BUS LAW Part 3
A company can broadly prohibit its employees from criticizing the company via social media.
False
Absolute mandates such as the commandment "Thou shalt not steal" can be justifiably broken if there is a benevolent motive.
False
According to German philosopher Immanuel Kant, individuals should evaluate their actions in light of the consequences that would follow if they were the only members of society that acted in that way.
False
Business ethics is not more complicated than personal ethics.
False
No one believes that judging a job candidate based on what he or she does outside the work environment is ethical.
False
Setting realistic workplace goals can increase the probability that employ-ees will act unethically.
False
The categorical imperative cannot be applied to many business actions.
False
There is no debate that employees have an absolute right to free expression to make negative posts in social media about other employees and managers.
False
Adhering strictly to all business laws is all that is necessary to fulfill all business ethics obligations.
False
The legality of an action is always clear.
False
To be a "good citizen," when making decisions a business should not evaluate the public relations impact.
False
. In ethical terms, a cost-benefit analysis is an assessment of the negative and positive effects of alternative actions on individuals.
True
A business firm's profits may suffer if the firm is not a "good corporate citizen."
True
Bribery of foreign government officials is both an ethical and a legal issue.
True
Business ethics focuses on ethical behavior in the business world.
True
Compliance with the law does not necessarily fulfill all ethical obligations.
True
Corporations can be good citizens by promoting goals that society deems worthwhile.
True
Duty-based ethical standards often come from religious precepts or through philosophical reasoning.
True
Ethics is less certain than law.
True
If the interests of different stakeholders conflict, it can be difficult to determine which group's interest should receive greater weight.
True
Managers should apply the same ethical standards to themselves and to their employees
True
Some companies set up confidential systems for employees to "raise red flags" about suspected unethical practices.
True
The effectiveness of a company's code of ethics is determined by the commitment of the company leadership to enforcing the code.
True
According to utilitarianism, an action that affects the majority adversely is morally wrong.
True
According to utilitarianism, it matters how many people suffer a negative effect from an act
True
Acting in good faith gives a business firm a better chance of defending its actions in court
True
An ethical code of conduct typically outlines a company's policies.
True
An ethics program can clarify what a company considers to be unacceptable conduct.
True
Corporations can be perceived as owing ethical duties to groups other than their shareholders.
True
Ethical reasoning is the process through which an individual links his or her moral convictions or ethical standards to the particular situation at hand.
True
Ethics can be highly subjective and subject change over time.
True
Ethics is concerned with the fairness or justness of an action.
True
Focusing on a firm's short-term profits without considering the company's long-term needs may be acting unethically.
True
Management's behavior sets the ethical tone of a firm.
True
Many companies have provided guidelines about what is appropriate when making posts on social media accounts.
True
. Ridgeline Excavation & Construction, LLC, creates an internal code of ethics. Like the codes of other firms, Ridgeline's company code is not
a law
Julia, the head executive of Fine Woolen Sweaters, Inc., is a committed Christian who strongly adheres to the Ten Commandments. One of Julia's employees is found to be stealing sweaters and giving them to a local homeless shelter. Julia is likely to
a. punish the employee for stealing even though the employee's motive was benevolent. b.view the employee's actions as justified because the employee was clothing the poor.
Lyle, vice-president of sales for Mi-T Electric, Inc., adheres to Judeo-Christian re-lig-ious ethical standards. With respect to their application, these standards are
absolute
In deciding questions of corporate social responsibility, Valley Disposal & Recycling, Inc., is concerned with
all of the choices
Peak & Vale Accountants provides
an ethical duty beyond those duties mandated by law.
MeatMen, Inc.
corporate social responsibility.
