To help continue to make the connections between business ethics concepts and real-world application, you will you will select an ethical issue you care about that was not already debated in class, conduct research from at least two highly credible sources in addition to the textbook, and write a paper.
Steps
1. Select and research an ethical related topic: Possible topics include but are not limited to:
o Organizations and individuals doing “the right thing” or practicing poor ethics.
o Social responsibility; employment discrimination, harassment.
o Current business scandals; corporate codes of ethics; CEO compensation.
o Corporate ethics: i.e. insider trading; whistle-blower investigation; criminal fraud
o Privacy issues: consumer privacy; workplace surveillance issues
o Environmental abuses by corporations; product dumping.
o Outsourcing, employment abuses such as wages, working conditions, child labor
Example “Positive” Topics
• The most ethical Bay Area companies to work for
• The core values of being an American
• Best Companies to work for
• Review the corporate social responsibilities or environmentally ethical practices of a company of your choice
Example “Negative” Topics
• Explore how climate change is impacting California through the cal-adapt.org
• International sweat shops: children in India forced to make holiday decorations; Chinese labor camps
2. Research and Cite a minimum of two high credible sources in addition to the textbook: Research sources published ideally in the last three to six months, but they can also be from any time in 2015-18. Books used can be older. Use respected, recognized national or international news sources such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Washington Post, Business Week, or Forbes. You may also use a local publication such as The San Francisco Chronicle. Sources such as Wikipedia, Ask.com, and Youtube are examples of sources not acceptable for this assignment. Online links to numerous credible sources are available through the Library Guide (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. in the “Modules” section of Canvas.
3. Write a minimum of 4 page double-spaced paper
o Assignments must be typed using 12 point Arial, Times New Roman, or Cambria font size and a 1” margin space along borders.
o Margins may not be wider than 1” on any of the four sides.
o One page = one full page, not ¼, or ½ page. Each 1/4 less than the assigned length will receive up to a 15% reduction per quarter page less than the assigned length.
o DO NOT TURN IN YOUR FIRST DRAFT. 75% of your time writing should be spent first revising your first draft for organization and clarity and then proofreading your second draft for grammar and punctuation. Plan to review the paper 3-4 times before submitting a college level paper free of spelling and grammatical errors.
o Reference all the material in your work using MLA format. This includes the textbook, websites, articles, books, manuals, emails, or interviews. These citations should be made at the conclusion of the document with a new heading titled “References, “Bibliography” or “Works Cited.”
• Grade will be reduced for papers less than three pages, or work not written at college level English.
4. On the top of the paper write your name, the date, and the title of the assignment: Business Ethics Brief on the upper right side of the page. Then provide a title describing the topic you are covering and a summary of the article in your own words. Include:
1. What is the Reason you selected the topic? Why does this topic interest you.
2. Why is the topic important? This can be the importance this topic has to you as well as others.
3. Summary: Summarize the articles in 3 to 4 paragraphs in your own words without plagiarizing (copying word-for-word) or paraphrasing (changing a few words).
4. Ethical Concepts Raised: Provide clear analysis of at least four ethical concepts in at least three separate chapters that have been discussed such , Golden rule ,universal ethics , virtue ethics from chapter one , Second organization behaviors , the ethics of whistle -blowing from chapter 8 this course from various chapters 1-10 (not just one chapter) as they relate to your topic. Demonstrate in your analysis that you understand and can apply each ethical concept to the topic you selected.
5. Your opinion: Give your personal opinions and explain why. This could include the relevance of the topic to your life, career and/or education.
6. Cite your work: Include citations in correct MLA format. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. This paper will be examined for originality using plagiarism detection software, VeriCite.
