Final answer:
The manager is using a Utilitarian Approach to ethical thinking when deciding how to invest a yearly training budget to maximize overall employee benefit, considering the implications of both monetary costs and opportunity costs associated with training decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering how to invest a yearly training budget to ensure that the greatest number of employees receives the greatest benefit, you are using a form of ethical thinking known as a Utilitarian Approach. This approach is focused on maximizing overall happiness or utility. In the context of business, it is important for bureaucracies to make thoughtful investments in human capital. Continuous training and development of the workforce are crucial to maximize the return on the initial investment made during the hiring process.
For example, if you decide to use the budget on a two-day retreat to build team spirit, you must weigh both the out-of-pocket monetary costs and the opportunity costs associated with employees not performing their regular tasks. By using utilitarian ethics, you would calculate the total happiness or benefits your team would derive and compare it to the potential costs or losses to ensure that the decision results in the greatest overall benefit to the group.
Moreover, treating your manager as an important internal customer and providing exceptional customer service can lead to increased job satisfaction and open up new opportunities, reinforcing the importance of investing in training that enhances service quality and management skills.