A TALE OF TWO MORALITIES

A Tale of Two Moralities

THE CONTEXT

This case describes an ethical problem faced by the owners of a reasonably successful business. It gives students an opportunity to analyse the contrasting approaches of the two owners of this business towards an ethical dilemma commonly faced by those businesses in Pakistan that have to pay heavy duties on imported goods. The case highlights the fact that morally upright individuals can be pushed into very difficult situations wherein they, despite their good intentions, at times choose not to uphold duties imposed by law and morality. The difficulty felt in remaining within the confines of the law, and upholding moral principles is amplified by the cumulative effects of moral failures that become endemic to society. The pressure created by the policies of a government deemed corrupt and inefficient on the one hand, and unscrupulous competitors on the other can become, at times, important contributors to morally questionable behaviour. This brings to the fore the dilemma of an individual trying to make an honest living in a very unfavourable context. The moral conundrum may be resolved either by making the difficult choice of following the law to the hilt or by constructing an argument that legitimises an illegal and seemingly unethical course of action.

THE DECISION

Razi turned onto the road that was likely to be less populated at that hour instead of taking a more direct road to his house in an affluent neighbourhood in Lahore. It would have been a pleasant drive as the weather turned colder, but the pleasure of the drive was dampened by the unrest inside Razi. He had met an old friend earlier that day, which had set in motion the wheels of long-dormant thoughts. Issues he believed he had settled long ago had come surging back and were causing him mental anguish.

At the helm of an import business, R&A Imports, that was established in 2007 and was now seven years old, Razi faced a dilemma. The business seemed to be viable only by evading part of the duties and taxes levied on its production. Razi thought he had resolved the moral conundrum at the inception of his business by what appeared to him to be a compelling array of reasons to support his position of not complying fully with the tax liability. The conversation during the meeting with his friend, however, brought to the fore, questions that Razi the COO (Chief Operating Officer) found himself grappling with once again.

REFERENCE

Zahid, A. & Lone, R.A. (2018). A Tale of Two Moralities. Asian Journal of Management Cases, 15(2), 161-165. doi: 10.1177/0972820118780737

About the Authors

Adnan Zahid is Assistant Professor at the SDSB, LUMS. He teaches courses in strategic business management, marketing, and consumer behaviour. He is the programme director for the executive programme on Building Impactful Brands at the Rausing Executive Development Centre. His research interests include status consumption, acculturation, gender, religion, and consumer culture. He is an avid case writer, and his cases have been published in the Asian Journal of Management Cases.

Email: adnan.zahid@lums.edu.pk

Razi Allah Lone is teaching fellow at the SDSB. He teaches courses in business ethics and corporate social responsibility, and logic and critical thinking. His research interests include business ethics and Islam. His cases have been published in the Asian Journal of Management Cases.

Email: razi.lone@lums.edu.pk