Negative Data and the Ethical Considerations of Burying a Project to Hide the
Data From Stakeholders:

Thomas P. Corbin Jr.

ORDER ARTICLE PERMISSIONS/REPRINTS/OFFPRINTS/TEACHING NOTES

To order inspection copies, and/or permissions to include this article in textbooks, edited volumes, course booklets, online/digital course packs, etc., and/or to order multiple individual hard copies for classroom use, please use the secure online payment, or the appropriate form available on the Order Forms page, or alternatively, contact the Publishing Editor, Peter Neilson, pneilson@neilsonjournals.com directly.

Negative Data and the Ethical Considerations of Burying a Project to Hide the Data From Stakeholders: "When Courage Fails Us"

Thomas P. Corbin Jr.

American University in Dubai, UAE

Volume 12: 2023 pp. 219-226: ABSTRACT

A significant theory of corporate social responsibility is the Stakeholder Model. Within this model, entities make decisions that impact all stakeholders. Occasionally, the decision that is made ultimately impacts one stakeholder differently than another. Negative data by its very definition is seen as problematic for any organization as it pertains to its stakeholders. When confronted with the data or the potential of the data being negative to desired outcomes or directions of programs, an organization’s leadership may be faced with an ethical conundrum. Should the data be included and shown to all stakeholders? Or should the data be buried and avoided even to the point of engaging in questionable conduct in the management of paperwork and record keeping?

Keywords: business ethics, organizational management, ethical research, corporate social responsibility, stakeholder model.