Week 7 & 8 Ethics

Week78DiscussionEthics.docx

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Please respond to the discussion topic items below by Thursday 11:59 PM US Eastern Standard Time (EST), and reply to at least two (2) other classmates posts by Sunday 11:59 PM EST. Respond to more classmates for a higher score in the Frequency rubric criteria area.

Make sure you support all of your posts and replies to classmate posts with in-text citations and corresponding references from the course materials and other research.

Be sure to review the information and rubric scoring criteria in the "Discussions - Read Me!" section under the Content tab of the course to understand the requirements and grading for these assignments. You should also read the "Learn How to Support What You Write - Must Read" section under the Content tab to learn more about acceptable methods of supporting your ideas, reasoning and thus the conclusions you have drawn in your posts and other assignments.

Discussion (there is only one discussion topic theme this week)

Alligator Cleansers (note: this is a fictitious company), a small company in the Southwest, markets a variety of cleaning products. Although the company competes with major national brands, it has had a strong local following, especially among the working class. One of its principal products is a fabric stain remover available only in liquid form. The new product manager for this fabric stain remover is Robert Whitney, who has worked at Alligator Cleansers for four years. Robert began his career at the company as assistant product manager for the liquid stain remover. When his old boss, the product manager, left the company, Robert was very pleased to be offered the job.

Robert faces a serious problem in his new position. Although the company's liquid stain remover is superior to national brands as a stain remover for most types of stains, sales have been declining recently. After doing some market research, Robert finds that customers are switching to other national brands. They are switching not because of the superior cleaning ability of the national brands but because these brands are available in aerosol spray forms! Consumers find the aerosol sprays much easier to apply and less messy than the Alligator Cleaners liquid stain remover product which tends to spill into areas of the fabric other than the stained area. Robert realizes that to remain competitive, an aerosol spray should be offered. After a short discussion with his research and development team at the firm Robert learns that the propellant necessary to make an aerosol spray form of the Alligator Cleaners stain remover contains hydrocarbons. Robert has read that hydrocarbons contribute to the creation of ozone in the lower levels of the earth’s atmosphere. During periods of extreme heat and stagnant air, ozone levels rise. Ozone irritates the respiratory system and can cause respiratory diseases. During periods of high ozone, ozone alerts are issued. At these times, people in the area are asked to avoid heavy exertion outdoors--especially the young, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems such as asthma.

Because of these concerns, Robert decides to do a study testing consumer attitudes about two new dispensers--an aerosol and a pump--and compare consumer reactions to their attitudes towards the original liquid. He hopes that the pump, which does not use hydrocarbons, is as acceptable as the aerosol. To his disappointment, consumers rate the pump equally with the liquid form but are very enthusiastic about the aerosol.

Robert is faced with a difficult task of deciding whether to offer the environmentally damaging aerosol version of the Alligator Cleaners stain remover product which has great potential of reversing declining sales of the product, or remain with the liquid form of the stain remover only. He knows he cannot appeal to consumers’ concern for the environment or health. If his target market were really concerned, they would not be switching to aerosol products offered by competitors.

Questions:

What are the relevant facts? Are the short-term wants and needs of customers more important than the potential long-term damage to the environment?

Should a company follow (e.g. copy) the competition even those competition is marketing a product which is environmentally unsafe and harmful to people?

What are the ethical issues and alternatives from a utilitarian, altruistic, and egoism perspective (we studied these ethical business perspectives in earlier weeks of the class!)? What about other ethical perspectives (more discussion credit for those students who expand more broadly on this topic!!!).

Be sure to use and cite references (APA format) to the course readings and other research you might have done (as appropriate to substantiate the points made) to support your response.

You must start a thread before you can read and reply to other threads

Week 7: Environmental Issues

Theme 1: Ethical Issues Related to the Environment

The Business Ethics Workshop (2012) Washington, DC: The Saylor Foundation

· Chapter 14: The Green Office: Economics and the Environment (pages 627-664)

· What is Environmental History

· Environmental Ethics?

· Perdue Farms Changes Rules for Chicken Care

· When some US firms move production overseas, they also offshore their pollution

· Fracking Is Dangerous To Your Health -- Here's Why

· Global Scarcity: Scramble for Dwindling Natural Resources

· The Needs of 7 Billion People

· Deforestation: Facts, Causes & Effects

· Environmental Racism

Theme 2: Sustainable Business Practices

· Stepping Towards Sustainable Business: An Evaluation of Waste Minimization Practices in US Manufacturing

· A Corporate Model of Sustainable Business Practices

· Environmental Sustainability in Business

Week 8 Discussion

Please respond to the Learning Activity below by Thursday 11:59 PM US Eastern Standard Time (EST), and reply to at least two (2) or more other classmates posts by Sunday 11:59 PM EST. Respond to more classmates for a higher score in the Frequency rubric criteria area.

Make sure you support all of your posts and replies to classmate posts with in-text citations and corresponding references from the course materials and other research.

Be sure to review the rubric scoring criteria in the "Learning Activities - Read Me! section under the Content tab of the course to understand the grading for these assignments. You should also read the "Learn How to Support What You Write - Must Read" section under the Content tab to learn more about acceptable methods of supporting your ideas, reasoning and thus the conclusions you have drawn in your posts and other assignments.

Discussion Topic (note: there is only one discussion topic theme this week)

This final week of our class is also devoted to thinking about the lessons we will take away from the course and discussion topics over the past eight weeks. What are our ethical responsibilities to ourselves and the business we work for? What responsibilities should employers have toward their employees and to society? How do we act ethically across the borders of many countries, with innovative technology, and environmental sustainability?

Be sure to use the course materials from all eight weeks of the class, and other research, to support and substantiate your responses.

You must start a thread before you can read and reply to other threads

Week 8: Global Business Issues

Theme 1: Global Business Ethics

· Global Business Ethics

Theme 2: Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

· US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Summary

· US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Full Text

· The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: An Overview

Sub Theme 1: Operating in China

· The Ten Principles For Doing Business In China

· A Pocket Guide to Doing Business in China