BANKING ACADEMY, HANOIBTEC HND IN BUSINESS (Accounting)

ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET

NAME OF STUDENTVN:EN:

REGISTRATION NO.

UNIT TITLEUnit 45: Business Ethics

ASSIGNMENT TITLEResearch a Current Ethical Issue

ASSIGNMENT NO2 of 2 (individual report)

NAME OF ASSESSORMr. John Andre

SUBMISSION DEADLINE 11 June 2014

I, __________________________ hereby confirm that this assignment is my own work and not copied or plagiarized from any source. I have referenced the sources from which information is obtained by me for this assignment.

________________________________ _________________________

Signature Date

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOR OFFICIAL USE (Course Administrator)

Assignment Received By:Date:

Unit OutcomesOutcomeEvidence for the criteriaFeedbackAssessors decisionInternal Verification

First attemptRe-work

Understand ethics in workplace relationships

LO3

Assess the role of the company acting as moral agent3.1

Analyse the development of mechanisms for achieving employee involvement and empowerment3.2

Be able to assess a current ethical issue in a business

LO4Research a current ethical issue affecting a selected business4.1

Report on how the business could improve the ethics of their operations whilst meeting objectives and ensuring good employer/employee relationships4.2

Design a suitable ethical code4.3

Merit grades awardedM1M2M3

Distinction grades awardedD1D2D3

Assignment

( ) Well-structured; Reference is done properly / should be done (if any)

Overall, youve

Areas for improvement:

ASSESSOR SIGNATURE DATE / /

NAME:

(Oral feedback was also provided)

STUDENT SIGNATURE DATE / /

NAME :

FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY VERIFIED YES NO

DATE : VERIFIED BY : NAME :

Scenario

Source: http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/1979-owning-iphone-ethical.htmlRecent media reports and ongoing protests over the reportedly abhorrent working conditions at factories where Apple's iPhones are produced have left socially conscious Americans with a dilemma: Is it ethical to own an iPhone?For many Americans, even those who support socially responsible manufacturing and business practices, their iPhones and iPads have become must-have devices for both work and personal use. Now they're being forced to ask themselves whether they are willing to ignore strong evidence that their beloved devices are being made by mistreated and underpaid employees.The charges of mistreatment of the workers who create Apple's products are not new. They have, however, gained mainstream momentum during the last months. The contradiction of Apple's $13 billion in profits in the fourth quarter of 2011 juxtaposed against images and stories of worker rights violations have painted a less than shining portrait of the tech giant.According to a Jan. 25, New York Times report, the Foxconn Technology factory, where Apple manufactures many of their products, has repeatedly been criticized for ethics violations and socially irresponsible working conditions. Violations included in the report included: Crowded dormitories where many workers were forced to live. Workers forced to stand until their legs were swollen and they were unable to walk Underage workers Improper waste removal. Wages of less than $17 to $22 a day. Multiple suicide attempts by workers, including a recent instance where 150 workers threatened to jump off a roof due to a work and pay dispute.Apple itself acknowledges the violations. It conducted 229 audits of supplier factories in 2011 and found 93 violations of exceeding the 60-hour workweek limit and a similar number of workers working six or more days a week. More information can be found at the Apple Supplier Responsibility webpage.That does not take into account two separate explosions last year at factories producing iPads, which killed four people and injured dozens more. Another violation occurred in January 2010 at an Apple factory owned by Wintek in which 137 workers were injured when they were forced to use a known dangerous chemical, n-hexane, to clean glass screens. It was used anyway because it dissolved three times faster than rubbing alcohol, meaning that more screens could be cleaned in a day. These violations have prompted a strong response against Apple, including a Change.org petition that as of Feb. 1 had 154,581 signatures asking Apple to protect workers making products in factories overseas. Another petition, started on Sumofus.org, also asked Apple to make the iPhone 5 ethically.While Apple was mentioned in many of these reports, Apple is not the only company engaging in socially irresponsible manufacturing practices. According to the New York Times, it is estimated that 40 percent of the world's consumer electronics are made at Foxconn factories in China, where the company employs 1.2 million people. Hewlett-Packard, Samsung and Dell are among the many other companies that use Foxconn factories to produce their products. The reality of the situation forces consumers to ask themselves where they stand on the issue. The question is: If you need electronic tools and devices, such as an iPhone or laptop, to run your business and no other brands offer a socially responsible and ethical alternative, is it ethical to own these products since they are needed?According to Janice Lawrence, director of the Business Ethics Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the answer lies with one's personal judgment."Technology has blurred the line between work and home life," Lawrence said. "For example, it allows us to receive email or phone and text messages after working hours. In the same manner, technology has blurred business ethics and personal ethics. This dilemma is a good example of that.""The advances in the functional capabilities of these electronic products make them 'necessary' in the workplace," Lawrence said. "The decision to ignore the facts of the overseas production of the electronic tools is not necessarily unethical for a company using such products. Corporate social responsibility is composed of economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic responsibilities, in descending order of obligation. Economic responsibility comes first, and these products are needed to run the business. So using them is not unethical for the company."While businesses may not be unethical for using these products, people need to make individual decisions based on their own personal beliefs, Lawrence said."In the absence of company policy addressing the ethics of vendors, the personal ethics of the user comes in play and brings with it another layer of questions to consider," Lawrence said. "To what extent is the user personally responsible for the production or in this case, encouraging the production of these products? Can the user personally accept the circumstances of the production? What are the consequences to the user of refusing to use such products?"The question is a difficult one for iPhone users. To iPhone user Barry Weinstein, owner of Pillowcase Studies, the problem is unfortunate, but in his opinion, true change will only come from a widespread transformation of the system, not a boycott of specific manufacturers."The situation in China is terrible, but boycotting products that assist the local economy will have little effect on the improvement of working conditions the Chinese labor force works under," Weinstein said. "The best we can do is work to improve the global economy so that such conditions no longer exist. By boycotting large companies, not only are the conditions still going to be bad, but many factory workers will become unemployed."

