Business Ethics Assignment 2 Spring 2013-2014 1

BANKING ACADEMY, HANOI

BTEC HND IN BUSINESS (Accounting)

ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET

NAME OF STUDENT VN: EN:
REGISTRATION NO.
UNIT TITLE Unit 45: Business Ethics
ASSIGNMENT TITLE Research a Current Ethical Issue
ASSIGNMENT NO 2 of 2 (individual report)
NAME OF ASSESSOR Mr. John Andre
SUBMISSION DEADLINE 11 June 2014




I, __________________________ hereby confirm that this assignment is my own work and not
copied or plagiarized from any source. I have referenced the sources from which information is
obtained by me for this assignment.




________________________________ _________________________

Signature Date










----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR OFFICIAL USE (Course Administrator)

Assignment Received By: Date:


Business Ethics Assignment 2 Spring 2013-2014 2
Unit Outcomes
Outcome
Evidence for the
criteria
Feedback Assessors decision
Internal
Verification

First
attempt
Re-
work

Understand
ethics in
workplace
relationships

LO3

Assess the role of the
company acting as
moral agent
3.1


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


Be able to
assess a
current ethical
issue in a
business

LO4
Research a current
ethical issue affecting
a selected business
4.1


Report on how the
business could
improve the ethics of
their operations whilst
meeting objectives
and ensuring good
employer/employee
relationships
4.2


Design a suitable
ethical code
4.3


Merit grades awarded M1 M2 M3


Distinction grades awarded D1 D2 D3


Business Ethics Assignment 2 Spring 2013-2014 3
Outcome
Evidence for the
criteria
Feedback Assessors decision
Internal
Verification

First
attempt
Re-
work



Assignment

( ) Well-structured; Reference is done properly / should be done (if any)


Overall, youve






Areas for improvement:









ASSESSOR SIGNATURE DATE / /


NAME: ..........................................................................................

(Oral feedback was also provided)

STUDENT SIGNATURE DATE / /


NAME : ..............................................................................

FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
VERIFIED YES NO

DATE : ...........................................................................
VERIFIED BY : ...........................................................................
NAME : ...........................................................................

Business Ethics Assignment 2 Spring 2013-2014 4
SCENARIO

Source: http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/1979-owning-iphone-ethical.html
Recent media reports and ongoing protests over the reportedly abhorrent working
conditions at factories where Apple's iPhones are produced have left socially conscious
Americans with a dilemma: Is it ethical to own an iPhone?
For many Americans, even those who support socially responsible manufacturing and
business practices, their iPhones and iPads have become must-have devices for both work
and personal use. Now they're being forced to ask themselves whether they are willing to
ignore strong evidence that their beloved devices are being made by mistreated and
underpaid employees.
The charges of mistreatment of the workers who create Apple's products are not new. They
have, however, gained mainstream momentum during the last months. The contradiction of
Apple's $13 billion in profits in the fourth quarter of 2011 juxtaposed against images and
stories of worker rights violations have painted a less than shining portrait of the tech giant.
According to a Jan. 25, New York Times report, the Foxconn Technology factory, where
Apple manufactures many of their products, has repeatedly been criticized for ethics
violations and socially irresponsible working conditions. Violations included in the report
included:
Crowded dormitories where many workers were forced to live.
Workers forced to stand until their legs were swollen and they were unable to walk
Underage workers
Improper waste removal.
Wages of less than $17 to $22 a day.
Multiple suicide attempts by workers, including a recent instance where 150 workers
threatened to jump off a roof due to a work and pay dispute.
Apple itself acknowledges the violations. It conducted 229 audits of supplier factories in
2011 and found 93 violations of exceeding the 60-hour workweek limit and a similar number
of workers working six or more days a week. More information can be found at the Apple
Supplier Responsibility webpage.
That does not take into account two separate explosions last year at factories producing
iPads, which killed four people and injured dozens more. Another violation occurred in
January 2010 at an Apple factory owned by Wintek in which 137 workers were injured when
they were forced to use a known dangerous chemical, n-hexane, to clean glass screens. It
was used anyway because it dissolved three times faster than rubbing alcohol, meaning that
more screens could be cleaned in a day.
These violations have prompted a strong response against Apple, including a Change.org
petition that as of Feb. 1 had 154,581 signatures asking Apple to protect workers making
Business Ethics Assignment 2 Spring 2013-2014 5
products in factories overseas. Another petition, started on Sumofus.org, also asked Apple
to make the iPhone 5 ethically.
While Apple was mentioned in many of these reports, Apple is not the only company
engaging in socially irresponsible manufacturing practices. According to the New York
Times, it is estimated that 40 percent of the world's consumer electronics are made at
Foxconn factories in China, where the company employs 1.2 million people. Hewlett-
Packard, Samsung and Dell are among the many other companies that use Foxconn factories
to produce their products.
The reality of the situation forces consumers to ask themselves where they stand on the
issue. The question is: If you need electronic tools and devices, such as an iPhone or laptop,
to run your business and no other brands offer a socially responsible and ethical alternative,
is it ethical to own these products since they are needed?
According to Janice Lawrence, director of the Business Ethics Program at the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln, the answer lies with one's personal judgment.
"Technology has blurred the line between work and home life," Lawrence said. "For
example, it allows us to receive email or phone and text messages after working hours. In
the same manner, technology has blurred business ethics and personal ethics. This dilemma
is a good example of that."
"The advances in the functional capabilities of these electronic products make them
'necessary' in the workplace," Lawrence said. "The decision to ignore the facts of the
overseas production of the electronic tools is not necessarily unethical for a company using
such products. Corporate social responsibility is composed of economic, legal, ethical and
philanthropic responsibilities, in descending order of obligation. Economic responsibility
comes first, and these products are needed to run the business. So using them is not
unethical for the company."
While businesses may not be unethical for using these products, people need to make
individual decisions based on their own personal beliefs, Lawrence said.
"In the absence of company policy addressing the ethics of vendors, the personal ethics of
the user comes in play and brings with it another layer of questions to consider," Lawrence
said. "To what extent is the user personally responsible for the production or in this case,
encouraging the production of these products? Can the user personally accept the
circumstances of the production? What are the consequences to the user of refusing to use
such products?"
The question is a difficult one for iPhone users. To iPhone user Barry Weinstein, owner of
Pillowcase Studies, the problem is unfortunate, but in his opinion, true change will only
come from a widespread transformation of the system, not a boycott of specific
manufacturers.
"The situation in China is terrible, but boycotting products that assist the local economy will
have little effect on the improvement of working conditions the Chinese labor force works
under," Weinstein said. "The best we can do is work to improve the global economy so that
Business Ethics Assignment 2 Spring 2013-2014 6
such conditions no longer exist. By boycotting large companies, not only are the conditions
still going to be bad, but many factory workers will become unemployed."

