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ACCG8048 Business and Professional Ethics Assignment Sample

QUESTION 1:

In the unit textbook, Desjardins (2023) considers three reasons why following the law is not sufficient to act ethically. Explain one of these reasons from the text in your own words. Then find your own example (i.e. an example not covered in class or readings) in the news in the last twelve months where a company has acted legally but not ethically. [2 marks]

QUESTION 2:

In April 2024, social media giant X refused an order from Australia’s e-safety commissioner to remove ‘distressing’ images of a knife attack in Sydney. Read the article below and then answer the questions that follow.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/take-down-order-unlawful-and-dangerous-x-rejects- australian-law-20240420-p5flc3.html

i. Briefly explain what makes an action ethical according to cultural relativists and one argument for this view that is covered in the Seminar 2 slides or set reading. [2 marks]

ii. Explain how a cultural relativist would assess the ethics of X’s action in this case. Your answer should outline whether a relativist would view X’s actions as ethical or not and at least one reason they would give for taking this view. [2 marks]

QUESTION 3:

The South Australian government has recently considered legislation to require social media companies like Facebook to actively ban users under fourteen. Watch the video on this issue below and answer the questions that follow:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-03/should-children-be-banned-from-social- media/103930492

i. What are two arguments covered in the video that a utilitarian might give for why social media companies like Facebook should be required to ensure users under fourteen are not able to access their sites? [2 marks]

ii. What is one ethical argument against requiring social media companies to ban users under fourteen from their sites that is covered in the video? Explain what type of argument you think this is (e.g., utilitarian, principles-based etc.) and why. [2 marks]

QUESTION 4:

In 2022 a major Sydney hospital warned junior doctors against sleeping between tasks while at work. Read the article below and answer the questions that follow.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-07/hornsby-hospital-warns-junior-doctors-not-to-nap- on-quiet-shifts/101744462

i. According to the NSW WHS Act (2011), what are two responsibilities that employers (PCBUs) have in ensuring a safe workplace? Give an example of each responsibility in this case. [2 marks]

ii. Under the NSW WHS Act (2011) an officer of a PCBU has a duty to assess the risks involved in doctors suffering from fatigue. Give an example of an officer in this case and explain why the Act requires officers rather than workers to assess risks. [1 mark]

QUESTION 5

Bunnings has recently been criticised for allegedly pushing its suppliers to accept unfair prices for their products. Read the article and answer the questions that follow:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-15/bunnings-growers-suppliers-plants-senate- hearing/103707000

i. Briefly explain why pricing can be an ethical issue. Your answer should refer to at least one issue discussed in either Seminar 5 slides or the set reading [1 mark].

ii. According to Kant, what does it mean to treat someone as a ‘means’ rather than an ‘end’? Give two examples of ways in which Bunnings was alleged to be treating suppliers as a means not an end in this case. [2 marks]

iii. Explain one criticism of a Kantian approach to ethics covered in Seminar 4 and how this criticism is relevant to this case. [1 mark]

QUESTION 6:

Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch is currently in a legal battle with three of his four children to determine who will control his business after he has died. Read the article below and answer the questions that follow:
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/rupert-murdoch-s-attempt-to-rule-from-the- grave-is-stranger-than-fiction-20240725-p5jwh7.html

i. According to Aristotle, what does a ‘flourishing life’ (eudaimonia) involve in addition to feeling happy? Illustrate your answer with an example from this case. [1 mark]

ii. Would Aristotle view Rupert Murdoch’s actions in this case as ethical or unethical?

Explain with reference to two virtues and/or vices you see as relevant. [2 marks]

Solution

Answer 1

One of the reasons Desjardins (2023) argues that following the law is not sufficient to act ethically is that laws often set a minimum standard of behavior, focusing on what is legally permissible rather than what is morally right. This means that actions can be legally acceptable yet still unethical if they violate principles of fairness, honesty, or harm reduction. For instance, a company for The Assignment Helpline may exploit legal loopholes to avoid paying taxes. While this practice is legal, it may be considered unethical because it deprives the public of revenue needed for essential services.

A recent example is when Amazon legally avoided paying federal income taxes in the United States in 2022 despite earning significant profits. Although Amazon’s tax practices were within the bounds of the law, many critics argue that the company acted unethically by not contributing its fair share to public finances, which are crucial for infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

Answer 2

i. According to cultural relativists, an action is ethical if it aligns with the norms, values, and practices of the culture in which it occurs (Wright, 2024). They argue that morality is not universal but culturally dependent, meaning what is considered right or wrong varies across societies. One argument for this view is that it promotes tolerance and respect for cultural diversity, as it recognizes that different cultures have developed their moral codes based on their unique historical and social contexts.

ii. A cultural relativist would assess X’s refusal to remove the knife attack images based on Australian cultural norms. If the prevailing cultural values in Australia prioritize public safety and the well-being of citizens, a cultural relativist might view X’s actions as unethical because they conflict with these values (Wright, 2024). They would argue that, in this context, respecting local norms and the authority of the e-safety commissioner should take precedence, making X’s decision morally wrong.

