BUSINESS ETHICS CASES

FORMAT OF THE WRITTEN PAPER

15-20 pages
Table of contents (1 mark)
Case summary (2 marks)
References (1 mark1)
Flow/grammar/ (3 marks)
Use/application of ethical concepts theories in answers (4 marks)

Group #1- Markesha Gibbs and group members

A. Pinto Fires page 64
1. Identify the ethical issues. (3 marks)
2. Discuss the ethical issues from utilitarian, rights and justice perspective (6
marks)
3. Is simply meeting safety standards a sufficient product design goal of ethical
companies? (4 marks) Discuss
4. Explain the issues that might have influenced Fords decision. (3marks)
5. Did Ford handle the crisis appropriately? Support your answer (3 marks)

Group#2 Vanessa Vidal and group members

B. Sears Roebuck - page 285
1. Analyse the ethical issues involved in the case from a utilitarian, rights and
justice perspective. (6 marks)
2. Did Ford behave in a socially responsible manner? Discuss (4 marks)
3. What do you think is the impact of the scandal on Sears reputation for
quality and service? Explain (3 marks)
4. Evaluate the incentive system from a business and moral perspective. (4
marks)
5. Identify the factors that contributed the most to the alleged unethical
conduct on the part of service advisors and mechanics. (2 marks)

Group #3 Stephanie Thompson and group members

C. Merck & River Blindness page 351
1. Identify the ethical dilemma, and indicate the values that are in conflict. (4
marks)
2. List the stakeholders, and explain how the firms action might affect each. (5
marks)
3. Evaluate the potential costs and benefits of such an investment. (4 marks)
4. Does Merck have an ethical obligation to develop the drug or is solely a
question of philanthropy? Support your answer (3 marks)
5. If Merck decided not to proceed with further research, would it impact the
scientist or other employees (3 marks)

Group #4 Radaine Ainsworth and group members

D. Selling Medical Ultrasound Technology in Asia page 431
1. Identify the ethical dilemma, and explain which values are in conflict (4
marks)
2. List the stakeholders, and discuss the duty or obligations of the firm to each
stakeholder. (5 marks)
3. Should the company be concerned or should they respect local cultural
practice. Support your answer (4marks)
4. If the Company decides not to do anything, do you believe this will damage
the companys reputation? Discuss (3 marks)
5. Is Pat obligated to raise the issue with Management? Why/why not (3
marks)

Group # 5 Stephen Aarons and group members

E. Google goes to China page 434
1. Was Google facing an ethical dilemma (values in conflict) in 2006? (2 marks)
2. Analyze the dilemma from consequentialist and deontological perspectives. (5
marks)
3. Based on your analysis, what do you think is the right thing to do? (3 marks)
4. Tom Donaldson rejects ethical relativism (when in Rome) and ethical
absolutism
(insisting on exactly the same standards everywhere for every situation). Instead,
he recommends that companies operating overseas adopt an ethical threshold
based upon core values such as the Golden Rule and respect for human rights.
Those must then be translated into specific guidelines. Do you
think Googles 2006 operating standards were consistent or inconsistent with
Donaldsons recommendations? (6 marks)
5) If you were going to recommend a set of standards for Google, what would they
say and why?
(3 marks)