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Describe workplace privacy.
- Order Summary
- Type of assignment:Essay
- Academic level:University Level, Bachelor’s
- Referencing style:MLA
- Number of sources:8
- Subject:Ethics
- Client country:Other
Assignment extract:
In relation to the essay:
• Please do not write much about the case study. Include a BRIEF outline at the start of the essay. You may research a particular case. However, writing a description of the case will not get you marks in this essay. What is important is your application of theory to the case. You can provide more details of the case when you analyse it using theory.
* Always use more than one theory. Two theories should be used as a minimum. This allows you to contrast outcomes of your analysis using different theories. In general a consequentialist vs. non-consequentialist theory is good. But this is not a strict rule. I would advise against using more than 3 theories as the application of too many theories will mean that you will lose depth in your analysis.
• In terms of discussion of your theory, again keep it to a minimum. Just a brief definition is fine. This is descriptive and takes up word count. ‘Utilitarianism states that an action is ethical if it leads to the greatest good for the greatest number’ is sufficient.
• Please put tables in the text if you are using them and they will be excluded from the word count. BUT a utilitarian table listing, for example, benefits and drawbacks is not enough. If you do include a table please discuss it in text form and/or provide a deeper analysis of its content within the main text of the essay.
• Consider the weaknesses/disadvantages of the theories that you are using. Be critical of the theory that you use.
• If you are using a Kantian analysis, as well as the categorical imperatives, think of duty in a broader sense.
• Argue from different angles/standpoints, even if you do not agree with them.
• Substantiate your arguments with evidence and examples. This may be facts, figures or cases of company actions/behaviour. Reference all such evidence fully.
• Undertake an objective analysis utilising theory. You can then bring you own opinions into your summary/conclusions at the end of your essay.
• All sources used must be clearly referenced. If you are unsure how to reference, please go to eth Study Advice page (https://www.reading.ac.uk/library/study-advice/lib-study-advice.aspx) and look at the Study Guides (https://www.reading.ac.uk/library/study-advice/guides/lib-sa-guides.aspx). There is a really good guide to referencing (http://libguides.reading.ac.uk/citing-references).
• Provide context in your analysis e.g. economic, political, historical or product related. However, Kant views context as irrelevant when assessing the ethics of an action, so only use when applying other theories.
ESSAY QUESTIONS
MM359a Business Ethics, 2017-18
- Tools and techniques (lectures 1, 2, and 3)
‘Ethics must begin at the top of an organisation. It is a leadership issue and the chief executive must set the example.’ – Edward Hennessy
How effective is ethical leadership as a means of ethical management? Is it effective on its own or should it be utilised with other ethical management tools and techniques? Use ethical theory and real-world examples in your answer.
- Employee rights – privacy (lectures 1, 3, and 4)
‘Workplace privacy is a vexed topic as technology blurs the lines between work and personal life’ (O’Connor, FT, 14th January 2016).
Are there limits to privacy in the workplace for employees? Analyse the key ethical rights and duties involved in workplace privacy. Use ethical theory and real world examples in your analysis.
- Globalization (lectures 1, 3, 5 and 8)
In 2013, 1,138 workers were killed when the Rana Plaza factory collapsed in Bangladesh. Using ethical theory, analyse whether or not the multinational companies using suppliers based in the Rana Plaza factory were unethical in their behaviour. Offer conclusions on the ethics of this case.
- Buyers/suppliers (lectures 1, 3, and 6)
‘At national level in many countries, a large share of the grocery market is frequently in the hands of only a handful of supermarkets. One of the consequences of this concentration is a growing imbalance of bargaining power within food supply chains.’ (‘The relationship between supermarkets and suppliers: What are the implications for consumers?’ Consumers International, 2012).
One such imbalance of power exists between British supermarkets and British dairy farmers. Are British supermarkets behaving as ethical buyers in their purchasing of milk? Or are they abusing their position of power over British farmers to behave in unethical manner? Utilise ethical theory in your answer.
- Taxation (lectures 1, 3, and 7)
Under current U.K. tax law, tax avoidance is deemed legal whilst tax evasion is illegal. Currently there is a great deal of controversy regarding the global tax arrangements of MNCs such as Apple Amazon and Google who have organised their tax arrangements so as to minimise legally their global tax bills. Do you consider such tax avoidance to be unethical? Utilise ethical theory to present your analysis and real world examples to illustrate your answer.
- Consumers (lectures 1, 3, and 8)
Susan Linn, director of the Campaign for a Commercial-free childhood, states that:
‘There’s no moral, ethical, or social justification for marketing any product to children’ (Bruce Watson, The Guardian, 24th February 2014).
Is it ever ethical to market products to children? Answer this question using ethical theory.
- Shareholders/governance – Executive pay (lectures 1, 3, and 9)
Read the 2017 Financial Times article by Jenkins on executive pay (on Blackboard). Are high levels of executive pay ethical? Use ethical theory to answer this question.
Answer preview:
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