Case memo

Final Project

The Final Project is designed to assess student learning on specific course-related goals.  It is also designed to assess whether students are able to apply knowledge and skills gained from study in the course, as evidenced in the assigned paper. There are two phases to the final project: the issues/bibliography paper and the case study/final memorandum.

 

Phase II:  Case Study/Final Memorandum

The case study/final memorandum culminates in a complex memorandum to an executive officer of a company.   The case study/final memorandum focuses on developing, sharpening and applying critical thinking skills, in the context of recognizing, evaluating, and proposing a resolution for ethical issues that arise in managerial decision making.

Write the analysis in business memo format, addressed to Board of Directors for the company.  Make the memorandum from you, acting as hired consultant for the company.   

The case study to be analyzed, The Plumpy’nut Controversy, is attached. 

By completing this assignment, students will meet the outcome(s):

· identify ethical issues that arise in domestic and global business environments using an understanding of ethical concepts and of legal and business principles;

· develop and evaluate alternatives to, and recommend solutions for, ethical dilemmas, taking into account ethical and legal requirements and the essential mission of the business enterprise

· effectively communicate to internal and external business stakeholders the complexities of ethical issues, suggesting and analyzing various solutions in order to ensure appropriate business practices and accountability

Requirements of Case Study/Final Memorandum: 

· View Video: Nutrition for Niger – Plumpy’nut - 10:58 mins

60 Minutes segment by Anderson Cooper  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VSCMoRDp2c

· Read article:  The Purpose of Patents http://www.innovation.org/documents/File/Pharmaceutical_Patents.pdf

· Draft memo using the prescribe format (subheadings/sections) prescribed below;

· All sections must be comprehensive, in-depth and fully justified; 

· Resources from previously assigned course materials or from your own research may be used to justify and support rationale; 

· All in-text citations and resources must be in APA style;

· Submit the completed case in the Assignment Folder. 

· Make sure your discussion is founded on principles in the articel A Framework for Thinking Ethically [ http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/framework.html ]  and also use the Student Toolbox found in Table of Contents.  

The Final Memorandum must include the following sections and subheadings:

TO:

FROM:

RE:

DATE:

INTRODUCTION:  Brief 1-paragraph intro to subject of memo.

FACTS SUMMARY:  Summarize and explain the facts that are directly significant and relevant to the ethical dilemma in this case.  

Write at least 1 paragraph, or you may use an introductory sentence to be followed by a list of relevant facts with bullets. 

ETHICAL DILEMMA:  Briefly discuss in 1 paragraph, the either/or ethical dilemma facing the company.  Please refer to "Facts vs. Ethical Dilemma........" in the TOOLBOX for explanation, examples of dilemmas.  

ETHICAL ISSUES:  Explain three (3) of the most significant ethical issues related to, and arising from, the ethical dilemma and then, explain each ethical issue and why it is an ethical/moral issue, etc.  

For  each  ethical issue that you identify your discussion will:

· present the relevant, associated facts;

· specifically "name" the ethical issue;

· evaluate why the issue is an ethical issue - discuss how managers’ fiduciary duties, effects on all corporate stakeholders, etc.,  define the ethical  issue, and direct resolution of the issue.

ALTERNATIVES:   List, explain and justify 1 possible alternative/solution to address and resolve the ethical dilemma and EACH ethical issue discussed above. Each alternative should be comprehensive so that it addresses the related ethical issue.

Alternatives should be feasible, logical, directly related to resolving the ethical dilemma and addressing the ethical issues in the case.

Alternatives are expressed in the form of propositions or prescriptive statements suggesting action and are framed by asking the normative question, what could or should the company do? Consider consequences.  Identify relevant stakeholders, and the effects on each group, pros and cons, etc. of each alternative.   Apply ethical theories in context of your evaluations, but don’t over-do this aspect.  For example, teleological or consequentialist theorists would examine who the stakeholders are, both internal and external to the company, and the positive and negative consequences for each stakeholder group, etc.  

RECOMMENDATION:   Recommend 1 (and only 1) alternative from the three (3) alternatives suggested above.   Justify and explain your choice discussing:

· why you chose this alternative;

· how, specifically, the recommendation will address the ethical dilemma and ethical issues;

· how the recommendation will likely impact each relevant stakeholder group;

· pros and cons of your recommendation;

· feasibility of your recommendation;

· how the recommendation may be implemented;

· Apply ethical theories, resources from previously assigned course materials, or resources from your own research to justify and support your recommendation.   All in-text citations must be in APA style.

FUTURE IMPLICATIONS for RECOMMENDATION:  Discuss potential implications arising from your recommendation for: 

· the company

· other businesses within the industry

· other industries

CONCLUSION:   Summarize the case and its ethical issues, implications, etc.

Final Paper Case Study

The Plumpy’nut Controversy

 

Background:  In preparation for the final paper, review the video and article below.  Use information from these sources as well as the information below to complete the final project. 

