Question 1

The American Footwear and Apparel Group exerts pressure on its members to comply with the ethical standards of the industry and provides information and benefits for textile companies.This company is an example of a(n)

Accepted Answer

The American Footwear and Apparel Group is a trade association that provides support and guidance to its members in the textile industry. While it may encourage ethical compliance, it does not have regulatory or governmental authority. It is also not a membership club or industry organization.

Question 2

Fei Alix is an ethics officer at a large financial institution.She likely performs all of the following duties except

Accepted Answer

Encouraging all employees to be whistle-blowers is not typically a duty of an ethics officer.

Question 3

The human resources manager at Fastener,Inc.,a manufacturer of office staplers,wants to encourage a more ethical climate in the organization.A likely way for Fastener to do this is to

Accepted Answer

Having a clear and enforced company code of ethics is an effective way to encourage ethical behavior among employees without violating their rights or invading their privacy. Adding an ethics department or implementing intrusive monitoring measures may create a culture of suspicion and mistrust, while avoiding the topic of ethics altogether would not address the issue of unethical behavior.

Question 4

Brice stormed into the office,exclaiming,"That's the last straw! I've experienced unethical behavior at this company one time too many.I'll be calling the press immediately." It appears that Brice is about to engage in

Accepted Answer

Brice is about to engage in whistle-blowing, which is the act of exposing unethical or illegal behavior within an organization.

Question 5

Suppose a manager at the Post-it Brand has recently become aware that employees are taking office supplies home and taking longer coffee and lunch breaks than the personnel policy allows.The manager finds these are widespread practices and wants to solve the problem.The best way to do this would be to

Accepted Answer

The most effective solution would be to address the root cause of the problem - the corporate culture that tolerates and even encourages employees to engage in these unethical practices. By creating a culture that values honesty and integrity, employees will be more likely to follow ethical guidelines and policies. Simply punishing employees or changing policies without addressing the underlying culture may not lead to long-term change. The other options either focus only on punishing employees or are not viable solutions.

Question 6

Mark Zuckerberg's Internet.org program that helps bring Internet access to underserved communities in various parts of the world is an example of

Accepted Answer

Mark Zuckerberg's Internet.org program is an example of social responsibility as it seeks to provide Internet access to underserved communities, thereby contributing to the betterment of society.

Question 7

After consulting her company's code of ethics,Vera is still unsure of whether or not the decision she is about to make is ethical.Which of the following actions would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Determining whether coworkers, suppliers, and customers would approve of the action can help Vera gauge whether the decision is considered ethical by others in the company's community. This can provide valuable insight into the potential impact of the decision and whether it aligns with the company's values and expectations. Asking her husband or going with her gut feeling may not be objective or informed approaches, while calculating the bottom-line impact may prioritize profit over ethics. Avoiding the decision does not address the issue at hand.

Question 8

In 1915,Gracie Phillips,mother of seven,lost her husband in a horrible industrial accident that could have easily been prevented.Soon after,Gracie decided to take legal action against the company.What obstacle did she likely encounter?

Accepted Answer

In 1915, legal systems were often biased against workers, and companies had significant resources to defend themselves. Legal action was expensive, and the chances of winning were slim for individuals like Gracie.

Question 9

As a result of the Bhopal incident,in which a toxic gas leak killed thousands of people,leading officials at Union Carbide have dedicated themselves to operating their business ethically.Ways in which the company can encourage ethical behavior include all of the following except

Accepted Answer

Requiring that ethical behavior be profitable can create a conflict of interest, as sometimes ethical behavior may not immediately result in financial gain. It is important for a company to align their values with ethical behavior, regardless of the immediate profit potential. Therefore, the other options (A, B, C, and E) are more appropriate ways to encourage ethical behavior.

Question 10

Tim worked in the steel industry in the early 1900s.Which most likely describes the amount of time Tim worked per week?

