Question 1

What category of ethical dilemma applies to the use of cell phone alibis? 
A) Balancing ethical dilemmas
B) Giving or allowing false impressions
C) Conflicts of interest
D) Organizational abuse

Accepted Answer

The use of cell phone alibis involves giving or allowing false impressions, as one is suggesting that they are in a location different from where they actually are. This is an ethical dilemma as it involves deception and undermines the trust and honesty that should be present in relationships and situations.

Question 2

What is the variable in uncovering resume fraud?
A) Sometimes the fraud is uncovered and sometimes it is not
B) The amount of time it takes to uncover the fraud
C) Whether the fraud relates to degrees
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The variable in uncovering resume fraud is the amount of time it takes to uncover the fraud. This can vary greatly depending on the thoroughness of the background check and the specific skills of the person committing the fraud. Option A is incorrect because it is not a variable, but rather an outcome. Option C is also incorrect because it specifies a type of fraud, but does not address the variable of uncovering it. Option D is incorrect because there is a clear variable in this scenario.

Question 3

Mary Pickford is an analyst for Munford Stanley, an investment banker. She has touted the stock, an initial primary offering (IPO), of an obscure biotech firm as a "must buy." Munford Stanley is the underwriter for the IPO. Pickford:
A) Does not have a conflict of interest.
B) Has a conflict of interest, but it is acceptable in IPOs.
C) Has a conflict of interest that must be disclosed to all purchasers.
D) Does not have a conflict of interest, but Munford Stanley does.
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Mary Pickford has a conflict of interest as she is an analyst for the underwriter of the IPO. Her recommendation to buy the stock may be influenced by her employer's interest in selling the stock. Therefore, her conflict of interest must be disclosed to all purchasers.

Question 4

Beth Williams is an exercise physiologist who serves as an expert consultant for Women's Walkers, Inc., a shoe company specializing in manufacturing walking shoes for women. Dr. Williams is paid an annual consulting fee along with additional fees for drafting reports and making media and public appearances for the company. Executive Woman, a national magazine, has asked Dr. Williams to serve as one of three experts on a panel that will evaluate the full market range of women's walking shoes. Dr. Williams will be paid a consulting fee by Executive Woman as well.
A) Dr. Williams has a conflict of interest and should decline the Executive Woman offer.
B) Dr. Williams can participate in the Executive Woman panel so long as her affiliation with Women's Walkers is disclosed.
C) Dr. Williams can participate in the Executive Woman panel if she waives her fee.
D) Dr. Williams is an academic with no conflict of interest and can participate in the Executive Woman panel.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Beth Williams is an exercise physiologist who...

Question 5

You had quite a night last night of partying. Because of excessive drinking, you are unable to get to work today. When you call your supervisor you:
A) Should just say you have the flu.
B) Should just say you are sick.
C) Should disclose the prior night's activity.
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

It is best to be honest with your supervisor and disclose the prior night's activity. This will not only demonstrate accountability but also show that you respect your workplace enough to be truthful. Additionally, if your supervisor finds out that you lied about being sick, it could damage your reputation and trustworthiness.

Question 6

Jeff Sanders, head of finance for Components, Inc. has just interviewed Laura Dern, an employee from the finance department of InChip, Components' chief competitor. Laura has explained that she has been passed over one too many times for a promotion at InChip and is thus in the job market. As Laura is leaving she whispers to Jeff, "Look, I have no contract at InChip that obligates me in anyway. I can begin immediately. Further, I have been able to obtain copies of our newest computer chip designs. You'll have them before InChip even begins production."
A) Jeff should hire Laura on the spot without any worries about ethical breaches since Laura is not under contract.
B) Jeff's hiring of Laura may constitute an ethical breach, but would not constitute illegal conduct.
C) Jeff should not hire Laura, and must analyze the issue of whether to disclose Laura's conduct to InChip.
D) Jeff should not hire Laura and need not worry about Laura's conduct and its impact on InChip.

Accepted Answer

Jeff should not hire Laura as her actions of obtaining confidential information from her current employer may constitute a breach of ethics and even a violation of intellectual property laws. Additionally, if Jeff hires Laura and utilizes the confidential information in Components' operations, he could potentially face legal consequences as well. Jeff should also analyze the ethics of disclosing Laura's conduct to InChip, as it could potentially damage Components' relationship with its competitor.

Question 7

Ben Small, a sole practitioner, has just decided to form a law partnership with his lifetime friend, Harvey Steptoe. They agree to name the firm Steptoe and Small and to split all profits. Ben is also a director for a publicly-traded telecommunications firm, NewVector, Inc. Ben has just learned that Harvey is lead counsel is a lawsuit against NewVector. Ben continues to serve as a board member and participates in sensitive discussions about the lawsuit. Ben does not disclose that Steptoe is his partner. Ben's feeling is that he and Harvey are as honest as the day is long and neither would compromise their duties to NewVector and client, respectively.
A) Ben has a conflict of interest and must either resign as a director or leave the partnership.
B) The pledge of both Ben and Harvey is sufficient to cover the ethical issues on conflict.
C) It is Harvey's obligation to take action, not Ben's.
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Ben has a conflict of interest as a result of his partnership with Harvey and must either resign as a director or leave the partnership. This is because there is a potential conflict of interest between Ben's duties as a director of NewVector and his duties as a partner of Steptoe and Small, particularly given Harvey's role as lead counsel in the lawsuit against NewVector. Even though Ben and Harvey may be honest, the appearance of impropriety should be avoided, and Ben must take action to address the conflict.

