Final answer:
Fiona's duty-based ethical standards in business are derived from unchanging moral principles, reflecting a deontological perspective where actions are morally obligatory irrespective of their outcomes or benefits.
Step-by-step explanation:
In business ethics, Fiona, the chief executive officer of Glazed Pastry, Inc., adheres to duty-based ethical standards. These standards are not guided by market fluctuations, legalities, consequences, or social and environmental consciousness, but rather by unchanging moral principles or duties.
Duty-based ethics, often associated with deontological ethics, represents the philosophy that actions are morally binding regardless of their outcomes or consequences. For instance, one might have a duty to keep promises, tell the truth, not harm others, or act in a way that promotes the good generally. According to philosopher W.D. Ross, one upholds these duties as a reflection of one's moral responsibilities and commitments, making decisions based on the balance of rightness over wrongness.
In this context, Fiona's ethical approach is likely grounded in the deontological framework, where adherence to universal moral duties and principles takes precedence over considerations such as profitability or pragmatic benefits. Therefore, the ethical standards that guide her decision-making in business deals are not swayed by changing circumstances but are steadfast reflections of these moral commitments.