Business Ethics Overview

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of the total grade is attributed to continuous assessment?

15%

50% (correct)

25%

35%

Which of the following is NOT a component of the grading criteria?

Midterm exam

Final exam

Group project presentation

Participation in discussions (correct)

What is the primary objective of the group project presentation?

To complete the course requirements

To ensure group coherence in arguments

To apply course concepts to real-world ethical problems (correct)

To assess team members' individual performance

How many people can form a group for the project presentation?

Up to 8 Signup and view all the answers

What is the total percentage covered by the midterm exam?

35% Signup and view all the answers

Which topic is NOT covered in the first half of the sessions?

CSR conceptual bases Signup and view all the answers

What do students need to diagnose in their group project?

Underlying mechanisms causing ethical problems Signup and view all the answers

Which session covers 'Business and its internal constituents'?

Session 5 Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the course on Business Ethics?

The definition and role of ethics in business Signup and view all the answers

Which philosophical approach is emphasized in the Business Ethics course?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following objectives is NOT included in the course?

Learning advanced accounting practices Signup and view all the answers

What is the expected outcome concerning ethical dilemmas in the workplace?

Students will learn to address ethical dilemmas effectively Signup and view all the answers

Which topic is NOT covered in the initial sessions of the course?

Government regulations in marketing Signup and view all the answers

How does the course suggest students should view corporate social responsibility?

A vital aspect of ethical business practices Signup and view all the answers

What background do students need to effectively engage in the course material?

Understanding of business ethics theories Signup and view all the answers

What is the nature of the course's grading policy?

Evaluated through group presentations and participation Signup and view all the answers

What has been identified as a significant market segment for Shein?

Generation Z consumers Signup and view all the answers

What was a key finding of the investigation conducted by Public Eye regarding Shein's suppliers?

Employees worked excessive overtime. Signup and view all the answers

How many new items did Shein introduce in 2020, according to the report?

150,000 Signup and view all the answers

What type of pressure did David Hachfeld of Public Eye claim staff experienced?

Enormous pressure to complete tasks quickly Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of business ethics?

The examination of moral standards in business Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested as a reason for long working hours at Shein's suppliers?

Workers being paid per item produced Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential benefit for a company from unethical behavior, as discussed?

Increased market share Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT associated with moral standards?

Established by authority figures Signup and view all the answers

How do humans begin to distinguish moral from nonmoral norms?

Innately from the age of three Signup and view all the answers

What is one argument against the necessity of business ethics?

In a free market, profit pursuit guarantees maximum social benefit. Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum working week set by local labor laws that Shein's suppliers are violating?

40 hours Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was the reaction of Shein to the findings from the Public Eye report?

They stated they would review the report. Signup and view all the answers

What type of ethical question addresses the societal systems within which companies operate?

Systemic ethical questions Signup and view all the answers

According to one view, who holds the primary moral responsibility for corporate actions?

The managers and employees who execute actions of the corporation. Signup and view all the answers

What is ethical relativism in the context of business ethics?

The view that no single ethical standard is absolutely true for all cultures or companies. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about morality is true?

Moral norms apply everywhere, regardless of authority. Signup and view all the answers

What is a supporting argument for the relevance of business ethics?

Ethics is crucial for business survival and customer trust. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes business ethics from general ethics?

Business ethics focuses specifically on moral standards in business contexts. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements reflects a common perception about the relationship between ethics and profits?

Studies indicate that ethical practices can contribute to profits. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of ethics refers to the personal decisions and behavior of an individual?

Individual ethical questions Signup and view all the answers

What was Shein's revenue in 2022?

$22.7 billion Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Overview

Dr. Antonina Lisovskaia holds a Post-doctorate from the University of Barcelona and a PhD in Economics.
Course focus: Business ethics, grading policy, and participation valued for discussions.

Session Topics

Introduce ethics and business, exploring moral decision-making approaches and government-market interactions.
Discuss ecological considerations, consumer relations, employee issues, and CSR conceptual bases.
Conclude with a course summary and group presentations.

Course Objectives

Understand ethics' role in business, including moral values and issues within organizational environments.
Evaluate corporate social responsibility (CSR) relevance to ethical business practices.

Learning Outcomes

Recognize importance of ethical theories and frameworks in business.
Enhance skills to address ethical dilemmas in workplace settings.

Grading Policy

Continuous assessment accounts for 50%, midterm exam 35%, group presentation 15%, with a total of 100% for the course.
Midterm designed to test comprehension of readings and class discussions.

Group Assignment

Teams (up to 8) analyze ethical problems in a chosen organization, using various secondary sources for information.
Focus on diagnosing underlying issues causing ethical concerns.

Understanding Ethics

Ethics involves principles that define right and wrong behavior.
Moral standards are characterized by significant impacts, independence from authority, and impartiality.
Distinction between morality and law highlighted by moral norms being innate human understandings.

Business Ethics

Specifically examines moral standards within business settings, judging their implications for operations and conduct.

Ethical Questions

Systemic ethical inquiries target social, political, and economic business contexts.
Corporate ethical issues focus on specific organizational policies and impacts.
Individual ethical considerations address personal decisions and character.

Case Study: Shein

Shein, a fast-fashion brand, reached $22.7 billion in revenue in 2022, with significant online engagement.
Investigations revealed poor working conditions, including workers doing excessive overtime under immense pressure.

Business and Ethics Perspectives

Ethical perspectives on corporations range from viewing them as responsible entities to questioning the attribution of ethical qualities.
Arguments against business ethics suggest profit maximization supersedes ethical considerations and legal compliance suffices.
Support for business ethics includes its essential role in human activities, sustainable business practices, and the correlation between ethics and profitability.

Important Concepts

Ethical relativism claims no universal ethical standards exist across societies, stressing the subjective nature of ethics in business.

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of business ethics and its importance in organizational behavior. This quiz covers various aspects of ethical decision-making in the workplace. Perfect for students and professionals aiming to enhance their understanding of ethical practices.