FIRSTASSIGNMENT

Module- Case

UTILITY ETHICS

Assignment Overview

In the Module Case, we will use the Utility Test to inform our understanding of the Mattel case study.

For purposes of the Case Assignment, we will focus on the Utility Test:

Hamilton, B. (2012, June 7). Utility test. Ethics Ops. Retrieved from http://ethicsops.com/UtilityTest.php

The Utility Test may be best understood with a review of the following examples-also from Ethics Ops. Be sure that you review both examples thoroughly, as we will be using the Utility Test in the Case assignment:

http://ethicsops.com/LessSugarMarketing.php

http://ethicsops.com/PhantomExpenses.php

Required Reading

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, apply the Utility Test to the Mattel case study.

Keys to the Assignment

1. Choose an ethical issue raised by the Mattel case study (e.g., you might choose to analyze Mattel's treatment of employees).

2. Apply the Utility Test: http://ethicsops.com/UtilityTest.php

3. Be sure that you follow each step of the Utility Test (use a separate section heading for discussion of each step of the test):

A. Introduce the test.

B. Briefly discuss why utility ethics is a valid way of deciding right and wrong.

C. Apply the test

Step 1: Identify the alternative actions that are possible and the persons and groups (the stakeholders) who will be affected by these actions.

Step 2: For each of the most promising alternatives, determine the benefits and costs to each person or group affected.

Step 3: Select the action in the current situation that produces the greatest benefits over costs for all affected.

Step 4: Discuss what would happen if the action were a policy for all similar situations.

D. Draw a conclusion. If the same action is selected in Steps 3 & 4, then the action is an ethical one. If different actions are selected, decide whether the individual action will produce the greatest good and the least harm, for all affected, over the long term.

4. 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 3).

SECOND ASSIGNMENT

Module- SLP

UTILITY ETHICS

In the Module 3 SLP, you will choose an organization with which you are familiar, and you willwrite a 2- to 3-page paper, in which you discuss the extent to which your organization embraces Corporate Social Responsibility (or CSR).

Required Reading

Read the following article, which provides examples of socially responsible companies (this website includes a number of quite excellent articles pertaining to the merits of CSR). You may also want to explore the optional readings provided below, as they may be useful to your understanding of CSR:

Fallon, N. (2014, December 4). 20 great examples of socially responsible businesses. Business News Daily. Retrieved from http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5499-examples-socially-responsible-businesses.html

Optional Reading

The following resources provide a very good overview of CSR, and how companies use CSR initiatives to increased the organization's effectiveness:

2014 corporate social responsibility report (2014). Hershey Company. Retrieved fromhttp://www.thehersheycompany.com/social-responsibility/shared-goodness/goodbusiness

Corporate social responsibility. (2013). International Institute for Sustainable Development. Retrieved fromhttps://www.iisd.org/business/issues/sr.aspx

Assignment

In a well-written, 2- page paper, discuss the extent to which an organization with which you are familiar pursues CSR.

Keys to the Assignment

1. In 1-2 paragraphs, describe your organization - what it does, how many employees, how much revenue, etc.

2. Select some aspect of CSR, and discuss how your organization employs CSR in its operations.

3. What are the specific advantages to your company in its use of CSR?

4. If your company does not presently pursue a form of CSR, please identify a specific CSR practice (e.g., environmental consciousness, community welfare, etc.) from which your company would benefit.

5. 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 this module).

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

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

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