As firms struggle to compete in the global economy, many have downsized. Downsizing is the process of cutting resources to get more done with less and thereby increase productivity. In some firms, the positions formerly held by full-time employees are filled by part-time workers. Using part-time employees saves companies money because such employees do not receive any benefits (e.g., health insurance), in contrast to full-time employees, who are entitled to benefits. Walmart is known for maintaining a very high ratio of part-time to full-time employees as a way of keeping costs down. Walmart’s employment policy is one of the reasons the chain can offer lower prices. Questions: 1. Is downsizing ethical and socially responsible? 2. Is using part-time employees rather than full-time ones ethical and socially responsible? 3. Would you be willing to pay higher prices at stores, such as Walmart, so that more full-time workers could replace part-time workers?
Ethical Assignment
Ethics Assignment
MGMT 362
Description of Assignment used for Assessment: Ethics assessment consists of two mini-cases that students must apply ethical principles taught in the CBA.
Please read the following two mini cases and answer the questions related to each case in detail.
Mini Case 1: As firms struggle to compete in the global economy, many have downsized. Downsizing is the process of cutting resources to get more done with less and thereby increase productivity. In some firms, the positions formerly held by full-time employees are filled by part-time workers. Using part-time employees saves companies money because such employees do not receive any benefits (e.g., health insurance), in contrast to full-time employees, who are entitled to benefits. Walmart is known for maintaining a very high ratio of part-time to full-time employees as a way of keeping costs down. Walmart’s employment policy is one of the reasons the chain can offer lower prices.
Questions:
1. Is downsizing ethical and socially responsible?
2. Is using part-time employees rather than full-time ones ethical and socially responsible?
3. Would you be willing to pay higher prices at stores, such as Walmart, so that more full-time workers could replace part-time workers?
Mini Case 2: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has the power to regulate television broadcasts. Advocates for more regulation (Parents Television Council and Mediawatch-UK, formerly the National Viewers’ and Listeners’ Association) state that TV shows with violent acts, profanity, and sexual content should be shown later at night when children most likely will not be watching. For example, many Seinfeld episodes have sexual themes, and the show was not aired until 9:00 P.M., but now it’s shown at all hours of the day. Sex and the City, Jersey Shore, and other shows with sexual content and violence are also shown at all hours. However, advocates against regulation (National Coalition against Censorship) don’t want censorship at all, on the grounds that it violates free speech. They claim it’s up to the parents to restrict viewing they don’t approve of.
1. How does TV influence societal values? (Consider that many children watch as many as five hours of TV per day.
2. Do TV shows that include sex and violence reflect religious and societal values?
3. Is it ethical and socially responsible to air TV shows with sexual content, profanity, and violence during hours when children are watching?
4. Is it ethical and socially responsible to portray women as sex objects?
5. Should the FCC regulate television, and if so, how far should it go? Should it make networks tone down the sex and violence, or take shows off the air?
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 4 steps
