Case: VIRTUE ETHICS

Assignment Overview

In the Module 2 Case, you will be applying virtue ethics to the Mattel case.

Required Reading

Part 1: Critical Thinking

Before you begin to write up your Case, let's consider what is meant by "critical thinking." Critical thinking is one of the five key rubric criteria by which your assignments are graded. Therefore, it is required that you demonstrate evidence of critical thinking in all assignments. For an overview of critical thinking, read the following very carefully:

Kurland, D. (2000). What is critical thinking? Critical Reading. Retrieved fromhttp://www.criticalreading.com/critical_thinking.htm

Next, review the Critical Thinking Skills chart at the following site. This is an excellent visual synopsis of the various components of critical thinking. Note the questions that are associated with each element of critical thinking:

A must have chart featuring critical thinking skills. (2014).Educational Technology and Mobile Learning. Retrieved fromhttp://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/05/a-must-have-chart-featuring-critical.html

Part 2: Virtue Ethics

Visit the library, and locate the following article:

Sethi, S., Veral, E., Shapiro, H., & Emelianova, O. (2011). Mattel, Inc.: Global manufacturing principles (GMP) - A life-cycle analysis of a company-based code of conduct in the toy industry.Journal of Business Ethics, 99(4), 483-517. Retrieved from ProQuest.

Case Assignment

In a well-written 4- page paper, discuss how three virtues apply to the Mattel case.

Keys to the Assignment

1. Choose three virtues (e.g., justice, fairness, integrity, courage, honor, truthfulness, etc.), and define each using a reputable online dictionary (e.g., http://www.merriam-webster.com/).

2. Using a section heading for discussion of each of your chosen virtues, discuss how each virtue applies to some ethical issue raised by the Mattel case. For example, you might describe how the virtue you have selected might have been used to more appropriately guide the actions, behaviors, and/or policies of the company (e.g., you may choose to discuss the company's working conditions, worker safety, company fairness, or Mattel's attitudes towards the environment).

3. Be sure to use at least two sources from the library to support your discussion and analysis (choose sources that are not included in the Background section of Module 2).

4. Follow The Student Guide to Writing a High Quality Academic Paperguide.

5. Don't forget to properly cite your sources - both in-text and as end references!

6. You are expected to demonstrate evidence of critical thinking - as defined in the background materials of Module 2 and the grading rubric.

7. Be sure to organize your Module 2 Case using the Module 2 Case Format document.

Background Information

Virtue ethics can be traced as far back as Plato and Aristotle. Of course, virtues include such traits as fairness, self-control, and generosity. It is not difficult to understand how such characteristics - or virtues - as honesty and integrity would be relevant in the context of business ethics. In this module, we will use virtue ethics as a lens through which we will evaluate an organization's business practices.

The following sources provide a very good overview of virtue ethics:

Velasquez, M., Andre, C., Shanks, T., & Meyer, M. J. (2008). Ethics and virtue. Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/ethicsandvirtue.html

Virtue ethics. (2011). Seven Oaks Philosophy. Retrieved from http://www.sevenoaksphilosophy.org/ethics/virtue.html

In the SLP, we will be exploring the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility, or CSR. It has been said that business leaders are never asked about their personal sense of ethics these days - at least not until they are seated in front of a legislative committee. It would seem that there is an abundance of truth in this statement - that is, we don't often think about our organizational leaders' sense of ethics until they've gotten themselves into serious legal trouble.

All of this begs the question of whether highly ethical organizational cultures are more apt to produce ethical behaviors. Common sense tells us that they would. But if this is true, then why don't all - or perhaps most - organizations have ethical behaviors? One possible answer might be that building an ethical organization requires a lot of money, a lot of know-how and emphasis, a lot of dedicated people, and a lot of organizational energy.

Corporate Social Responsibility, or CSR, begins with engagement - that is, a company's engagement with internal and external stakeholders (not "stockholders," but stakeholders - those individuals or entities that have some interest in the company - e.g., employees, stockholders, potential investors, suppliers, buyers, the government, and the community-at-large). Begin by reading the following articles related to CSR, and what it means for organizations to be "socially responsible":

Brooks, C. (2013, May 22). Social responsibility no longer optional for businesses. Business News Daily. Retrieved fromhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4528-social-responsibility-not-optional.html

Fallon, N. (2014, December 22). What is corporate social responsibility? Business News Daily. Retrieved fromhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4679-corporate-social-responsibility.html

SLP: VIRTUE ETHICS

In Module 2 SLP, you will locate a scholarly article related to Corporate Social Responsibility in the library. Then, you will write a 2-PAGE paper, in which you will summarize the article, and state why the article is an important contribution to the idea of Corporate Social Responsibility (or CSR).

Required Reading

Refer to the Background section of Module 2 for required and optional readings.

Assignment

In a well-written, 2- page paper, evaluate a scholarly article related to CSR, and discuss the merit of the article for today's organizations.

Keys to the Assignment

Visit the library, and find a scholarly article related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

1. In 1-2 paragraphs, define what is meant by CSR.

2. Briefly summarize the article (1-2 paragraphs).

3. Discuss the contribution of the article to our knowledge of CSR - i.e., discuss why the article is important to our understanding of CSR. In short, why does this article matter?

4. Be sure to use at least one additional source from the library (other than your chosen article) to support your discussion and analysis (choose a source that is not included in the Background section of Module 2).

5. Follow the guidelines in The Student Guide to Writing a High Quality Academic Paper

6. You are expected to demonstrate evidence of critical thinking - as defined in the Module 2 background materials and the grading rubric.

7. Save your completed paper, and upload your assignment before the due date.

Attachment:- slp_2.rar