Ethics Reflection Essay
Step #1 Review the Ethics Essay Assignment Instructions (below) Step #2 Review how you will be graded with the Ethics Essay Grade Rubric (below)NOTE: I will use the points associated with each of the categories in the grading rubric posted here, NOT the percentages listed on Connect. The TOTAL for this assignment is 100 points. Step #3 Write your essay following the assignment guidelines. Refer to the lesson from Chapter 3 on ethics or the shortened information given in the Ethics Essay Assignment Instructions.
- Be sure to clearly label each section and DO NOT add any identifying information to your submission.
- Follow the word count guidelines of 850 to 1,350 words total.
EthicsEssay Grading Rubric
Understanding Ethical Views and Concepts:
Below Expectations 0-5 points
Does not name any/or more than one of the major ethical views/models; does not give any details
or coherent definitions.
Meets Expectations 6-10 points
Names at least three major ethical views/models; does not give limitations or definition in own
words.
Exceeds Expectations 11- 15 points
Names at least four major ethical views/models; explains the details of each with a definition in
their own words; includes limitations.
Below Expectations 0-5 points
Does not clearly identify a relevant view/theory and/or gives no explanation.
Meets Expectations 6-10 points
Identifies a view/theory that reflects core beliefs but does not explain why it was chosen or how
their core beliefs are reflect in the model.
Exceeds Expectations 11- 15 points
Identifies a view/theory that reflects core beliefs; explains why view/theory was chosen and how
their core beliefs and values are reflected in the model.
Ethical Dilemma Recognition and Analysis:
Below Expectations 0-5 points
Does not describe an ethical dilemma correctly or apply a view/theory to the dilemma.
Meets Expectations 6-10 points
Recognizes and describes an appropriate ethical dilemma; does not apply an ethical view/theory
appropriately or discuss the limitations of the view/theory for the dilemma.
Exceeds Expectations 11- 15 points
Recognizes and describes an appropriate ethical dilemma; applies ethical view/theory to the
dilemma; recognizes and discusses implications and limitations of the view/theory to the dilemma.
Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility:
Below Expectations 0-5 points
Does not address the concept of ethical leadership and/or social responsibility.
Meets Expectations 6-10 points
Discusses few very few aspects of ethical leadership or does not take a position on social
responsibility and provide justification for the position.
Exceeds Expectations 11- 15 points
Recognizes the importance of ethical leadership; discusses the organizational impact of ethical
leadership; takes a position on social responsibility and provides justification for the position taken.
Content:
Below Expectations 0-3 points
Main ideas are not coherent and/or no relevant evidence or conclusions are presented.
Meets Expectations 4-7 points
Some main ideas deviate from the purpose of the assignment and/or evidence and conclusions are
not consistently relevant.
Exceeds Expectations 8- 10 points
Main ideas are clear and consistent with the purpose of the assignment; supporting evidence is
relevant and adequate; conclusions are consistent.
Structure and Organization:
Below Expectations 0-3 points
Most paragraphs lack focus and do not follow a logical sequence.
Meets Expectations 4-7 points
Few paragraphs lacking focus or following a logical sequence.
Exceeds Expectations 8- 10 points
Introduction, supporting evidence, and conclusions follow a logical sequence; paragraphs are
focused.
Mechanics:
Below Expectations 0-3 points
Many grammar punctuation, or spelling mistakes. many misused words. Transitions between
sentences and paragraphs are not used.
Meets Expectations 4-7 points
There are a few grammar, punctuation, or spelling mistakes. Few transitions are awkward or not
used.
Exceeds Expectations 8- 10 points
Words are appropriate and used correctly; grammar, punctuation, and spelling are correct;
transitions are appropriate.
Format and Sourcing:
Below Expectations 0-3 points
More than two formatting errors according to guidelines.
Meets Expectations 4-7 points
Document contains one or two formatting errors according to guidelines.
Exceeds Expectations 8- 10 points
Document is formatted correctly according to the assigned guidelines
MissouriState University
College of Business
MGT 340 Ethics Reflection Paper Assignment
Each student will complete an ethics reflection paper consisting of these elements:
1. Ethical Models/Rules/Views
Students are asked to briefly describe and discuss the major
models/rules/views of ethics discussed in written assignments, class lecture,
films, and/or other sources. The description should produce evidence that
students understand each model and its applications and limitations.
2. Personal Perspective
Students are asked to identify the model or view of ethics that most closely
reflects their ethical perspective and explain why they identify or agree with
that perspective. They are asked to discuss their core beliefs and to
incorporate a discussion of the forces that shape their values and otherwise
lead them to use one rule or model over others.
3. Ethical Dilemma Recognition and Analysis
Students will be asked to define ethical dilemma. Each will be asked to select,
describe, and discuss an example of an ethical dilemma they have
encountered in their lives. Students should discuss the ethical dilemma in
terms of one or more of the ethical frameworks described earlier, describe
how the dilemma was resolved, and consider the full implications/limitations
of their decision in terms of the ethical framework they have selected.
4. Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility
Students are asked to address the importance of ethical leadership in
organizations and to describe and defend their personal feelings regarding
corporate social responsibility. This should include a description of their
perspective on the degree to which organizations should be compelled to act
in a socially responsible fashion (or, conversely, should not be compelled to
actively pursue social responsibility), and the rationale supporting their views.
Technical Requirements for the Reflection Paper
1.You should not include any identifying information (for example your name)
anywhere in the paper. This paper may be submitted for accreditation purposes and if
personal identifying information is included, it cannot be submitted. Since you will be
turning in your paper on Connect, you name will be included with your electronic
submission associated with your account.
2. The paper should be between 850 words and 1,350 words long. Students will have
points deducted for submissions outside of defined word count totals.
3.Students should use the four headings in boldface in 1-4 of “The Reflection Paper
Assignment” above to identify specific sections of the paper. Points will be deducted
if the paper is not organized using the four specified headings.
4. This is a reflection paper and should be the student’s own work, this means formal
referencing should not be used. Citations, quotations, or footnotes are NOT allowed in
this paper. You may use the information you have gained from MGT 340 (including
the information in the text and essay assignment outline), other ethics coursework, or
personal experience IN YOUR OWN WORDS without citation. In order to check for
plagiarism, students should run the Connect Originality Tool. *
*NOTE: The Connect Originality Tool can ONLY be run once every 24 hours, which
means you should submit a draft through the tool at least 24 hours before the deadline
if you would like to use the tool more than once. Also, the tool is designed to consider
all previous student submissions, so if you see that common phrases (like common
headings or definitions) are being “flagged” by the system, do not worry about that. I
can tell the difference between common definitions and real plagiarism issues in the
system.
ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN MGT 340
Here is a general outline to some of the major topics and issues in ethics and social responsibility
in a number of management and organizational behavior textbooks.
ETHICS AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR
For most of us our lives are lived and our careers are executed in the pursuit of meaningful goals.
Most of us likely believe that those goals must always be achieved through ethical conduct and
socially responsible action. The material that follows describes many of the issues involved in
ethics and social responsibility.
Definitions of Ethics
The study of ethics is the study of how we determine right from wrong in our relationships with
other individuals and, groups. Ethical standards are the fundamental principles that guide how
which people act. Ethics are standards for good or bad, or right or wrong conduct. Ethics
provides principles to guide behavior and help people make moral choices. At its most basic
level, individual ethics involves how an individual uses moral principles, beliefs, and personal
values to analyze a situation, assess which courses of action are right or wrong, and decide which
actions or behaviors are right or appropriate.
Ethics, Law, and the Passage of Time
Ethical is not the same as legal. Many laws are passed to enforce ethical behavior, but many
behaviors that are legal are not ethical, and both standards of ethics and laws change over time.
Ethical Dilemmas
This refers to a situation in which individuals have to decide upon a course of action knowing
that the choice of a particular alternative may benefit some while harming others. Often the
ethical dilemma involves the choice of making a decision that is consistent with one’s ethical
standards but which may work against one’s own self interest.
Ethical Decision-Making
Ethical decisions are related to a specific context — there are business ethics, educational ethics,
and personal ethics. Sometimes these ethics may be in conflict. As we make ethical decisions,
however, we make them in a way that is not self-serving, and that is consistent with the spirit of
rightness and fair play.
Ethical decisions are ones that should be best for persons and organizations, both in the short and
long term. This means that sometimes we must make a decision that is difficult in the short term
so that it can be best for individuals or organizations over the long haul.
Ethical Leadership
Ethical leadership combines ethical decision-making and ethical behavior, and it occurs in both
an individual and an organizational context. The ethical leader balances her or his obligation to
self with obligations to the organization and the community within which the organization exists.
This means that the ethical leader selects or creates an organization that is consistent with his or
her own individual ethical principles, and then works with and through the organization to make
decisions and engage in actions that are consistent with those principles.
Defining Business Ethics
Business ethics can be defined as written and unwritten codes of principles and values that
govern decisions and actions within a company. In the business world, the organization’s culture
sets standards for determining the difference between good and bad decision making and
behavior.
In the most basic terms, a definition for business ethics boils down to knowing the difference
between right and wrong and choosing to do what is right. The phrase ‘business ethics’ can be
used to describe the actions of individuals within an organization, as well as the organization as a
whole.
Ethical Problems
Most ethical problems in the workplace arise when people are asked to do something that
violates their personal beliefs and values
Values
Broad beliefs about what is appropriate behavior.
Terminal values – preferences about desired goals (the ends)
Instrumental values – preferences regarding the means to desired ends
Both terminal and instrumental values differ among people, so we are likely to get different
interpretations of what is ethical.
