Business Law Ethics - Utilitarianism, Kantian and Virtue Ethics Case Study

Business Law Ethics - Utilitarianism, Kantian and Virtue Ethics - Case Study Example The waiters are university students who need to pay their university bills; Mike the chef is the sole breadwinner of his family who fends for his young family. (Hoffman, Frederick & Schwartz, 2014). If the business is closed due to its bad hygiene, the customers may shun from the restaurant even after being reopened. The loyal customers might feel cheated and disappointed due to the unhygienic food they have frequently been served (Hoffman, Frederick & Schwartz, 2014). The closure of the business will affect the surrounding community due to its bad reputation. The community provides the business with labour and other social values like goodwill, which when broken would be so hard to replace (Hoffman, Frederick & Schwartz, 2014). By the restaurant being closed, the local government may lose its periodical levies due to lack of operation of the restaurant. The government depends on fiscal policies like taxes to implement its strategic and short-term objectives (Hoffman, Frederick & Schwartz, 2014). Ted should remit the $500 bribe in order to maintain the happiness of his key stakeholders to avoid future problems. The stakeholders would greatly suffer socially and financially in case Ted refuses to part with the amount. (Hoffman, Frederick & Schwartz, 2014). In Kant theory, actions should be governed by the accepted principles of Maxims. Universal acceptability will not conform to Ted’s issuance of the bribe due to its negative perception globally. In terms of respect, Ted respects the well being of his employees and that’s he should pay to safeguard their future (Brenkert & Beauchamp, 2010). When formulating a maxim against bribery and later testing it against the categorical imperative, two results are realized. The first maxim fails in Universal acceptability because bribery is an economic crime worldwide. The second maxim against respect conforms to the categorical imperative; this is due to Ted’s respect to his key stakeholders.  Ã‚