Question 1

When exporting goods, U.S. companies can face ethical challenges that they do not face when selling goods in the United States.

Accepted Answer

When exporting goods, U.S. companies may encounter different cultural and legal environments, as well as issues related to human rights, labor standards, environmental impact, and bribery and corruption in foreign countries. These challenges may require additional due diligence and compliance measures to ensure that the company's exports are consistent with its values and international norms.

Question 2

According to Chapter 2, what is the potential downside to whistle-blowing?

Accepted Answer

As your question refers to "Chapter 2," without specifying the context or the title of the book or document, I can only provide a general answer regarding the potential downsides to whistle-blowing. If you can provide more details, I could offer a more specific response. However, here is a general answer:

Whistle-blowing refers to the act of exposing any kind of information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct within an organization that is either private or public. The potential downsides to whistle-blowing can include:

1. Retaliation: Whistle-blowers may face retaliation from their employers or colleagues, which can include termination, demotion, harassment, or other forms of discrimination.

2. Professional Repercussions: The whistle-blower might be blacklisted within their industry, making it difficult to find future employment.

3. Legal Consequences: In some cases, whistle-blowers may face legal action if they are accused of leaking confidential information or if they did not follow proper legal channels for reporting.

4. Personal Stress: The process of whistle-blowing can be stressful and emotionally taxing, potentially leading to mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.

5. Financial Strain: Legal costs, loss of employment, and other financial burdens can arise as a result of whistle-blowing.

6. Social Isolation: Whistle-blowers may become socially isolated from former colleagues and others in their professional network who may view them as traitors or troublemakers.

7. Impact on Personal Relationships: The strain of whistle-blowing can also affect personal relationships, as friends and family may also experience stress or become targets of retaliation.

8. Questioning of Motives: Whistle-blowers may have their motives questioned, with some people suspecting them of acting out of self-interest rather than ethical concerns.

It's important to note that despite these potential downsides, many countries have laws in place to protect whistle-blowers from retaliation, and there are often ethical and legal obligations to report wrongdoing. Whistle-blowing can play a crucial role in maintaining transparency and accountability within organizations and can lead to positive changes and reforms.

Question 3

It is generally acceptable to use company boilerplate without attribution.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 4

According to Chapter 2, using social media ethically entails avoiding false endorsements. What are three other guidelines for the ethical use of social media?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Chapter 2, using social media...

Question 5

The standard of utility is concerned with what?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The standard of utility is concerned with...

Question 6

Contract law affects technical communication because technical documents sometimes contain warranty statements.

Accepted Answer

Contract law governs the formation and enforcement of agreements, including warranties. Technical documents often contain warranties that are subject to contract law, such as promises about the performance or quality of a product. Technical writers must take care to ensure that their warranty statements are clear, accurate, and legally enforceable.

Question 7

To be effective, a code of conduct must stipulate penalties.

Accepted Answer

A code of conduct serves as a set of guidelines and principles that outline the standards of behavior that are expected from individuals within an organization. In order to ensure that the code of conduct is enforced, penalties for violations must be clearly stipulated. This ensures that individuals are aware of the consequences of their actions and are deterred from engaging in behaviors that are not aligned with the organization's values and principles. Without penalties, a code of conduct would be ineffective in ensuring that individuals comply with the expected standards of behavior.

Question 8

Chapter 2 lists four areas of law relevant to ethical issues in technical communication. One is copyright law. What are two others?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Chapter 2 lists four areas of law...

Question 9

According to the principle of the moral minimum, it is permissible for companies to passively reinforce patterns of discrimination in product information if the audience to which the product is being sold practices that discrimination.

Accepted Answer

The principle of the moral minimum holds that companies have a basic moral obligation to avoid causing harm in their business practices, and actively promoting or reinforcing discrimination would be considered harmful. Therefore, it would not be permissible for companies to passively reinforce patterns of discrimination in product information, even if the audience practices that discrimination.

Question 10

Fair-use guidelines apply to graphics just as they do to words.

Accepted Answer

Fair-use guidelines apply to all types of creative works including graphics, images, music, and videos. These guidelines allow for the limited use of copyrighted works without permission for certain purposes such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. However, the extent and nature of the use must be considered in each case to determine if it meets the criteria for fair use.

Question 11

What does the symbol ® stand for, and what rights does it grant a company?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does the symbol ® stand for,...

Question 12

When warning users about the dangers of products, writers should avoid using mandatory language such as must and shall.

Accepted Answer

Using mandatory language like "must" and "shall" in warnings is important because it clearly communicates the actions that are necessary to avoid harm, making the instructions unambiguous and emphasizing the seriousness of the risks involved.

Question 13

Under the concept of work made for hire, anything written on the job by an employee being paid by the organization is the property of the organization-provided that the employee agrees after the document is written to surrender his or her copyright.

Accepted Answer

Under the concept of work made for hire, the employer is automatically considered the author and owns the copyright of works created by an employee within the scope of their employment, without needing any additional agreement after the work is created.

Question 14

Chapter 2 lists four factors governing the fair-use exemption, which allows you to use copyrighted material without permission under certain conditions. One factor is the nature and purpose of the copyrighted work. What are the other three factors?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Chapter 2 lists four factors governing the...

Question 15

According to Chapter 2, saying that a new line of air fresheners is "guaranteed to stave off any and every odor that comes your house's way" would be an example of what?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Chapter 2, saying that a...

Question 16

Fair use is best described as a set of general guidelines on ways to use small parts of someone else's copyrighted material for purposes such as commentary, criticism, and research.

Accepted Answer

Fair use allows for limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the owner under certain circumstances, including criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. However, the determination of what constitutes fair use is subjective and can vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case.

Question 17

An effective code of conduct has three characteristics. One is that it protects the public rather than members of the organization or profession. What is one other characteristic of an effective code of conduct?

Accepted Answer

The answer of An effective code of conduct has three...

Question 18

Only professionals with management responsibilities have ethical responsibilities to the environment.

Accepted Answer

All individuals, not just professionals with management responsibilities, have ethical responsibilities to the environment. It is everyone's responsibility to protect and preserve the environment for present and future generations.

Question 19

What advantage does using a trademark symbol confer upon an organization?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What advantage does using a trademark symbol...

Question 20

Chapter 2 states that as an employee, you have five obligations to your employer. One obligation is honesty and candor. What are two of the other obligations?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Chapter 2 states that as an employee,...

Quiz 2: Understanding Ethical and Legal Considerations