Organizational Issues

In our society today we interact with a variety of cultures each having their own ethical principles. These ethical principles help us as individuals to address organizational issues in a variety of ways. In this paper we will be discussing how ethical principles can be used to address organizational issues. I have viewed a short film in regards to this matter and will be focusing on why the issues in the film are important as well as the role that external social pressure have in influencing organizational ethics. We will also talk about why these issues might be relevant to organizational and personal decisions. There will also be a focus on the relationship between legal and ethical issues shown in the film.

The issues in the film Responsibility and Sports: Ailson, are important because the athlete Ailson has no sense of time management. He was not responsible enough to lose weight on time, and did not use the knowledge or help of others. Ailson did not manage his time right. If he would have managed his time better he would have made weight when he was scheduled to instead of having to try and cut weight last minute. Ailson’s weight loss was also an issue because it prevented him from going to the Olympics. Another issue with him not making weight is a possibility of losing his endorsement deals. Another important issue in the film is Ailson not using the knowledge and help of others to accomplish his goals and dreams. Ailson, had a nutritionist that could have easily helped him make weight. Instead of getting meal plans from the nutritionist he did his own thing, which was not very responsible on his part since he did not make weight. Ailson also had a coach which advised him about his worries with him making weight cut at the last minute.

Their were many external social pressures that surrounded Alison in his path to qualify for the Brazil Olympics’ team. The biggest external social pressure came from the nation of Brazil and his rowing team. There were high expectations for Ailson to qualify and cut weight to make the team as they were always putting pressure on him. Ailson was highly regarded as the top rower in Brazil by both the nation and his team. So when he failed to make his weight it was a great disappointment to all who had high hopes for him. The second external social pressures came from Ailson’s two sponsors who had high hopes of Ailson winning a medal and representing them in the Olympics. Ailson needed to do well to maintain the level of sponsorship that he had.

His sponsors are the ones who put money in his pockets. This puts a constant strain on Ailson to perform at his highest level to maintain his contracts. Since Ailson was unable to qualify due to weight the sponsors can renegotiate his contracts offering him less money and promotional opportunities. The sponsor can also ultimately opt out of the contracts if desired. The third external social pressure comes from his family. Ailsons’ desire to give his family everything that he never had as a child puts pressure on him to be successful in his goals and dreams. Since Ailson was unsuccessful in making the team he must reprioritize his goals and find new ways of devoting himself to mastering his trade. The power of external social pressure can put a great deal of stress on an individual ultimately altering their perception and ethics in some situations.

The issues that Ailson faces in this film are very difficult for him. It is his own personal decisions that affect his dreams the most. It was his own personal choice not to manage his time better to help him with his weight loss. He also chose not to hear the advice of his peers which would have helped him reach his goals. These issues are extremely relevant as it pertains to Ailson because he now has to put his dreams on hold and wait for his next chance. “One of Ailsons’ peers said they could not understand why Ailson did not try harder to make weight and qualify for the team. Ailsons’ peers also compare it to having a lottery ticket and ripping it up and throwing it away” (http://responsibility-project.libertymutual.com/films/responsibility-sports-ailson#fbid=cJ1W1sRtG2G). Many of the issues that Ailson is facing can be due to his ethical reasoning. Ailson was raised in a very poor part of Brazil and his father left him and his mother at a young age. Ailson carried a lot of weight on his shoulders having to help his family in any way possible as a young child. This also taught him to be very independent doing things the way he preferred

Ailson’s dreams and goals have come to a stand still for now. He has learned from his many mistakes and now continues to better himself in hopes to make it to the Olympics in 2016. In this paper we covered the important issues in the film as well as the role that external pressures have in influencing organizational ethics. We also talked about the relevance of the issues in Ailsons personal decision and the relationship between the ethical issues shown in the film.

References

Liberty Mutual (2012). Responsibility what’s your policy retrieved from http://welcome.libertymutual.com/campaigns/affiliate/v1/auto-insurance-dupe-3.html?cmpgncde=223&keyCode=IAFCJA00&src=im-daff-aut-cmj1211100476-10919371-2203897-3080933256&pid=10919371-2203897-3080933256&afsrc=1 Responsibility & Sports: Ailson retrieved from

http://responsibility-project.libertymutual.com/films/responsibility-sports-ailson#fbid=cJ1W1sRtG2G