Assignment:
Read: Case 1 - Walmart Juggles Risks and Rewards
Read: Case 2 - The NCAA Has Many Balls in the Air
In the Chapter, we discuss the idea that ethics programs are a way for companies and organizations to improve their level of ethical decision making and conduct. Not only do large, multinational corporations benefit from these programs, but also schools, non-profit organizations, and other small businesses. In this assignment, we will explore two very different organizations and the ethics programs they have developed to increase ethical business conduct and compliance.
Walmart is a global corporation which started out as a small business. Walmart's mission is to help people live better lives and help them save money. However, the company has received much criticism because of the ethical issues it has with concern to numerous stakeholders. Walmart is trying to address these concerns and has made efforts to become a more socially responsible company.
College football has become much more than a popular sport. It has become a lucrative money-maker for many colleges and has made a significant impact on the culture of numerous schools. Because of its gaining popularity and the widespread influence it has, college football has opened up an area for business misconduct to occur. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was developed as an objective body to establish ethical rules and standards for college football. While each university administration is ultimately responsible for the behavior of its employees, NCAA promotes leadership and excellence so that the pressure to increase a good reputation and the level of revenue do not lead to ethical misconduct.
Using the concepts presented as well as information you have read in the Walmart and NCAA cases, please answer the following questions:
1. Assess how Walmart is managing ethics and social responsibility as one of the largest corporations in the world. Justify your answer.
2. Evaluate various ethical issues Walmart has faced and how the company responded to stakeholders. Briefly describe at least three examples.
3. What are Walmart's contributions to improving the well-being of consumers and the economic sustainability of society?
4. How does NCAA encourage collegiate football programs to develop a culture of ethics and compliance?
5. Is it a valid criticism that NCAA is based more on compliance than ethical values? Explain.
6. How can student athletes, coaches, and university administrators demonstrate a proactive response to ethics and compliance?
7. Evaluate both Walmart's and NCAA's efforts to achieve ethical responsibility within their organizations. Has Walmart's ethics and compliance program decreased the amount of employee misconduct? How have NCAA's efforts impacted college football to decrease the number of scandals? Have either company been successful? Justify your answer.
8. Do poorly written codes of conduct explain the level of misconduct in an organization? Why or why not?