Reference no: EM132252580

Module - HomeUtility Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility

Modular Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, the student will be able to satisfy the following outcomes:

Case - Apply the Utility Test to real-world business situations.

SLP - Analyze CSR in the context of an organization with which the student is familiar.

Discussion

Apply utility ethics to an ethical dilemma.

Module Overview

In Module 3, we will explore utility ethics which is also referred to as utilitarian ethics or consequentialist ethics. Utility ethics is the theory that "an action is morally right if and only if it produces at least as much good (utility) for all people affected by the action as any alternative action the person could do instead" (Audi, 1999, p. 824). Think of utility ethics in terms of "utility"-that is, in terms of the benefit of the outcomes derived from a given action. Utility theory is largely concerned with the end result, with doing the "greatest good" for the largest numbers of persons.

Utility ethics is criticized as being "the ends justify the means." This is because utility ethics is concerned with the outcome of a decision or action rather than whether or not the action is ethical in itself.

Would you lie to avoid hurting your friend's feelings, or is lying always wrong? Is it wrong to kill one person to save two other lives? Under utility ethics you examine these dilemmas strictly by looking at the consequences of these types of action and not whether it is wrong to lie or wrong to kill.

Reference:

Audi, R. (Ed.). (1995). The Cambridge dictionary of philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Utility Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility

ASSIGNMENT 1::: CASE STUDY

ASSIGNMENT 2- SLP

Module - SLP

Utility Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility

The Face of an Organization

An organization may be linked to a CEO, public figure, or celebrity brand endorser. When consumers hear about the individual, they automatically make a connection with the brand or organization and vice versa.

This is advantageous when the "face of the company" is viewed positively. But when controversy strikes, that association can have a detrimental effect on the company and send it into crisis management.

Select a spokesperson or leader of an organization that did or said something which reflected poorly on the entity. It may be a news story that you recall, or you may conduct internet searches for an incident.

The paper will begin with a 2- to 3-sentence introduction and end with a 2- to 3-sentence conclusion. The body of the submission will be 2 pages in length and cover:

• Incident background

• Implication for the controversial figure

• How the company reacted

After an initial internet search for a scenario, use articles primarily from the Trident Online Library's full-text databases (such as Academic Search Complete, Business Source Complete, and/or ProQuest Central) to research the situation and write a 2½-page submission.

In academic writing it is necessary to use the third person vs. the first person. For more information, see Differences Between First and Third Person.

This SLP will be written in the third person. Do not use any quotations. Since you are engaging in research, be sure to cite and reference the sources in APA format.