Ethics of Data-Driven Decision Making Case Study

Ethics of Data-Driven Decision Making - Case Study Example A series of analysis were given to the project manager concerning data on the cost profit and volume analysis. This is a well detailed collection of data that can help the management to decide whether to proceed with the project or reject it. Some case scenarios require the project manager not only to rely on analysis of data but also to rely on ethics of the society to enable effective decision making. This helps to ensure effective production of the vehicles as well as maintaining a good image in the public. A good example is the case of Giant motor company where they are considering retooling two of their three vehicle assembly plants. The project manager should not only rely on the relevant data providedbut on also other areas that many companies fail to assess like the safety of workers, whether the space is enough for the retooling process and so on. If for example the level of space is minimal after hypothetically retooling, this may cause accidents in terms of congestion of w orkers who may compromise safety of workers inside the plant (Streifer& George, Pp 32). Another case that ethical decisions can override data used for decision making is where the new luxury cars been made affect the environment. This can be seen through emissions of carbon monoxide by exhaust pipes. If the level of the gas produced is so intense that it is considered a threat hazard by the society, the management should take an ethical stand not to retool because of the consequences even though they are not going to realize the profits they had anticipated. This is referred to as moral sensitivity. Another area we come across ethics of data-driven decision-making is in case 4d of Muskoka land development. This case study is about a group of part time MBA students who are following an opportunity to invest in recreational properties in Muskoka Ontario. After undergoing research of the area, they come up with two sites that have potential to bring large returns in profit (Streifer& G eorge, Pp 56). They collect data on both areas and come up with a list of all the expenses and costs information based on development plans for each site. In this case, we can clearly say the students are about to make a decision on whether to go ahead with the project based on the data they extracted from their research. In this case, to some extent, it is not appropriate to rely on data to make decisions concerning investment of recreational properties especially in site A due to the following reasons-: Muskoka is fully equipped with Mother Nature’s best like lakes, forests and so on. If the students decide to invest in site A they will be messing up the balance of nature in that area. This is where ethical decision making comes in handy. In my opinion, the students should ask themselves if they are ruining nature if when developing their plans, they happen to cut down trees in the area which is a life source for many animals that live in that habitat. By destroying trees, to make roads in such an area may cause alternations in many animals’ lives, which may trigger different kinds of reactions. Another question would be if there are any small rural communities that live in that area? If there are, the students risk displacing a whole community so as to make profits and in the process causing a long string of problems between them and the community. This is unethical and is considered moral decay. The students should therefore consider developing in site

Case 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Case 1 - Essay Example The type of structure obtained varies with every organization. There are those that are pyramidal and some that are elliptical. Every organization has the top managers and employees who are entitled to the basic works thus holding the whole system together. The diagram in page 22 strictly shows the how the organization function in accordance to the specific department that exist in the organization. The co-existence of the sections therein is so crucial, and the diagram play a major role in showing how labor is distributed from the top managers, who are the board of directors, to the support staff. One way that an organization may overlay its strategies down the hierarchy is through the system of formal authority. This system is somewhat a map that only shows how information flows from the top managers to the foreman or from the purchasing agents to the shippers. However, it does not inform us on the specific activity that takes place in every section. At a glance, one may know the p ositions that exist in an organization and the manner in which authority flows in the organization. The system of regulated flows is as well incorporated in the operations of the organization. The flow of production is well broken down from the administrative hierarchy to control the centre of operations. Another flow of communication within the organization is the informal communication system which has the role of laying emphasis on the coordination process amount the employees in the various departments. The communication layout among the employees in the organization is very essential. Through communication, the operations within the organization beginning from the top managers to suppliers and the shipping department will be smoothly run without encountering barriers that may cripple the efforts made. There are sections within the organization that do not need official attention and thus such sections only gain access to the unofficial communications posed to them. From the dia gram, it can be clearly seen that the arrows move from one part to the other without a clearly defined path. This is a clear indication that the informal communication does not take a specific path to its destination. The information relayed may by-pass one department to the other, but the message would still be relevant and fruitful in the end. The organizational structure depicted above may be attributed to the Waterstones Company. The flow of operations in this company takes the different systems discussed therein within the organization. It follows the traditional hierarchy of the organizational structure, which consist of Board of directors, Chief operations officer, departmental heads and employees. Waterstones is the largest book retailer in the UK and Ireland. Recommendations and Implementations 1. Implement a well defined Hierarchy. The top manager will oversee all the operations of the organization. 2. Every department should be managed by a skilled and knowledgeable indiv idual. The departmental heads will oversee the operations within their own department and ensure that what is delivered is up to the standards required by the board of directors. 3. Layout a channel for communication. Since communication is an essential tool in passing of information, the entire organization has to speak a common language that is understood by everyone. Through this, flow of information within the o