A634.6.3.RB - What are Virtues?

A634.6.3.RB _Manglona, Matthew-Napu_ What are Virtues?

The three virtues from Benjamin Franklin that I will reflect on are silence, humility, and justice. To begin with the virtue of silence. I would like to conduct this in my daily life because of my quick reaction of answering people back, always questioning things at the wrong time, and simply always having something to say. I believe that I can include this in my daily life by simply understanding my audience and only speak when needed. Too many times I get too passionate in a listening situation where I really should just keep my mouth shut, but almost all times I have something say. Especially when it comes to meetings where decisions need to be made, when a decision is being up for discussion if it does not benefit me or my staff I always challenge it when I should just be quiet. I need to understand that there is a time and place for everything.

The second virtue I would like to incorporate in my life is humility. I like to be the limelight sometimes and work my but off to be number one and like to show it. I need to find that common ground of being humble but work hard at the same time. I like to let others know my accomplishments from all the hard work I have done to get it which to some is seen as boasting but to me is trying to set the example. I think maybe it is my approach when I engage in conversation with others but no matter the case I need to practice just being that silent and humble man. No matter what I accomplish the man up above can always take that away, and showing humility is something I should do more. The organization I am in especially in the officer corps, it is such a competitive workplace almost cut throat, and that is why I believe I act the way I act. However, I should just let my work explain myself instead of me boasting about it making it seem as if I was better than others. Morris (2005) stated “Given its potential importance in generating organizational and leader effectiveness, humility may offer a new lens through which to view and understand the leadership process.” (p. 1323)

Then finally justice, too many times I have seen justice in my organization slip and I am just as guilty. I serve in position of power and ill admit that there are times where I let power get involved. I need to reflect on this or apply it because justice requires balance and fairness across the board. I have relatives in my organization although they do not fall under my supervision I do at times save them from trouble. If the “shoe fits” then they should be held to the same standard as everyone else instead of me sticking up for them. Justice sees no sides nor relationships, if there is an issue it must be handled accordingly. That is what I need to do, I need to understand that there are consequences and everybody needs to learn from them to become better.

These are three of the thirteen virtues but I know I can incorporate all in my daily activities. I like to touch a little on moderation. I have this self-fulfilling need of wanting “more.” I need to realize that simply having enough or the basics will suffice so long as my family is fed and they have house to live under. This activity has made me self-reflect in a way of me actually changing and changing for the better and good.  

References:

Morris, J. A., Brotheridge, C., & Urbanski, J. C. (2005). Bringing humility to leadership: Antecedents and consequences of leader humility. Human Relations, 58(10), 1323-1350. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/docview/231523313?accountid=27203

A634.5.4.RB - Is Marketing Evil?

A634.5.4.RB_Manglona, Matthew-Napu_ Is Marketing Evil?

For the first question asked if ethical guidelines make a difference to marketers? That honestly depends on the end state of what their actual goals are. Just like the article discussed that there were several companies that lied, manipulated, and did other means to ensure they make a profit in some sort of way at the end of the day. Ferrell (n.d) stated “understanding individuals’ moral philosophies and reasoning processes is one approach that is often cited for recognizing and resolving ethical issues. (p. 5) There are some cases where the perception of what marketer put out is always misinterpreted by their consumers. It may not be intentional of course, but it will always leave you with that thought in your head of what can actually be seen behind the scenes. Just like the case of AT&T for advertising “Unlimited Data” to its consumers then slowing their data speed once it reached a certain cap. The ethics involved here is having customers pay top dollar for the assumption of unlimited data.

