Abstract
The transitions in contemporary civilization necessitate implementing and complying with a moral code of conduct. All employees are highly regarded in business communication ethics, regardless of social status, training, or age. For example, Apple faced criticism for its supply chain’s labor practices following an unbelievable inquiry that discovered additional revelations about its reluctance to discontinue partnerships with suppliers who violated its ethical policies. Ethics and communication are critical components of a company since they influence the course of a corporation. Institutions that communicate and operate ethically are more positioned to gain than those that do not. It is impossible to overstate the essential importance of ethics and communication in an institution. As a result, companies developing methods and initiatives for their internal operations must maintain higher standards of ethics and efficient communication.
Introduction
The transformations occurring in today’s civilization need the adoption and adherence to a moral code of behavior. Business ethics is a method of determining, expressing, and conducting business consistent with a person’s religious, psychological, genetic, and natural principles (Radosavac et al., 2019). The term communication refers to the procedure through which individuals transmit information and communicate with one another using a shared set of symbols, gestures, and actions (Radosavac et al., 2019). Business communication morality is founded on an appreciation for all workers irrespective of their status, education, occupation, sexuality, or age (Radosavac et al., 2019). This paper summarizes Apple Inc.’s current ethical issues while addressing the impacts of ethics in business. Additionally, the report highlights the influences that ethics have on communication.
Summary of the News
Apple was again under fire for labor practices in its distribution network amid an astounding investigation that disclosed fresh details about the institution’s unwillingness to terminate relationships with vendors that break its ethics codes. According to the article, Apple discovered in 2013 that Suyin Electronics, a China-based organization that manufactured components for Apple’s MacBooks at the time, was hiring minors (Sonnemaker, 2020). During an investigation, Apple uncovered extra personnel as minor as 14 years old, despite warning Suyin to fix the problem or face cutting ties (Sonnemaker, 2020). Apple, likewise, has declined to terminate its relationship with Biel Crystal, one of the company’s two producers of glass iPhone displays.
Notwithstanding a continually dismal reputation for reliability in work, Apple staff’ worried, and Biel administrators directly acknowledged that enhancing security was not profitable because it would result in Apple losing sales. As a result, Apple’s financial influence over its last supplier, Lens Technology, would have been diminished (Sonnemaker, 2020). Apple has long been attacked for its vendors’ labor standards, most notably in China, but recently in other nations, including India, where laborers at an iPhone manufacturing rampaged after blaming executives for delaying wages (Sonnemaker, 2020). After discovering that the corporation had broken labor rules, Apple was also compelled to sever connections with Pegatron, its second-largest iPhone assembler (Sonnemaker, 2020). Pegatron depended on trainees performing work unrelated to their qualifications in its production activities.
Impacts of Ethics in Communication
Seamless Communication
Because no unwarranted bad events occur due to ethics in communication, a company can stay unbiased and proactive in attaining its objectives and resolving its challenges. As a result, individuals inside the corporation can concentrate their efforts on executing their duties and tasks rather than resolving unneeded conflict caused by bad ethics (Alyammahi et al., 2020). Additionally, it implies that interaction within the firm is seamless, with little to no disruption associated with personal concerns or internal disagreements.
Motivated Personnel
Individuals who are not frightened of being reprimanded or criticized are more driven to perform. Thus, this is because they seem more secure in their jobs. Personnel will also feel safer offering comments or suggestions that can considerably aid the team or the whole firm because ethics in business communication entails truly listening to others without casting aspersions (Alyammahi et al., 2020). Additionally, many client satisfaction issues arise due to poor communication and lack of contact with the consumer; as a result, the customer loses trust in the firm, affecting corporate sales.
Peaceful Work Environment
Conflict occurs in the workplace daily, which is why human capital workers receive specialized training in resolving conflicts. Businesses can avoid conflict entirely with the aid of candid discourse. Misunderstandings and divisions will continue to exist; however, ethical communication enables people to communicate their demands and articulate their disparities better and more pleasantly (Greenwood & Freeman, 2018). It might be difficult to explain a point of view without appearing harsh or judgmental. Adhering to ethical communication practices enables individuals to convey their viewpoints accurately and without causing harm to others.
