Case Analysis: Airlines

510 Words3 Pages
Summary This case study reviewed the ethical dilemma that presents itself when airlines charge higher fares for one-way tickets versus round-trip tickets as well as for direct flight tickets to its hub than for flight connections from its hub to another destination. Some travellers book round-trip tickets in order to save money, however, the airlines consider it a breach of contract by the consumers. The ethical responsibility of the travellers and the airlines is reviewed as well as application of the reinforcement theories used by the airlines to enforce the guidelines and conditions for which they have set for travellers. Example A realistic application of the reinforcement theory is seen through the positive reinforcement of rewards in most workplaces/organizations that include, but are not limited to: monetary bonuses, promotions, praise, paid holiday leave, and attention. Another example in the workplace would be a negative reinforcement when a person may find it undesirable to be monitored closely. If a person is doing his or her job to the held standard, he or she may not be monitored as closely anymore. Question Responses 1. I believe this type of traveller is not ethical or socially responsible because an airline divides its market into specific categories. An airline prices tickets according to which category a person fits. The purchaser of a return ticket fits into a different category from the one-way traveller, and the one-way traveller is seen by the airline as a better revenue source than the return traveller. By passing oneself off as a return traveller, one is telling the airline that he or she is something other than what he or she really is. 2. I believe it is ethically responsible for airlines to charge higher prices because the prices are often based on trends and analysis designed around the types of travellers they have in
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