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Conflict of Interest in Human Resources - The Stakeholder Dilemma
No full textHuman Resources, particularly in the Appalachian region, have several ethical dilemmas in their line of work. With the minuscule number of companies in this area, companies often utilize stakeholders in the company to serve as Human Resources (HR) in that same company. This paper examines the ethical responsibility of companies to implement checks and balances by using Human resources for their intended role of ethical upholding within companies. Examining this perspective through the Utilitarianism ethical theory, which emphasizes the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Despite the argument for a stakeholder having faster decision- making in HR actions. As well as a stakeholder having more knowledge of the company and an overall deeper understanding of the business. Contrasting Milton Friedman’s shareholder theory, which promotes profit over social responsibility. Consequently, the paper affirms that looking through a Utilitarian lens not only aligns with ethical business practices but also enhances long- term business by gaining the trust of employees, having safeguards in cases of ethical dilemmas, and unbiased decision-making. Ultimately, the greatest good for the greatest amount of people ensures a long-lasting company culture and community support, ensuring the business’s success
Discussing Security Over Privacy in Business Technology: A Dualism-Based Analysis in the Appalachian Region
No full textAs digital technologies become increasingly embedded in business and public-sector operations, organizations face growing ethical tensions between maintaining security and protecting individual privacy. Tools such as workplace email monitoring, biometric identification systems, and artificial intelligence-based analytics are often adopted to reduce risk, prevent misconduct, and safeguard organizational assets. However, these practices raise significant concerns regarding autonomy, consent, behavioral modification, and the expansion of surveillance into everyday professional life. These ethical challenges are especially pronounced in economically distressed regions such as Appalachia, including Scioto County, Ohio, where institutional stability and public safety are closely interconnected and where security failures may have consequences that extend beyond the workplace into the surrounding community. This paper asks: Should businesses in economically vulnerable regions prioritize security over individual privacy when implementing surveillance technologies? Drawing on Henry Sidgwick’s theory of ethical dualism, the analysis argues that security-focused monitoring can be morally justified when it is narrowly tailored, transparent, and subject to meaningful oversight. While privacy-based critiques warn that constant monitoring may inhibit freedom of expression, erode autonomy, and reinforce power imbalances, this paper concludes that carefully constrained surveillance may be ethically defensible in high-risk environments when implemented in a manner that is proportionate, accountable, and respectful of individual dignity
Should Google Be Permitted to Build Data Centers in Ohio?
No full textThe rapid expansion of large-scale data centers across the United States has raised serious ethical concerns for regional communities, particularly in Ohio. This persuasive essay examines the query: Should Google be permitted to build data centers in Ohio? This analysis evaluates the project’s economic, social, and environmental impacts on Ohio, especially in Appalachia. The theoretical framework stems from business ethics and includes Sidgwick’s Dualism, Utilitarianism, Ethical Egoism, and contractarianism. Sidgwick’s Dualism integrates utilitarian principles, maximizing the greatest good for the greatest number, with rational self-interest. Utilitarianism weighs outcomes based on overall societal benefit, and Ethical Egoism asserts actions that promote economic self-interest, but only when yielding positive net outcomes. Using these frameworks, the position set in this essay supports allowing Google to build data centers in Ohio, as job creation, GDP growth, infrastructure investment, and technological advancement produce large benefits for a broad segment of the population. Counterarguments rooted in environmental ethics and social contract theory raise valid concerns regarding energy and water use, pollution, land grabs, and rising residential utility costs. However, when weighed against the projected large-scale economic and social gains, along with mitigation, the overall ethical evaluation favors development. The conclusion affirms that, under responsible regulatory oversight and community engagement, permitting Google to build data centers in Ohio is ethically justified because the aggregate benefits to the state outweigh the associated risk.
Key words: Google data centers, Ohio economic development, business, ethics, Utilitarianism, Ethical Egoism, Sidgwick’s Dualism, contractarianism, environmental impact, corporate social responsibility, stakeholder theory
The Modern Blight: Data Centers Spread Through Appalachia
No full textIn this research, the fast growth of data centers across the Appalachian area is examined, and its ethical business practices are critically assessed. The main study topic is whether it is morally acceptable for big tech companies to expand data centers in economically disadvantaged Appalachian areas in spite of the substantial threats to the environment, infrastructure, and society. Data centers promise economic growth, job creation, tax incentives, and advancements in artificial intelligence, but the long-term effects burden already vulnerable communities, according to this analysis, which uses utilitarianism and ethical egoism as its main theoretical frameworks. Data centers\u27 promoters contend that they serve as catalysts for economic growth, boost states’ GDP, and produce wider societal advantages in line with utilitarian ideals that put the greatest good for the greatest number of people first. However, this paper argues that while the environmental degradation, increased electricity and water consumption, rising utility costs, and pollution risk remain localized and permanent, the projected benefits are frequently short-lived, unequally distributed, and reliant on corporate tax abatements. Therefore, the expansion is an example of ethical egoism, putting corporate self-interest and technical rivalry ahead of community welfare and environmental justice. The study concludes that in order to ensure that economic development does not come at the expense of Appalachia\u27s people and natural resources, a more ethical business approach would necessitate stronger environmental safeguards, equitable cost distribution, transparent accountability, and significant long-term protections
Should Minimum Wage Be Raised to Help Individuals in Appalachia Escape From Poverty?