The Relevance of the Content Toward Ethics and Communication
The topics are extremely pertinent to ethics and communication because business effectiveness depends on ethical and responsible communication. In the modern environment, communication encompasses a variety of techniques, including videoconferencing through webinars, phone conversations, face-to-face and conference interaction, and communication by questioning (Lieser et al., 2018). All of these innovations contribute to two-way correspondence. Like how the transmitter sends their information, the receiver receives it and sends a confirmation. The recipient then sends feedback, including evaluations or how well they understand the message. Thus, there is no doubt that ethics and discourse were highly relevant in light of the news regarding Apple Inc.
Consequences or Impact on the Subject, Organization, and Society
The infringement of Apple personnel’s liberties and worker protections was among the firm’s unethical practices, leading to its negative corporate image among its customers. Thus, this is demonstrated by the long hours that its staff had to work to complete their jobs. For example, audits conducted in the corporation found that workers labored for more than 60 hours per week, with some staff working for more than six days per week (Sonnemaker, 2020). As a result, workers earned less than they deserved for the amount of time they labored, thereby breaching their rights by being unethical. Additionally, Apple Inc. employees’ growth was adversely impacted by a lack of integrity. The company was focused on getting forward and gaining money that they overlooked protocols and policy. Thus, this resulted in prolonged working hours with low or withheld pay.
Importance of Ethics in Business
Persistent moral behavior results in an increasingly favorable public perception, and few other factors are critical to prospective investors and current stakeholders. To maintain a positive reputation, organizations must aspire to operate ethically in all aspects of their operations, including worker treatment, environmental stewardship, fair pricing, and customer treatment. Additionally, to recruit and retain bright workers, businesses should foster an atmosphere of justice and transparency. Employees value working in a comfortable environment where merit-based advancement rather than bias or other factors. When employees perceive injustice in their immediate environment, their commitment to the organization deteriorates. Hence, this results in improved production and a decrease in employee turnover. They are also obligated to follow the institution’s lead. When an employee performs their duties with honesty and character and adheres to business policies, the firm benefits.
Discussion
Ethics and communication are important aspects of an organization as they determine the trajectory a business would take. Institutions that practice ethics in their communication and operations are more likely to benefit than those that do not. For instance, Apple Inc.’s unethical business behavior failing to terminate its contract with Pegatron even after learning that it recruited minors to work in its manufacturing sites dented its public image. Additionally, Apple’s productivity reduced after cutting ties with Pegatron, its second-largest Apple assembler. However, advantages such as attracting skilled and proficient personnel and maintaining a positive company image accrue to those businesses that incorporate ethical behaviors in their daily activities.
The Implication of the Lesson Learnt
The pivotal role that ethics and communication play in an organization cannot be underestimated. Therefore, corporations to device methods and programs within their internal systems need to ensure that higher levels of morality and effective communication are upheld. If not, the adverse effects of unethical and ineffective cooperation in an institution will affect them. No business wants to portray a negative image to its consumers and the general public. Additionally, firms are started with the main aim being to realize profits. Therefore, it is fair to say that ethics and communication are the centers of an organization’s operating mechanisms without which the company will fail.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ethics and interaction are critical components of a company since they influence the course of a corporation. Institutions that communicate and operate ethically are more positioned to gain than those that do not. Employees’ engagement with the company disintegrates when they experience unfairness in their surrounding context. As a result, production is increased, and employee churn is decreased. Apple’s unethical activities included the violation of staff liberties and labor regulations, which contributed to its poor business image among its consumers. Therefore, if businesses wish to achieve long-term objectives, they must build a bridge that connects all stakeholders to value-based communication.
References
Alyammahi, A., Alshurideh, M., Kurdi, B. A., & Salloum, S. A. (2020, October). The impacts of communication ethics on workplace decision-making and productivity. In International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Systems and Informatics (pp. 488-500). Springer, Cham.
Greenwood, M., & Freeman, R. E. (2018). Deepening ethical analysis in business ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 147(1), 1-4. Web.
Lieser, P., Taf, S. D., & Murphy-Hagan, A. (2018). The Webinar integration tool: A framework for promoting active learning in blended environments. Journal of Interactive Media in Education, 2018(1). Web.
Radosavac, A., Sretić, M., Mirčetić, V., & Vukčević, M. (2019). Business ethics in marketing communication. Quaestus, (15), 188-196. Web.
Sonnemaker, T. (2020). Apple knew a supplier was using child labor but took 3 years to fully cut ties, despite the company’s promises to hold itself to the “highest standards.” Web.