Overall Instructions
This case analysis can be created and submitted as a group. Your group can have no more than three people in it. You only need to submit ONE case analysis for everyone in the group.
You will submit your assignment in blackboard and bring a printed copy to class on the day that the case is due.
When using material from the chapter, outline, and/or lectures, remember that you do not have to cite any material quoted from these sources in this course.
Use proper grammar, sentence structure, etc. in your writing.
Follow the format of the Sample Case posted in Blackboard.
Type your answers according to the “Formatting Instructions” below. Failure to follow the format when completing this assignment can cost you a significant number of points.
PROOFREAD YOUR PAPER (grammatical errors in your paper can cost you significant points), then submit it BEFORE the deadline as shown in the syllabus.
Formatting Instructions
Step 1: Ethical Issue(s)
(10 points)
Use one paragraph to tell me what your ethical issue is and why? If you have more than one ethical issue, write and explain each issue in a separate paragraph?
In the first sentence of your paragraph, simply tell me what the ethical problem/issue was in this case without explaining why?
In the next sentences of your paragraph, describe the ethical issue using information from your book, outlines, and/or lectures? Also state the chapter from your book that supports your answer? (Note: Ethical issues in the cases you do in this class will come from Chapters 5 – 10.)
In the next sentences of your paragraph, use facts from the case to support your answer?
In the final sentence of your paragraph, use a concluding sentence to wrap everything up?
CAUTION: Do not make any decisions at this time. You are simply identifying and explaining the ethical issue(s) facing you as the decision-maker at this point. In addition, do not discuss ethical issues facing others in the case—again, I am only concerned with whether you can identify the issues facing you as the decision-maker.
Step 2: Stakeholder Analysis
(10 points)
Starting with the decision-maker (you), identify and list in sentence form ALL your stakes in the decision to be made. Stakes are what you hope to gain, fear losing, or want given the situation and the decision or decisions you must eventually make. THEY ARE NOT DECISIONS.
Identify the other key stakeholders as specifically as possible and then identify and list in sentence form NO MORE THAN TWO important stakes facing each key stakeholder. Key stakeholders are individuals or groups that are essential to solving the ethical issue(s) identified in Step 1 above. (Instructor’s Hint: They are usually, but not always, mentioned in the case so use that as a starting point.)
Explain each stake for each stakeholder in a separate sentence and make sure you use complete, grammatically correct sentences.
SEQUENTIALLY NUMBER YOUR STAKES (see the sample case and answers).
Step 3: Decision(s) and Analysis Decision(s)
(10 points)
Determine what the most ethical decision or decisions are that resolve all of the ethical issues you identified in Step 1. List and describe each decision in a separate paragraph labeling them sequentially (e.g., Decision #1, Decision #2, etc.) as shown in the sample case and answers.
VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure you do not make alternate decisions. Alternate decisions are “either-or” decisions. For example, if I stated in the sample case that my Decision #1 was to lay off one-third of the sewers and my Decision #2 was to cut all sewers’ pay by one-third, these would be alternate decisions in this case. There is no way to implement both decisions at the same time and, therefore, no way to analyze which decision is the most ethical.
After listing and describing all of your decisions, explain how they resolve all of the ethical issues you identified in Step 1 of the case.
Non-consequentialist Analysis of Decisions
(10 points)
Review all of the 26 SUBCHARACTERISTICS identified on the Six Pillars of Character Outline in Chapter 2 (i.e., ones with an “(S)” after them) asking yourself if any ONE of your decisions violates that subcharacteristic. If any one of your decision(s) violates a subcharacteristic, it is not an ethical decision using a nonconsequentialist analysis. For example, if I decided to immediately layoff 1000 sewers in the sample case, that decision violates the WARN Act and violates the lawfulness subcharacteristic. That decision would not be an ethical decision and I would need to start over.
If none of your decision(s) violates one of the 26 subcharacteristics, then choose the STRONGEST FOUR subcharacteristics that you feel support your decision(s) as being the most ethical.
In a separate paragraph for each subcharacteristic:
First, type the name of the subcharacteristic with a “:” after it.
Second, copy and paste the EXACT definition of the subcharacteristic used in the Six Pillars of Character Outline.
Third, explain in detail how a specific decision or decisions uphold the subcharacteristic identified.
Consequentialist Analysis of Decisions
(10 points)
BASED ON YOUR DECISIONS ABOVE, categorize every stake identified in Step 2 as either a cost, a benefit, or part cost and benefit. DO NOT RE-NUMBER YOUR STAKES.
Categorize any additional costs and benefits generated by your decisions.
Analyze your costs and benefits identified in #1 and #2 above. Do the benefits outweigh the costs? If so, your decision(s) are ethical using a consequentialist analysis. If not, your decision(s) are unethical using a consequentialist analysis and you need to start over.
If you believe the benefits outweigh the costs, argue why you believe so in no more than one paragraph.