BUSINESS LAW, ETHICS AND SOCIAL REPONSIBILITY

Written Assignment

Use the Instructions for Case Analyses to craft a response to this case, articulating the main issues and ethical     dilemma.   Review the assessment criteria below before you begin writing. 

Topic: Corporate Social Responsibility

People Involved:

• Bob, President


• John, Chemical Engineer


• Henry, Controller


• Kirk, Assistant Controller

Kirk is a bright individual who is being groomed for the Controller’s  position in a medium-sized manufacturing firm. After his first year as  Assistant Controller, the officers of the firm were starting to include  him in major company functions. For instance,     today he was attending the monthly financial statement summary given  at a prestigious consulting firm. During the meeting, Kirk was  intrigued at how all the financial data he had been accumulating was  transformed by the consultant into revealing charts     and graphs.

Kirk was generally optimistic about the session and the company’s  future until the consultant started talking about the new manufacturing  plant the company was adding to the current location and the costs per  unit of the chemically plated products it     produced. At that time, Bob (the President) and John (the chemical  engineer) started talking about waste treatment and disposal problems.  John mentioned that the current waste facilities were not adequate to  handle the waste products that would be     created by the “ultramodern” new plant in a manner that would meet  the industry's fairly high standards, although they could still comply  with federal standards. Kirk’s boss, Henry, noted that the estimated  cost per unit would be increased if the     waste treatment facilities were upgraded according to recent  industry standards. 

While industry standards are presently more stringent than federal  regulations, environmentalists are strongly pressuring for more  stringent regulations at the federal level. Bob mentioned that since  their closest competitor did not have the waste treatment     facilities that already existed at their firm, he was not in favor  of further expenditure in this area. Most managers at this meeting  resoundingly agreed with Bob, and business continued on to another  topic. 

Kirk did not hear a word during the rest of the meeting. He kept  wondering how the company could possibly have such a casual attitude  toward the environment. Yet he did not know if, how, or when he could  share his opinion. Soon he started reflecting on     whether this was the right firm for him. What should Kirk do?  Putting Corporate Responsibility first, but recognizing the politics at  play, what is the most ethical thing to do? The most practical? What  strategy would you suggest to Kirk if he came     to you for advice? 

Written Assignment Requirements

Submit a written paper which is 2-3 pages in length exclusive of  reference page and that is double-spaced. The paper should cite sources  to support your ideas. Be sure to review the assessment criteria below  before beginning your paper. Cite any reference(s)     you use in the preparation of your essay using proper APA format.  

Written Assignment Peer Assessment

In the unit following the submission of your written assignment,  you will peer assess three (3) of your classmates’ assignments according  to the instructions found in the Assessment Form. During this peer  assessment period, you are expected to provide     details in the feedback section of the Assessment Form, indicating  why you awarded the grade that you did to your peer. The written  assignment grade is comprised of a combination of your submission (90%)  and your peer assessments (10%).

 

Written Assignment Peer Assessment Rubric

For this assignment, your peers will be evaluating your work with the following criteria.

 

• Identifies all the relevant facts of the case.


• Articulates overarching ethical issues including the extent of  Kirk's responsibility to take action; how the interests of the firm (and  stockholders) can be balanced against the environmental interests; what  obligation the company has to future generations         and citizens.


• Identifies all stakeholders.


• Poses possible alternatives and ethics of each alternative.  Paper should explore the possible alternatives and ethics from the  Utilitarian Perspective, the Rights Perspective,or the Justice  Perspective.


• Identifies all practical constraints.


• Recommends a specific action Kirk should take, which may include leaving the company.


• Is of high quality, writing is clear and professional.


• Conforms to the structural requirements including APA style guidelines for References.