Assignments: BUSINESS ETHIC CLASS
Part 1 Assignment
1. Define Corporate Social Responsibility.
2. Provide four examples of corporation's legal obligations.
3. Define and contrast the instrumental model of corporate management with the social contract model of corporate management.
4. List and explain the five major trends driving CSR
5. Explain why organizations are struggling to adopt CSR initiatives.
6. Explain the term "triple bottom line"
Exercises
Review and critique the CSR policies of a Fortune 100 company of your choice. What are the strengths of the strategies? Where might the corporation focus to improve their CSR strategies? (500 word essay)
Case Study
Read issues 3 and 14 from Taking Sides. Choose one issue to respond to. Which view point do you side with? Why? Explain. Reference at least two outside resources that further support the view point you side with.
Part 2 Assignment:
Check Your Understanding:
1. Explain the term corporate governance
2. Explain the importance of the "King I" and "King II' reports.
3. Why do corporations need a board of directors?
4. What is the value of adding "outside directors?"
Exercises
1. Which is more important to effective corporate governance: an audit committee or a compensation committee? Why? Explain your answer.
Case Study
Review issues 4, 8, 9, 12, and 13 from Taking Sides. Choose one issue to respond to. Which viewpoint do you side with? Why? Explain. Reference at least two outside resources that further support the viewpoint you side with.
Part 3 Assignment:
Check Your Understanding
1. What was the primary purpose of the FCPA?
2. What was the maximum fine for a U.S.corporation under the FCPA?
3. Which two distinct areas did the FCPA focus on?
4. List four examples of routine governmental action
5. What are the three steps in calculating financial penalties under FSGO?
6. Explain the seven steps of an effective compliance program.
7. What were the three key components of the 2004 Revised FSGO?
8. Explain the role of the PCAOB.
9. What are the five key requirements for auditor independence?
10. What issues prompted the revision of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations in 2004?
Exercises
1. Which is the most effective piece of legislation for enforcing ethical business practices: FCPA, FSGO, SOX, or Dodd-Frank? Explain your answer.
Case Study
Review issues 6 and 7 from Taking Sides. Choose one issue to respond to. Which viewpoint do you side with? Why? Explain. Reference at least two outside resources that further support the viewpoint you side with.
Part 4 Assignment:
Check Your Understanding
1. Why are whistle-blowers regarded as models of honor and integrity?
2. Which whistle-blowing option is better for an organization-internal or external? Why?
3. Why would an organization decide to ignore evidence presented by a whistle-blower?
4. Is it reasonable for a whistle-blower to expect a guarantee of anonymity?
Essay:
Familiarize yourself with the whistleblower protection laws in your state. Beyond a Google search, you may find the resources at the National Whistleblowers Center useful in this task. After this initial research, briefly describe an example of a case in your state where these protections were used. Then describe what outcomes obtained in this case. Attempt to find out what happened to the whistleblower in this case as well as the parties who were impugned. In your opinion, did the laws work as they were intended?
Case Study
Review issues 10 and 15 from Taking Sides. Choose one issue to respond to. Which viewpoint do you side with? Why? Explain. Reference at least two outside resources that further support the viewpoint you side with.
Part 5 Assignment:
Check Your Understanding
1. Distinguish between thin and thick consent.
2. You have just been issued a new company blackberry. Are you now obligated to answer work related calls and emails at any time, day or night? Why or why not?
3. Would you use that new Blackberry for personal calls and emails? Why or why not?
4. Discuss the ethical ramifications of recent technological advances.
Exercises
1. Visit the Web site for the LRN corporation and answer the following questions:
a. What does the LRN corporation do?
b. What are the five core values of the LRN culture?
c. What is the stated purpose of the LRN-RAND Center for Corporate Ethics, Law and Governance?
Case Study
Review issues 11, 16, and 19 from Taking Sides. Choose one issue to respond to. Which viewpoint do you side with? Why? Explain. Reference at least two outside resources that further support the viewpoint you side with.
Part 6 Assignment:
Title: Exploratory Essay
PLANS Assignment - 1500 words
Identify an industry or business in which you are interested. This could be a career interest area or even an organization that could serve as the context for your Capstone Project (See PLANS Depot). Considering this industry or business, what are some of the ethical or corporate social responsibility (CSR) issues that you believe warrant greatest attention on the part of organizational leaders? Why are these issues important? What are some practical approaches that leaders might take to achieve more ethically responsible performance in these areas? Why haven't leaders done this to date? Do you think higher performance in this area might produce higher profitability? Support your arguments.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.