Answer 3

i. A utilitarian might argue that banning users under fourteen from social media would increase overall happiness by protecting young users from potential harms, such as exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and mental health issues. Another argument could be that this regulation would benefit society by reducing the long-term negative impacts on mental health, leading to a healthier, more productive population (Murray, 2024). Both arguments focus on maximizing the overall well-being of individuals and society by minimizing the potential harms associated with early social media use.

ii. An ethical argument against banning users under fourteen is that it could infringe on the rights of young people to freely express themselves and access information, which could be considered a principles-based (deontological) argument. This argument is grounded in the principle of respecting individual rights and autonomy, emphasizing that ethical actions should uphold these rights, regardless of the consequences. It challenges the utilitarian focus on outcomes by prioritizing the protection of individual freedoms.

Answer 4

i. According to the NSW WHS Act (2011), employers (PCBUs) have the responsibility to:

1. Provide a safe work environment: Employers must ensure that the workplace is safe and free from risks to health, including managing fatigue among employees (Haydar 2022). In this case, the hospital should provide adequate rest breaks or policies to prevent fatigue among junior doctors, reducing the risk of errors due to tiredness.

2. Monitor workers' health: Employers must monitor the health of workers to prevent workplace injuries or illnesses (Haydar, 2022). Here, the hospital should monitor junior doctors for signs of fatigue, which could compromise their ability to perform tasks safely.

ii. An example of an officer in this case could be the hospital’s Chief Medical Officer. The NSW WHS Act (2011) requires officers to assess risks because they hold the authority and responsibility to implement and enforce safety policies. Officers are in a position to make decisions that ensure compliance with safety regulations, whereas workers may lack the necessary oversight and decision-making power to mitigate risks effectively.

Answer 5

i. Pricing can be an ethical issue if it identifies power play between the buyer and the seller. As discussed in Seminar 5, fairness in pricing, when a giant firm like Bunnings forces suppliers to accept low prices that are unfair, this hurts their ability to continue sustaining businesses and livelihoods (Terzon, 2024). Such practice raises ethical questions of fairness, exploitation, and impact on economic well-being of vulnerable parties.

ii. According to Kant, 'means' rather than 'ends' refers to a person who is utilized as a means to achieve one's ends, without any respect for the person's intrinsic value and dignity. In the present case, it was alleged against Bunnings that it had treated the suppliers as a means by:

1. Pressuring them to accept unfairly low prices.

2. Using its market power to force compliance without regard for the financial well-being of the suppliers.
These acts devalue the suppliers' autonomy and dignity by only viewing them as instruments to get maximum profits.

iii. One significant criticism levelled against the Kantian approach is that it can be quite rigid and unsympathetic to the intricacies and subtleties of the real-life scenario. This critique rather succinctly applies to the Bunnings case: while Kantian ethics would no doubt condemn Bunnings' treatment of their suppliers, it might not be helpful in terms of fleshing out worthwhile counsel regarding tricky negotiations and power plays involved in business relationships (Wilburn, 2020). The strict adherence to moral rules forgets, if not disregards, practical needs for both parties when outcomes are considered nowhere

Answer 6

i. For Aristotle, living a 'flourishing life' meant not having fun or feeling good but living in accordance with virtues and pursuing one's potential. This asks for a life of rational activity, excellence of character, and contributing to the welfare of others and society. In the case of Rupert Murdoch, making a bid to manage his business even beyond his death shows an idea of power and legacy but does not help lead a life of flourishing if that is going to lead to conflicts and disturb the well-being of his family, which Aristotle held central to eudaimonia (Knight, 2024).

ii. Aristotle would consider Rupert Murdoch acts unethical because it shows an overall desire for personal power and control that may be bought at the cost of family harmony and virtue. End: What virtues or vices are relevant in the case?

1. Generosity vs. Selfishness: If a life were to flourish, then generosity in all matters—more so those concerning family—would characterize it, contrary to Murdoch's acts of selfishness in hanging onto power for himself (Knight, 2024).

2. Prudence vs. Overreaching: Prudence refers to careful decision-making, whereas the overreach that Murdoch resorted to in operational controls beyond death could be considered not much of a thought for the future impact on family unity and long-term welfare (Knight, 2024).

These actions could be viewed as imbalanced and not useful for living a life of true flourishing.

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