Question 1

Jenna is a new recruiter for a large staffing agency. Her trainer has told her to let candidates know that they will "get back to them" within two weeks of a interview date. Jenna notices, however, that the staffing agency rarely lives up to this promise and often never gets back to candidates. Jenna finds this unethical - she knows that if she were the candidate, she would not want to be lied to. Jenna's ethical analysis illustrates the ethics of duty.

Accepted Answer

Jenna's concern for telling candidates the truth and following through on promises reflects the ethics of duty, which emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one's obligations and responsibilities. Jenna believes it is ethically wrong to make a promise that is not kept, which aligns with the ethics of duty.

Question 2

Financialization refers to the pursuit of increased profits through financial transactions rather than through the delivery of a business' core goods and services.

Accepted Answer

Financialization involves shifting focus towards financial activities to increase profits instead of focusing on a company’s core business activities.

Question 3

Companies pursuing a strategy of low cost are more likely to employ union suppression tactics than companies pursuing a strategy of differentiation.

Accepted Answer

Companies pursuing a low-cost strategy often focus on reducing expenses, including labor costs. Unions and collective bargaining can increase labor costs, which may be at odds with a low-cost strategy. Therefore, these companies may be more likely to suppress unions to maintain lower labor costs. On the other hand, companies pursuing a differentiation strategy may differentiate themselves by offering better working conditions and higher wages, and may be more likely to have positive relationships with labor unions.

Question 4

The ethical perspective that emphasizes individual duty or responsibility to respect human dignity over other goals (such as profit maximization) is known as Rawlsian justice.

Accepted Answer

The ethical perspective described is more closely aligned with deontological ethics, which focuses on duty and the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions, rather than Rawlsian justice, which is centered around principles of fairness and equality in the distribution of goods and opportunities.

Question 5

The servicing model of unionism can be best described as:
A) A passive form of employee representation in which unions are put in place to solve problems for workers.
B) An active form of employee representation in which unions facilitate problem-solving by workers.
C) An active form of employee representation in which the union plays a key role in facilitating management of the business.
D) A passive form of employee representation in which the union is controlled by management and used to achieve business objectives.

Accepted Answer

The servicing model of unionism is characterized by a more passive role for unions, where they act upon issues as they arise, solving problems for workers rather than actively engaging workers in the problem-solving process or in the management of the business.

Question 6

A partnership between management and the union in addressing workplace problems and issues is most likely to arise in a paternalistic organization with a union acceptance strategy.

Accepted Answer

A paternalistic organization is one in which the management takes a protective and caring attitude towards its employees. In such organizations, there is a higher likelihood of the management and the union working together to address workplace issues. Additionally, a union acceptance strategy is one where the management recognizes and works with the union rather than opposing it. Therefore, both of these factors increase the probability of a partnership between management and the union.

Question 7

When asked what he saw the role of the union to be in the coming years, one union representative replied, "To administer the contract for my members." This reply best illustrates:
A) The servicing model of union representation.
B) The organizing model of union representation.
C) Employee empowerment unionism.
D) Social unionism.

Accepted Answer

The rep's response aligns with the servicing model of union representation, which prioritizes contract administration and addressing individual grievances and concerns of union members rather than organizing and advocating for broader social or political goals.

Question 8

Union substitution tactics are always legal.

Accepted Answer

Union substitution tactics may not always be legal depending on the specific circumstances and laws involved. It is important to consult legal professionals and follow appropriate procedures.

Question 9

The ethical perspective that is most closely aligned with mainstream economic values of welfare maximization is the utility perspective.

Accepted Answer

The utility perspective is focused on maximizing overall welfare or happiness, which aligns with the mainstream economic value of welfare maximization. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 10

In the 1930s and 1940s, the Teamsters Union used strikes and boycotts along with physical intimidation and obstruction to win changes in wages, hours, and working conditions. This is an example of:
A) Business unionism.
B) Uplift unionism.
C) Jungle unionism.
D) Social unionism.

Accepted Answer

The behavior of the Teamsters Union, including the use of intimidation and obstruction, is an example of jungle unionism, which is characterized by aggressive and often violent tactics used to achieve union goals. Business unionism is focused on collective bargaining and improving wages and conditions for workers within the framework of the existing economic and political system. Uplift and social unionism are both focused on broader social and political goals beyond just improving workplace conditions.

