John Smith Case

John Smith and his company are in a pickle and he must make a choice to keep the company going or to go bankrupt and money is a issue. Usually when money is involved people tend to let their own ethics/morals go for money’s sake because its usually means of surival unfortuantly.

Its hard to make a choice about this ethically unless you are in John Smith’s positon. Usually when the stakes are high people show their true character, strenght, and courage in these situations. As a bystander my ethics and morals tell me that he shouldn’t part with the names even if it provides him with 8000 dollars and he can potentially save the company by not laying people off but by not giving the names the people will be layed off, the company will go into bankrupcy, and end the business all together. Again if I was financial vested in the company the choice would be harder but my general ethics tell me that its not right to give up the names making it not only a mortal sin to decieve his employees but it may also be against the law.

According to the AMA Statements of Ethics this is illegal or shouldn't be used agains the employees. According to the website www.marketingpower.com their are three key things in modern marketing that must be abided by; 1.) do not harm, 2.) foster truth in the marketing system 3.) embrace ethical values. According to this it would be wrong to give up anyone's information without just cause, their autority or notification, which uses their information in anyway by the other company. In other words John Smith cannot know unless he recieves it in documented writing whether this company will use their information for good or evil. Even knowing that he did this without their consent which is also wrong.

To go in depth on the AMA website cited above the description indicates 1.) Do Not Harm: meaning to not intentially use actions to harm people by abiding the set ethical standards by the choices the company makes. 2.) Foster Truth In Marketing Systems: striving for good faith and fair treatement towards the exchange in business to customers by avoiding any kind of deception what so ever. 3.) Embrace Ethical Values: in use of ethics this means to build a relationship with the customer by enhancing it with confidence by following core values of honesty, responsability, fairness, respect, etc.

With all these things it is pretty clear that if John Smith was to give the names it would be morally wrong and illegal concerning modern marketing. Does anyone argue for giving the names and the reasoning why? Did any one come to their decision with fluid ease or extreme diffuculty? Do you think religious beliefs, culture, or other expierences shape how a person would approach this situation in the real world or answer this question?