Accepted Answer

In the early 1900s, workers in the steel industry commonly worked long hours, sometimes exceeding 60 hours a week, due to high demand and limited labor laws. Therefore, it is most likely that Tim worked over sixty hours a week.  Options A and B suggest significantly lower hours than what was typical at the time, option C is a possibility but less likely than option D, and option E suggests working every day of the week, which was also not typical due to labor laws.

Question 11

Which of the following examples least represents the definition of social responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Military members pledging a portion of their salary to United Way is a personal decision and not an example of a company or organization taking on social responsibility.

Question 12

Which of the following scenarios provides the best example of whistle-blowing?

Accepted Answer

Rachel is the only one who reports her company's unsafe practices to a governmental agency, which is considered whistle-blowing. The other scenarios involve reporting to a supervisor, discussing suspicions with a friend or family member, or promoting the company without any mention of unethical or illegal practices.

Question 13

A whistle-blower is a person who

Accepted Answer

A whistle-blower is someone who reports illegal or unethical conduct within their organization, often at risk of retaliation from their employer.

Question 14

Informing the press or government officials about unethical practices within one's organization is called

Accepted Answer

Informing the press or government officials about unethical practices within one's organization is called whistle-blowing. It is considered an ethical practice to expose wrongdoing in order to bring about positive change and prevent harm to stakeholders.

Question 15

Social responsibility

Accepted Answer

Social responsibility is costly as it requires investing resources in initiatives that benefit society, such as reducing environmental impact, supporting local communities, and improving working conditions. However, it provides tremendous benefits to both society and the business in the long run, including enhanced reputation, increased customer loyalty, and improved employee morale. Therefore, option E is the most appropriate choice.

Question 16

Melanie worked at a meat packing plant during the 1920s.What would she have been most surprised to see happening at the plant?

Accepted Answer

During the 1920s, meat packing plants were notorious for poor working conditions, long hours, frequent accidents, and the rise of labor unions. Earning vacation time would have been a surprising and uncommon benefit for workers at that time.

Question 17

Which of the following is the most effective way to encourage ethical business behavior?

Accepted Answer

Establishing and enforcing a corporate code of ethics is the most effective way to encourage ethical business behavior as it sets specific standards and expectations for employees and holds them accountable for their actions. It also establishes a culture of integrity within the organization and sends a clear message that unethical behavior will not be tolerated. Government regulations, guidelines from trade associations, and ethics clauses in labor contracts can also play a role in promoting ethical behavior, but they may not be as comprehensive or tailored to the specific needs of the organization. Relying on employees to blow the whistle may also be effective, but it should not be the primary strategy for promoting ethical behavior.

Question 18

Intel expects its code of ethics and shared values to provide all of the following benefits except

Accepted Answer

While Intel's code of ethics and shared values provide an outline for ethical policies and standards, encourage employees to value integrity, communicate the company's expectations to the employees, and expect employees to trust one another and use sound judgment, it does not describe what to do in every ethical situation. The code of ethics serves as a guide and framework for making ethical decisions, but it cannot predict every possible scenario. Employees must use their judgment and follow the spirit of the code in unclear situations.

Question 19

The recognition that business activities affect society and the consideration of that impact when making business decisions is referred to as

Accepted Answer

The recognition that business activities affect society and the consideration of that impact when making business decisions is referred to as social responsibility. This includes considering environmental, ethical, and social factors in business decisions and actions. Business ethics, corporate ethics, and code of ethics all relate to ethical decision-making and behavior within the business, but they do not necessarily encompass societal impact. Community responsibility is more specific to local communities, whereas social responsibility has a wider scope.

Question 20

When faced with an ethical conflict,a manager should always

Accepted Answer

When faced with an ethical conflict, it is important for a manager to consider not just the best interests of the company, but also the ethical implications of their decision for all stakeholders, including employees, stockholders, and customers. It is not enough to simply follow the law or focus solely on maximizing profits for stockholders. A manager must take a holistic approach and consider the impact of their decision on all parties involved.

Quiz 2: Ethics and Social Responsibility in Business