As a risk manager, you have been assigned to an organizational committee that has been asked to evaluate the organization and make recommendations to the compliance officer on ways to strengthen legal and ethical compliance. Using a memo format, you explain the effect of organizational ethics, culture, and values on compliance to evaluate business ethics.
Preparing for the Assessment
In this assessment, you will prepare a memo. A memo template has been provided for you to use.
You will research organizations, not agencies, for this assessment. Remember that an organization is a company or business, such as a hospital, clinic, or insurance company. Whereas an agency is a part of the government at the federal, state, or local levels, such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), or a state health department.
Choose 1 of the following options to complete this assignment:
o Verizon Healthcare IT Solutions
o United Healthcare
o Tuskegee University Hospital
o Stryker Corporation
o Mayo Clinic/Health care
o Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
o GE Healthcare
o Aetna Insurance
Research your selected organization’s compliance information.
Access and review the Business Ethics Memo Template to ensure you can obtain all information for your selected organization.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Effect of Organizational Ethics, Culture, and Values on Compliance
Introduction
In today’s highly regulated business environment, it is crucial for organizations to prioritize legal and ethical compliance. Compliance with laws and regulations not only helps organizations avoid legal repercussions but also promotes trust and credibility among stakeholders. However, compliance is not merely a matter of implementing policies and procedures; it is deeply influenced by an organization’s ethics, culture, and values. This memo aims to evaluate the effect of organizational ethics, culture, and values on compliance by analyzing the case of Verizon Healthcare IT Solutions.
Organizational Ethics
Organizational ethics refers to the ethical principles and values that guide an organization’s behavior and decision-making processes. It sets the moral compass for the organization and shapes its approach to compliance. In the case of Verizon Healthcare IT Solutions, a commitment to ethical conduct is evident through various initiatives and practices:
Code of Conduct: Verizon Healthcare IT Solutions has a comprehensive Code of Conduct that outlines the expected standards of behavior for its employees. This code emphasizes integrity, honesty, fairness, and respect for all stakeholders.
Ethics Training: The organization invests in regular ethics training programs to ensure that employees are aware of their ethical responsibilities and understand the consequences of non-compliance. This training not only educates employees but also fosters a culture of ethical decision-making.
Whistleblower Protection: Verizon Healthcare IT Solutions has established an anonymous reporting system to encourage employees to report any potential ethical violations or compliance concerns without fear of retaliation. This demonstrates the organization’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Organizational Culture
Organizational culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, norms, and behaviors that shape the collective identity and mindset of an organization. A strong ethical culture can significantly influence compliance by promoting ethical behavior and discouraging unethical practices. Verizon Healthcare IT Solutions has cultivated an ethical culture through the following initiatives:
Leadership Commitment: The organization’s leaders play a crucial role in setting the tone at the top by demonstrating their commitment to ethical conduct. They actively promote a culture of compliance by aligning their actions with ethical values and holding others accountable.
Open Communication: Verizon Healthcare IT Solutions fosters an environment of open communication where employees feel comfortable discussing ethical concerns or seeking guidance. This encourages a proactive approach to compliance and enables timely resolution of potential issues.
Rewards and Recognition: The organization incentivizes ethical behavior by recognizing and rewarding employees who consistently demonstrate integrity and compliance. This reinforces the importance of ethics within the organization and motivates employees to prioritize compliance in their day-to-day activities.
Organizational Values
Organizational values represent the core principles that guide an organization’s actions and decisions. They provide a framework for ethical behavior and influence compliance efforts. At Verizon Healthcare IT Solutions, the following values contribute to its commitment to compliance:
Customer Focus: The organization places a strong emphasis on meeting customer needs ethically and responsibly. This value ensures that compliance efforts are driven by a genuine desire to protect customer interests and maintain their trust.
Innovation: Verizon Healthcare IT Solutions values innovation but recognizes that it must be pursued within legal and ethical boundaries. This value encourages employees to think creatively while also considering compliance implications.
Integrity: Integrity is a fundamental value at Verizon Healthcare IT Solutions. It permeates all aspects of the organization’s operations, from employee conduct to business relationships. Upholding integrity is integral to maintaining compliance standards.
Conclusion
Organizational ethics, culture, and values play a vital role in shaping compliance efforts within an organization. By prioritizing ethics, fostering an ethical culture, and aligning actions with core values, organizations like Verizon Healthcare IT Solutions can enhance their compliance practices. These efforts not only mitigate legal risks but also contribute to long-term success by building trust, reputation, and stakeholder satisfaction.
In conclusion, organizations should recognize that compliance is not solely a matter of rules and regulations but extends to the underlying ethical foundation upon which they operate. Through a strong commitment to ethics, an ethical culture, and adherence to core values, organizations can strengthen their legal and ethical compliance efforts, ensuring sustainable success in today’s complex business landscape.
References:
Verizon Healthcare IT Solutions – https://www.verizon.com/business/solutions/healthcare
