Doing What is Legal and Ethical in the Business World

DWI, Diversified Worldwide Industries, which is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, and has offices in over 30 countries, DWI is incorporated in the State of Delaware. The Corporation's principal activities are grouped into the following areas;

oEnvironment: Water and water treatment, waste management
o
Oil & Energy: Exploration, production, transport, refining, wholesale marking, alternative fuels and research

oCommunications: Telecommunications, Internet, audiovisual activities, publishing and multimedia

oLeisure & Recreation: Hotels, casinos and cruise ships

oReal Estate: Builds homes and manages properties in active adult, age-restricted communities

oManufacturing: Produces, distributes, markets, exports and imports spirits and wines

The Hon. Justice Potter Stewart once wrote; "There is a big difference between what we have the right to do and what is right." In this paper I will give four examples that DWI could face in its day-to-day business doing what we have to do and doing what is the right. I will focus on four areas of DWI business; Real Estate, Financial, Manufacturing and Environment.

Real Estate

This could happen to DWI. DWI has interest in age-restricted communities. In developing their new areas, their new age-restricted community is near an elementary. DWI is excited for this community because it is nestled in the middle of family community. Many families in the area will be able to have their parents live close by once this development is completed.

During the development, DWI concludes that the weight limit on these quaint side streets is limited and they will not be able to get their dump trucks into the site to remove the debris. This is going to push DWI way over budget with additional costs of smaller trucks and more trips in and out of the subdivision. Although many states will allow of burning of certain materials on the job site though the proper permits, however the burning of treated wood is highly restricted. (IDEM Planning, 2005) If DWI burned all its debris and only removed treated wood, it could stay on budget with this project. DWI is now faced with an ethically dilemma. DWI has a couple of options here, we can use all the small trucks and pass on the costs to consumers or we can obtain the necessary permits to burn what we can and then remove treated wood. What is ethically right thing to do? To pay the extra costs and remove all the debris, there are families living in the area, what families would purchase retirement homes for the parents if we stunk up the place during our 2 years of construction.

Financial

This could happen to DWI. During their course of exploration of new oil sources though out the middle east, DWI finds that this expedition has become too costly, and is unable to fulfill the contract for a 2 year exploration. In an attempt to increase profit majors. DWI files a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. Chapter 11 bankruptcy will allow DWI to continue to operate it's business and use future earnings to pay off the debt. (Wex, 2005) DWI should enter in these agreements voluntarily to ensure that the creditors get paid what is owed to them.

Manufacturing

This could happen to DWI. In an effort to come up with new wine flavors for its Manufacturing division, DWI researchers stumbles upon a remedy to slow the effects of cancer. With this news, DWI immediately files the patents on the projects. Their financial department is dancing dollar signs. With the U.S. Patent laws, DWI will have exclusively rights to market and distribute this product for 20 years. (USPTO, 2006) What is the right thing to do? DWI should market and distribute this product with minimal markup so that all that need it can afford it. They could even come up with some government programs for distribution to those that need it.

Environment

This could happen to DWI. On a nice hot summer day our quality control supervisor ,at one of our main water treatment plants near DWI headquarters in West Palm Beach, discovers that one of the valve has been broken and that there is an extreme amount of lead going out in the drinking water. The Clean Water Act of 1985 maintains a certain quality of water standards that is safe not only for humans but for aquatic life as well. (EPA, 2006). The ethically decision here is should DWI report this immediately to the local newspapers to ensure that no one is harmed by the extra lead running though peoples faucets. Should DWI quietly let the proper authorities know what has happened and let them handle the situation. The Manger of the plant could also easily tell the quality control supervisor to grab the wrench, fix the problem and hope that no one notices. The Right thing for DWI to do is alert authorities immediately, then issue a warning to all radio stations, ensure the public they are working on the problem and when they believe the drinking water will be safe again for all to use. They should also offer free bottled water to those places in need in the area, such as hospitals, schools etc. To further diminish any public panic they should allow television crews to observe them testing different areas of the city until they are sure the water is safe.

Conceptualized Conclusion

In an ideal world every company would do what is ethically correct. Unfortunately we don't live in that type of world. Everyday companies are looking to cut corners, save funds and increase profit margins. During the course of everyday business, it has become necessary for local, state and federal governments to create laws to protect citizens from companies who don't operate their business ethically.

Reference List

IDEM Planning, December 12, 2005, Waste, "Burning Construction Debris", [Electronic Version] retrieved on January 31, 2006 from http://www.in.gov/idem/guides/permit/waste/constructiondemolition.html#burning

Wex, Nov 10, 2005, Cornell Law School, Bankruptcy, [Electronic Version] retrieved on January 31, 2006 from http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/index.php/Bankruptcy#bankruptcy:_an_overview

USPTO, 2006, United States Patent and Trademark Office, [Electronic Version] retrieved on January 31, 2006 from http://www.uspto.gov/
EPA, 2006, "Clean Water Act", [Electronic Version] retrieved on January 31, 2006 from http://www.epa.gov/region5/water/cwa.htm