BUSINESS ETHICS

WEEK 1 Assignment:

Responses to each question should fully answer and explore the question, may be less than or around 500 words (or whatever word count fully answers each question), and should be supported with scholarly research from your textbook and also often from outside internet sources, excluding wiki sources. Remember that well-written responses do not need to be excessively wordy. Be sure to paraphrase and cite your sources. Refer to APA.

Check Your Understanding (40%):

1. Why do we study ethics?

2. Why should we be concerned about doing “the right thing”?

3. If each of us has a unique set of influences and values that contribute to our personal value systems, how can that be applied to a community as a whole?

4. Based on the history of business ethics reviewed in chapter 2, do you think the business world is becoming more or less ethical? Explain

5. How would you propose the resolution of an ethical dilemma using the golden rule?

Exercises (20%) approx 750 words

1. Visit the following site: http://www.cfainstitute.org/ethics/codes/ethics/pages/index.aspx

a. What is the purpose of this organization?

b. What is the organization’s pledge?

c. Record three different codes/pledges/oaths from those listed on the site and discuss why they are important to you

d. Write your own pledge on a topic that is important to you (maximum of two paragraphs)

Case Study (40%) approx 750 words

Read issues one and two from Taking Sides. Choose one issue to respond to. Which viewpoint do you side with? Why? Explain. Reference at least two outside resources that further support the view point you side with.

WEEK 2 Assignment

Start by reading and following these instructions:

1. Quickly skim the questions or assignment below and the assignment rubric to help you focus.

2. Read the required chapter(s) of the textbook and any additional recommended resources.  Some answers may require you to do additional research on the Internet or in other reference sources.  Choose your sources carefully.

3. Consider the discussion and the any insights you gained from it.

4. Create your Assignment submission and be sure to cite your sources, use APA style as required, check your spelling.

This is a benchmark assignment for the School of Information Technology MISM Master’s Program students. Store your submission with any grading feedback in your Professional’s Portfolio and use the following tag:

MISM Tag:  MISM-UMG1

Assignment:

Responses to each question should fully answer and explore the question, may be less than or around 500 words (or whatever word count fully answers each question), and should be supported with scholarly research from your textbook and also often from outside internet sources, excluding wiki sources. Remember that well-written responses do not need to be excessively wordy. Be sure to paraphrase and cite your sources. Refer to APA.

Check Your Understanding (40%):

1. Consider the functional departments reviewed in chapter 3. Which department do you think faces the greatest number of ethical challenges? Why?

2. Provide three examples of unethical behavior that you have observed at the company you work or (or worked for in the past). What were the outcomes of this behavior?

3. What are “Creative book keeping techniques”? Provide three examples.

4. Explain the potential ethical challenges presented by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

Exercises (20%)

Complete the “Internet Exercise” on page 58 of Business Ethics Now.

Case Study (40%) approx. 500 to 750 words

Review Issue 5 from Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Business Ethics and Society. Which viewpoint do you side with? Why? Explain. Reference at least two outside resources that further support the viewpoint you side with.

Week 3 Assignment

Start by reading and following these instructions:

1. Quickly skim the questions or assignment below and the assignment rubric to help you focus.

2. Read the required chapter(s) of the textbook and any additional recommended resources. Some answers may require you to do additional research on the Internet or in other reference sources. Choose your sources carefully.

3. Consider the discussions and the any insights gained from it.

4. Create your Assignment submission and be sure to cite your sources, use APA style as required, check your spelling.

This is a benchmark assignment for the School of Information Technology MISM Master’s Program students. Store your submission with any grading feedback in your Professional’s Portfolio and use the following tag:

MISM Tag: MISM-PG6

Assignment:

Responses to each question should fully answer and explore the question, may be less than or around 500 words (or whatever word count fully answers each question), and should be supported with scholarly research from your textbook and also often from outside internet sources, excluding wiki sources. Remember that well-written responses do not need to be excessively wordy. Be sure to paraphrase and cite your sources. Refer to APA.

Check Your Understanding (40%):

1. Define Corporate Social Responsibility.

2. Provide four examples of corporation’s legal obligations.

3. Define and contrast the instrumental model of corporate management with the social contract model of corporate management.

4. List and explain the five major trends driving CSR

5. Explain why organizations are struggling to adopt CSR initiatives.

6. Explain the term “triple bottom line”

Exercises (20%) DB4.2 – approx. 500 words

Review and critique the CSR policies of a Fortune 100 company of your choice. What are the strengths of the strategies? Where might the corporation focus to improve their CSR strategies?  (500 word essay)

Case Study (40%) approx. 500 words

Read issues 3 and 14 from Taking Sides. Choose one issue to respond to. Which view point do you side with? Why? Explain. Reference at least two outside resources that further support the view point you side with.

Week 4 Assignment:

Responses to each question should fully answer and explore the question, may be less than or around 500 words (or whatever word count fully answers each question), and should be supported with scholarly research from your textbook and also often from outside internet sources, excluding wiki sources. Remember that well-written responses do not need to be excessively wordy. Be sure to paraphrase and cite your sources. Refer to APA.

Check Your Understanding (40%):

1. Explain the term corporate governance

2. Explain the importance of the “King I” and “King II’ reports.

3. Why do corporations need a board of directors?

4. What is the value of adding “outside directors?”

Exercises (20%) approx. 250 words

1. Which is more important to effective corporate governance: an audit committee or a compensation committee? Why? Explain your answer.

Case Study (40%) approx. 500 words

Review issues 4, 8, 9, 12, and 13 from Taking Sides. Choose one issue to respond to. Which viewpoint do you side with? Why? Explain. Reference at least two outside resources that further support the viewpoint you side with.

