Students should be able to recognize ethical behavior or ethical dilemmas when reading the news or conversing with others.  This assignment requires the student to find a recent article about ethical issues in business and present the information about the article to the class.  Students will understand that ethical issues are all around us, and as students with business interests, should connect ethics to the world in which they hope to have careers.

QUESTION

Management Principles – All Sections (Campus & Distance Learning)
Business Ethics in the News Assignment

Purpose of the assignment:

Students should be able to recognize ethical behavior or ethical dilemmas when reading the news or conversing with others.  This assignment requires the student to find a recent article about ethical issues in business and present the information about the article to the class.  Students will understand that ethical issues are all around us, and as students with business interests, should connect ethics to the world in which they hope to have careers.

Requirements:

1. Students will sign up for a date on which to present their article information.
2. On-line students will submit to the appropriate D2L discussion site, a link to the news item that pertains to a recent ethical issue in business.
3. Campus students will provide a hard copy of the article upon presenting their findings to the class.
4. On-line students will submit on the discussion site, their typed answers in complete sentences to the following three assignment prompts:

Campus students will present their findings in class and will provide a hard copy of their typed answers in complete sentences to the following three assignment prompts:

1. In your own words, briefly explain the story.
2. What is the ethical issue in business illustrated by the story? (e.g., discrimination, lying, product safety, embezzlement, etc.)
3. Why is it an ethical issue? (Explain how people are being harmed or helped.)

5. Format:
   1. Your written submission should have a title. (The title of the article)
   2. Your questions should be answered under 1., 2., and 3. You do not need to repeat the question.  See example below.

Title of Article

1. This paragraph will answer the question, “What is the background of this story?” Explain in your own words.
2. This paragraph will answer the question, “What is the ethical issue in business illustrated by the story?” (e.g., discrimination, lying, cheating, product or personnel safety, polluting)
3. This paragraph will answer the question, “Why is it an ethical issue?” (explain how people are being harmed or helped)

You should be thorough with your answers, enabling the reader to understand that you fully comprehend the ethical issue and its implications.

ANSWER

“Tech Company Faces Backlash for Misuse of User Data”

In your own words, briefly explain the story.

The article sheds light on a recent controversy involving a prominent tech company that has come under scrutiny for its unethical practices regarding the handling of user data. It highlights how the company has been accused of collecting and utilizing user data without obtaining proper consent or providing transparency to its users, leading to concerns about privacy infringement and breaches of ethical conduct.

What is the ethical issue in business illustrated by the story?

The ethical issue illustrated by this story is the misuse and mishandling of user data by the tech company. The company’s actions raise concerns about privacy violations, as it collects and utilizes user data without their explicit consent or knowledge. This ethical issue involves a breach of trust and undermines the expectation that businesses should prioritize user privacy and handle data responsibly.

Why is it an ethical issue? (Explain how people are being harmed or helped.)

The misuse of user data in this case poses significant harm to individuals and their privacy rights. By disregarding ethical principles and failing to uphold privacy standards, the company exposes users to potential harm and manipulation. People are harmed as their personal information becomes vulnerable to unauthorized access, identity theft, or misuse for targeted advertising or other purposes without their knowledge or consent. This breach of privacy can have far-reaching consequences, eroding user trust, and potentially causing financial, emotional, and reputational harm. Moreover, the unethical practices of the company undermine the broader societal expectation that businesses should prioritize the protection of user data and act in an ethical and responsible manner.

By providing more comprehensive answers to each question, the response addresses the requirements of the assignment and offers a more thorough analysis of the ethical issue presented in the article.