PHI445: Personal & Organization Ethics

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Week Two continues the study of theories and paradigms underlying personal and organizational values and ethical principles, how personal values and ethical principles relate to the organizations in which people function, and the effects of the organization’s ethics on its reputation, functioning and performance. Week Two activities will address aspects of this theme.

Students will chapters 4, 5, and 6 in Week Two. Chapter 4 focuses on illuminating the profile of a consumer. The profile reveals a history, and an array of ethical business issues in which various consumer groups navigate. For example, a discussion transpires on the business technique of target marketing to vulnerable groups. Certain mental, physical, or economic conditions define vulnerable groups and make such groups especially susceptible to persuasive advertising. Chapter 5 involves an investigation of issues and arguments related to discrimination in the workplace. For example, three arguments based on preferential treatment are reviewed as a case against affirmative action. Chapter 6 covers a spectrum of ethics-related topics and issues involving employees. For example, from a topic perspective, the contractual theory of employment is explained in terms of capitalism where contracts are created between employer and employee for mutual benefit. From an issues perspective employer/employee responsibilities, hiring/firing, and whistle blowing are addressed.

In addition, students will also watch a video and read case studies listed as recommended readings.  The video covers legislation leading to court action against discrimination in the 1970s and 1980s. The case studies within the Recommended Readings section provide various ethical issues faced by Not-For-Profit and For-Profit organizations related to chapter 4, 5, & 6 topics.

 

Readings and Multimedia

  1. To successfully complete this week’s assignments, read the following chapters from the text, Introduction to Business Ethics:
    • Chapter 4 – Consumers
    • Chapter 5 – Discrimination in the Workplace
    • Chapter 6 – Employees
  2. To successfully complete this week’s discussion, Unintentional Discrimination, view the following video:
    • INTELECOM. (2002). Landmark legislation stimulates equal rights progress . Retrieved from http://searchcenter.intelecomonline.net/playClipDirect.aspx?id=E22DB555B562B46373F9CFC9B9DDA3ABDFD83EE692B891A3FA9079348633E5C7A84B722EA5B72AE34D3557F13B8064E7
      (The clip draws legal and economic relationships between discrimination and costs to employers who engage in such practices.)

 

Recommended Readings and Multimedia

  1. To successfully complete this week’s assignments, it is recommended that you read the following articles found in the EBSCO Host database in the Ashford Online Library:
    • Cannoy, S., Salam, A. (2010 March). A framework for health care information assurance policy and compliance. Communications of the ACM, 53(3), 126-131.
      (The article describes a framework for information assurance and compliance in the health-care industry. The authors employ a case-study approach to outline an assurance and compliance policy.)
    • Lichtenstein, D., Drumwright, M., & Braig, B. (2004 October). The effect of social responsibility on customer donations to corporate-supported nonprofits. Journal of Marketing, 68(4), 16-32.
      (Both theory and recent research evidence suggest that a corporation’s socially responsible behavior can positively affect consumers’ attitudes toward the corporation. The effect occurs both directly and indirectly through the behavior’s effect on customer-corporation identification. The authors report the results of four studies designed to replicate and extend these findings.)
    • Mascarenhas, O. (1995 April). Exonerating unethical marketing behaviors: A diagnostic framework. Journal of Marketing, 59(2), 43.
      (The author identifies major factors that exonerate executive responsibility and those that enhance.)
    • Subramanian, S. (2009 April). Ethical values of the Murugappa Group: A case study. ICFAI Journal of Corporate Governance, 8(2), 56-60.
      (This study analyzes the value system of the Murugappa Group in vogue. For this purpose, the paper identifies four important stakeholders of the business entity- shareholders, employees, government and the society.)
    • Xiaoxing, Z., Austin, S., Glass, J., & Mills, G. (2008). Toward collective organizational values: A case study in UK construction. Construction Management & Economics, 26(10), 1009-1028. doi:  10.1080/01446190802422146
      (This case study presented has been conducted in a UK construction company using Schwartz’s theoretical framework of human values as a starting point and framing device.)
  2. To successfully complete this week’s assignments, read the following articles found in the ProQuest database in the Ashford Online Library:
    • Crain, K. & Heischmidt, K. (1995). Implementing business ethics: Sexual harassment. Journal of Business Ethics, 14(4), 299.
      (Organizations must understand that sexual harassment lies within the broader context of sex discrimination and inequality of opportunity in the workplace.)
    • Demuijnck, G. (2009). Non-discrimination in human resources management as a moral obligation. Journal of Business Ethics, 88(1), 83-101.
      (In this paper, the author argues that it is a moral obligation for companies, firstly, to accept their moral responsibility with respect to non-discrimination, and secondly, to address the issue with a full-fledged program, including but not limited to the countering of micro-social discrimination processes through specific policies.)
    • Lauring, J., & Thomsen, C. (2009). Ideals and practices in CSR identity making: The case of equal opportunities. Employee Relations, 31(1), 25-38.
      (The article is based on a single case study with a limited number of informants. The authors suggest that policies should be developed in close interaction with the different organizational members.)
  3. To successfully complete this week’s assignments, it is recommended that you watch the following video available in the Films on Demand database in the Ashford Online Library:
    • Films Media Group (Producer). (1991). Understanding different cultural values and styles [Video].
      (The workplace of the future continues to diversify as people from a multitude of backgrounds, lifestyles, cultures, and beliefs come together.)

 

Discussions
To participate in the following discussions, go to this week’s Discussion link in the left navigation.

  1. Puffery and Deception
     
    A critical point of distinction between deceptive advertising and mere puffery is whether a claim is a measurable statement of fact.
    • Think of some contemporary examples of each and explain why they are or are not measurable statements of fact.
    • When you notice deceptive advertising or puffery, how does your sense of personal ethical perspectives and values affect the way you make decisions about those advertised goods and services?
    • How does the ethical program of a particular group to which you currently belong, or previously belonged, treat the topic of misrepresentation or exaggeration of company goods and service?

    Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7.
     

  2. Unintentional Discrimination
     
    Unintentional discrimination occurs when a company’s policies uncritically reflect prejudicial stereotypes yet do not involve overt racial prejudices of its managers or executives. Does legislation to verify voter identification fall under the domain of unintentional or intentional discrimination? Explain your views.

    Also, how does your personal ethical perspective on discrimination- intentional or unintentional- compare to the culture of a particular group to which you currently belong, or previously belonged?

    Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7.

*** Please use the recommended readings for sources.  Additionally, avoid writing “I” statements, meaning all writing must be done in second or third person