Jack Welch/Goodpaster'S Framework

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In assessing Jack Welch as a leader, both outward looking and inward looking aspects of decision-making will be evaluated using Kenneth Goodpaster’s framework. Decisions Welch made as a moral agent in the external environment (A-transactions) as well as those made in the internal moral environment (B-transactions) will be evaluated. Normative ethical thinking and moral common sense will be applied to Welch’s leadership decisions. Critical thinking views of utilitarianism, contractarianism and pluralism will be used to examine the fabric of Welch’s philosophy and leadership during his 20 years as CEO of General Electric. Moral common sense and critical thinking spell out values and rules in normative ethics for a business executive or an organization. Using ethical values, principles, and rules of thumb that guide decision making, Goodpaster spells out what a list of these might include: • Avoid harming others • Respect the rights of others • Do not lie or cheat • Keep promises and contracts • Obey the law • Prevent harm to others • Help those in need • Be fair • Reinforce these imperatives in others When the basic list of moral common sense judgments fail when making a moral or ethical decision, critical thinking criteria can clarify and resolve conflict. There are three avenues of critical thinking, and a moral common sense question that can be applied to each view. Utilitarianism, which is goal based, “What action or policy maximizes benefit/cost?” Contractarianism, which is rights based, “What action or policy most fairly respects rights?” Pluralism, which is duty based, “What action or policy reflects the stronger duty? (Goodpaster, 6) Jack Welch has, according to these views, incorporated an ethical and moral set of rules for leadership at GE. As an agent in the internal moral environment, candor is an important issue. In his book
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