Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
The purpose of the Ethics Assignment is twofold: 1) to improve your ability to reason ethically; and 2) to improve your writing skills.
COURSE MODULE: Bassell, Myles; Fischer, Dov; and Friedman, Hershey H., The Importance of Business
Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility: A Course Module (August 17, 2015).
https://ssrn.com/abstract=2646295 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2646295
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qN-9tfMoWI
In responding to the ethical scenarios attached:
Include both the question and the answer in your writing
Use course concepts to inform your thinking
Make it clear when something is personal opinion
Provide answers for both scenarios
Provide 1000 words minimum (500 per scenario); there is no maximum
Use appropriate grammar, language, and organization
The ethical content of your papers will be evaluated on how well you apply the concepts from the course to the
specific situation at hand AND on how well you are able to articulate your thoughts through your writing. DO
NOT waste words by rewriting the case; a simple sentence is adequate to provide context. Use your 1000
words to explain what you think and why you think it. Your writing should be both insightful and relevant.
Scenario # 1: Wholesome Hamburger Company
Suppose you work for the Wholesome Hamburger Company that owns 100 fast food restaurants in California.
Scenario # 1: Wholesome Hamburger Company
Suppose you work for the Wholesome Hamburger Company that owns 100 fast food restaurants in California.
There is a big drought and people are being asked to use less water.
You know that it takes:
1,800 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef,
12 gallons of water to produce a head of lettuce,
2 gallons for one walnut, and
468 gallons of water to produce a pound of chicken.
You discuss this with the executives in your firm. They tell you that the way water is allocated by the
government, the company does not incur any additional expense no matter how much it uses. Water will
remain very cheap for business. The head of the company is soliciting ideas for its strategic plan for the future.
What is the ethical dilemma or issue?
What are the alternatives or possible courses of action? Identify at least 3 alternatives.
What are your recommendations? In other words, of the several alternatives you identified, what do you think
the company should do?
What is your rationale for your recommendations? In other words, why do you recommend this course of
action?
Scenario # 2: Chicken International Group
You are the CEO of a chicken-processing company. The Vice President of marketing informs you that if you
label your chicken as “free range”, you can charge 20% more and greatly improve profit margins.
You find out that all that needs to be done to legally use the term “free range” is to open the door to the hen
house for 5 minutes a day. This provides the chickens with access to the outdoors when, in fact, very few
chickens will wander out when the door is open for 5 minutes. Moreover, the term “free range” may be used
regardless of space per chicken, number of chickens, or amount of time spent outside.
What is the ethical dilemma or issue?
What are the alternatives or possible courses of action? Identify at least 3 alternatives?
What are your recommendations? In other words, of the several alternatives you identified, what do you think
the company should do?
What is your rationale for your recommendations? In other words, why do you recommend this course of action?