Tech-Smart Computer Company recently discovered a defect in thehard disks instal

Question

Tech-Smart Computer Company recently discovered a defect in thehard disks installed in its model R24 computer. The hard disk headin these units retracts too violently whenever the computers areturned off. As a result, the hard disks are destroyed after thecomputer is turned on and off approximately 500 times. Tech-Smarthas sold 4,000 model R24 computers nationwide.
The marketing department at Tech-Smart contacted most of the 4,000owners of the model R24 computer and discovered that 20% (or 800)use their computers in businesses that operate 24 hours per day.These customers never turn their computers off; therefore, thedefect should not damage their hard disk units.
Judy Govan, Tech-Smart’s controller, has been asked todetermine the cost to correct the hard disk problem and recommend acourse of action. After studying the marketing department’sreport, Judy decides to recommend that Tech-Smart replace the harddrives only in the 3,200 units used by customers who actually turntheir computers off.
Discuss the ethics of this situation.

Explanation / Answer

The fact that 20% of the users arebusinesses people does not mean that they run it on defective hard discs . Maybe the fequency of their shutting down thecomputers is less . But they do shut down their computers . Business ethics call for replacing the hard discsof even those 800 users . In the long run , it would build up goodwill of thebusiness & bring in more customers. What I would say is : " Look at the big picture . Not just the short termbenefits . "

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