ideologies that best makes the company a job target for many in the society (Velasquez, 2004). Just to be stated is the fact that the workforce in any organization is the most important resource. This is because they do not only determine the maximized productivity of the organization but also ensure the efficient utilization of available resource as well as upholding and portraying good reputation of the organization to the general public. Still to be noted is that the reputation of a company is the best marketing tool that helps in ensuring a sustainable market base share for the company.

Just as its clear from the companys mission statement on diversity, the Coca-Cola Company is evidently built on two major core values. These are its brand and its people (The Coca-Cola Company, 2009). It is based on this that the company is always out to ensure the creation of value for the appreciation of its consumers and employees and thus making an impacting difference in the marketplace. By ensuring an inclusive working environment for its workforce, as well as providing employees training programs, the company finds much appreciation from its worldwide team. This would definitely my skills and knowledge in the business world.

It is to be understood that such a working team is marked with much diversity in personality, skills and ideologies. It is thus clear that the outstanding success of the company in the highly competitive global market is based on its quality coordination of both its diverse worker force and consumers (Velasquez, 2004). It is such appreciations of human resources by the coca cola company that it best suits me. This is because it will give me the opportunity not only to work in an engaged environment but also to learn the cultural and personality diversities of the varied workforce. Such could greatly improve my socialization and compatibility ability in the global job market.

The successful long term survival of an organization in the global market is mainly revolved on human resource policies and practices both in the workplace and in the marketplace. Coca Cola Company has over its many years of existence in the global business world always strived to understand and appreciate diversity of its consumers. According to the underlying principles of business management, the success of any business is mainly dependent on how sustainable its consumer base is. It is there the corporate culture of appreciating and operating with the aim of ensuring consumer satisfaction that the company has managed to become a leading sugared water company in the world (The Coca-Cola Company, 2009). Such successful and innovative productivity by the company over the years are a clear assurance that the coca cola company is still to remain in the market in the future. This thus makes it a viable employment company for job seekers.

In conclusion, the ultimate success of an organization lays not only on its efficiency of production but also its consumer base in the marketplace as well as its worker employer relations. From its practices and policies, the coca cola company has always strived to uphold and respect its core assets namely its brand and its people. It is due to this that the company is always giving innovative competition in the market. Such are also the reason for its ever growing consumer base as well as appreciation by its diverse workers and the general public. The company is thus a great place for working in.