Utilitarianism

According to Smart (2020), utilitarianism prioritizes outcomes in defining what is ethical, employing an objective procedure to present activities that result in the greatest rewards as the most ethical. This theory emphasizes satisfaction and effective decision-making by maximizing employee and organization benefits. However, if the outcome supports business sustainability, it can result in unethical justifications.

Because the idea focuses on present satisfaction rather than future repercussions, it is unreliable for decision-making (Smart, 2020). Nonetheless, it can be advantageous for ethical decision-making, such as a company that uses green technology or renewable energy to prioritize the general good over profit and attract new customers.

Covid-19 has compelled businesses to make difficult decisions, such as redundancies, in order to survive, creating ethical dilemmas for both unaffected and affected employees. The ethical rationale for the decision may be based on the individual’s judgment of the organization’s future and the impact of the pandemic rather than just on utilitarianism theory.

Kantianism

Kant’s moral philosophy holds that certain actions, regardless of their outcome, are inherently wrong. Kantianism is classified by Pascoe (2022) as a deontological ethical system that emphasises moral responsibility over behavior. Individuals must conduct in accordance with universal moral norms, according to this concept (Pascoe, 2022). To be considered ethically correct, a choice must be assessed against one’s duty to oneself and society. The theory is straightforward and reasonable, focusing on the value of individuals.

However, in complex situations, Kantianism may need to allow more flexibility, emphasizing just what steps should be undertaken rather than how to address the concerns. Nevertheless, because of its emphasis on ethics, Kantianism may be more appropriate than utilitarianism (Pascoe, 2022). For example, Apple’s decision to stop working with suppliers who utilize child labor took three years, demonstrating the company’s preference for profits before morals. This would be considered unethical by Kantianism, however utilitarianism validates it based on the benefits to consumers from cheaper costs and Apple still making enough profits to pay taxes and quick expansion, and creating opportunities for employees.