PART 1 – Debate a Proposition (10 marks)
The debate focusses on: The future of corporate scandals and fraud. Students must consider whether or not “companies behaving badly is on the rise (student 1) or is such behaviour reducing (student 2), and why / why not?”.
Consider in your debate the two recent business ethical scandals involving the 7-Eleven convenience stores and the automotive firm Volkswagen. Extending the debate beyond these two scandals is welcomed.
This is predominately an independent research task, and does not align to any one specific topic. Forward reading of all lecture notes and wider research is required.
When planning the debate consideration needs to be given to cross-cultural ethics, global citizenship and the impact of how business ethics can vary culturally and globally.
Consider factors that may contribute to the increase in corporate scandals and fraud, including opportunity, greed, token penalties, media cover-ups and a lack of accountability. Is profit is more important than reputation?
Consider factors that may contribute to the reduction in corporate scandals and fraud, including improved regulation, enhanced corporate governance and codes of ethics, greater emphasis on ethics training, harsher penalties and the powerful impact of the media. Is reputation more important than profit?
Student 1:
Corporate scandals and fraud are likely to INCREASE in the future.
Student 2:
Corporate scandals and fraud are likely to REDUCE in the future.
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PART 2 – Implications for employers and employees (10 marks)
In Part 2 of the video is to be structured as a discussion between the two students.
The students must consider how businesses and employees might respond to support a reduction in corporate scandals and fraud.
Part 2 takes the debate proposition argued by Student 2 as a starting point, and must discuss the implications for employers and employees, including a discussion regarding the future of the workplace:
Student 1:
To achieve a reduction in corporate scandals and fraud in future the implications for (and expectations on) EMPLOYERS will be…
Student 2:
To achieve a reduction in corporate scandals and fraud in future the implications for (and expectations on) EMPLOYEES will be…
Student 1 could consider how recruitment practices might change, and whether or not changes in training programs or professional development might change to achieve the goal a reduction in fraud and scandals.
Because businesses must retain their profit motive (or must cover all expenses in the case of a not-for-profit organisation) a consideration of the financial costs/benefits would be appropriate.
Student 2 could consider how prospective employees might best prepare for employment where a reduction in corporate fraud and scandals is a goal, and how they might effectively communicate/demonstrate this to a prospective employer.
Because employees must “add value” to a businesses a consideration of how an employee might maximise their value to organisation whilst pursuing a goal of improved ethical behaviour would be appropriate.
Students are encouraged to consider the following article:
Bruce, W. (1994), Ethical People are Productive People
(Public Productivity & Management Review, 17(3), 241-252), doi:10.2307/3380656
(or access at http://www.jstor.org/stable/3380656).
In forming their response students are expected to research articles that refer to
· private sector scenarios; and
· comparison of the Australian experience with global practice.
Submission Instructions
(Note: Failure to follow instructions will lead to the assignment not being marked)
1. Use labels with names and group number clearly visible in the video.
2. Each student MUST enrol into 1 group “Assignment 1 Groups”.
Student 1 enrols using a lower odd group number: (e.g. group no 1, 3, 9, 77 etc…)
Student 2 enrols using the next immediate higher even group number:
(e.g. group no 2, 4, 10, 78 etc…)
Hence, groups (1 and 2), (3 and 4), (9 and 10), (77 and 78) – are assignment partners.
3. Upload your video recording onto Deakin Air (upload it on campus as home computers may not have sufficient data upload capacity). Only one video upload per group. You should commence to upload your video THREE days (i.e. 72 hours) prior to submission date as high traffic of video uploads may delay the entire uploading process causing delays of 72 hours (or longer).
4. To submit your video link, each student is required to:
• Submit the completed template provided on page 5 of this document.
• Provide the video link (from Deakin Air) in the comment section of your dropbox,
• List the students’ names and group numbers (step 2 above) in the comment section.