BUSINESS AND SOCIETY

Instructions:
• Choose ONE of the following four cases
• Identify key stakeholders in this case. Identify and discuss main (ethical) issues of this
case in relation to the stakeholders.
• Evaluate the case using TWO ethical theories (you must use the theories that were
taught in the lectures apart from Ethical Egoism nor Justice Ethics).
• Explain how you would act / you would have acted in this situation, and why.
Your word limit must not exceed 1,700 words. Do not forget to include your word
count in your essay.
The essay will be marked using the following criteria:
• Identification of stakeholders and issues
• Outlining of main features of ethical theories and application of theories to case
• Style and Presentation (including authenticity and accurate referencing)
Submission deadline is Thursday, 19 December, 2013 by 4:30pm.
Failure to submit on time will result in a fail grade.
You are required to submit your coursework both electronically through TurnItIn (see
instructions in module handbook), and as hard copy to the Student Office in Block 16.
Please ensure that you submit exactly the same versions of your work as hard copy and
electronic copy. The electronic copy is the one that will be marked.
You should also be aware that students may be asked to attend a viva should there be any
doubts regarding the authenticity of their work.
Case 1
About a year ago, Veronica Singh MBE, a chartered engineer by training, joined the board
of Great Builds as a non-executive director. Great Builds is a FTSE 250 multi-national
engineering company, specialising in designing and carrying out large infrastructure
projects.
A few years earlier, Great Builds hired a new CEO, Mick Handsome, in the midst of
allegations of the company’s involvement in large scale bribery and a long period of weak
financial performance. Mr Handsome has been very successful in turning the fortunes of
the company around. He implemented an effective anti-bribery policy and thanks to his
strong commitment to improving quality and service, Great Builds finds itself now in a
rather robust competitive position.
Mr Handsome has always been known to be a bit of a ‘ladies man’, but more recently
Veronica has been hearing some rather unpleasant rumours about his personal conduct.
She has heard three unrelated reports by close friends of hers who said that Mr
Handsome had been behaving in an inappropriate manner toward several, especially
younger, women at social functions that they attended. A tabloid newspaper also ran a
story reporting on Mr Handsome attending a dubious party involving women escorts.
Furthermore, during a recent visit at the company headquarters Veronica got stopped by
the Head of Human Resources, who said that some female staff members have made
complaints about Mr Handsome, accusing him of verbal and physical sexual harassment.
What should Veronica do?
Case 2
Ahmed, a Middlesex University student, is working on his placement at a small marketing
company GreatBrands.com. Ahmed has a formal contract of employment with the
company for his placement year, and a verbal agreement was made during his interview
that he respect confidentiality and that all intellectual property of the company should
remain with GreatBrands.com.
Ahmed has a really enjoyable time at the company and gains the trust and
confidence of his colleagues. In particular, the Managing Director Michelle Jordan takes an
interest in Ahmed’s learning and has talked to him about the possibility of him working for
GreatBrands.com when he has graduated.
As he approaches the end of his placement, Ahmed considers what his options will
be for his future employment. He has enjoyed working for Michelle at GreatBrands.com,
but would also like to set up his own marketing company after he has graduated.
Undecided, he suggests to Michelle that he may be interested in coming back to the
company but that he wants to keep his options open.
Aware that setting up a customer base and purchasing the software that he will
need for his own company would be time consuming and costly, Ahmed electronically
copies the GreatBrands.com customer database and some of the GreatBrands.com
customised software in case he sets up his own company in the future. Ahmed’s company,
if it becomes established, would be a direct competitor of GreatBrands.com.
How do you evaluate Ahmed’s actions?
Case 3
Faruk approves leases for Riverdale Properties, a company specialising in selling and
letting commercial premises. One day, Samira, a property valuer, approaches Faruk to
inquire about leasing office space in one of the company’s buildings. Samira has
previously rented space in one of Riverdale’s buildings, but that building has been sold;
Samira needs to find new space at the end of her lease.
Faruk would like to rent to Samira—she is not only an ideal tenant with an excellent credit
record with the company, but Faruk knows that Samira is in the position to speak
favourably to others about the company’s good service and careful maintenance of their
buildings. In addition, Samira is a close family friend.
Faruk has the perfect space for Samira coming available just when she needs it. The
problem is rental rates have increased quite a bit since Samira signed her last lease with
Riverdale, and it is more than she wants to pay. Samira asks Faruk for a break on the rent.
What should Faruk do?
Case 4
Sam joined Moyuka, a global car manufacturer, about a year ago to work in a team
responsible for monitoring product quality of one of Moyuka’s best-selling models.
Recently, Sam has received reports about a few isolated incidents involving problems with
the model’s acceleration pedal, which lead the cars to speed dangerously out of control.
Sam decides that this is a serious safety concern that needs urgent attention. He raises
this with Kathy, his line manager, who listens carefully, takes copious notes and promises
to escalate his concerns to senior management.
A few days later, Sam receives a briefing from the Head of Product quality, which strongly
recommends that, because there were only a few isolated incidents, that the issue be
treated as a ‘quality’ and not a ‘safety’ issue. The briefing points out the high cost involved
in a global product recall and its financial consequences for the company and its
employees, and strongly discourages any further investigation.
Sam feels uncomfortable with this but, because of his junior position, decides to let the
matter drop.
Has Sam done the right thing?
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