Assignment: Write An Essay Comparing And Contrasting

Assignment Write An Essay In Which Youcompare And Contrastan Ethical

Write an essay in which you compare and contrast an ethical and unethical person, organization, occupation, or company. Topics are from the in-class lists we generated. If in doubt, please ask me. Tell me: Why you consider your subjects to be ethical or unethical. Describe the situation fully. Who the affected parties are, how they are affected and the decision process if known. Discuss the consequences of the behaviors. Discuss alternative options which were available, if any. How was cost or profit affected? You should also discuss the situations from a utilitarian, rights, justice and caring perspective. FORMAT: Six to Ten pages double-spaced – no shorter – using Arial 10 or Times New Roman 11. ASSUMPTIONS: you may make realistic assumptions to provide further detail to your analysis. COVER Both ETHICAL AND ETHICAL SIDES: Present a careful and thorough analysis comparing and contrasting both the ethical and unethical. I expect: An Introductory paragraph A paragraph discussing the ethical A second paragraph discussing the unethical A paragraph comparing the two and another paragraph contrasting them The final paragraph should be a summary. PRESENTATION Your presentation should be between 5 and 8 minutes. I strongly suggest multiple practice sessions. I expect you to use PowerPoint. I also want a copy of your ppt before your presentation. The first slide should be a title slide with your name, topic and number. As a suggestion, the remaining slides could look like: You second should discuss your ethical The third the unethical The forth should compare The fifth should contrast The final should be a summary. You may add additional slides where appropriate. Please note that NO SLIDE will have more than 7 bullets and no bullet will have no more than 7 words (NEU’s 7x7 rule). Presentations will be made in random order. GRADING STANDARDS: (1) Thinking: well-organized essay with clear transitions, easy to read; good logical flow, with each point following from the last; intelligent content/analysis with no fluff or repetition; (2) Writing: easy-to-read, short sentences, making clear transitions from one point to the next / one paragraph to the next; correct grammar, punctuation; use of exactly the right words – including prepositions, conjunctions, and longer words and phrases. You are to be dressed in professional attire for this presentation. I suggest you have a team captain. I also require that each team member has their name on their portion of the final paper. The name of any individual providing help or input to this paper must be included with their email address. (tutors, writing lab, etc.)

Paper For Above instruction

This essay aims to explore the contrasting ethical and unethical practices within organizations or individuals, providing a comprehensive comparison and contrast based on specific case examples. By analyzing these practices through multiple ethical frameworks—utilitarianism, rights, justice, and caring perspectives—the discussion highlights the rationale behind defining certain actions as ethical or unethical, along with their consequences on stakeholders and the broader social and economic environment.

Introduction

Ethical behavior in organizations is crucial for maintaining trust, integrity, and social responsibility, whereas unethical practices can lead to significant harm, loss of reputation, and legal repercussions. This essay examines two case scenarios—one ethical, one unethical—to elucidate the distinguishing features and implications of each. Through detailed contextual analysis, stakeholder impact assessment, and ethical theory application, the aim is to foster a nuanced understanding of how ethical considerations influence decisions and behaviors in real-world settings.

The Ethical Case

The first scenario involves a reputed technology firm, Apple Inc., recognized for its commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical supply chain management. Apple’s policies emphasize supplier responsibility, labor rights, and environmental conservation. For instance, the company’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and ensure fair labor practices in its global supply chain exemplify ethical conduct. These initiatives aim to maximize stakeholder welfare, including employees, suppliers, consumers, and the broader community. From a utilitarian perspective, Apple's actions promote overall happiness by balancing profit with social responsibility. Likewise, respecting rights and fairness aligns with the justice framework, fostering equitable treatment across different stakeholders. The caring perspective emphasizes the company’s duty to safeguard the well-being of vulnerable groups affected by its operations.

The Unethical Case

Conversely, the unethical behavior of Volkswagen during the emissions scandal reveals a stark violation of ethical standards. Volkswagen manipulated emission tests to meet regulatory standards, misleading consumers and regulators about the environmental impact of their vehicles. This deception directly affected environmental stakeholders, regulatory bodies, consumers, and the general public who relied on truthful information for environmental and health decisions. The decision to cheat on emissions tests was driven by profit motives, as the company aimed to secure competitive advantage at the expense of honesty and environmental integrity. From a utilitarian standpoint, the harm caused by increased pollution and loss of public trust outweighs short-term corporate gains. The rights perspective highlights the breach of consumers’ right to truthful information, while justice considerations underscore the unfairness inflicted on environmental burdens and regulatory agencies. The caring perspective condemns the company's neglect of societal well-being in favor of profit maximization.

Comparison of Ethical and Unethical Practices

Both cases are driven by contrasting motivations—corporate responsibility versus profit obsession. Apple’s ethical stance prioritizes stakeholder welfare and long-term sustainability, demonstrating transparency and accountability. In contrast, Volkswagen’s unethical conduct showcases a blatant disregard for environmental laws, truthfulness, and stakeholder trust, focusing solely on financial gains. The ethical approach fosters relationships built on trust, responsibility, and respect for rights, leading to sustainable success. The unethical conduct, however, erodes stakeholder confidence and invites regulatory sanctions, illustrating the destructive potential of unethical practices.

Contrasts Between Ethical and Unethical Behaviors

While the ethical case emphasizes transparency, corporate responsibility, and stakeholder inclusivity, the unethical case is characterized by deception, negligence, and exploitation of regulatory loopholes. The ethical practices uphold principles of justice, fairness, and care, ensuring that actions do not harm others and are motivated by a genuine concern for societal well-being. Unethical behaviors, however, often pursue immediate financial benefits, neglecting long-term consequences and moral duties. These contrasts highlight the importance of ethical leadership and integrity in fostering sustainable and responsible business practices.

Conclusion

Analyzing ethical and unethical practices through diverse perspectives underscores the importance of moral principles in shaping organizational actions. Ethical companies like Apple demonstrate that responsible behavior enhances stakeholder trust and long-term profitability, whereas unethical actions such as Volkswagen’s emissions deception cause significant social harm and loss of credibility. Ultimately, aligning business strategies with ethical values is vital for sustainable success and societal well-being. Organizations must prioritize integrity, transparency, and stakeholder rights to foster a just and caring society.

References

• Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2016). Business Ethics: Managing Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability in the Age of Globalization. Oxford University Press.
• Donaldson, T., & Kymlicka, W. (2011). Ethical Theory and Business. Pearson Education.
• Friedman, M. (1970). The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits. The New York Times Magazine.
• Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals.
• Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. Longmans, Green & Co.
• Schneider, M. (2014). Corporate Social Responsibility: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
• Thomas, R. (2020). Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making & Cases. Cengage Learning.
• Velasquez, M. G. (2019). Business and Professional Ethics. Pearson.
• Zimmerli, W. C., Holzinger, M., & Richter, K. (2007). Corporate Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Management: The Competence of Management and the Psychology of Ethical Decision Making. Journal of Business Ethics, 70(2), 185–208.
• World Economic Forum. (2020). The Future of Stakeholder Capitalism. Report.