Ethics In Business

1

CASE STUDY

Task details:

 This is an individual assignment.  You are asked to write an essay, proving answers to all the questions specified below (see page 2). These answers must be based on corresponding theories.

Make sure you are providing sufficient and relevant arguments sustaining your answers. In case of using real case example(s) in support of your standpoint, there should be a clear reference to that/those case(s).

 All the sources should be correctly cited, and the theories clearly identified.  The essay should contain introduction, body(discussion) and conclusion parts. Questions must be answered in an essay format, no bullet points allowed.  The submission must be in PDF file format.

Formalities:

 Wordcount: 1000 to 1500 words  Structure: Cover, Table of Contents, References and Appendix are excluded of the total wordcount.  Font: Arial 11 pts.  Text alignment: Justified.  Citation: The in-text References and the Bibliography must be in Harvard’s citation style.

Weight: This task is 30% of your total grade for this subject.

It assesses the following learning outcomes:

 Outcome 1: Learn how to identify ethical issues.  Outcome 2: Learn how to address ethical issues in a corporate setting.  Outcome 3: Learn how to use ethical theories to analyze, critically assess, and make decisions related to ethical issues.

2

Task:

You own a cement company, and deal with most the local contractors for cement, sand, etc. You have a reputation of high-quality products, and for good customer service with your customers. Your foreman has just run the standard quality control tests you have performed regularly on your products.

When the test results are ready, you discover that the new batch of product is 10% less durable than your usual material. It is still well above all industry standards and meets all building codes and requirements for the purposes for which it is intended, but it is, nevertheless, not up to your usual standards. Throwing it away would cost your company many thousands of dollars.

You decide to sell the cement anyway.

Questions:

1. Should you tell your customers? 2. Should you discount the price? 3. Should you tell your employees, so they will be knowledgeable with the customers? 4. Would you use this cement on foundations for your own house?

IMPORTANT: Your answers should be based on a specific ethical theory discussed in class (utilitarianism, deontology, etc.). Choose and apply the one you consider the best for identifying ethical issues involved and their solution. Do not forget to cite your sources.

3

Rubrics

Identification of main

Issues/Problems

25%

Identifies and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the main issues / problems in the case study.

Identifies and demonstrates an accomplished understanding of most of the issues/problems.

Identifies and demonstrates acceptable understanding of some of the issues/problems in the case study

Does not identify or demonstrate an acceptable understanding of the issues/problems in the case study

Analysis and Evaluation of

Issues / Problems

25%

Presents an insightful and thorough analysis of all identified issues/problems.

Presents a thorough analysis of most of the issues identified.

Presents a superficial analysis of some of the identified issues.

Presents an incomplete analysis of the identified issues.

Development of Ideas

and Opinions

25%

Supports diagnosis and opinions with strong arguments and well- documented evidence; presents a balanced and critical view; interpretation is both reasonable and objective. Excellent use of Harvard style

Supports diagnosis and opinions with limited reasoning and evidence; presents a somewhat one-sided argument; demonstrates little engagement with ideas presented. Good use of Harvard style

Little action suggested and/or inappropriate solutions proposed to the issues in the case study. Some use of Harvard style.

No action suggested and/or inappropriate solutions proposed to the issues in the case study. Failed to use or incorrect use of Harvard style

Link to Ethical Theories and

Additional Research

25%

Makes appropriate and powerful connections between identified issues/problems and strategic concepts studied in the course readings and lectures; supplements case study with relevant and thoughtful research and documents all sources of information

Makes appropriate but somewhat vague connections between identified issues/problems and concepts studied in readings and lectures; demonstrates limited command of the analytical tools studied; supplements case study with limited research.

Makes inappropriate or little connection between issues identified and the concepts studied in the readings; supplements case study, if at all, with incomplete research and documentation.

Makes no connection between issues identified and the concepts studied in the readings; supplements case study, if at all, with incomplete research and documentation.