Ethics: Strategic Planning Process Essay

Submitted By 4hyawill
Words: 706
Pages: 3

Ethics
Jacqueline Williamson
MGT / 498
March 11, 2013
Richard Haines

Ethics
The fundamental principles of either an individual or a group, is known as ethics. “Social responsibility is how a business performs its activities to meets its wider obligations toward the society and environment, such as by avoiding activities which may be harmful. Strategic planning is an essential preliminary step in the corporate world in which senior management defines the organization’s strategy, direction and decision making. Ethical values social responsibility serve an important role in the strategic planning process” (Abdullah, A.). The additional elements that are factored in the strategic planning process are: transparency - The impacts to all stakeholders have to be considered equally in order that management staff makes management decisions. There should be an easy relay of information in order to ensure smooth effective communication while addressing any questions or concern that might crop up from any of the stakeholder groups. Independence – during meetings or groupthink activities, independent ideas are forged and discussed; Respect- mutual respect for all input and Fairness and truthfulness – this approach should be used in looking at the ideas that have been presented. The BP Oil spill in 2010, oil flowing uncontrollably for three months without being capped finally 87 days after being discovered in July 2010. The effects of this horrible event claimed human lives, marine lives, harmed the environment and economy, viewers staring aghast at the images being broadcasted of dead fish floating, beaches in a blanket of oil, deserted tourist destinations that resembled ghost towns and even more shocking was the unsuccessful attempts to cap the spill resulted in futile efforts and resembled actions of kindergarten children sent to do a scientists’ job. Given where today’s technology has ascended, it seems almost ridiculous that so many attempts failed. The questions that cropped up while seeing the images daily went unanswered for awhile until one night the news brought on the inspection reports that provided information and warnings of possible malfunctions including pipes breaking and being unable to contain the oil flowing through resulting in leaks that can wreak havoc on the marine life and environment. One of the things discovered during the research for this paper was BP did not have a mission statement, more of a values statement that pre-oil spill read “In all our activities we seek to display some unchanging, fundamental qualities – integrity, honest dealing, treating everyone with respect and dignity, striving for mutual advantage and contributing to human progress.” Post oil spill the values statement emphasize the company making strides to make BP a safer and more trusted company with five values based on who the company is, what it stands for, the behavioral ambition, and aspirations as an organization. How did this happen to such an established profitable company? Could