Video: Nutrition for Niger – Plumpy’nut - 10:58 mins

60 Minutes segment by Anderson Cooper  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VSCMoRDp2c

 Article:   The Purpose of Patents  http://www.innovation.org/documents/File/Pharmaceutical_Patents.pdf

The Peanut Solution

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/magazine/05Plumpy-t.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

 

Plumpy'Nut: The lifesaver that costs... well, peanuts

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/plumpynut-the-lifesaver-that-costs-well-peanuts-8783650.html

 BACKGROUND STATEMENT:  According to the FAO, there were 925 million undernourished people in the world in 2010. Nearly 105 million children suffer from chronic malnutrition and 68 million children suffer from acute malnutrition. Of the 68 million children, 26 million children are suffering from the most severe form of malnutrition putting them close to death. Almost 5 million children die each year from malnutrition.  [1]

 

The Plumpy’nut®  Controversy

The formula for Plumpy’nut® is patented and the patent is held by a French company, Nutriset. (The name Plumpy’nut® is a registered trademark, though this is not the issue).  Currently, the production of Plumpy’nut® is concentrated in Nutriset’s main facility in France. This facility produced about 35,000 metric tons of Plumpy’nut in 2010.  Additionally, in a dozen countries such as Niger, Malawi and Kenya, Nutriset has set up a network of partnerships and franchises so that Plumpy'nut can be made locally and with locally-grown produce. These businesses provide jobs in developing countries where they are desperately needed.

UNICEF purchases almost 90 percent of the production capacity of the Nutriset facility in France.[2] At this time, the cost for a two month treatment for each child which includes approximately two to three Plumpy’nut bars per day is about $60.00.[3]   

Even though Nutriset’s production capacity is impressive, the volume is nowhere close to what is needed to combat the growing global epidemic of malnutrition in children.  The alarming numbers released by the FAO creates a sense of urgency that more should be done to increase production of Plumpy’nut. Nutriset’s current production is only supplying 1-2 million children suffering from malnutrition. [4] 

The United States has an enormous capacity to produce peanuts and would like to manufacture more Plumpy’nut so that more childrens’ lives can be saved. Nutriset will vigorously defend its patent. "If the US companies were able to beat the patent, the global volume of RUTFs would of course go up. But it would also mean the end for our local partners in Africa, who wouldn't be able to compete. That is not what we want." [5]

[1] 2011 world hunger and poverty facts and statistics. (2010, November 14). Retrieved March 6, 2011, fromhttp://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world hunger facts

 [2]  Rice, A. (2010, September 10). The peanut solution. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/magazine/05Plumpynut

 [3]  Id. at p. 2

 [4]  Schofield, H. (2010, April 8). Legal fight over hunger wonder-Product.    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8610427.html

[5]  Nutriset's communications manager, Remi Vallet, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8610427

 Final Paper Grading Rubric (30%)

	Outstanding	Superior	Good	Substandard	Failure
	10.50	8.93	7.88	6.83	5.78
Critical thinking/reasoning	demonstrates a high degree of critical thinking, is consistent in accurately interpreting questions & material; provides solid assumptions, reasoning & claims; thorough analysis & evaluation with sound conclusions	shows good critical thinking; accurately interprets most questions & material; usually identifies relevant arguments/reasoning/claims; offers good analysis & evaluation with fairly sound conclusions	shows occasional critical thinking; questions & material is at times accurately interpreted; arguments/reasoning/claims are occasionally explained; offers fair analysis & evaluation with a conclusion	shows little critical thinking, misinterprets questions or material; ignores or superficially evaluates; justifies little and seldom explains reasoning; draws unwarranted conclusions	lacks critical thinking consistently offers biased interpretations; ignores or superficially evaluates; argues using poor reasoning, and/or unwarranted claims
	10.50	8.93	7.88	6.83	5.78
Application of concepts/development	arguments or positions are well-supported with evidence from the readings/experience; ideas go beyond the course material and recognize implication and extensions of the material and concepts	arguments or positions are mostly supported by evidence from the readings and course content; ideas presented demonstrate student’s understanding of the material and concepts	arguments are more often based on opinion or unclear views than on position grounded  in the readings of material or external sources of material	arguments are frequently illogical and unsubstantiated; student may resort to ad hominem attacks on the author instead of making meaningful application of the material	a meaningful attempt to explain or support ideas does not exist
	4.50	3.83	3.38	2.93	2.48
Attention to instructions	demonstrated full understanding of requirements; responded to each aspect of assignment	demonstrated understanding of requirements; missed one minor aspect of assignment	demonstrated some understanding of requirements; missed a key element or two minor aspects of assignment	failed to show a firm understanding of requirements; missed two key elements or several minor aspects of assignment	did not demonstrate understanding of assignment requirements
	3.00	2.55	2.25	1.95	1.65
Clarity, including grammar	writing is clear and easy to follow; grammar and spelling are all correct;  formatting gives a professional look and adds to readability	most ideas are presented clearly; occasional spelling and/or grammar issues	wordy; some points require rereading to understand fully; more than an occasional spelling and/or grammar	unclear and difficult to understand; frequent spelling and grammar issues	largely incomprehensible writing/poorly written in terms of mechanics and structure.
	1.50	1.28	1.13	.98	.83
Adherence to APA style  (6th ed.)	no APA style errors	attempts in-text citation and reference list but 1 or 2 APA style errors are present	attempts in-text citation and reference listing; APA style errors are present: inconsistencies in citation usage can be found throughout the document	attempts either in-text citation or reference list but omits the other	no attempt at APA style