Muñoz - FOLDER - First Graded Activity (11 - 22 - 23)

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1. Write a brief discussion on the Role of Ethics in the Corporate World.

What do
you think why ENRON CASE is an outright model of the topic?

In the corporate world, ethics play a critical role in upholding


sustainability, integrity, and trust in business operations. In addition to being
morally required, ethical business practices are crucial for sustained success.
It entails reaching judgments that are equitable, open, and respectful of
different stakeholders, including as workers, clients, investors, and the general
public. The case of Enron, which surfaced in the early 2000s, is a prime
illustration of corporate misconduct and the disastrous effects that unethical
actions may have. Once a well-known energy corporation, Enron fell subject to
extensive accounting fraud and unscrupulous business practices. Enron used
fraudulent accounting practices to hide its actual financial situation. To
conceal debt and increase profits artificially, the corporation established
off-balance-sheet subsidiaries. This contributed to a lack of accountability
and transparency in addition to misleading investors. The board of directors
of Enron did not perform its supervision duties effectively. The audit
committee did not successfully question the company's financial practices,
and board members lacked independence. Unethical activity was able to
continue undetected due to this corporate governance deficiency.

2. On the slide #3, explain very well the statement below.

It draws attention to how seemingly straightforward business issues


may be. Certain problems can seem like simple problems with easy answers
at first glance. But a deeper look uncovers underlying complexity that make
them complex and difficult to solve. Business problems are rarely isolated and
usually involve a number of different components. A single issue may have
connections to multiple facets of the company, including operations, finance,
human resources, legal issues, and dynamics of the external market.
Unintended repercussions could result from straightforward answers to
business challenges. Over time, what seems like a workable answer now
could pose new problems or make the ones that already exist worse. The
statement emphasizes how important it is to approach business issues with a
nuanced and thorough perspective. Effective decision-making and
problem-solving require a greater grasp of the complex nature of business
dynamics, the interdependence of different aspects, and the larger business
environment, even though some challenges may appear simple at first.

3. Be able to cite hypothetical example on how Conflict of Interest becomes the


source of unethical behaviour in an organization.

Imagine a pharmaceutical company, MedHealth Pharma, that is


engaged in developing a groundbreaking drug to treat a rare medical
condition. Dr. Loey, a lead researcher at MedHealth Pharma, is actively
involved in the drug development process and holds a significant role in the
company's success. The Conflict of Interest: Unbeknownst to MedHealth
Pharma, Dr. Loey also has a personal financial interest in a competing
pharmaceutical company, RivalCure Pharmaceuticals. She holds stocks and
has a side consulting agreement with RivalCure.

Unethical Behavior:
Data manipulation: Due to her connections to RivalCure, Dr. Loey may conceal
or alter important information about the efficacy or safety of MedHealth
Pharma's medication, giving the impression that it is less effective than it is.
Intentional Postponements: Dr. Loey may have purposefully delayed the
regulatory approval of MedHealth Pharma's medication or the fulfillment of
research milestones in order to undermine MedHealth's competitive position,
given his knowledge of the possible financial benefit from RivalCure's
success.
Leakage of Confidential Information: RivalCure may receive an unfair
advantage if Dr. Leoy purposefully or unintentionally provides them with
confidential information about MedHealth Pharma's drug development
process.
4. On slide #6, why do you think the Philippines is not included? Cite
reasons/justification.
The Philippines has historically struggled with corruption, and the
fallout from previous scandals can have a long-lasting effect on public opinion
of the nation. Corruption can be exacerbated by flaws in the judicial system
and law enforcement, among other governance institutions. Our capacity to
effectively combat corruption may be hampered by a lack of independence,
insufficient funding, or inadequate training. Political dynasties and patronage
systems, in which fidelity to political leaders is rewarded with positions and
perks, have a long history in the Philippines. This system has the potential to
promote a culture of nepotism and favoritism, which would encourage
corruption. Corruption may be exacerbated by a lack of accountability
systems and insufficient transparency in government operations.
Furthermore, low risk of detection and punishment for corrupt offenses
is one of reasons why corruption is rampant in the Philippines. The Marcoses
are the prime illustration of this. The judicial and legal systems were mostly
under the grip of the Marcos administration. The regime's loyalty determined
the appointment of judges and prosecutors, undermining their independence.
Because of its lack of autonomy, the legal system found it challenging to fairly
combat corruption. In the Philippines, the Marcoses' political power remained.
It's possible that their political ties affected or slowed down the court case's
development, leading to its dismissal.

5. Discuss the diagram on slide #7.


The interrelationships among religion, culture, law, and philosophy give
rise to a complex and ever-changing environment in which business ethics
function. When taken as a whole, these resources aid in the formation of
moral standards and direct business decision-making. It is imperative that
organizations exercise caution when navigating and integrating various
sources in order to cultivate a robust ethical culture.
Many ethical principles in business are influenced by religious beliefs.
Different religions may have specific moral codes and ethical guidelines that
impact business practices. For example, honesty, integrity, and fairness are
often emphasized across various religious traditions. Culture plays a
significant role in shaping the values and norms within a society, and these, in
turn, influence business ethics. Cultural factors can include societal
expectations, attitudes toward competition, and the importance placed on
relationships in business transactions. Philosophical perspectives contribute
to the theoretical underpinnings of business ethics. Different ethical theories,
such as utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics, offer diverse perspectives
on what constitutes ethical behavior in business. Legal frameworks provide a
foundational structure for business ethics. Laws set the minimum standards
for acceptable behavior and often reflect societal values. However, ethics in
business can go beyond legal compliance, aiming for practices that are not
just lawful but also morally right.

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