Assignment Title - Exploring Business Ethics

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

L02 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

LO3 Understand ethics in workplace relationships

3.1 assess the role of the company acting as moral

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

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.

Scenario

You are to be employed by a large multinational manufacturing corporation, ‘Ethics Inquirer’, as an ethics advisor. The company has decided to make an inquiry into of some the ethical issues being investigatedin several high profile companies.The CEO of the multinational corporation has decided to enforce training for senior staff in the organization to make them more aware of ethical issues that may arise in business.

Subsequently, you have been assigned with the task of preparing a document that outlines relevant information about business ethics , explore different ethical issues that may arise in business, and how a business may have to modify its objectives in order to satisfy ethical considerations.  Your work shall form the basis for future ethics training in the organization.

Task 1

In your capacity as an ethics advisor, produce a training aid document as outlined in the assignment brief. You could present task in report format or in a memo to your manager.  Your document or report needs to provide relevant and helpful information about ethics training for the use of Ethics Inquirer company discussed in the scenario.  In your document you are to explain the background and development of theoretical ethical approaches in business. More specifically, you should focus on the following concepts

• Deontological and teleological ethical theory

• Developments from these early approaches e.g. utilitarianism and other consequential approaches

• Early contributions of Kant and Mill

• Absolute and relative ethics

• Institute of Business Ethics”

You are then required to compare and contrast absolute and relative ethics.

Lastly, in your report, you are to explain the ethical issues which can affect the operational activities of Ethics Inquirer as a manufacturing company.

Task 2

In your reporting as an ethics advisor working for Ethics Inquirer, you are toexplain how business objectivesare affected by ethical considerations, you may also extend your discussion to Ethics Inquirer as an example of a manufacturing company. You are further required to evaluate the implications for Ethics Inquirerand its stakeholders to operate ethically.

Follow up your report with assessing the role of a company like Ethics Inquireracting as a moral agent and analyze the mechanisms for achieving employee involvement and empowerment

Task 3

In your preparation for your business ethics document, your manager at Ethics Inquirer has requested that you research a current ethical issue affecting a selected business of your own choice- current ethical issues are ones that have been raised recently in the media.

Document how the chosen business could improve the ethics of their operations whilst meeting objectives and ensuring good employer/employee relationships

Use the knowledge you have acquired in your research on current issues to design a suitable ethical code