Ethics are a set of principles that do not only guide the interaction between different parties but also individuals in different economic, social as well as political spheres. With ethics, it is possible to surpass dilemmas as well as hurdles that partnerships, businesses as well as big organizations encounter in their undertakings (Crane, Andrew, & Matten, 2016). Regardless of whether there is a written agreement or a spoken one, individuals involved in a partnership must uphold high standard ethics for not only the satisfaction of both parties but also for enhanced productiveness. Taye Barrow and James Robbins’s partnership is likely to be compromised by Barrow’s unethical behavior. However, to avoid the escalation of the dispute that is imminent between the two parties, Barrow should employ various professional interventions (Brubaker et al., 2014).
It is highly evident that Robbins’ initial intention is to take advantage of his partner, Barrow. In partnering with an intention of cutting down the amount of effort he applied initially while alone, he indirectly steals from Barrow who continues to put in the best for the success of the business. Even worse, the bills, as well as profits, are shared equally by the two, making Barrow disadvantaged to a large extent.
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There are various approaches that Barrow should use to solve the matter at hand. One of the most important conflict resolution tools that can be employed in this situation is dialogue(Ramsbotham, Oliver, Hugh, & Tom, 2011). Just as he had suggested in the inquiry on Robbins’ behavior that due to the unfolding there will be need for them to share profits in the ratio of each person’s input, he should support his arguments with facts and statistics to show Robbins that if he does not change, the last resort would be him receiving profits in accordance with his input. Although Barrow should be firm with his argument, he should engage his colleague in a manner that helps him to reason with him. He should lay out the bills as well as the profits made each month and illustrate to him how his behavior has affected both of them as well as his willingness to put in enough efforts for the success of the venture. In the end, he should suggest that a way to keep records on how many clients each of them serves is devised. This way, it is possible to gauge the effort each of them is putting in.
Regardless of the type of contract employed in an undertaking, there is always a binding aspect. Besides, in most cases, to make it official, a written agreement is preferred. In the case that the two had a written agreement, it can be used as a basis for solving the conflict (Deutsch et al., 2011). By revisiting it and pointing out each person’s responsibilities and how duties and profits would be shared, Barrow will be able to put across the fact that there are guiding principles that both of them should continue to adhere to so as to work together. In the case that it was only an oral agreement, Barrow should remind his partner of what was spoken about. He should also remind him of the conditions necessary for both of them to continue working together. This way, Robbins is likely to be reminded of his obligation in a professional manner.
In conclusion, Robbins' behavior is highly unethical. To solve the problem that threatens to affect the working relationship between him and his partner, Barrow should use dialogue as well as the initial agreement they entered as an element to help him to bring to the matter to Robbins’s understanding.
References
Brubaker, D., Noble, C., Fincher, R., Park, S. K. Y., & Press, S. (2014). Conflict resolution in the workplace: What will the future bring?. Conflict Resolution Quarterly , 31 (4), 357-386.
Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2016). Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization . Oxford University Press.
Deutsch, M., Coleman, P. T., & Marcus, E. C. (Eds.). (2011). The handbook of conflict resolution: Theory and practice . John Wiley & Sons.
Ramsbotham, O., Miall, H., & Woodhouse, T. (2011). Contemporary conflict resolution . Polity.
