Understand different ethical perspectives

Assessment Brief

Scenario

You have applied for a position as the Director for Social Responsibility for an International food company.  The company has a reputation amongst its suppliers for trading ethically, and has supported the ‘Fair Trade’ campaign since its inception. However, the company is aware that it does not always act as ethically towards its other stakeholders, and is keen to improve its ethical credentials with ALL its stakeholders.

Prior to the interview, you have been asked to submit an appropriate document (covers M3) of approx. 1500 words, that demonstrates your understanding of ethical trading, which the interview panel will then use to question you. 

Task 1

You must answer the following in the document:

1) Compare and contrast absolute (deontological) and relative (teleological) ethics and explain the background and development of them. [1.1, 1.2]

2) Choose 2 ethical issues (Corporate Social Responsibility, Human Rights, Legal and Regulatory Compliance, Corruption, Working Conditions) and explain how they could affect the operations activities of the International Food Company. [1.3]

Learning Outcomes Covered

LO1 - Understand different ethical perspectives in business

1.1 explain the background and development of theoretical ethical approaches

1.2 compare and contrast absolute and relative ethics

1.3 explain the ethical issues which can affect the operational activities of a business

Assessment Brief

Task 2

Scenario

You have now been approached by a local business magazine to write an article (M3) about ethics and how it affects businesses.

For your article, you have been asked to cover the topics and points given below in the context of your employer, i.e. an international food company.

Your article must be approximately 1500 words, to fit into the publication space available, and the copy deadline is xx xxxxxxx 201x.

Task 2

Within your article you are required to :

• Providing examples, in context, explain how business objectives can be  affected by ethical objectives / considerations. [2.1]

• Evaluate the implications for a business and its stakeholders to operate ethically [2.2]

Learning Outcomes Covered

LO2 Understand business objectives from an ethical perspective

2.1 explain how business objectives are affected by ethical considerations

2.2 evaluate the implications for a business and its stakeholders to operate ethically

Assessment Brief

Scenario

Your last article (LO2) was a success and, as a result, you have now been asked to write a general article for the Institute of Business Ethics.

The topics you have been asked to cover are detailed below and, as before, the article must be approximately 1500 words.

Task 3

3.1 Assess the role of the company acting as moral agent and give examples of how a business might achieve this.

3.2 Analyse the development of mechanisms for achieving employee involvement and empowerment and give examples of how this might be done.

Learning Outcomes Covered

LO3 Understand ethics in workplace relationships

3.1 Assess the role of the company acting as moral agent

3.2 Analyse the development of mechanisms for achieving employee involvement and empowerment

Assessment Brief

Scenario

The scenario is an existing UK business of your choice that has recently faced an ethical issue and for which you can provide independent research.

Task 4

• Research a current ethical issue affecting a UK business of your choice & provide your research as an appendix – you should print / photocopy information & articles you have found in your research.

• Write a report to explain how the business could improve the ethics of its operations whilst meeting objectives and ensuring good employer/employee relationships

• Design a suitable ethical code, which reflects your outcomes from 4.2 above.

Learning Outcomes Covered

LO4 Be able to assess a current ethical issue in a business

4.1  Research a current ethical issue affecting a selected business

4.2 Report on how the business could improve the ethics of their operations whilst meeting objectives and ensuring good employer/employee relationships

4.3 Design a suitable ethical code.