Week 5 Assignment:

Responses to each question should fully answer and explore the question, may be less than or around 500 words (or whatever word count fully answers each question), and should be supported with scholarly research from your textbook and also often from outside internet sources, excluding wiki sources. Remember that well-written responses do not need to be excessively wordy. Be sure to paraphrase and cite your sources. Refer to APA.

Check Your Understanding (40%):

1. What was the primary purpose of the FCPA?

2. What was the maximum fine for a U.S.corporation under the FCPA?

3. Which two distinct areas did the FCPA focus on?

4. List four examples of routine governmental action

5. What are the three steps in calculating financial penalties under FSGO?

6. Explain the seven steps of an effective compliance program.

7. What were the three key components of the 2004 Revised FSGO?

8. Explain the role of the PCAOB.

9. What are the five key requirements for auditor independence?

10. What issues prompted the revision of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations in 2004?

Exercises (20%) approx 350 to 400 words

1. Which is the most effective piece of legislation for enforcing ethical business practices: FCPA, FSGO, SOX, or Dodd-Frank? Explain your answer.

Case Study (40%)  – approx 500 words

Review issues 6 and 7 from Taking Sides. Choose one issue to respond to. Which viewpoint do you side with? Why? Explain. Reference at least two outside resources that further support the viewpoint you side with.

Week 6 Assignment:

Responses to each question in the “Check your Understanding” section should fully answer and explore the question, may be less than or around 300 words (or whatever word count fully answers each question), and should be supported with scholarly research from your textbook and also often from outside internet sources, excluding wiki sources. Remember that well-written responses do not need to be excessively wordy. Be sure to paraphrase and cite your sources. Refer to APA.

Check Your Understanding (40%): approx 1200 words

1. Why are whistle-blowers regarded as models of honor and integrity?

2. Which whistle-blowing option is better for an organization—internal or external? Why?

3. Why would an organization decide to ignore evidence presented by a whistle-blower?

4. Is it reasonable for a whistle-blower to expect a guarantee of anonymity?

Essay: (20%) (approx 750 words)

Familiarize yourself with the whistleblower protection laws in your state. Beyond a Google search, you may find the resources at the National Whistleblowers Center at www.whistleblowers.org  useful in this task. After this initial research, briefly describe an example of a case in your state where these protections were used. Then describe what outcomes obtained in this case. Attempt to find out what happened to the whistleblower in this case as well as the  parties who were impugned. In your opinion, did the laws work as they were intended? 

Case Study (40%) (approx 500 words)

Review issues 10 and 15 from Taking Sides. Choose one issue to respond to. Which viewpoint do you side with? Why? Explain. Reference at least two outside resources that further support the viewpoint you side with.

Week 7 Assignment

Start by reading and following these instructions:

1. Quickly skim the questions or assignment below and the assignment rubric to help you focus.

2. Read the required chapter(s) of the textbook and any additional recommended resources. Some answers may require you to do additional research on the Internet or in other reference sources. Choose your sources carefully.

3. Consider the discussions and any insights gained from it.

4. Create your Assignment submission and be sure to cite your sources, use APA style as required, check your spelling.

This is a benchmark assignment for the School of Information Technology MST&I Master’s Program students. Store your submission with any grading feedback in your Professional’s Portfolio and use the following tag:

MST&I Tag: MST&I: UMG1

Assignment:

Responses to each question should fully answer and explore the question, may be less than or around 500 words (or whatever word count fully answers each question), and should be supported with scholarly research from your textbook and also often from outside internet sources, excluding wiki sources. Remember that well-written responses do not need to be excessively wordy. Be sure to paraphrase and cite your sources. Refer to APA.

Check Your Understanding (40%):

1. Distinguish between thin and thick consent.

2. You have just been issued a new company blackberry. Are you now obligated to answer work related calls and emails at any time, day or night? Why or why not?

3. Would you use that new Blackberry for personal calls and emails? Why or why not?

4. Discuss the ethical ramifications of recent technological advances.

Exercises (20%) – approx. 350 words

1. Visit the Web site for the LRN corporation at www.lrn.com and answer the following questions:

a. What does the LRN corporation do?

b. What are the five core values of the LRN culture?

c. What is the stated purpose of the LRN-RAND Center for Corporate Ethics, Law and Governance?

Case Study (40%) approx 500 words

Review issues 11, 16, and 19 from Taking Sides. Choose one issue to respond to. Which viewpoint do you side with? Why? Explain. Reference at least two outside resources that further support the viewpoint you side with.

WEEK 8 Assignment

Start by reading and following these instructions:

1. Quickly skim the questions or assignment below and the assignment rubric to help you focus.

2. Read the required chapter(s) of the textbook and any additional recommended resources. Some answers may require you to do additional research on the Internet or in other reference sources. Choose your sources carefully.

3. Consider the discussions and any insights gained from it.

4. Create your Assignment submission and be sure to cite your sources, use APA style as required, check your spelling.

Assignment:

Signature Assignment Title: Exploratory Essay

Signature Assignment Directions:   

Case Study approx. – 500 words

Review issues 15, 18, and 20 from Taking Sides. Choose one issue to respond to. Which viewpoint do you side with? Why? Explain. Reference at least two outside resources that further support the viewpoint you side with.

PLANS Assignment – 1500 words

Identify an industry or business in which you are interested. This could be a career interest area or even an organization that could serve as the context for your Capstone Project (See PLANS Depot). Considering this industry or business, what are some of the ethical or corporate social responsibility (CSR) issues that you believe warrant greatest attention on the part of organizational leaders? Why are these issues important? What are some practical approaches that leaders might take to achieve more ethically responsible performance in these areas? Why haven’t leaders done this to date? Do you think higher performance in this area might produce higher profitability? Support your arguments.