BUSI 601. ETHICS, CSR and BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
ASSIGNMENT 2. MINI CASE STUDY
AN ETHICAL ANALYSIS
MIDTERM EXAM
DEADLINE: As announced in class
DESCRIPTION
Choose your case study from the list provided by your professor. Analyze it by applying all five approaches in ACU 5 (NOTE: changed to Week 5) and Aia’s Guide.
You are an Ethics Officer. Prepare a report addressed to your senior management and provide your recommendations to the manager of the company/organization.
You are expected to submit a maximum of 5 pages (double-spaced, 12-pt font, APA style) for this project. 1-2 pages for a draft, 0.5-1 page for feedback, and 1-2 pages for your final report. You can use 1 extra page for recommendations. It should be in one document in PDF format.
EXECUTION
1. Read your case study carefully and consider which five approaches you could apply.
2. Analyze by applying those five approaches through your own perspective as an Ethics Officer of the company in the case.
3. Draft your analysis and share it with the assigned classmate/peer for feedback.
4. Review the feedback and improve your draft and write up the final report.
5. Upload ALL your work (the draft, feedback with the name of your peer and final report) in ONE document through the link on your MyUCW portal before the deadline.
NOTE: Assignments submitted by email will NOT be accepted.
Mining Data
Jack Hall, a software developer for a large online retailer, was growing increasingly
uncomfortable with his company’s practices. While some of his company’s executives had been
publicly critical of the government collecting vast quantities of personal detail from email and
online activity, the company was particularly aggressive about mining data from its own
customers’ online activity for marketing purposes.
Jack talked with one of his friends, who worked for a local university, about his concerns. The
friend asked him three questions:
1. With whom does Jack have an ethical conflict – his company, or governmental policy,
which permits what the company is doing?
2. Is having an ethical conflict with your employer a sign that Jack should leave the
company?
3. What options are available to Jack and what should he do?
(Case prepared by Kirk O. Hanson, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University, USA)
On-time Delivery
Sanjay works for the maker of a high-end battery that is favored by many electronics
manufacturers. Two weeks ago one of their high volume- but also high maintenance – clients
placed a larger order with Sanjay for these batteries. Sanjay promised four-week delivery, as
that is what he was told by manufacturing. The client called today, saying he just wanted to
confirm the batteries would be delivered on time, as he would have to shut down his assembly
line if they were late. Sanjay knows, due to shortages elsewhere in the supply chain, that there
is a 50/50 chance the batteries will now be late. He is sure the client would go ballistic if he
knew, cancelling the order, even though Sanjay still hopes the deadline will be met. He is
thinking of just saying “everything is on track” until he has more specific information that the
shipment will be late.
Is that the right thing to do? If not, what should he do?
(Case prepared by Kirk O. Hanson, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University, USA)
Rumors
A few months ago, Arielle Cruz, Head of the Sales and Marketing Department of Mariposa Real
Estate, formally announced to her staff that she will be leaving the company in order to be able
to concentrate on her family. She emphasized that since she will be leaving, there is room for a
promotion and that she would nominate their two top performers, Mary and Jane, to the
HRMD. In an effort to give herself an upper hand, Mary closes deals with three big clients two
days right after Arielle’s announcement.
Two weeks after Arielle’s announcement, stories about Mary’s promiscuity begin to make their
ounds and quickly become the mainstay headlines of office gossip. The most scandalous rumor
is that Mary offers sexual services to her clients – both male and female – in order to close her
sales. In the face of all these rumors, Mary continues to deliver excellent work.
The time has come to promote of the candidates. Based on performance, Mary is the better
candidate but both could do the job. Should you consider the rumors? What should you do?
(Case prepared by Gov. Jose B. Fernandez Jr. Ethics Center, Ateneo de Manila Univ., Philippines)