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PRE > Applied ethics- BUSINESS ETHICS > Flashcards

Applied ethics- BUSINESS ETHICS Flashcards

1
Q

Define whistleblow

A

A person who exposes secretive information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct within business

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2
Q

Define globalisation

A

the process by which businesses or other organisations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale

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3
Q

Define commerce

A

the activity of buying or selling, especially on a large scale

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4
Q

Example of an ethical business

A

Starbucks- 100% sustainably sourced coffee, CAFE looks for quality, economic transparency, social responsibility, and environmental leadership

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5
Q

Example of an unethical business

A

Amazon- bad record on workers rights and poor treatment of employees, tax avoidance

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6
Q

What did Friedman argue about CSR?

A

‘The purpose of business is to make me money’

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7
Q

What did Maxwell argue about CSR?

A

‘There’s no such thing as business ethics’

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8
Q

Example of a company who values CSR

A

the Body shop (fronted by Anita Roddick) animal rights and fair trade

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9
Q

What did Baggini argue about CSR?

A

Companies do it for good business in response to customer concerns about the sourcing of the product

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10
Q

List people who the business may have a duty to

A 
customers
shareholders
government 
employees
suppliers 
management 
local community
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11
Q

Give 3 reason why an individual should whistleblow

A

Prevent ignorant judicial system and consumer
Increased accountability
Incentive for businesses to be ethical

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12
Q

Give 2 reasons why someone should not whistleblow

A

Benefits rival business

John Locke’s property rights- a company has a moral right to anything it has developed, researched or paid for

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13
Q

Explain British workers for British jobs

A

Production has moved to other parts of the world and is now imported
Immigrants often offer cheaper labour

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14
Q

what’s GEIGB?

A

Good ethics is good business

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15
Q

Why might good ethics be better for business?

A
  1. A better IMAGE is given to the consumer, increasing profit
  2. New sources of finance from ethical INVESTORS
  3. Improved brand awareness and RECOGNITION
  4. Attract higher qualified EMPLOYEES and increase employee motivation
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16
Q

Why might good ethics not be better for business?

A

Fair trade costs more

Pay for training on ethical policy

17
Q

Give some criticisms of GEIGB

A

Unethical businesses can still be successful
Brands cannot be ethical if its damaging to their business (eg cigarette brands discouraging smoking)
Baggini- Might not tackle the most important issues, and instead what customers deems the most important

18
Q

Name some issues surrounding globalisation

A 
Sweatshops 
Child Labour 
Poor health and safety 
No breaks in order to boost production 
Abuse to workers
19
Q

Case study linked to business- consumer relationships

A

Ford- allowed customers to use dangerous cars to maximise profit
$137 million to recall, but estimated only $49.5 million in law suits

20
Q

Case study linked to the environment

A

Erin Brockovich
PG & E poisoning/ contaminating the town of Hinkley’s water source
Settled for $333 million

21
Q

Case study linked to globalisation

A

Nike- sweatshops, child labour allegations

2011, Nike stated 2/3 of its factories producing Converse didn’t meet company standard

22
Q

Case study linked to whistleblowing

A

Sam Provance
Intelligence officer whistle blew on human rights violations eg sexual abuse and torture
Honourably discharged in 2006

23
Q

Strengths of Kantian ethics when applied to business ethics

A

Kant stresses the importance of duty. It encourages businesses to be open and honest, reject greed as it is irrational
Categorical imperatives- presents workers from being treated as a means to an end (eg in Ford or Brockovich)
Kant gave an example of a shopkeeper who didn’t overcharge his customers at it was his duty- place people before profit

24
Q

Weaknesses of Kantian ethics when applied to business ethics

A

Conflicting duties and responsibility
Maxims can be manipulated to allow almost anything
Impractical and unrealistic- damaging to profit which is arguably the purpose of business.

25
Q

How could you summarise Kantian ethics to apply to business?

A

acts should be universal
People should not be used
We have a duty (CSR)

26
Q

Name the seven Catholic principles for good business

A
  1. Human dignity
  2. The common good
  3. Solidarity
  4. Subsidiarity
  5. Fraternity
  6. Reciprocity
  7. Sustainability
27
Q

What is meant by the principle of human dignity?

A

We are all made in God’s image
Cardinal- ‘each person can never be merely an instrument valued just fro their usefulness’
Kant- Second categorical imperative
Temple- good is always personal

28
Q

What is meant by the principle of the common good?

A

Nichols- ‘the set of social conditions which allow people to more easily develop, individually and communally’
Challenges of moving beyond profit as an end to the actual good of persons

29
Q

What is meant by the principle of solidarity?

A

Concern of John Paul II- all live together, dependant on each other
Nichols- ‘being in touch with the needs to communities, striving for the common good particularly by looking for ways of helping underprivileged communities’

30
Q

What is meant by the principle subsidiarity?

A

decisions should be made at the lowest level of compatible with efficiency
(decisions made on an local, national or intern national level for example)

31
Q

What is meant by the principle fraternity?

A

Nichols- entails fellowship towards those of different cultures
Central to building relationships and values such as trust

32
Q

What is meant by the principle reciprocity?

A

the Cardinal- ‘Catholic Social Teaching identifies two levels of reciprocity. The lowest is at the level of justice […] But it also extends to what we call ‘fraternity’ or ‘gratuity’, something that goes beyond duty

33
Q

What is meant by the principle sustainability?

A

Duty to further generations and the environment

34
Q

Who is Vincent Nichols?

A

Archbishop of Westminster in 2009
A Cardinal in 2014
Driving force behind the organisation Blueprint for Business (involving both religious and non-religious people)

35
Q

What did Robert Solomon say about business ethics?

A

Professor of Philosophy…
The purpose of business is to provide the ‘things that make ordinary life easier’.
Business is not an isolated game, which the public may play if it will, and the punt is not just to win, for the impact on the non-players is typically greater than the reward for the participants
‘Then, as every smart entrepreneur knows well enough, the profits will come as a consequence’

36
Q

Describe how you would generally apply Utilitarianism to business ethics

A

Happiness of the majority needs to be considered, not just the shareholders
Therefore will protect workers’ rights, ensure fair pay, safe working distances etc.
For Singer- animals also need great consideration

37
Q

How would a utilitarian respond to globalisation?

A

Either…
It spreads pleasure and therefore maximises happiness (also helps developing economies)
Or…
Sweatshops and poor treatment of workers means it spreads pain and should therefore be avoided (also deforestation and the environment)

38
Q

List 5 strengths of utilitarianism in application to business ethics

A
  1. It maximises UTILITY for everyone. Shareholders make a profit which is the purpose of business, and workers are treated fairly
  2. It is a COMMON SENSE approach in business
  3. FLEXIBLE, allowing for GOOD BUSINESS decisions
  4. Businesses must follow RULES and laws in rule utilitarianism, placing further PROTECTion on workers
  5. Consumerism maximises PLEASURE, and globalisation spreads capitalism and thus allows humans to FLOURISH
39
Q

List 5 weaknesses of utilitarianism in application to business ethics

A
  1. It is TOO FLEXIBLE and means business are not held to account. Anything can be justified, especially if more consumers than employees
  2. It allows the majority to EXPLOIT MINORITY
  3. Teleological- based on CONSEQUENCE which is UNPREDICTABLE
  4. The goal of business is to maximise PROFIT, and Mill would argue that money is a LOWER pleasure
  5. The hedonic calculus is too long and complex to use in the real world- IMPRACTICAL

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