Question 1

According to the authors, ethical behavior is defined as:

Accepted Answer

C

Question 2

Discarding the few "bad apples" will usually solve all of the ethical problems within an organization.

Accepted Answer

Ethical problems within an organization are often systemic and cannot be solved simply by removing a few individuals. It requires a deeper examination of the organization's culture, values, and practices.

Question 3

Definition of ethics-"the principles, norms, and standards of conduct governing an individual or group"-focuses on _______.

Accepted Answer

The definition of ethics highlights the principles, norms, and standards that govern an individual's or group's conduct. Hence, the focus of ethics is on conduct. While ethics can apply to organizations, society, and business, its primary focus is on regulating individuals' and groups' behavior.

Question 4

According to the authors, most people are guided by a strict internal moral compass and will not be swayed by organization factors.

Accepted Answer

The authors do not make a definitive statement about whether most people are guided by a strict internal moral compass or not. Instead, they suggest that both internal and external factors can influence ethical behavior and decision-making.

Question 5

When employees come to an organization, they have already developed into "good" or "bad" apples. Therefore, there is little a manager can do to impact an employee's ethical behavior.

Accepted Answer

While some employees may have already established their ethical behavior, managers can still influence and shape their behavior through training, setting expectations, providing feedback, creating a positive workplace culture, and addressing unethical behavior. It is not accurate to say that there is little a manager can do to impact an employee's ethical behavior.

Question 6

The Ethics Resource Center's 2011 National Business Ethics Survey found that only _____ percent of employees of for-profit enterprises report feeling pressured to compromise their ethical standards.

Accepted Answer

According to the Ethics Resource Center's 2011 National Business Ethics Survey, only 13 percent of employees of for-profit enterprises report feeling pressured to compromise their ethical standards.

Question 7

Good character is the main factor determining whether an individual acts ethically within an organization.

Accepted Answer

While good character is important, ethical behavior within an organization is also influenced by organizational culture, policies, leadership, and external regulations.

Question 8

Which of these is Adam Smith's first book?

Accepted Answer

The Theory of Moral Sentiments was Adam Smith's first book, published in 1759. Wealth of Nations came later in 1776. The other options listed are not books written by Adam Smith.

Question 9

According to the authors, all of these are factors that laid the groundwork for the disaster in the United States in 2008 EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The authors do not mention that borrowing being expensive was a factor that laid the groundwork for the disaster in the United States in 2008. In fact, some argue that easy access to credit and low interest rates were contributing factors to the crisis.

Question 10

By ignoring the topic of ethical behavior, an organization may actually be encouraging unethical behavior through benign neglect.

Accepted Answer

When an organization ignores ethical behavior, it sends a message that unethical behavior is tolerated or even acceptable. This can lead to a culture where unethical behavior is more likely to occur and be normalized.

Question 11

Ethical behavior can be influenced by:

Accepted Answer

Ethical behavior can be influenced by an individual's religion, an organization's culture, ethical training, and an individual's personality. All of these factors can shape an individual's values, beliefs, and decision-making processes, ultimately influencing their ethical behavior.

Question 12

Federal laws define what is ethical. Therefore, all unethical behavior is considered unlawful.

Accepted Answer

Federal laws may provide guidelines for ethical behavior, but they do not encompass all ethical considerations. Moreover, there may be ethical behavior that is not necessarily defined in federal laws but is still considered ethical. While some unethical behavior may be illegal, not all unethical behavior is unlawfull.

Question 13

The implosion of the financial markets in 2008 was largely the result of:

Accepted Answer

The implosion of the financial markets in 2008 was largely caused by unethical activities such as risky investments, lack of transparency, and manipulation of the market. These activities ultimately led to a collapse that resulted in significant harm to individuals, businesses, and the economy as a whole. While government regulation and intervention played a role in the aftermath, the root cause of the crisis was the unethical behavior of those within the financial industry.

Question 14

According to the 2012 Edelman Trust Barometer, only _____ percent of Americans surveyed trust banks to be ethical-a _____-point drop since 2008

Accepted Answer

According to the 2012 Edelman Trust Barometer, only 35 percent of Americans surveyed trust banks to be ethical-a 34-point drop since 2008.

Question 15

It is unethical for managers to "control" employees' ethical behavior through direct management and the organization's formal and informal cultural systems.

Accepted Answer

It is part of a manager's role to guide and influence employees' ethical behavior through both direct management and the organization's cultural systems, ensuring that business practices align with ethical standards and legal requirements. This includes creating an ethical work environment, setting clear ethical guidelines, and leading by example.

Question 16

Both characteristics of the environment and the individual contribute to unethical behavior.

Accepted Answer

The environment can create pressure on individuals to behave unethically, but ultimately it is up to the individual to make the decision to engage in unethical behavior. Therefore, both the environment and the individual play a role in unethical behavior.

Question 17

_________ students may need more ethics training because research has found that they rank lower in moral reasoning than other students.

Accepted Answer

Research has found that business students generally rank lower in moral reasoning than students in other fields, indicating a need for more ethics training in business education.

Question 18

For individuals, values can be defined as "one's core beliefs about what is important, what is valued, and how one should behave across a wide variety of situations.".

Accepted Answer

This definition accurately describes what values are for individuals.

Question 19

The interest in business ethics is just a fad that has only recently been created by popular scandals (i.e., Enron, WorldCom, etc.) reported in the news.

Accepted Answer

The interest in business ethics has been present for centuries, with early philosophers like Aristotle and Confucius discussing ethics in business practices. However, it gained greater attention in the late 20th century due to the increasing complexity and globalization of business, as well as a series of high-profile scandals that brought ethical issues to the forefront of public consciousness.

Question 20

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

The statement "Employees' good behavior can be spoiled by a 'bad barrel'" is true. This means that even if the majority of employees are good individuals, a toxic organizational culture or immoral leadership can lead to unethical behavior among employees. The "bad barrel" influences the behavior of the "good apples." Option A is incorrect because "bad apples" can also refer to unethical individuals who have a negative impact on a team or organization. Option C is incorrect because ethics can be taught and individuals can learn to make ethical choices. Option D is incorrect because "bad barrels" can also be caused by a toxic culture or unethical leadership, not just the presence of "bad apples."

Quiz 1: Introducing Straight Talk About Managing Business Ethics: Where Were Going and Why