Module 5 Ethics Activity Discussion
Discussion Instructions
To complete this discussion, you must make an initial post responding to the ethical dilemma questions. Please address all the questions in full and cite your sources. Secondly, you must respond to another student's post in which you further the discussion. Start by reflecting on the original post. You may ask further questions, comment on the strength of their reply, address information that is missing, or provide examples that correspond with the topic. Agreement with the initial response is not required, but responses should reflect be supported with analogies, examples, research, or content from the text. All students should respectful of differences of opinions.
Ethics Activity
As the owner of a small factory that makes plastic sheeting, you are constantly seeking ways to increase profits. As the new year begins, one of your goals is to find additional funds to offer annual productivity and/or merit bonuses to your loyal, hardworking employees.
Then a letter from a large national manufacturer of shower curtains seems to provide an answer. As part of a new “supplier diversity” program it is putting in place, the manufacturer is offering substantial purchase contracts to minority-owned suppliers. Even though the letter clearly states that the business must be minority owned to qualify for the program, you convince yourself to apply for it based on the fact that all your employees are members of racial or ethnic minorities. You justify your decision by deciding they will benefit from the increased revenue a larger contract will bring, some of which you plan to pass on to them in the form of bonuses later in the year.
Using a web search tool, locate articles about this topic, and then write responses to the following questions. Be sure to support your arguments and cite your sources.
Ethical Dilemma: Is it wrong for this business owner to apply for this program even though it will end up benefiting his employees as well as his business?
Related Chapter Outcomes and Course Goals
This group assignment addresses the following course goals:
- Identify the fundamentals of entrepreneurship
Additionally, it addresses the following chapter outcomes and provides an example to:
- Discuss the characteristics that successful entrepreneurs share.
- Explain how managing a small business presents special challenges for the owner.
- Categorize the advantages and disadvantages facing owners of small businesses.
- Explain how trends are shaping entrepreneurship and small-business ownership.
Grade Value and Rubric
- This discussion activity is worth 15 points.
- The course discussion rubric is applied to this discussion
Note
This discussion activity is additionally is located in the corresponding chapter of the course textbook. Accompanying the activity are sources related to this topic that students may wish to review.