Question 11

The departments of Justice and State, as well as anti-trafficking groups, estimate there are about 27 million people worldwide in modern-day slavery. Considering the various theories of ethics, modern-day slavery is an example of an extreme violation of the ethics of liberty.

Accepted Answer

The ethics of liberty emphasize the importance of individual freedom and autonomy, and modern-day slavery involves the complete disregard and violation of these principles, hence making it an extreme violation of the ethics of liberty.

Question 12

When unions take advantage of favorable economic conditions and union strength to win whatever you need or can win, by any means is necessary - including those that may be illegal, they are engaging in:
A) Business unionism.
B) Jungle unionism.
C) Uplift unionism.
D) Social unionism.

Accepted Answer

Jungle unionism refers to aggressive tactics employed by unions to obtain their goals, even if it involves breaking the law or resorting to violent activities. This approach is usually used by unions during periods of high unionization and favorable economic conditions. Therefore, this option best fits the scenario described in the question. Business unionism is a more moderate approach where unions focus on negotiating better wages and working conditions for their members without resorting to radical tactics. Uplift unionism and social unionism have a different focus, with uplift unionism emphasizing social welfare, and social unionism emphasizing social justice. Neither of these options describes the aggressive tactics described in the question.

Question 13

In the ____________________ model of representation, a union is like an insurance company, where workers pay dues and are in turn protected against bad times.
A) Unionism
B) Servicing
C) Organizing
D) Business

Accepted Answer

The servicing model of representation likens a union to an insurance company, where workers pay dues and receive protection and services in return, especially during difficult times.

Question 14

Forcing individuals to use themselves or their property against their will is an immoral act according to the ethical framework of virtue.

Accepted Answer

The ethical framework of virtue ethics focuses on the character and virtues of a person rather than the morality of specific actions or consequences. It does not directly address the morality of forcing individuals to use themselves or their property against their will.

Question 15

Tom is a human resource intern for a staffing agency. One day, Tom get a call from a client requesting that they send "white only" applicants. Tom's boss does not want to lose the client because times are tough and profits are tight. He tells him to follow the customer's request, even though he knows it violates equal employment opportunity laws. After considerable thought, Tom decides complying with his boss' instructions to place profits before equal opportunity violates his personal code of ethics and quits. Tom's ethical values illustrate the ethics of virtue.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Tom is a human resource intern for...

Question 16

Closing unionized plants, moving unionized plants to a nonunion location, outsourcing jobs, and opening nonunion operations to compete with union operations are all examples of union substitution.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Closing unionized plants, moving unionized plants to...

Question 17

Although the labor market has a significant influence on labor relations, the product market, by contrast, has relatively little influence.

Accepted Answer

The product market actually has a significant influence on labor relations, as it determines the demand for goods and services produced by the labor force, which in turn affects wages, employment conditions, and ultimately the bargaining power of workers and employers. Changes in consumer preferences, competition, and technological innovation can disrupt entire industries and have far-reaching effects on labor relations.

Question 18

The key problem with financialization, from a labor relations perspective, is that it places too much emphasis on investing in new technology and equipment, rather than on investing in employee training and development.

Accepted Answer

Financialization primarily refers to the increasing dominance of financial markets, financial motives, financial institutions, and financial elites in the economy, leading to a shift in focus towards maximizing shareholder value, often at the expense of other stakeholders, including employees. This can result in underinvestment in areas like employee training and development, but the key issue is not an overemphasis on new technology and equipment, but rather on short-term financial gains.

Question 19

In concession bargaining, economic pressures push unionized workers to give up gains they have made in wages, benefits, and work rules.

Accepted Answer

Concession bargaining is a situation where economic pressures force unions to give up some of the previous gains they have made in wages, benefits, and work rules. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 20

Over the past 40 years, the earnings gap between educated and uneducated workers has declined.

Accepted Answer

The statement is incorrect, as the earnings gap between educated and uneducated workers has actually increased over the past 40 years. Studies have shown that those with higher levels of education tend to earn more than those with only a high school diploma or less.

Quiz 5: Labor and Management: Strategies, Structures, and Constraints