Question 8

Medical Purchasing Agents (MPC) is a company that represents groups of hospitals as their agents for purchasing medical supplies. MPC is able to obtain discounts for the hospital group because of their sheer volume needs when they are grouped together. MPC's CEO, CFO and general counsel own 51% of the stock of a company called Medi-Pump. Medi-Pump is the sole supplier to the hospitals for feeding pumps, IV pumps and other forms of hi-tech medical pumps and supplies. MPC has negotiated a low-cost supply contract from Medi-Pump to the hospitals. MPC:
A) Has served its customers well with the Medi-Pump contract.
B) Has a conflict because of its ownership of Medi-Pump.
C) Cannot have a conflict so long as the Medi-Pump price is lowest.
D) Cannot have a conflict because it represents groups of hospitals.
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

MPC has a conflict because of its ownership of Medi-Pump, and this could influence their decision-making when it comes to selecting a supplier for medical supplies. Even if the Medi-Pump price is lowest, there could be other suppliers who could provide better quality products at a cheaper rate. This conflict of interest could potentially harm the hospitals that MPC represents.

Question 9

Suppose, with reference to #57 above, that Pickford already owns an interest in the biotech firm, but Munford Stanley is not the underwriter. Pickford:
A) Does not have a conflict of interest.
B) Has a conflict of interest, but it is acceptable in IPOs.
C) Has a conflict of interest that must be disclosed to all purchasers.
D) Does not have a conflict of interest, but Munford Stanley does.
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Pickford still has a conflict of interest, as he/she already owns an interest in the biotech firm. This information must be disclosed to all purchasers to ensure transparency and fairness in the IPO process. Munford Stanley's role as underwriter is irrelevant in this scenario.

Question 10

Professor Reba McGintry is the head of the Student Conduct Board. Charges have been brought against three students who are also members of the university basketball team. The charges are based on the criminal charges brought by the local district attorney against the three men for sexual assault. Professor McGintry's husband was one of the staff attorneys in the DA's office who made the decision to go forward with the prosecution. Professor McGintry:
A) Can proceed with the hearing because the two matters are unrelated.
B) Can proceed with the hearing because of marital privilege.
C) Must excuse herself from the students' hearing because of a conflict of interest.
D) Has no conflict, but her husband does.
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Professor McGintry has a conflict of interest due to her husband's involvement in the case, which could influence her decision-making process. She should excuse herself from the hearing and allow another member of the Student Conduct Board to preside over the case.

Question 11

A radar detector:
A) If purchased legally, is not an unethical device.
B) If used only in those states in which they are permitted is an ethical device.
C) Is a legal and ethical tool for circumventing speed limits.
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The purpose of a radar detector is to detect speed detection guns used by law enforcement. Using such a device to circumvent speed limits is illegal and unethical. Although some states permit the use of radar detectors, it is important to consider the overarching ethical implications of using a tool to break the law. Therefore, none of the statements provided are entirely true.

Question 12

How long had former MIadmissions dean Marilee Jones concealed her lack of a college degree?
A) Three years
B) Twenty years
C) Twenty-eight years
D) Ten years

Accepted Answer

Marilee Jones had concealed her lack of a college degree for twenty-eight years before it was discovered.

Question 13

Which of the following is not a conflict of interest?
A) A doctor's referral of a patient to an x-ray lab that he owns for a full work-up without disclosing his ownership interest
B) A purchasing agent's failure to disclose a 22% ownership interest in a supplier that would be chosen anyway
C) A bank officer's solicitation of a charitable contribution for a non-profit organization of which he is a member from a customer with a large line of credit up for renewal in 30 days
D) All of the above are conflicts of interest

Accepted Answer

Each scenario involves a situation where personal interests could improperly influence, or appear to influence, professional decisions or actions, which defines a conflict of interest.

Question 14

A professor for one of your courses has assigned reading materials from various publications. He tells you that the materials are on reserve and that each student should go and copy the materials individually. He notes that for him to copy the materials for students and then sell them or distribute them would be a violation of copyright law. The professor's conduct:
A) Is unethical and violates copyright law as well.
B) Is something everyone does and is accepted behavior.
C) Does not really harm anyone.
D) Is acceptable in an academic setting.

Accepted Answer

The professor's conduct is not ethical and is a violation of copyright law. Even though the professor is not distributing the materials for profit, copying and distributing copyrighted materials without permission is still a violation of the law. Students should obtain their own copies of the materials legally, such as by purchasing them or accessing them through a licensed digital database.

