Question 1

John Rawls, a philosopher, maintained that only a person unaware of his or her own identity can make a truly ethical decision. This thought experiment is based on

Accepted Answer

The thought experiment described in the question is based on the concept of the "veil of ignorance," which is a key component of John Rawls' theory of justice. The veil of ignorance is the idea that ethical decisions can only be truly just if they are made by individuals who are not aware of their own identities (i.e. their social status, race, gender, etc.). By removing this knowledge, individuals are able to make decisions that are free from bias and self-interest, and that would be fair for all members of society, regardless of their individual circumstances.

Question 2

In the context of ethics programs in organizations, programs tend to be better integrated into operations, thinking, and behavior when

Accepted Answer

A personal commitment from top management sends a signal that ethical behavior is a priority and sets the tone for the rest of the organization. This can lead to greater integration of ethics programs into operations, thinking, and behavior. Choices A, C, D, and E are either ineffective or counterproductive methods for integrating ethics programs.

Question 3

Nina, a manager, is considering reducing the workforce to cut down on costs. She realizes that this decision will have a huge impact on her employees. In the context of making an ethical decision, this stage is known as

Accepted Answer

The stage Nina is in is known as moral awareness. This is the stage where an individual recognizes that an ethical issue or decision exists and that it involves other people who will be affected by the decision. Nina realizes the impact her decision will have on her employees, which shows that she is aware of the ethical implications of reducing the workforce.

Question 4

A company was required by law to change its physical work environment in such a way so as to enable disabled people to function properly. Since the company followed an) _____ ethics program, it did not stop at just making changes that would help it stay out of trouble with the law. It went further and trained its employees to be sensitive toward disabled people.

Accepted Answer

An integrity-based ethics program focuses on doing what is right and ethical, not just what is required by law or regulations. This program encourages the company to go beyond the minimum legal requirements and consider the ethical implications of their actions. In this scenario, the company not only followed the legal requirements but also trained its employees to be sensitive towards disabled people, which shows their commitment to ethical behavior.

Question 5

Which of the following is true of integrity-based ethics programs in business organizations?

Accepted Answer

Integrity-based ethics programs focus on guiding principles and values that employees and the organization embrace, encouraging self-governance and ethical behavior beyond mere compliance with laws.

Question 6

Some organizations have platforms that allow employees to provide anonymous feedback about the work and behavior of colleagues and seniors. What is the primary purpose of such methods?

Accepted Answer

The primary purpose of such methods is to protect whistleblowers who may fear retaliation for speaking up about misconduct or unethical behavior in the workplace. Anonymity provides a safe space for employees to report such incidents without fear of retribution.

Question 7

In the context of the business costs of ethical failures, Level 1 costs that are less damaging and get more executive attention are the costs of

Accepted Answer

Level 1 costs are those costs which are less damaging and thus, are given more executive attention. Out of the given options, the only cost that fits this description is government fines and penalties. While they do have a financial impact, they are usually not as severe as other costs such as loss of reputation, employee turnover, or legal fees. Furthermore, executives are more likely to pay attention to government fines and penalties as they are often required to report them to shareholders and stakeholders.

Question 8

Teal Inc., a manufacturer of designer journals and notebooks, switched to using recycled paper to manufacture its products. It also changed the design such that the book covers and spiral cords used as spines were not made out of plastic. The changes made by Teal Inc., are an example of

Accepted Answer

Teal Inc.'s changes in product design and materials are an example of corporate social responsibility (CSR), which refers to a company's voluntary actions to improve its impact on society and the environment. In this case, Teal Inc. is showing CSR by reducing its environmental impact through the use of recycled paper and avoiding plastic components, which can harm ecosystems.

Question 9

A supervisor of a retail outlet is facing an ethical dilemma. She uses the formal process of ethical decision making to resolve the issue. Which of the following steps will she begin with?

Accepted Answer

The first step in the formal process of ethical decision making is to understand all the moral standards, which involves identifying the ethical principles and values relevant to the situation.

