Utilitarian Ethics in Organizations

Let’s return to the example I gave in Module 1 Background Information section in which an industrial firm is confronted with the dilemma of whether it should include – on its balance sheet – a very costly liability for the clean-up of a hazardous waste pool that has accumulated over the past several years, this as a direct by-product of its operations. The company is in agreement that the cost of cleaning up the hazardous waste pool is a cost of doing business.

However, including this massive financial liability in the company’s financial statements now will have the effect of immediately decreasing the total value of the company. In turn, because the company’s worth will be deflated, the company’s current stockholders will be harmed financially because the company will have lost much of its current value.

In contrast, if the company does not include the liability on its balance sheet, the company will clearly be overvalued, and will likely be viewed as dishonest in disclosure — and anyone buying stock (or ownership) in the company will also be unknowingly buying shares of a company that is overvalued (i.e., the balance sheet will be misleading, showing the company as having greater net value than it actually has).

Let’s assume that there are no accounting rules nor is there any clear guidance as to what this company should do. No matter what the company decides, innocent persons – whether its existing shareholders (if disclosure is made) or potential shareholders (if disclosure is not made – and is later required) will be seriously harmed as a result of either decision.

QUESTION 1>First and foremost, please describe the utilitarian implication of this situation. What do you think the company should do?

QUESTION  2>Of secondary interest (if you’d like to respond), what would deontological ethics require? And what would Immanuel Kant require?

Virtue Ethics in Organizations

Jim Smith has worked for the ABC Insurance Company for the past twenty-three years. Jim graduated with a top-notch accounting degree and he also has his MBA. Bar none, Jim is considered by everyone in his organization to be a brilliant accountant. At issue is that Jim’s brilliance may be coupled with just a little too much “creativity” when one considers his approach to maximizing the company’s profits.

At the end of every quarter, Jim calls up the supervisors of each of ABC’s insurance branches, and asks them to estimate their outstanding insurance claims. These insurance claims represent money that the company very likely owes its customers – i.e., claims are estimates of money owed at the end of the quarter to ABC’s customers who are likely to file a claim in the near future, but who have not yet done so (the total money owed – but still outstanding – is referred to as a “claims lag”, since there is a lag from the date on which an insurable event has occurred to that point in time at which ABC has become aware that a customer has filed a valid claim).

For instance, based on historical experience, at the end of each quarter, Division 1 of ABC Company estimates that 20% of all claims for that quarter are still outstanding (i.e., an insurable event has occurred, but has not yet been reported to Division 1). This is the number (20%) reported to Jim. Being the “brilliant” accountant that he is, and in light of his sheer eagerness to maximize profits for the quarter (and because his quarterly bonus is based on each quarter’s profits!), Jim reduces the outstanding claims reported by all of ABC’s insurance divisions by 10%. In doing so, Jim has effectively reduced the company’s quarterly claims expenses by this same 10%—and VOILA!—Jim has also managed a creative increase in his own quarterly bonus.

As you might guess, Jim sees nothing wrong in further reducing the divisions’ company claims estimates, reasoning: “Look…they’re all a bunch of estimates anyhow!” Jim further opines: “Besides, I have a duty to this company and to its stockholders – and that is to maximize profits!”

 QUESTION 1>Consider this situation from a virtue ethics perspective. What virtues are at stake?

QUESTION 2>Note that Jim appears to be rationalizing his behavior as a “duty” to others. Is his moral compass confused between virtue ethics, utilitarianism, and deontology? Explain!

QUESTION 3>Which ethical theory—deontology, utilitarianism, or virtue ethics—is the best guide here?