Your Role:
You have just been promoted to Chief Ethics Officer of Snake Oil, Ltd and your first
assignment in your new position is to choose a prospective Vietnamese client company and
give an introductory engagement presentation. The goal of this report is to show the
executives at the chosen firm the importance and benefits of operating as an ethical firm.
When choosing the company, you should find one which has a current or very recent (within
the last three years) ethical issue which has been reported in the media. Your presentation
should convince the company that they should hire Snake Oil by giving the executives a
sample of free advice, ideally showing your creativity in solving their ethical problem.

Your Task: Give a multi-media presentation
Task 1: Explain the impact of ethics in workplace relationships relating to Apple
3.1 Assess the role of Apple acting as moral agent
3.2 Analyse the development of mechanisms for achieving employee involvement and
empowerment and discuss employee involvement at Apple

Task 2: Assess a current ethical issue in a business (not Apple)
4.1 Research a current ethical issue affecting your 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, citing flaws in the companys existing ethical code, if it
has one

GRADING

Pass is achieved by meeting all the requirements defined in the assessment
criteria. (Refer to page 2 of the assignment brief)


Merit Select and apply appropriate methods/techniques (M2)

Characteristics / Possible Evidence Complex information regarding
business ethics has been synthesized and processed.

Present and communicate appropriate findings (M3)

Characteristics / Possible Evidence Presentation of analysis and
recommendations is appropriate for those familiar and unfamiliar with
the subject of business ethics.


Distinction Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions
(D1)
Business Ethics Assignment 2 Spring 2013-2014 7
Characteristics / Possible Evidence the validity of the assessment
criteria has been evaluated against a reliable standard.

Take responsibility for managing and organizing activities (D2)

Characteristics / Possible Evidence independence demonstrated and
substantial activities have been planned, managed, and organized
related to the application of business ethics.

Demonstrate convergent, lateral and creative thinking (D3)

Characteristics / Possible Evidence innovation and creative thought
have been applied to the improvements suggested (in outcome 4.2).


To achieve a PASS, students answers should display clear presentation of
information / data collected. As a member in group discussion, students should
contribute positively.

To achieve a MERIT, students answers should display clear, concise presentation of
information / data collected. As a member in group discussions, student should
contribute positively towards others opinions and offer constructive advice /
suggestions.

To achieve a DISTINCTION, students answers should display clear, concise and
analytical presentation of information / data collected. As a member in group
discussions, student should contribute positively and offer constructive advice /
suggestions. Information should share with all members of the group.

PRESENTATION

Your slides should have a cover page that includes the assignment title,
assignment number, course title, module title, Lecturer/tutor name and
students name. Attach only the marking pages of assignment brief with your
slides and leave them blank for official use.
Ensure that authenticity declaration has been signed.
This is an individual 9-12 minute presentation.
You should include professionally presented slides.
You must acknowledge the sources of information and evidence using the
Harvard referencing system.
Submit both a hard (printed) and soft (electronic in PPTX format) copy by the
deadline listed above or provided by the school.


Business Ethics Assignment 2 Spring 2013-2014 8
NOTES TO STUDENTS FOR SUMMISSION
Check carefully the submission date and the instructions given with the
assignment. Late assignments may not be accepted.
Ensure that you give yourself enough time to complete the assignment by the
due date.
Do not leave things such as printing to the last minute excuses of this nature
will not be accepted for failure to hand-in the work on time.
You must take responsibility for managing your own time effectively.
If you are unable to hand in your assignment on time and have valid reasons
such as illness, you may apply (in writing) for an extension.
Failure to achieve a PASS grade will results in a REFERRAL grade being
given.
Take great care that if you use other peoples work or ideas in your
assignment, you properly reference them in your text and any bibliography.
Failure to follow any of these instructions may cause you to fail for submitting
improperly.
NOTE: If you are caught plagiarizing, the University policies and
procedures will apply.