Opening Activities
- Research "ethics" on the internet. Write a definition in your own words. Cite the resource where you gathered your information.
- Whistle-Blowing Article #1
- Whistle-Blowing Article #2
- Research the two articles above about Whistle-Blowing. Be prepared to tell the details of a famous whistle-blower in history. Who was it? Who were they calling out? What was the unethical issue at hand? How was the whistle-blower treated?
- Read the Marketing Case Study "Tide's Loads of Hope Campaign" on the bottom of page 151. Calculate the math problem in the gold box.
You're Going to Like This!
Today we're talking about choices. Click on the following link to play... Would You Rather.What are Ethics?
- Doing what is right
- Well-being of everyone
- Follow the law (rules)
Ethics and Consumerism
- Consumerism involves the relationship of marketing to a company's customers.
- Protecting consumer's rights by putting legal, moral, and economic pressure on business, individual consumers, consumer groups, government, business leaders
- John F. Kennedy's Consumer Bill of Rights
Ethics in Marketing
Ethics in business create trust between a company and its stakeholders- Self-regulation
- Better Business Bureau
- American Marketing Association Code of Ethics
What have we learned so far?
What is the basis for ethical behavior?Why was the Consumer Bill of Rights created?
How can membership in the Better Business Bureau help businesses? How can it help consumers?
Why does it fall on the shoulders of a business's management to demonstrate ethical behavior?
Ethical Issues Related to Marketing Functions
- Price gouging- pricing products unreasonably high when the need is great or when consumers do not have other choices. (prescription drugs, supplies needed during disasters)
- Marketing Information - must keep customer's personal information private
- Selling practices - bribes (dinner?), kickbacks/favors (gifts), high-pressure sales tactics (to meet quotas)
Managerial and Personnel Issues
Management sets the tone on ethics. Employees follow management's expectations.- Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
- Proper Accounting and Reporting - Company execs can be held accountable for misreporting financial situation
- Whistle-Blowing Protection - reporting an illegal action of one's employer
- If you discovered that financial records were altered in order to cover up personal purchases made by the top execs, would you report it?
- If you did, you would be a whistle-blower.
- If you were fired for whistle-blowing, you would have recourse under federal laws governing whistle-blowing.
Guidelines for Ethical Behavior
To make the right choices, employees should follow these steps:- Get the facts.
- Identify all parties concerned.
- Think of all your alternatives.
- Is it in compliance with the law?
- Does it go against company policy?
- How does it affect everyone included?
- Is it right, fair, and honest?
- Will it build good will for the company?
- Am I comfortable with it?
- How will it hold up to public scrutiny?
What have we learned so far?
What are three unethical selling practices?Why does it fall on the shoulders of a business's management to demonstrate ethical behavior?
Do you think whistle-blowing laws are necessary? Why or why not?
Ethical Dilemmas Essay: Due Monday
Read the article linked above "Ethical Dilemmas"Google: ethical issues facing international businesses.
- Prepare a two-page essay covering three different issues that may be encountered when conducting business with international partners. - 15 points (one-page 5 points, one & half page 10 points)
- Research the topic, write essay in your own words. 15 points
- Use the 5 paragraph essay format: 1st paragraph - introduction to topic, 2-4th paragraphs - 3 supporting paragraphs (3 issues faced...), 5th paragraph - conclusion. 10 points
- Must be typed, 12 pt font, Times New Roman, double-spaced. 10 points
Alternate Group Project
Some countries have practices that might not be ethical in American business standards like giving gifts. Or, they might expect to share extended time socially before entering business talks.
- Prepare a presentation with a partner highlighting the importance of ethics in international business.
- Share at least 3 different international business practices that would be different from American expectations. They can be 3 practices in one country or 3 practices from different countries.
- Be specific. Name the country.
- We will complete the project and give presentations next class period.
- 15 points - 3 practices
- 10 points - original narrative (do not copy/paste; short, precise information per slide)
- 10 points - presentation
Supporting Articles
Legal and Ethical Issues In International Business ExpansionTop Ethical Issues Facing the General Business Community
8 Dark Secrets Nobody Told you About Food At the Supermarket
