business ethics unit V reflection paper

MBA 6301, Business Ethics 1

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit V Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

2. Assess the ethical issues facing business leaders.

3. Differentiate among the concepts of social responsibility, integrity, and business ethics.

6. Explain the pressures that influence ethical decision making in the organization.

Reading Assignment In order to access the following resource(s), click the link(s) below: Archer, D. (2008). Ensuring an ethical organization. CMA Management, 82(7), 32-36. Retrieved from

https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direc t=true&db=bth&AN=35687469&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Mojtahedi, M. H., & Lan Oo, B. (2014). Stakeholders' approaches to disaster risk reduction in built

environment. Disaster Prevention and Management, 23(4), 356-369. Retrieved from https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.libraryresources.c olumbiasouthern.edu/docview/1658531769?accountid=33337

Simola, S. (2014). Teaching corporate crisis management through business ethics education. European

Journal of Training and Development, 38(5), 483-503. Retrieved from https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.libraryresources.c olumbiasouthern.edu/docview/1650544486?accountid=33337

Unit Lesson It’s a Wonderful Life is a 1946 Christmas drama film based upon a short story “The Greatest Gift.” Critics consider the film one of the most popular in American cinema. Annual rebroadcasting has vaulted this film into classic status, and it is traditionally viewed during the Christmas season. The plot of the film revolves around George Bailey, who has given up most of his ambitions and plans to help others. For instance, George saved his younger brother who had fallen through the ice, which resulted in his losing hearing in one ear. Henry Potter represents a character that always seems to have luck on his side and who others often view as someone who takes advantage of George throughout the story. This scenario brings forward a whole series of ethical business situations, analyzing how one individual in the business takes advantage of another as a result of a high level of power, money, or position. Business situations involving power often relate to the idea of conflict of interest. One can define a conflict of interest as a situation within a business in which a person has multiple interests that modify his or her judgment when making decisions on behalf of the organization. A significant effect exists when the person making the decision holds a high level of power within the organization. Secrecy, corruption, and conflicts of interest have an unfortunate presence in some businesses and branches of government. A widely recognized form of coercion in business comes from gifts and entertainment. Although most major corporations have clamped down on this practice by instituting strict guidelines on what gifts a business can accept, this has only touched the tip of the iceberg. In some circles, people refer to these gifts as bribes or kickbacks.

UNIT V STUDY GUIDE Henry Potter in It’s a Wonderful Life—Ethical

Actions in Times of Business Issues Surrounding Tragic Events

MBA 6301, Business Ethics 2

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE

Title

As the story continues with George’s suicide on Christmas Eve, his guardian angel is introduced. The guardian angel demonstrates to George how all his courageous acts of kindness through his life had changed the lives of so many people around him in a significantly positive way. Through the wisdom of a guardian angel, a wholesome Christmas story is created. This story could also be related to tragic events in history, as we attempt to understand how these tragic events affect the ability of the people involved, bystanders, rescuers, and others to react ethically. Tragic times bring significant emotions, which lead to reactions that a normally ethical person might not have. These emotions range from selfishness and uncompassionate behavior, such as stealing through looting, kidnapping, extortion, and premeditated murder. This behavior can materialize due to people attempting to protect themselves, remorseful feelings, or feelings of guilt brought on by the event. A well-known fact is that, when in danger, the body goes into protective action with survival in mind. Outwardly, these actions may appear unethical and, in the end, are actually regretted by the individual. Unethical behavior during tragic times, while distinguished from unethical behavior in non-tragic times, still takes a toll on individuals and our nation as a whole. While empathy plays a part in this analysis, at the end of the day, unethical behavior is still unethical behavior. Click here to view an interactive presentation that covers the key concepts covered in Unit V. Click here to access the Unit V Presentation transcript.

Suggested Reading The videos below take a look at ethical behavior in times of tragedy. Copy and paste the web addresses below into your browser to access the videos: Jacobs, G. [Academy of Art University]. (2014, April 25). Code for America – Ethics & leadership panel [Video

file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOzOsOrmftc Nurses Talk. (2012, January 6). When disasters strike [Video file]. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dif4lPHgWnw Weaver, M. [PracticalBioethics]. (2011, December 22). Disaster ethics: An introduction by Michael Weaver,

MD [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmQOEnvpOEY