496 week 2
· The expectation is that you present a thorough analysis and presentation in response to each question. You are required to support the positions put forth in each response. The course material or outside resources must be used to provide the support.
· Read the grading rubric for the learning activity. Use the grading rubric while completing the learning activity to ensure all requirements are met that will lead to the highest possible grade.
· Third person writing is required. Third person means that there are no words such as “I, me, my, we, or us” (first person writing), nor is there use of “you or your” (second person writing). If uncertain how to write in the third person, view this link: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/first-second-and-third-person.
· Contractions are not used in business writing, so do not use them.
· Paraphrase and do not use direct quotation marks. Paraphrase means you do not use more than four consecutive words from a source document, but put a passage from a source document into your own words and attribute the passage to the source document. Not using direct quotation marks means that there should be no passages with quotation marks and instead the source material is paraphrased as stated above. Note that a reference within a reference list cannot exist without an associated in-text citation and vice versa.
· You may not use books as source material.
· Provide the page or paragraph number (required) when using in-text citations. If using the eBook, use Business Ethics followed by the Chapter/Section title and paragraph number.
Learning Activity #2
After graduating from college and working a few years at a small technology firm, Preet scored a high-level job in the logistics department at Amex Corporation. Amex sells high-quality electronic products that are extremely popular among technical savvy young adults. Part of Preet’s job involves working with a team to oversee Amex’s contractors in China. Amex contracts with factories across Asia to build components for the company’s electronics. Preet’s team was to ensure the shipments were as orderly as possible. Preet’s team had innovative people, and they performed so well the company began giving them more responsibility, including solving major challenges that arouse within the factories.
One day Preet was to visit the factory in the Shandong province of China. Shipments were falling behind schedule, and there seemed to be more accidents occurring there. Preet was to observe the factory and meet with management to determine where the problems occurred. Preet looked forward to her first trip to China and to actually visit a factory to learn more about the manufacturing process.
When Preet arrived at the airport, the managers of the factory greeted her and showed her around. When she got to the factory, all of the employees were hard at work. One group of workers cleaned the components using special chemicals. Preet noticed they did not wear protective face masks, even though she knew the chemicals could be harmful if inhaled. When Preet asked about this, she was told that face masks were recommended but not required because the chances of getting sick from the chemicals were low.
As Preet spent time at the factory, she noticed more things wrong. She discovered employees, on average, worked at least 12 hours per day, sometimes with no breaks. She knew company policy mandated an eight-hour work day. Sometimes employees would put in as much as 18-hour shifts. Preet spoke with one of the employees who told her on condition of anonymity that they were denied sick leave. Any perceived idleness on the employee’s part resulted in reduced pay. He also informed Preet that there had been several suicides at the plant from overworked employees. When Preet asked the supervisor why the factory did not hire more workers, he replied they did not have the money.
When Preet returned to the United States, she wrote a list of recommendations for improving the factory. Later that month, her team met with the company’s top managers in the logistics department. They expressed concern about Preet’s findings but offered no recommendations for how to fix them. Afterward, Preet complained to members on her team.
“Of course they aren’t going to do anything,” said Jim, who had been working in the logistics department for 12 years. “Why should they? As long as the company gets their shipments, they aren’t going to disrupt the process by requiring major changes.”
Dawn, who had only been working for six months, chimed in. “But Jim, they have to do something. From what Preet said, the workers have terrible working conditions.”
Jim sighed. “Dawn, you haven’t been in this business long enough to see how things work. The factory in Shandong really isn’t that bad compared to many other factories in China. It’s not unusual for factory workers to work long hours. Besides, you might think the employees there don’t make much for the amount that they work, but it’s a lot better than what people get working in other factories. For better pay people are willing to work in less than ideal conditions.”
Preet spoke up. “Just because that’s normal in the culture doesn’t necessarily make it right. Many of these problems could be avoided if the factory ensured their workers wore appropriate safety gear and hired more employees.”
“The factory probably can’t hire more workers,” Jim said. “Where are they going to get the money?”
“Well, maybe Amex should begin paying them more,” Dawn replied. “That would translate into higher wages and the ability to hire more staff.”
“You’ve got to be kidding!” Jim said. The whole reason why Amex is there in the first place is because labor costs are so cheap. Besides, being able to keep costs low is the only way to price our products reasonably. Consumers want low-priced products.”
“But consumers also care about how workers are treated, don’t they?” Preet asked.
“They might show some concern,” Jim replied. “But if it’s between higher-priced products or better working conditions, I guarantee customers will choose the latter.”
Review the reference sheets located in our LEO classroom Content>496 Article - A Framework for Thinking Ethically and Content>Week 1>Ethical Issues Dilemmas Legal Issues to understand how to address the questions presented below.
QUESTIONS
1. Discuss at least three (3) choices for Amex to address its ethical issue and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
2. Describe how Jim takes a cultural relativism approach to the problem. Be sure to discuss applicable concepts from this week's assigned readings.
3. Since Amex does not own the Chinese factory, if Amex management employed the deontological theory of Immanuel Kant, explain whether Amex is still accountable for the working condition of its suppliers? Why or why not? In your response, define deontologyand then explain its application to Amex’s accountability for the working condition of its suppliers.
Cite your sources.
Theme 3: The Effects of Globalization: Cultural Relativism and Morality
Global ethical issues facing business in the 21st century is the concern that different cultures have different values, norms, and morality. Can you expect that your morals and values should be accepted by those businesses in another country and vice versa? The corollary question is: Can I ignore the company values and except those that are contrary to mine but acceptable in the host country?
Theme 4: Moral Universalism
Is it possible that all people have common moral values? The debate over whether it is possible for us all to have core values is still raging among philosophers. If true, many of the business challenges in doing business globally might be solved. This week we examine the debate and its relevance to doing business internationally.
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrvtOWEXDIQ