Process
Learning about Business Ethics
In this opening section of the webquest, we will look into what exactly business ethics means. We will learn the importance of the topic, and answer some questions on . Click on the link below to read more about business ethics. While reading, answer the questions listed below on a word document. Keep the word document open to answer questions throughout the webquest.
Questions to answer
1. Give a definition of business ethics in your own words.
2. Explain what ethical behavior is.
3. Why does management play an important role in business ethics?
4. Name 3 factors that impact organizational ethics.
Comparing Codes of Ethics
Every company has a specific code of ethics for it's employees to follow. This code of ethics provides guidelines for how the company expects its employees to act. It also gives employees a reference if they are ever face with an ethical dilemma in the workplace.
In this section of the webquest, we will be looking the code of ethics for various recognizable companies. This will give you a good idea of how companies expect there employees to behave, and what is normally included in a code of ethics.
Choose 3 of the companies listed below and research the code of ethics that they expect their employees to follow.
Questions to answer
1. Which three companies did you select?
2. Do you think each of these companies has an effective policy on ethical behavior?
3. Is the policy concise and to the point, or is it unnecessarily long?
4. Of the three companies you chose, which do you think has the best code of ethics? Why?
5. Chose one company and explain why you think it would help an employee who is facing a difficult ethical dilemma.
Ethical Dilemmas
What is an ethical dilemma? An ethical dilemma is when a person is placed in a situation where there is a decision to be made between right and wrong. Some dilemmas can be easily resolved, while others are much harder and more complicated. In this section, we will be exploring different types of ethical dilemmas, both in and out of the workplace.
Click on the link below to look at different everyday ethical dilemmas. Read the dilemma of the day first, and then go into the archive and read about at least two more situations with your group. Discuss these scenarios and figure our what decision your group would make.
Once you have completed discussing the first three dilemmas, use the More Ethical Dilemmas link to read through other possible situations. As a group, pick one dilemma in which you think is especially difficult to make a clear cut decision. You may be able to determine this by the group being split on which decision to make.
After selecting one dilemma from the above link, discuss the situation and answer the following questions about this particular dilemma as a group. Open a word document and type a few sentences for each question.
Questions to Answer
1. What makes this an ethical dilemma?
2. What are the different outcomes of the situation?
3. Will the outcomes affect more than one person?
4. Why do you think it is hard to make a decision in this scenario?
5. What do you think the correct thing to do is?
6. Would you ultimately do the correct thing?
Creating Your Own Code of Ethics
Now that we have what a code of ethics looks like, and we have been asked to put ourselves in some ethical dilemmas, it is time for us to come up with our own code of ethics. Here is your chance to take the best from what you have found, and create a code of ethics you would feel comfortable following and would trust to help you if a difficult decision arose.
Use the links below to gather some more ideas on how to write an effective code of ethics.
More Help Writing a Code of Ethics
Your code of ethics should be typed on a word document and printed out to share with the rest of the class. Your code of ethics should be roughly 1 page single spaced. You will share your code of ethics to the rest of the class as a group.
Creating Your Own Ethical Dilemma
This portion of the webquest is designed for extra credit. If your group can come up with an ethical dilemma to share with the class, you will receive bonus points. The dilemma must be original and creative in order to qualify for bonus.