For companies to find that balance of winning at the same time being ethical they simply just have to choose that hard right versus the easy wrong. There are times however, where one will have to break away from the balance of being ethical in order to win just like the journalist John Sharder who covered the Barry Bonds Steroid scandal back in 2001. Shrader (2011) wrote “to please the people who paid me was to betray my loyalty to myself and to my audience.” (p. 71) Sometimes you have to play along in order to get along and to truthfully state especially in the marketing scene, being ethical sometimes is not an option, most especially in careers such as journalism. Ferrell stated “most unethical behavior is not done for personal gain it’s done to meet performance goals. (p. 6)

When it comes to buying habits or web visits, I see it as ethical especially for marketing purposes. So long as they are within their organizational goals they would be fine. Ferrell (n.d) stated “Marketing managers cannot motivate employees or coordinate implement marketing strategies without effective communication about values, standards, and expectations.” (p. 7) going back to it again, if the individual knows their left and right limits of what they can and cannot do, it may be unethical from a personal standpoint but maybe ethical within their organization’s view.

As a leader, I would manage my marketing efforts through the trends of society. With what is going on in today’s world, the consumers know what is right and wrong when it comes to a product of a company. Ferrell (n.d) wrote “Leadership requires an understanding of the firm’s vision and values, as well as the challenges of responsibility and risk in achieving organizational objectives.” (p. 7) There will be risks but so long as I am in the right path of what it is in the best interest of the organization I will make decisions based off that.

References:

Ferrell, L. (n.d) “Marketing Ethics” retrieved from: http://college.cengage.com/business/modules/marktngethics.pdf

Shrader, J. (2011). Being ethical when it's bad for business. Journal of Mass Media Ethics, 26(1), 71-74. doi:10.1080/08900523.2010.497040

A634.4.4.RB - Is Affirmative Action Ethical?

 A634.4.4.RB _Manglona, Matthew-Napu_ Is Affirmative Action Ethical?

I have always heard that term affirmative action growing up and never really understood the concept. The possibility of coming from a small island where majority of everyone comes from the same race it never really applied to us as a majority. LaFollette (2007) stated that Affirmative action is “the practice of giving special consideration to minorities and women in hiring and school placement.” (p. 1372) In my opinion, it really depends on the location where one wants to apply for affirmative action to take place. Other than that, I think affirmative action really doesn’t apply in today’s world because of the continuing shifts in our societies’ views. Today, I see organizations as one big melting pot and affirmative action is slowly dwindling down to near extinction. Boddlie (2016) stated “The nature of the diversity rationale is that our interactions provide opportunities to help us understand one another better.” (p. 130) this is why I think its great to have diversity in our educational institutions and in our workforce yet not because it has to be done based off affirmative action. Understanding no matter race, sex, or religion people’s work ethics come from how they were brought up and the attitude that comes with it. There should be fairness across the board no matter what race or color you are, everybody should be on a merit list to ensure a better selection process.

The opposing viewpoints as LaFollete (2007) discussed as a reverse of discrimination of the majority simply because of their race. (p.1376) So really race is the negative light that shines on affirmative action. I agree, people should not be hired based off race, but sadly that is how it goes. You cannot believe that a black person should be hired because he’s black or white person cause he’s white. If I was a hiring manager it simply goes down to who the most qualified is, if the colored person isn’t then there shouldn’t be any argument. This is a testy subject to discuss but it has to be confronted face to face. LaFollete wrote “that blacks may “deserve” compensation in a cosmic sense, there are empirical and moral reasons why the passage of time dissipates any reason for whites to compensate blacks.” (p. 1414) I hate to say it like this, but affirmative action to me is like a hand me down or because of my history I am entitled to receive a job.

Affirmative action in my opinion should be done away with and shouldn’t be labeled or appear to be the crutch for those of color. I know that I work hard for my job and my opportunities. If I don’t get picked or land a new job I wont assume it is because of my race or color. Meshelski,(2016) “If even quotas do not violate our principles of equal opportunity and procedural justice then no other form of affirmative action can.” So is affirmative action ethical? or is a smoke screen for those who seek entitlement? As stated before there needs to be a balance and non bias approach when it comes to the hiring process and from an ethical standpoint there needs to be fairness across the board.

               

References:

 Boddie, E. C. (2016). the future of affirmative action. Harvard Law Review, 130(1), 38.

LaFollette, H. (2007). The Practice of Ethics. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing. 

Meshelski, K. (2016). Procedural justice and affirmative action. Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, 19(2), 425-443. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/10.1007/s10677-015-9633-1