Defining Business Ethics
Part 1. Should a short-term or long-term consequence make a difference in resolving an ethical dilemma? Discuss.
Part 2. Of the four commonly held rationalizations for unethical behavior proposed by Saul Gellerman, which one do you thing gets used most often? Why?
Check Your Understanding:
1. Why do we study ethics?
2. Why should we be concerned about doing "the right thing"?
3. If each of us has a unique set of influences and values that contribute to our personal value systems, how can that be applied to a community as a whole?
4. Based on the history of business ethics reviewed in chapter 2, do you think the business world is becoming more or less ethical? Explain
5. How would you propose the resolution of an ethical dilemma using the golden rule?
Exercises
1. Visit the following site: http://www.cfainstitute.org/ethics/codes/ethics/pages/index.aspx
a. What is the purpose of this organization?
b. What is the organization's pledge?
c. Record three different codes/pledges/oaths from those listed on the site and discuss why they are important to you
d. Write your own pledge on a topic that is important to you (maximum of two paragraphs)
Case Study
Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Business Ethics and Society, 12thedition: Issues 1-2
Read issues one and two from Taking Sides. Choose one issue to respond to. Which viewpoint do you side with? Why? Explain. Reference at least two outside resources that further support the view point you side with.
Organizational Ethics
Discussion Question
Part 1. Would you leave your position within a company if you saw evidence of unethical business practices? Why or why not? What factors would you consider in making that decision?
Part 2. Philip Kotler argues that professional marketers "should have the same ambivalence as nuclear scientists who help build nuclear bombs." Is that a valid argument? Why or why not?
Assignment
Responses to each question should fully answer and explore the question, may be less than or around 500 words (or whatever word count fully answers each question), and should be supported with scholarly research from your textbook and also often from outside internet sources, excluding wiki sources. Remember that well-written responses do not need to be excessively wordy. Be sure to paraphrase and cite your sources. Refer to APA.
Check Your Understanding:
1. Consider the functional departments reviewed in chapter 3. Which department do you think faces the greatest number of ethical challenges? Why?
2. Provide three examples of unethical behavior that you have observed at the company you work or (or worked for in the past). What were the outcomes of this behavior?
3. What are "Creative book keeping techniques"? Provide three examples.
4. Explain the potential ethical challenges presented by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Exercises
Complete the "Internet Exercise" on page 58 of Business Ethics Now.
Case Study
Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Business Ethics and Society, 12thedition: Issues 1-2
Review Issue 5 from Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Business Ethics and Society. Which viewpoint do you side with? Why? Explain. Reference at least two outside resources that further support the viewpoint you side with.