ID: 2014-1-95-055

S. M. Shafiqul Islam
Business Ethics/Section 3

Case 01: Conflicting Responsibility

Elementary Speech:
This case deals with different conflicting situation arises to different managers which is basically
conflict of responsibility versus responsibility and suggested some ways to handle it. Sometimes
everyone faces such situation where responsibility clashes with each other from ethical
perspective which is critical to handle. And many times, solution is also unique and cant be
treated as like the present solution available in the market. Then different facts have been
explained like crucial facts & assumptions, who should take part in the decision making process,
best course of actions can be taken, which action will do good than bad, plan of actions etc.
From this case, we have learned what type of responsibility confliction can happens, what is the
probable problem we face and what is the way out from this which can be applied in our day to
day life.
Description:
Conflicting responsibility means collision between two responsibilities where two are right.
Sometime manager needs to take some decision where confliction is there. For example,
disclosing some confidential information to close friend is a matter of conflict responsibility. It is
the responsibility of employee to keep the information secret on the other hand helping a close
friend is also a responsibility. This creates a confliction.
There are so many types of it. It is the issue of right versus right, responsibility versus
responsibility. Such decisions are among the most difficult situation a manager face to take.
Sometime their decision become influenced by the emotion, experience etc.
On the other hand, it is also very difficult to find example in the market. Every situation can be
brand new and solution is also brand new. If someone looks for it in the market then the decision
can be influenced which his again a wrong approach to do.
To refine the decision of manager on this situation can be done by asking different question
thyself which will help to take the right decision those are given below:
Crucial Facts & Assumption:
This confliction may arise on the assumption. For example, by one statement, someone is
assuming something, other a different meaning. This basically need to clarify to avoid
confliction. So, for a statement, facts need to clarify first so that there is no confliction from
assuming.
Members of decision process:
Member of decision process is very important here. It influences the situation up to some extent.
So, to avoid this it is required to have the members opinion for it.

ID: 2014-1-95-055
S. M. Shafiqul Islam
Business Ethics/Section 3

Course of Action that meets basic obligations:

As there is no fixed course of actions for such cases, course of actions need to be meet basic
obligations. Need to verify the action from thyself to win in this dilemma. Though not usually
spelled out in precise terms, they include obeying the law, keeping promises, acting fairly,
not harming innocent people, not lying or cheating, and respecting others rights. All this
things need to verify oneself.

Selecting action on the basis of benefits:

Managers decisions powerfully affect the lives and livelihoods of the hundreds or thousands
of people in the semi-permanent social and economic communities conventionally called
companies. As the leaders of these communities, their decisions affect the work environment,
employees opportunities for advancement, pressures for illegal or unethical behavior, and
the ways employees can fulfill important personal aspirationsfor creativity, a sense of
contribution, and teamworkthrough their work.
Conclusion:
To conclude, from this case study we learn about the ways to deal to conflict responsibility.
To do this, we need to have good judgment, careful analysis and open, candid discussion
with others are all ways of bringing basic responsibilities into focus. All these ways have
been described here to handle.