In the case of the Coyote and Road Runner, one might question the ethics of the

Question

In the case of the Coyote and Road Runner, one might question the ethics of the two characters' behaviors. Identify an organization that you have worked for or know about that has successfully implemented a culture of ethical business behavior. Alternatively, identify one that has not successfully implemented a culture of ethical business behavior. Discuss how leaders in those businesses have or have not accomplished this initiative.

CASE STUDY INFORMATION:

Thinking about the famous cartoon series Wile E. Coyote and The Road Runner by Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies reinforces another set of ethical situations. Wile E. Coyote (referred to as Coyote) and the Road Runner (fast-running bird) were involved in a series of situations in which Coyote attempts to capture and eat the Road Runner. Revolving around the setting of the American southwest desert area, the only audio used is a periodic “beep-beep” uttered by the Road Runner. Instead of using conventional methods, Coyote used complex contraptions and innovative methods that always seemed to backfire, resulting with Coyote sustaining an injury (see suggested reading sample of Road Runner cartoons).

Throughout the series, the Road Runner is never harmed, and the Coyote is more humiliated than harmed through his failures. Although the show presents this scene in a comical venue, the idea of blowing up, running over, smashing, or attempting to kill brings forth unethical connotations. Additionally, the intended viewers of these cartoons are children, which brings forth questions of the cartoons’ impact on young children with respect to advocating violence. This incident relates to the controversial act of advertising to children, which continues to plague companies and the marketing field in general.

“It is estimated that advertisers spend more than $12 billion per year to reach the youth market” (American Psychological Foundation, 2015, para. 3) through advertising. Task forces continuously review the effect that these advertisements have on children, which raises the question of how much impact a cartoon series like Road Runner has on children. The literature clearly states that children’s cognitive development for understanding what they view on television is significantly less than that of adults. The question arises as to whether or not children can understand the actions of the Coyote to destroy the Road Runner as fictional, meaning that they should not replicate these actions in the real world. This show also brings forth the question of whether there is real harm to the child and those around him or her. One might draw analogies to the increased amount of school shootings that our nation is enduring.

Another question related to the antics of the Coyote and the Road Runner is whether these are, in a broader sense, an integral part of their culture. Is it a natural tendency of the Coyote to attack birds, specifically a road runner species? This brings into focus the need for a discussion around the effect that an individual culture has within an organization. We all can probably agree that different cultures have different habits, mannerisms, and practices that will lead to different decisions and behaviors on a personal level, as well as within the business setting. The broad question here is about how an organization works with these differences in cultures but still maintains good business ethics within the organization.

Once an organization has evolved to this point, it needs to establish what it believes by clarifying what sound and ethical practices look like. Educating, training, and motivating employees to follow these ethical guidelines is a crucial next step. Continuously communicating, as well as providing incentives to motivate employees, will solidify the process. The underlying purpose of these steps is to create a culture within the organization where it expects and practices ethical behavior habitually. In most circles, an organization should create a culture of ethical behavior. Ethical behavior is one of the most complex processes within an organization, as well as one of the most integral in maintaining an ethical business environment.

Explanation / Answer

Organisational ethics standards originate from their company culture. Internal and external Code of Conduct policies for employees, vendors, customers and shareholders and board members is built on the foundation laid by their company culture. Strong corporate governance originates from culture and translates into good policy making & implementation. A good culture will set the ethics standards for the organization. The reason for this is that, where policy fails due to ambiguity, organizational culture will act as a moral and a strategic compass for decision makers within the firm.

An organization which has successfully implemented a culture of ethical business behavior was Dell, thanks to Michael Dell.

Michael Dell's ability to steer a traditional organization to adapt and transform itself required him to be able to inspire his firm, leadership and its employees within the organization to implement radical changes

DELL under the leadership of Michael Dell

Michael Dell placed a high degree of importance on Ethical Integrity, both on a personal as well as on an organizational level.

On a employee level, Michael Dell always facilitated an environment that rewards integrity, where doing the right thing is the only decision that ever needs to be taken. He ensured that key influencers, leaders, and management always displayed a high level of ethical standards, code of conduct and integrity so they set the right example for the employees of the organization.

Implementing integrity and Organisational Ethics on an enterprise level

Michael Dell drove a culture of strong corporate governance. Strong corporate governance at Dell originated from culture and translated into good policy making & implementation. Dell's good culture set the ethics standards for the tech and the hardware industry The reason for this is that, where policy failed due to ambiguity, organizational culture will act as a moral and a strategic compass for decision makers within the firm.

Under Michael Dell, Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives wasn't just a compliance requirement to check off but, something that He and the organization really valued. Under him, Dell's CSR initiatives under Michael Dell were classified into the following areas

- Sustainability and Environmental Impact

- Recycling

- Supply Chain & Ensuring Dell's vendors follow fair labor policies and employment standards

- Diversity and Inclusion in their workforce

- Driving change within the communities they do business in

United Airlines Unethical Business Practices

United Airlines stock lost almost 225 million dollars in market share after a customer was dragged off the plane despite of booking and paying for his seat. The reason for this financial ramification was that the shareholders knew that customer perception would change after this incident was caught on camera and widely reported. This would affect their sales and in turn their stock prices. This incidence not only prompted United to review its booking policies and compensation for deplaned customers but it also had a ripple effect on the entire airline industry and made them more customer-centric.

Unethical Behaviour By the Organisation

They did not Own up to the mistake: Evasive action only breeds more curiosity. Whenever your mistakes in social media blow up in your face, always confront the problem, without evading or deflecting the issue when questioned about it. Transparency Builds trust and this point of time, being transparent about what happened and owning up to your mistake and trying to reason with the public and institution or an organization that everyone is human and vulnerable and equally susceptible to make such mistakes could win some sympathy. Because a lack of dialogue eliminates any benefit of a doubt and more ambiguity only allows false reports to seep in.

They did not Separate the actions of a few employees from the intentions of the institution or the organization; It's pivotal that you clearly communicate that your actions do not represent or dilute the intentions, objectives & principles of the institution or an organization you serve. That this was an error caused due to a lapse in individual judgment and not a product of collective thinking. This will restore the public's trust in the organization and ensure that you brunt of the bad opinion. This will incentivize the institution or an organization you serve to back you up.

They failed to take accountability: There are times where the actions and the consequences that follow are so grave that the only solution to minimise damage and to save face for future opportunities is to take accountability in the present. Taking accountability before being expected to also show character as long as you've already owned up to your mistakes and have separated your intentions from the institution.  

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