RULES/VIEWS/ALTERNATIVE MODELS OF ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING
Different rules/views/models of ethical decision-making can be used to analyze the ethics of
decision-making. For the individual these different rules/views/models may reflect the values,
individual characteristics, and cultural influences that shape how he or she reacts to an ethical
dilemma and balances the interests of self with the concerns of others. For managers, these
different rules/views/models often represent different ethical perspectives regarding the balance
of self-interest and stakeholder concerns, and reflect the organization’s culture, values, and
structures. Each of these models has both advantages and problems. Some of the major models
are described below.
Utilitarian or Consequential Rule
In the Utilitarian or Consequential Rule, the ethics of a decision are based on the decision’s
consequences. A decision that delivers the greatest good to the greatest number (layoff some to
save jobs for others) is the ethical decision. To decide on a course of action managers must
identify stakeholders and their concerns, then select the decision that does the most good/least
harm. The problem this view presents for the decision maker is how to assess harm/good and
how to evaluate the importance of each stakeholder’s claim. In other words, does severe harm
for a very few stakeholders justify a moderate benefit for all others?
Moral Rights Rule
In the Moral Rights Rule the ethical decision is the one that respects and protects the
fundamental rights of people (rights of privacy, due process, free speech, etc.). Managers should
make decisions based on how the affect the rights of stakeholders and the decision should be the
one which protects the rights of all stakeholders. The problem this view presents for the decision
maker is, first, how do you decide which rights are fundamental rights? There is much
disagreement over what these rights actually are. Secondly, almost all decisions produce
benefits for some but harm to others. How do you choose which groups to protect? This
produce a precarious ethical balancing act.
Theory of Justice or Legal Rule
In the Theory of Justice or Legal Rule, the ethical decision is the one that treats people and
groups impartially and fairly according to legal rules and standards. This model implies that
ethical decisions involve both Procedural Justice, or fairness and consistency in processes and
Distributive Justice, or fairness in outcomes. The problem this view presents for the decision
maker is how to determine what the fair rules and procedures actually should be. The manner in
which rule are written typically favors one group of stakeholders over others and political
behavior may impact fairness.
Integrative Social Contracts Rule
The Integrative Social Contracts Rule reflects the influence of culture on ethics. In this rule the
ethical decision is the one that is based on existing cultural or ethical norms in industries and
communities. This view contrasts the perspective of Universalism which states that ethical
standards are absolute and should be applied to all (or even Ethical Imperialism which is an
attempt to impose one’s own cultural standards on all cultures), with that of Cultural Relativism
which suggests that ethical behavior must always be interpreted in its cultural context. This view
is often a problem when industry or local cultural standards fail to reflect values held by the
larger society. A related concept is the Practical Rule. A Practical Rule of ethical decision-
making is often applied to business ethics. In this rule, a decision is ethical if it falls within
accepted values and standards that usually apply to business, if the company would be willing to
see it communicated to all affected by it, and when others approve of the decision.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The obligation of an organization to serve both its own interests and those of society.
Leadership beliefs that guide socially responsible practices:
-people do their best in healthy work environments
-organizations perform best in healthy communities
-organizations gain by treating the natural environment with respect
-organizations must be managed for the long term
-organization’s reputation must be protected
Stakeholder Analysis
A popular and useful way to examine corporate social responsibility is through stakeholder
analysis. Stakeholders are the people and groups that can benefit or be harmed by the
organization and its decisions. The idea is that the organization has the duty to serve the interests
of its stakeholders who are directly affected by the organization.
Major Stakeholders
Stockholders – have an interest in the organization because of their stock investments. They
want the organization to be profitable, desire that agents (managers) work to increase the return
on investment, and act in ways that do not injure the company’s reputation or create unnecessary
risk.
Managers – have an interest in the organization because they invest their skills and time and
have a stake in its performance. Managers are responsible for making decisions that guide the
activities of the organization and that make efficient use of resources. They often are required to
make difficult decisions that balance the interests of other stakeholders.
Employees – have an interest in the organization because they invest their skills and time in
their work and their livelihood depends on the activities of the organization. They expect
equitable rewards and fair treatment for their work.
Suppliers and Distributors – have an interest in the organization because of the reciprocal
dependencies with the organization. They expect fair treatment in negotiations, contractual and
financial arrangements, and other interactions.
Customers – have an interest in the organization because they expect fair treatment and demand
fair prices and quality in products and services.
Society – has an interest in the organization because it provides the physical infrastructure in
which organizations operate and depends on the organization for economic contributions. It
requires the organization to create jobs yet maintain an environment that protects the health of
the community.
Perspectives on Social Responsibility?
Classical view – management’s only responsibility is running the business to maximize
profit.
Socioeconomic view – management must be concerned with the broader social welfare.
Social responsibility will add to profits in the long run. Businesses can serve the public
good and advance the interests of shareholders at the same time.
Strategies for Social Performance
Obstructionist – avoids social responsibility and reflects economic priorities
Social Obligation or Defensive – does what is minimally legally required
Accommodative or social responsiveness – accepts social responsibility and tries to
satisfy economic, legal, and ethical criteria
Proactive or social responsibility – takes proactive steps to avoid adverse social impacts
from company activities