No full textIn Appalachia, the rate of poverty is higher than the national average, and there has been an ongoing debate on whether the federal minimum wage of $7.25 being raised would help lower the rates of poverty in the region. The goal of this paper is to argue that poverty in Appalachia can be decreased by raising the federal minimum wage. Supporting evidence is found that provides data regarding poverty decreases, and the argument is evaluated through the ethical framework of utilitarianism. This paper will also examine the counter argument that raising the minimum wage will not help individuals in Appalachia leave poverty and instead will harm them. Data surrounding historical job losses following minimum wage increases and its connection to utilitarianism as an ethical concept are used to support this opposing argument. In defense of the thesis, we refer to more recent evidence that suggests something different from the counter argument. To conclude, we determine that raising the minimum wage allows Appalachians an opportunity to leave poverty
Adaptive Algorithms for Motion Detection and Classification
No full textAdaptive Algorithms for Motion Detection and Classification
We explore a 4-dimensional vector approach to detecting motion through use of a Sensor Logger on an iOS device which records coordinates like orientation (quaternion and Euler angles), gyroscope, and accelerometer. These 4-dimensional vectors explain 3-dimensional rotations in space. We present methods of research and analysis to detect and measure simple rotations. We apply statistical analysis techniques to classify these rotations as motions, including walking, jogging, or jumping. We conclude with a description of how these results lead to analyses of more complex movements such as a baseball pitch, a hitter’s swing, or a gymnast routine
Ending Ableism: Discrimination in the Workplace
No full textThis paper explains the ethical concerns of disability discrimination (ableism) in the workplace. Showing personal experience and witnessing others who are experiencing disability discrimination, the paper argues that individuals with disabilities continue to face unfair treatment, limited opportunities, and little to no accommodations, even with legal protections in place, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Through data, ethical theory frameworks, and real-world examples, this paper explains how ableism persists in hiring processes and workplace requirements, which are justified under the fiduciary theory framework. Using the utilitarianism theory, we argue that expanding accommodations, improving accessibility, and promoting inclusive hiring processes create the greatest good for the greatest number of the population by benefiting not only disabled individuals but also businesses that are willing to adapt and hire them as well as other employees who may be picking up extra slack from low employment rate. The paper concludes that organizations have a moral and social responsibility to uphold unbiased standards, challenge traditional stigmas, and provide accommodations to enhance opportunities and promote ethical leadership for individuals with disabilities
Pill Mills and the Opioid Crisis in Appalachia: Patient Autonomy vs. Ethical Responsibility
Full text linkAbstract
The opioid crisis has been shown to affect regions within Appalachia disproportionately. Beginning with the medical ideology of pain limitation for patients, as well as the increased marketing of opioids as pain treatment medication, clinics and hospitals started significantly increasing prescription rates. The increased availability of opioids led to widespread exposure to a highly addictive and dangerous substance. The Appalachian region was disproportionally affected because of the labor-intensive economy and lack of alternative forms of care, especially in counties like Scioto. The widespread usage led clinics and physicians to take advantage of the demand for the medication. This abuse can be seen in the form of pill mills or pain clinics, where opioid prescriptions were easily and frequently provided. This paper examines the role that local clinics, like Greater Medical Advance Inc., had in contributing to the crisis in the region. It also will argue that healthcare professionals have a higher responsibility for the overall long-term health of communities than they do for treating patient pain with the use of opioids. Using the ethical frameworks of utilitarian theory, deontological ethics, and corporate social responsibility (CSR), we conclude that medical professionals must take responsibility for this crisis and the health of the communities they serve
Prophetic Dreams: Influence of Dreams on Perceived Probabilities
No full textCan dreams forecast the future? Dreams are central to human experience. Additionally, dreams have long been seen as sources of guidance. We investigated whether dreams influence expectations and emotions about future goals. Student participants read three relatable goal vignettes (exam, romance, road trip), each involving uncertainty and lack of control. Vignettes were randomly assigned to include a positive, negative, or unrelated dream regarding the goal. Participants then used information in the stories to judge the likelihood of positive/negative event outcomes and emotions. Notably, we found that goal-relevant dreams influenced optimism and pessimism. Comparatively, positive dreams fostered more hope and negative dreams increasing doubt—despite the events being characterized as no longer controllable. This is consistent with a belief (implicit or explicit) in prophetic dreams and/or supernatural influence. Results could also be explained by the availability heuristic, in which easily imagined events are judged more likely
A Comparison of Baseline Biodiversity Among Three Caves at Ohio Hanging Rock Preserve, Scioto County, OH
Full text linkBiodiversity is vital for ecosystem health and our quality of life, making biodiversity surveys crucial to assess ecosystem health, monitor species, and identify threats. We conducted a biodiversity survey among three caves in the Ohio Hanging Preserve, Scioto County, Ohio, across three seasons, also measuring abiotic and ecological factors influencing biodiversity.
The study involved three five-week sampling periods: fall (Oct–Nov 2024), winter (Jan–Feb 2025), and upcoming spring (Mar–Apr 2025), totaling 15 sampling events. Weekly procedures included identifying mammal tracks, setting small mammal traps, conducting herpetology surveys, collecting invertebrates, measuring soil temperatures, and recording weather.
To date, Peromyscus spp. were captured at each cave. Game cameras revealed Odocoileus virginianus and Sciurus carolinensis as common species. Salamander species Desmognathus fuscus and Eurycea cirrigera, and invertebrates in families Carabidae, Culidae, Araneae, and Diplopoda were also recorded. Data from all seasons will be reviewed in April 2025 to understand biodiversity in these cave habitats