business ethics

BCO 121 ETHICS IN BUSINESS (4 ECTS) Case Study & Rubrics Task

• individual written task in Harvard style format, cover page, Table of Contents, text alignment and Reference list

• The student must build a coherent discussion or argument in essay format, analyzing theories and models. Case studies may be referred to when providing examples.

• Students must write in complete sentences and develop paragraphs. No bullet points are allowed.

• Prepare and Introduction, Body, and Conclusion paragraphs.

• Sources must be used, identified, and properly cited.

• Format: PDF submitted through Turnitin

• Complete the following:

A woman is sexually harassed by a top-level senior executive in a large company. She sues the company, and during settlement discussions

she is offered an extremely large monetary settlement. In the agreement, the woman is required to confirm that the executive did

nothing wrong, and after the agreement is signed the woman is prohibited from discussing anything about the incident publicly. Before

the date scheduled to sign the settlement agreement, the woman's lawyer mentions that she has heard the executive has done this

before, and the settlement amount is very large because the company probably had a legal obligation to dismiss the executive previously.

The company however wants to keep the executive because he is a big money maker for the company.

1. What are the issues of integrity, ethics and social responsibility posed in the case study? Identify and clearly describe all the issues

2. What options does the woman have and what ethical theories (e.g. utilitarianism, deontology, etc.) can she use to help guide her

decision making? You may argue more than one theory. Cite your sources.

3. What additional sources or case studies can you use to support your idea(s) about what she should do and why? Cite your sources.

4. What ethical theories can the company use to justify their decisions? Cite your sources.

Formalities:

• Wordcount: 1000 to 1500 words

• Cover, Table of Contents, References and Appendix are excluded of the total wordcount.

• Font: Arial 11 pts.

• Text alignment: Justified.

• The in-text References and the Bibliography must be in Harvard’s citation style.

Submission: Week 4 – Via Moodle (Turnitin). Due before 21 February 2021 at 23:59.

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.

• 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 cites 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.