Scenario:
Jill Jones is a bright 45-year-old woman who is the vice-president of sales in a mid-sized family owned Candy Corporation. She began her career at the company right out of high school, and over the years earned two college degrees while working her way up the organizational ladder.
One day, Jill learned that the firm’s head, William Potter, was considering placing his oldest son, Henry, in the position of CEO while he became chairman of the board. This was not a pleasant discovery for Jill. Years earlier, when Jill was in a middle management position, Henry had unsuccessfully propositioned her and made her life miserable. She had never mentioned the incident to anyone and had put it behind her when he was promoted to head the Miami branch of the business. However, now as she looks at William Potter she becomes even more distressed when she hears him say “I can’t be objective about him Jill. You have always been so loyal to the company and successful in hiring excellent people for the sales force. I want you to review him objectively and give me your recommendation.” Conflicting thoughts rush through her mind, the awful past, the all so possible awful future with him as her boss, the clear knowledge that he has done a great job with the Miami branch, and of course the knowledge that he is the boss’s son. What should she do?
“Jill” has just come up against one of the myriad ethical dilemmas companies of all sizes and their employees face on an ongoing basis. Deciding the best course of action might be easy in some cases, when there are clear-cut choices between “right” and “wrong.” But there are many gray areas, like Jill’s, when it’s harder to know what the right choice is for you and your company.

Assignment #1: Making an Ethical Decision (Week 3)

Purpose:

In the first assignment, students are provided a scenario in which Jill Jones, Vice-President for Candy Corporation is faced with an ethical dilemma.

Outcome Met by Completing This Assignment:

1. identify ethical issues that arise in domestic and global business environments using an understanding of ethical concepts and of legal and business principles

2. develop and evaluate alternatives to, and recommend solutions for, ethical dilemmas, taking into account ethical and legal requirements and the essential mission of the business enterprise

3. effectively communicate to internal and external business stakeholders the complexities of ethical issues, suggesting and analyzing various solutions in order to ensure appropriate business practices and accountability

Step 1: Preparation for Writing the Assignment

Before you begin writing the paper, you will read the following requirements that will help meet the writing and APA requirements. Not reading this information will lead to a lower grade:

Task 1: Review “How to Analyze a Case Study” under Week 3 Content. You are expected to use the facts from the case scenario focusing on using this information to determine opportunities and solve problems. Remember that this is an ethical case study, however, not a simple decision process designed to reach an action decision. See the Instructor Notes this week on the difference.

Task 2: Read the grading rubric for the assignment. Use the grading rubric while writing the paper to ensure all requirements are met that will lead to the highest possible points.

Task 3: Third person writing is required. Third person means that there are no words such as “I, me, my, we, or us” (first person writing), nor is there use of “you or your” (second person writing). If uncertain how to write in the third person, view this link: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/first-second-and-third-person.

Task 4: Contractions are not used in business writing, so you are expected NOT to use contraction in writing this assignment.

Task 5: You are expected to paraphrase and are NOT to use direct quotes. You are expected to paraphrase, which can be learned by reviewing this link: https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_paraphrase2.html.

Task 6: You are responsible for APA only for in-text citations and a reference list. All source material must be cited and referenced.

Task 7: You are expected to use the facts from the case scenario paired with the weekly courses readings to develop the analysis and support the reasoning. No more than three (3) external resources can be used in completing the assignment. The expectation is that you provide a robust use of the course readings. If any material is used from a source document, it must be cited and referenced. A reference within a reference list cannot exist without an associated in-text citation and vice versa. View the sample APA paper under Week 1 content.

Step 2: How to Set Up the Paper

Task 1: Create a Word or Rich Text Format (RTF) document that is double-spaced, 12-point font. The final product will be between 3-4 pages in length excluding the title page and reference page. You may not exceed four (4) pages so it is important to write clearly and concisely.

Task 2: Use the following format with headings:
Create a title page with title, your name, the course, the instructor’s name and date;
Introduction
Ethical Dilemma;
The Decision;
Compare and Contrast of Results Using Two Theories;
Resolution of Dilemma
Task 3: Create the introductory paragraph. Within this paragraph, provide a brief overview of the scenario. Then, provide a thesis statement and tell the reader the main topics covered in the paper. The introduction comes at the beginning of the paper and tells a reader the main topics covered in the paper. View this website to learn how to write an introductory paragraph: http://www.writing.ucsb.edu/faculty/donelan/intro.html

Step 3: Clearly identify the ethical dilemma Jill is faced with now?

Task 1: Read the case scenario located under Week 3.

Look for the ethical dilemma, which can be identified as a dilemma that focuses on matters of principle. An ethical dilemma can be seen when two principles are in conflict.

Task 2: Present the ethical dilemma as an either/or decision or as two or more alternatives.

Step 4: Explain the decision Jill should make?

Task 1: Students are required to apply at least two ethical theories to analyze and explain the decision that Jill should make.

Step 5: Compare and contrast the two theories used to explain the decision Jill should make

Step 6: Select the result that provides the best resolution of the ethical dilemma and explain why that is the best choice.

Step 7: Create a summary and conclusion paragraph.

Task 1: It is not appropriate to leave a paper hanging so summarize the paper by telling a reader the main points covered in the paper, together with your conclusion.

Step 8: Proofread the paper for spelling and grammatical issues, and third person writing as this assignment requires college-level writing.

Use the spell and grammar check in Word as a first measure;
Have someone who has excellent English skills to proof the paper;
Consider submitting the paper to the Effective Writing Center (EWC). The EWC will provide 4-6 areas that may need improvement.