business management paper

Purpose: 

Business stakeholders, including shareholders, employees, customers, and the general public, receive positive benefits from businesses that follow ethical principles and practices.  In the workplace, employees may find themselves in situations in which they have to choose the appropriate behavior.  It is possible to encounter situations that give rise to conflicts of interest, conflicts of loyalty or issues of honesty and integrity.  When they do, you will be called upon to make difficult decisions.  

Outcomes Met With This Assignment:

• describe the ethical and social responsibilities that confront a business

Instructions:

 Students will read a case study related to business ethics.  In completing the assignment, students will analyze a case study scenario and apply the concepts learned in week 3 by answering a series of question.  In completing the assignment, students will answer the questions in paragraph and sentence format.  

NOTE:  1)  There are four classifications of ethical dilemmas: 1)conflict of interest; 2) conflict of loyalty; 3) issues of honesty and integrity; 4) bribes; and 5) whistleblowing.

            2)  An ethical dilemma is when someone struggles with deciding between two or more alternatives.   

Follow the step instructions below:

Step 1:  Review: In writing this paper, students are expected to use the facts from the case study focusing on using this information to determine opportunities and solve problems.

Step 2:  Create a Word or Rich Text Format (RTF) document that is double-spaced, 12-point font.  The final product will be between 3-4 pages in length excluding the title page and reference page.

Step 3:   Follow this format:

• Title page with title, your name, the course, the instructor’s name;
• Introduction;
• Body, in paragraph form using the following section headings:
• April’s Ethical Dilemma
• Employees’ Roles/Responsibilities in Ethical Situations
• The Organization’s Role/Responsibility in Ensuring Ethical Practices
• Summary paragraph

Step 4:  In writing a case study, the writing is in the third person.  What this means is 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

Step 5:  In writing this assignment, students are asked to support the reasoning using in-text citations and a reference list.  A reference within a reference list cannot exist without an associated in-text citation and vice versa.  Use APA format

Step 6:  In completing the assignment, students are expected to use the facts from the case study paired with the weekly courses readings to develop the analysis.  No more than two (2) external resources can be used in completing the paper.  

Step 7:  In writing this assignment, students are expected to paraphrase and not use direct quotes.  

Step 8:  Read critically and analyze the scenario provided  

Step 9:  Jot down or highlight key facts from the scenario.  Consider making an outline to capture key points in the paper. 

Scenerio Case Study Provided Below:

April and Jordan worked in a small ad agency in Providence, Rhode Island  The firm started five years ago and was making a profit, but barely.  The ad agency needed some larger clients and put in a bid for a city government contract.  The firm was one of two agencies up for a large government contract to do the ad work for the Providence’s government day campaign.

April being preoccupied with a sick child left much of the work for Jordan to do.  Having pulled the entire presentation together Jordan went over everything the day before the final client meeting with April.  Since April had better speaking skills, they decided that April would present the majority of the work and Jordan would supplement information in a few areas.  

The presentation was a huge hit.  The contract was awarded to the agency garnering April many accolades.  So grateful were the owners of the business, they approached April with a bonus check in the amount of $10,000.  April was torn because this money would help with the medical bills for his son but at the same time knew that Jordan did all the work and deserved the bonus money

Part 1: Ethical Dilemma

1. What is the category of the ethical dilemma?  Why was this category selected?
2. What is the ethical dilemma April is faced with now?  Explain why?
3. Explain what April should do now.

Part 2: Ethics in the Workplace 

1. Identify and discuss a minimum of three factors that contribute to employees not operating ethically in business?  
2. Identify and completely explain a minimum of two steps employees can take to making the most appropriate decisions when faced with an ethical situation.  Be sure to describe in detail;
3. Discuss a minimum of three ways an organization can help employees make appropriate decisions when faced with making a mistake in judgment;
4. Identify and discuss a minimum of two ways an organization can ensure that all parts of the organization operate ethically;
5. Students will support the reasoning using the course material and the literature from external sources.  Note:  Whenever material is taken from any source, it must be cited and referenced;
6. View and use the information under Week 4 Content on how to cite and reference the course material.

Step 10:  Create the introductory paragraph.  The introductory paragraph is the first paragraph of the paper but is typically written after writing the body of the paper (Questions students responded to above).  View this website to learn how to write an introductory paragraph:  http://www.writing.ucsb.edu/faculty/donelan/intro.html

Step 11:  Write a summary paragraph.  A summary paragraph restates the main idea(s) of the essay.  Make sure to leave a reader with a sense that the essay is complete.  The summary paragraph is the last paragraph of a paper and does not need a heading.

Step 12:  Read through the paper to ensure all required elements are presented.

Step 13: Proofread the paper for spelling and grammatical issues, and third person writing. 

• Use the spell and grammar check in Word as a first measure;
• Have someone who has excellent English skills to proof the paper