Question 10

In the context of corporate social responsibility, _____ responsibilities are to obey local, state, federal, and relevant international laws.

Accepted Answer

Legal responsibilities refer to the obligation of a company to follow all local, state, federal, and relevant international laws. The other options (economic, moral, philanthropic, ethical) are also important aspects of corporate social responsibility, but they are distinct from legal responsibilities.

Question 11

In the context of the business costs of ethical failures, which of the following costs is incurred at Level 3?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the context of the business costs...

Question 12

Behaving ethically requires not just moral awareness and moral judgment but also moral character. When it is very hard to do the right thing, the quality that is required the most is

Accepted Answer

Moral character is the strength and persistence to act according to what one believes is the morally right thing to do. When faced with difficult ethical decisions, courage is often required to resist pressure and temptation to act unethically and to stay true to one's values and principles.

Question 13

An) _____ ethics program is designed to instill in people a personal responsibility for ethical behavior.

Accepted Answer

An integrity-based ethics program focuses on building ethical behavior by instilling a sense of personal responsibility and values in individuals. It emphasizes the importance of doing what is right, even if it means sacrificing personal gain. Competency-based ethics programs are focused on training individuals on how to make ethical decisions. Legality-based ethics programs focus on compliance with laws and regulations, while efficiency-based and results-based ethics programs prioritize the outcome or performance of an organization over ethical considerations.

Question 14

In the context of making ethical decisions, the strength and persistence to act in accordance with one's ethics despite the challenges is known as

Accepted Answer

The term used to describe the strength and persistence to act in accordance with one's ethics despite the challenges is moral character. Moral character refers to the development of virtues and habits that enable individuals to act in accordance with their moral principles even in difficult situations. It involves having the courage to do the right thing, even when it is not easy, and to stand up for what one believes in. Moral character is an important aspect of ethical decision making, as it enables individuals to act in accordance with their values and principles, even when they are faced with difficult moral dilemmas.

Question 15

Moral awareness begins with

Accepted Answer

Moral awareness involves recognizing that a decision has ethical implications, and considering the potential consequences of those implications. This is best represented by choice B, which highlights the importance of examining the ramifications of a decision.

Question 16

Using online platforms means all of the following expect

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using online platforms means all of the...

Question 17

What is the most important purpose of an ethical decision-making process in terms of recognizing moral impacts?

Accepted Answer

The most important purpose of an ethical decision-making process is to evaluate the moral duties involved in the decision. While economic outcomes, legal requirements, strategic pros and cons, and potential media coverage may be important considerations, the ultimate goal of ethical decision-making should be to ensure that moral impacts are recognized and taken into account.

Question 18

In the context of making ethical decisions, knowing what actions are morally defensible is referred to as

Accepted Answer

Moral judgment refers to the ability to determine what actions or decisions are morally defensible based on a given ethical framework or set of values. It involves evaluating options and consequences, considering multiple perspectives, and applying ethical principles or standards to make a well-reasoned and justifiable decision. Moral awareness (A) is the initial recognition of an ethical issue or problem, while moral character (C) refers to the underlying virtues or traits that influence one's ethical behavior over time. Moral right (D) and moral characteristic (E) are not commonly used terms in the study of ethics, and do not accurately describe the process of making ethical decisions.

Question 19

Corporate social responsibility refers to

Accepted Answer

Corporate social responsibility refers to businesses taking responsibility for the impact their actions have on society and the environment beyond their legal obligations. It is about going beyond compliance with laws and regulations and voluntarily integrating social and environmental concerns into business operations.

Question 20

The _____ responsibilities of business are to produce goods and services that society wants at a price that perpetuates the business and satisfies its obligations to investors.

Accepted Answer

The economic responsibilities of a business involve producing goods and services that society wants at a price that allows the business to make a profit and fulfill its obligations to its investors. This includes factors such as maximizing profits, producing efficiently, providing jobs, and paying taxes. While other responsibilities such as legal, ethical, political, and philanthropic are also important, the economic responsibility is considered foundational to the success and sustainability of the business.

Quiz 4: Ethics and Corporate Responsibility