Straitway Company
demonstrate a commitment to ethical decision making
Eden, the chief executive officer of Flo-Thru Piping Corporation, wants to en-sure that Flo-Thru's activities are legal and ethical. The best course for Eden and Flo-Thru is to act in
good faith
With respect to the potential for American Discount Stores, Inc., and any other major corporation to suffer damage to its reputation or loss of profits through negative publicity, the Internet has
increased the potential
John is sales manager for Kleen 'N Brite Products, Inc. Compared to John's personal activities, his business activities most likely involve
more complex ethical issues.
A common ethical dilemma faced
one group as opposed to another.
In business deals, Fiona, the chief executive officer of Snacks n' Bites, Inc., follows duty-based ethical standards. These are most likely derived from
philosophical reasoning
Carrie Ann works at Paper Products, Inc. She considers taking home a few sheets of stationery so she can write letters to her ailing grandmother. Since Paper Products produces thousands of sheets of stationery every day no one will miss the few sheets she takes and company profits will not be affected. Carrie Ann then considers what would happen if every employee took some stationery home and decides not to take any. Carrie Ann is being influenced by
the categorical imperative
At a meeting of employees,
the commitment of company leadership to enforcing the code.
Richard
the employee reporting the unethical behavior can do so anonymously.
In making business decisions, Glenda, personnel manager for HVAC Maintenance, Inc., applies her belief that all persons have fundamental rights. This is
the principle of rights
Ryan, the owner of SuperMart Stores, Inc., adheres to the "principle of rights" theory. Under this theory, a key factor in determining whether a business decision is ethical is how that decision affects
the rights of others
Hailey, a lawyer on the staff of International Group, always considers the consequences of an action rather than the nature of the action itself when making ethical decisions in a business context. Hailey is applying
the utilitarian theory of ethics in business contexts.
David, the chief accounting officer of Tension Fencing Corporation, wants to be sure that all the company's accounts are legal and ethical. Sometimes, however, he is unsure exactly what is legal and what is illegal. David should
try his best to not do anything illegal and keep documentation showing that he always acts in good faith.
PriceLess Retail Corporation specifies that its employees should not use social media to damage the company, harm another person's reputation, or violate company policies. An employee who violates these rules may be subject to discipline and could be fired. According to the National Labor Relations Board, this social media policy
violates federal labor law
Flexo Trucking Company transports hazard-ous waste. Garn is a Flexo driver, whom the company knows drives longer hours than federal regula-tions permit. One night, Garn exceeds the limit and has an accident. Spilled chemicals contaminate Hill City's water source, forcing the residents to move away. Flexo acted unethically because
Flexo showed reckless disregard for Hill City's residents and others.
Destiny and Eduardo, investors in Competitive Acquisitions Corporation, are dissatisfied with the profit-maximization theory of corporate objectives. These investors and others who look beyond profits and dividends may consider the triple bottom line, which does not include a corporation's
congressional lobbying activities.
In studying the legal environment of business, Professor Dooley's students also review ethics in a business context. Ethics includes the study of what constitutes
fair or just behavior.
Applied Business Corporation
its employees, owners, consumers, the community, and society.
To assist
keep records
Margaret
not likely to be good because although
Any decision by the management of Fast-Food Franchise Corporation may significantly affect its
operators, owners, suppliers, the community, or society as a whole.
According to the view that New Allied Manufacturing Corporation is a "citizen," New Allied is expected to
participate in bettering communities and society.
Lia
questions of rightness and wrongness.
Ethical standards
routinely
Precision Engineering Inc., like other corporations, is subject to laws that are broad in their purpose and their scope. Compliance with these laws is not always sufficient to determine "right" behavior because
the law does not codify all ethical requirements.
Bob, research manager for CornAgri Products, Inc
the most people.
Mary works in the public relations department of New Trends Sales Company. Her job includes portraying New Trends's activities in their best light. In this context, ethics consist of
the same moral principles that apply to non-business activities.
Ergonomic Corporation
to create an ethical code of conduct.
In making decisions for Smartt Investments, Rita uses a cost-benefit analysis. This is a part of
utilitarian ethics.