Question 15

Randy White is the executive director of a non-profit preschool for special needs children. Part of Randy's responsibilities include fundraising for the preschool. Because of his experience and success in operating specialty pre-schools, Randy is sought after as a consultant at locations around the country to assist in the start-up and operation of such facilities. Randy does so quite frequently. Randy does not take vacation time for this work, and his consultant fees (which range from $750 - $1500 per day) are kept by him as personal income. Randy uses his secretary at the preschool to book his travel arrangements and prepare his consultant reports and bills for these outside engagements.
A) Randy's activities are ethical so long as disclosed.
B) Randy is using the time and resources of his employer in an unethical manner.
C) Randy's activities are ethical whether disclosed or undisclosed.
D) There is no conflict of interest in Randy's activities.

Accepted Answer

Randy is using the time and resources of his employer (such as his secretary) for his outside consulting work, which is a clear violation of his responsibilities. Additionally, Randy keeping his consultant fees as personal income rather than disclosing them to the non-profit preschool may also be a conflict of interest.

Question 16

Which of the following is not a step in analyzing ethical dilemmas and case studies?
A) Make sure you have all the facts available
B) List the concerns of each person involved in the dilemma
C) Develop a list of potential resolutions
D) All of the above are steps

Accepted Answer

All three options (A, B, and C) are steps in analyzing ethical dilemmas and case studies. Therefore, the correct answer is D - all of the above are steps.

Question 17

Under the Blanchard/Peale model, which of the following statements is correct?
A) If it's legal, it's ethical.
B) If it's illegal, it's unethical.
C) If it's balanced, even if it is illegal, it is ethical.
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of Under the Blanchard/Peale model, which of the...

Question 18

Which of the following phrases does not signal a potential ethical pitfall?
A) "That's the way it's always been done."
B) "If we don't do it, someone else will."
C) "Your job is to be a team player, not ask questions."
D) All of the above signal an ethical pitfall.

Accepted Answer

All of the given phrases signal a potential ethical pitfall.

A) "That's the way it's always been done" suggests a resistance to change and may lead to perpetuating unethical practices that have been tolerated in the past.

B) "If we don't do it, someone else will" justifies unethical behavior by shifting the responsibility onto others.

C) "Your job is to be a team player, not ask questions" discourages critical thinking and may lead to blindly following unethical practices for the sake of fitting in.

Question 19

Which of the following is not an element of the Laura Nash's model for evaluating ethical dilemmas?
A) Is it legal?
B) How would I feel if I were on the other side of the fence?
C) How will my actions be perceived?
D) Could I discuss my decision with my boss, CEO, family, friends?

Accepted Answer

All other elements (B, C, and D) are part of the Laura Nash's model for evaluating ethical dilemmas, but legality is not necessarily an indication of ethical behavior. As such, the question of whether an action is legal or not is not a sufficient criterion for ethical decision-making.

Question 20

An application for graduate school admission at Arizona State University includes the following request for information: Please list all institutions attended since graduation from high school.
Marie Davis, a returning student, is applying for admissions to the Masters in Architecture program. Marie attended the University of Arizona for one semester in 1976. Marie had a substance abuse problem and did not attend many of her classes. She left the University of Arizona before classes ended that semester. She did not take her final exams and earned 15 credit hours of "E" for that semester. After 8 years, the policy of the University of Arizona is to expunge the records of non-matriculating students. Marie's record was expunged in December 1994.
A) Marie need not disclose her attendance at the University of Arizona.
B) Marie should disclose her attendance at the University of Arizona.
C) Since Marie did not matriculate according to the University, she did not attend the University of Arizona.
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Marie should disclose her attendance at the University of Arizona as the application specifically requests all institutions attended since high school. While the university expunged her record, it is still considered an institution attended and failure to disclose this information could result in consequences for dishonesty.

Quiz 1: Ethical Theory, Philosophical Foundations, Our Reasoning Flaws, and Types of Ethical Dilemmas

What category of ethical dilemma applies to the use of cell phone alibis?

What is the variable in uncovering resume fraud?

Mary Pickford is an analyst for Munford Stanley, an investment banker. She has touted the stock, an initial primary offering (IPO) , of an obscure biotech firm as a "must buy." Munford Stanley is the underwriter for the IPO. Pickford:

You had quite a night last night of partying. Because of excessive drinking, you are unable to get to work today. When you call your supervisor you:

Suppose, with reference to #57 above, that Pickford already owns an interest in the biotech firm, but Munford Stanley is not the underwriter. Pickford:

A radar detector:

How long had former MIadmissions dean Marilee Jones concealed her lack of a college degree?

Which of the following is not a conflict of interest?

Which of the following is not a step in analyzing ethical dilemmas and case studies?

Under the Blanchard/Peale model, which of the following statements is correct?

Which of the following phrases does not signal a potential ethical pitfall?

Which of the following is not an element of the Laura Nash's model for evaluating ethical dilemmas?