Bob DeSlob is CEO of Westlake Inc. that manufactures and sells widgets. Bob has decided that a safety feature recommended by the widget designers is too expensive and so will not be used in manufacturing Westlake widgets. The expense would cause the price of the widgets to rise far above Westlake's competitors' prices. This justification illustrates:a. Stakeholder theory. b. Profit maximization. c. Rule utlitiarianism. d. Kant's categorical imperative.

The correct answer is letter "B": Profit maximization.

Explanation:

Top executives are in charge of decision-making in companies. The path the firm will take depends on them. Their ultimate goal is always to maximize the profits of a firm. For such a thing to happen several accounting and operations analysis is conducted to make adjustments on production or engage in the manufacturing of new goods.  

An ethical dilemma arises when profit maximization implies affecting others through pollution or the manufacturing of products that could be somehow risky. Managers in most cases would prefer to cut the costs of production but they must find a balance between generating more revenue and fulfilling the minimum quality requirements so that the goods or the production of them does not put others at risk.