BES Suitability Assessment 23-24

The Suitability Assessment

Business Ethics and Sustainability

Protect and improve the world with Business Ethics and Sustainability

Introduction: In accordance with the college's 28th-day student registration policy attendance is crucial in this programme, and you must submit this assessment of your learning progress. Good luck!

The Suitability Assessment

11. Congratulations, you did it! - Page 10

06. Online Quiz - Page 7, Actvity 5

07. Ethical Dilemma Scenario - Page 7, Activity 6

08. Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) - Page 8

10. Short Answer Questions - Page 9

05. Business Ethics Code Analysis - Page 7, Activity 4

04. Peer Assessment - Page 7, Activity 3

02. Group Discussion and Debate - Page 6

01. Reflective Journal - Page 5

Student Suitability Assessment

Index

Evidence of your learning and ability to apply ethical principles and sustainability concepts in a business context.

Task 2: Update and add your group Padlet.

Task 4: Have there been any issues that you have encountered in your assignment?

Task 3: What are your thoughts, insights and personal experiences related to business ethics and sustainability?

Task 1: Upload your work.

Reflective Journal

02. Reflective Journal

1. Each Team: one must represent the "Pro" side and the other representing the "Con" side of the debate.2. The "Pro" side should argue in favor of the importance of business ethics and sustainability, while the "Con" side should argue against or present potential challenges3. Participants should hold diverse perspectives.

10 minute Activity: Did you represent the Pro side or the Con side and what perspectives did you find interesting and why?

03. Group Discussion and Debate

Assessment 6: Ethical Business Senario

Assessment 5: Online Quiz

Assessment 4: Business Ethics Code Analysis

Assessment 3: Peer Assessent

02. Text

Assessment Activity 8

Click on the green button to start your Business Ethics and Sustainability Student Suitability Assessment Activity

Multiple Choice Q&A

This is the final Suitability Task. There are five short questions and answers to complete

Short Q&A

Activity 9

This is the final Suitability Task. There are five short questions and answers to complete

Short Q&A

Activity 9

You did it!

Mahatma Gandi

"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed"

Martin Luther King

"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree"

Critical Group Discussion In Writing

Henry Paulson

"Economic growth and environmental protection are not compatible. They are the opposite sides of the same currency if you are looking for long-term prosperity"

Critical Group Discussion In Writing

Debate Topic: The Importance of Business Ethics and Sustainability Pro Side Topics: 1. Corporate Responsibility: Ethical business practices and sustainability initiatives are essential for corporations to fulfill their social responsibility. They help companies contribute positively to society and the environment. 2. Long-term Profitability: Ethical and sustainable practices can lead to long-term profitability by fostering customer trust, attracting socially conscious investors, and reducing costs through efficient resource management. 3. Brand Reputation: Companies that prioritize ethics and sustainability build strong brand reputations, which can lead to increased customer loyalty and competitive advantage in the market. 4. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to ethical and sustainable standards ensures compliance with increasingly stringent laws and regulations, reducing legal risks for businesses. 5. Global Market Access: Many international markets require adherence to ethical and sustainability standards, making it essential for businesses to access a broader customer base. Con Side Topics: 1. Short-Term Costs: Implementing ethical and sustainable practices often involves upfront costs, which can strain a company's finances in the short term, potentially hindering growth and profitability. 2. Competitive Disadvantage: Stricter ethical and sustainability standards may put companies at a disadvantage compared to competitors who prioritize profit over these values. This can lead to market share loss. 3. Complexity and Compliance Burden: Navigating the web of ethical and sustainability regulations can be complex and time-consuming, diverting resources away from core business activities. 4. Greenwashing: Some businesses may engage in greenwashing, where they claim to be more ethical and sustainable than they actually are. This can mislead consumers and damage the credibility of genuine efforts. 5. Global Inequality: Imposing universal ethical and sustainability standards may not account for the economic disparities between countries and regions, potentially causing harm to struggling economies. 6. Consumer Preferences: Not all consumers prioritize ethics and sustainability in their purchasing decisions. Forcing these values on businesses may alienate some customer segments. 7. Unintended Consequences: Well-intentioned sustainability initiatives can sometimes have unintended negative consequences, such as displacing workers or causing unintended harm to ecosystems. These arguments present a balanced view of the importance of business ethics and sustainability, offering points for and against their implementation in corporate practices.

Solve the problem: Explain why you chose Options 1, 2 or 3? Scenario: The Sustainable Sourcing Dilemma Imagine you are the CEO of a successful and socially responsible company that specialises in producing consumer electronics. Your company has built a reputation for its commitment to ethical business practices and sustainability. One of your flagship products is a popular smartphone that you market as eco-friendly due to its recyclable materials, energy-efficient manufacturing process, and fair labor practices in your supply chain. Your company has a key supplier, a rare mineral mining company located in a developing country. This supplier provides you with a critical component required for your smartphones' production. The supplier has been your partner for several years and offers competitive pricing while claiming to adhere to local labor and environmental regulations. However, a recent investigative report by a respected environmental organization has revealed disturbing practices at the supplier's mining operations. The report alleges that the supplier engages in: 1. Unsafe working conditions: Miners are exposed to hazardous substances without proper safety equipment, resulting in health issues. 2. Environmental degradation: The mining operations are causing significant harm to the local ecosystem, including deforestation and contamination of water sources. 3. Child labor: The report suggests that the supplier employs underage workers in violation of international labor standards. This revelation has put you in a challenging ethical dilemma: Option 1: Terminate the Supplier Relationship You could immediately sever ties with the supplier to distance your company from these unethical practices. This choice aligns with your commitment to ethical business and sustainability, sending a clear message that your company does not tolerate such behavior. However, this could disrupt your smartphone production, leading to a temporary shortage, potential layoffs, and financial losses. Option 2: Work to Improve Supplier Practices Alternatively, you could choose to work closely with the supplier to address these issues. This may involve investing in improving working conditions, environmental practices, and labor standards at the supplier's facilities. While this option aligns with the principle of corporate responsibility, it might be a slow and uncertain process, and there's no guarantee that the supplier will cooperate fully. Option 3: Continue Business as Usual You could also choose to turn a blind eye to the report and maintain your business relationship with the supplier. This would ensure a steady supply of components for your smartphones and minimal disruptions to your operations. However, this option would compromise your company's ethical image and potentially lead to consumer backlash if the information becomes public. As the CEO, you must decide how to handle this ethical dilemma, weighing your company's commitment to ethical business and sustainability against the potential financial and operational consequences of your decision.

Task 04. Peer Assessment:Each group must pair up with another group and provide THREE areas of development, Explain how the presentations can be improved.List the three areas of development for your peer assessment of a group presentation. Using these three areas of development explain how the presentation can be improved?

To provide a concrete example, let's analyse the Business Ethics Code of a company called "ABC Corporation." This analysis will focus on key sections of the code to highlight strengths and areas for improvement. Write a comparison for your chosen presentation against each of these factors: 1. Purpose and Introduction: The code begins with a clear introduction emphasising the company's commitment to ethical behavior and integrity. It states that ethical conduct is fundamental to ABC Corporation's success. 2. Ethical Principles: The code outlines core ethical principles, including honesty, fairness, respect, and transparency. These principles are consistent with well-established ethical frameworks. 3. Scope and Applicability: The code specifies that it applies to all employees, officers, and directors of ABC Corporation, as well as contractors and suppliers engaged in the company's operations. 4. Compliance with Laws and Regulations: The code explicitly requires compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards, emphasizing the importance of legal and regulatory adherence. 5. Conflicts of Interest: The code provides guidance on identifying and managing conflicts of interest, including a requirement for employees to disclose conflicts promptly. It outlines a process for resolving conflicts impartially. 6. Anti-Discrimination and Inclusivity: The code includes a robust section on preventing discrimination, harassment, and promoting diversity and inclusion. It highlights the company's commitment to maintaining a respectful and inclusive workplace. 7. Transparency and Accountability: The code underscores the importance of transparency in financial reporting and decision-making processes. It encourages open communication and accountability among employees and management. 8. Reporting Violations: The code offers a confidential and well-defined reporting mechanism for employees to report ethical violations. It assures protection for whistleblowers and non-retaliation. 9. Training and Education: ABC Corporation commits to providing ongoing ethics training and education for all employees. It also mandates ethics training for board members. 10. Enforcement and Consequences: The code specifies that violations may result in disciplinary actions, including termination. It assures consistent enforcement and outlines an appeal process for accused individuals. 11. Updates and Revisions: The code states that it will be reviewed annually and updated as needed to ensure relevance and effectiveness. It encourages employee feedback in the revision process. 12. Stakeholder Engagement: While the code focuses primarily on employees, it also mentions the company's commitment to engaging with customers, suppliers, and communities to address ethical concerns. 13. Cultural Considerations: The code acknowledges the importance of respecting cultural differences in its global operations and interacting with diverse stakeholders. 14. Performance Metrics: The code lacks specific metrics for tracking ethical performance. Consideration could be given to adding such metrics in the future. 15. Case Studies and Examples: The code includes practical examples of ethical dilemmas employees might encounter, helping them understand how to apply the principles in real situations. 16. Accessibility and Communication: The code is easily accessible on the company's intranet and website, and employees are regularly reminded of its existence through internal communications. 17. Implementation and Integration: ABC Corporation integrates the code into its decision-making processes and conducts regular ethics audits to ensure compliance. 18. Effectiveness and Impact: The company reports a positive impact on employee behavior and a strong ethical reputation, as evidenced by industry awards and customer feedback. 19. External Standards and Certifications: The code aligns with industry-specific ethical standards and has received certification from an external ethics organization.20. Continuous Improvement: The code reflects a commitment to continuous improvement, and feedback mechanisms are in place to gather input from employees and other stakeholders. In this example, ABC Corporation's Business Ethics Code demonstrates several strengths, including a clear introduction, alignment with ethical principles, comprehensive coverage, and a commitment to continuous improvement. However, there is room for improvement in specifying performance metrics and expanding stakeholder engagement. Overall, it serves as a solid foundation for promoting ethical behavior within the organization.