Your Role:You have just been promoted to Chief Ethics Officer of Snake Oil, Ltd and your first assignment in your new position is to choose a prospective Vietnamese client company and give an introductory engagement presentation. The goal of this report is to show the executives at the chosen firm the importance and benefits of operating as an ethical firm. When choosing the company, you should find one which has a current or very recent (within the last three years) ethical issue which has been reported in the media. Your presentation should convince the company that they should hire Snake Oil by giving the executives a sample of free advice, ideally showing your creativity in solving their ethical problem.

Your Task: Give a multi-media presentationTask 1: Explain the impact of ethics in workplace relationships relating to Apple1 2 3 3.1 Assess the role of Apple acting as moral agent3.2 Analyse the development of mechanisms for achieving employee involvement and empowerment and discuss employee involvement at Apple

Task 2: Assess a current ethical issue in a business (not Apple)4 4.1 Research a current ethical issue affecting your selected business4.2 Report on how the business could improve the ethics of their operations whilst meeting objectives and ensuring good employer/employee relationships4.3 Design a suitable ethical code, citing flaws in the companys existing ethical code, if it has one

GRADING

Passis achieved by meeting all the requirements defined in the assessment criteria. (Refer to page 2 of the assignment brief)

MeritSelect and apply appropriate methods/techniques (M2)Characteristics / Possible Evidence Complex information regarding business ethics has been synthesized and processed.

Present and communicate appropriate findings (M3)

Characteristics / Possible Evidence Presentation of analysis and recommendations is appropriate for those familiar and unfamiliar with the subject of business ethics.

DistinctionUse critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions (D1)Characteristics / Possible Evidence the validity of the assessment criteria has been evaluated against a reliable standard.

Take responsibility for managing and organizing activities (D2)Characteristics / Possible Evidence independence demonstrated and substantial activities have been planned, managed, and organized related to the application of business ethics.

Demonstrate convergent, lateral and creative thinking (D3)

Characteristics / Possible Evidence innovation and creative thought have been applied to the improvements suggested (in outcome 4.2).

To achieve a PASS, students answers should display clear presentation of information / data collected. As a member in group discussion, students should contribute positively.

To achieve a MERIT, students answers should display clear, concise presentation of information / data collected. As a member in group discussions, student should contribute positively towards others opinions and offer constructive advice / suggestions.

To achieve a DISTINCTION, students answers should display clear, concise and analytical presentation of information / data collected. As a member in group discussions, student should contribute positively and offer constructive advice / suggestions. Information should share with all members of the group.

Presentation

Your slides should have a cover page that includes the assignment title, assignment number, course title, module title, Lecturer/tutor name and students name. Attach only the marking pages of assignment brief with your slides and leave them blank for official use. Ensure that authenticity declaration has been signed. This is an individual 9-12 minute presentation. You should include professionally presented slides. You must acknowledge the sources of information and evidence using the Harvard referencing system. Submit both a hard (printed) and soft (electronic in PPTX format) copy by the deadline listed above or provided by the school.

NOTES TO STUDENTS for summission Check carefully the submission date and the instructions given with the assignment. Late assignments may not be accepted. Ensure that you give yourself enough time to complete the assignment by the due date. Do not leave things such as printing to the last minute excuses of this nature will not be accepted for failure to hand-in the work on time. You must take responsibility for managing your own time effectively. If you are unable to hand in your assignment on time and have valid reasons such as illness, you may apply (in writing) for an extension. Failure to achieve a PASS grade will results in a REFERRAL grade being given. Take great care that if you use other peoples work or ideas in your assignment, you properly reference them in your text and any bibliography. Failure to follow any of these instructions may cause you to fail for submitting improperly. NOTE: If you are caught plagiarizing, the University policies and procedures will apply.Business Ethics Assignment 2 Spring 2013-20145