An Example of How Ethics Changes Over Time

Running head: MBA 5316 1
MBA 5316
Name
Institution

MBA 5316 2
1. Briefly explain why ethics may change over time and provide an example.
Ethics can be defined as moral principles that regulate a person’s behavior. As time goes a
lot of things keep on changing as people are exposed to different things ranging from life
style, technology, environment, behaviors. Ethics can easily change with time due to different
factors, some people’s morals change so to adapt to the current life style or place they are
located at. Ethics cannot remain constant because as the world keep going new things keep on
coming and the approach towards such things can cause change in ethics as time goes
(Moriarty, 2019).
An example of this is illustrated when people from the up countries move to the urban
cities, in most cases their morals tend to change; a child would resort to lying and stealing in
the city due to the problems they face yet back in up country that would not be the case.
2. List and briefly describe four principle sources that contribute to the formation of
business ethics.
a) Law- it provides for the procedures and code of conduct that are laid down by a state
to regulate and guide human behavior.
b) Culture- is pattern of behaviors and values passed from one generation to another that
are considered ideal and within the acceptable limits.
c) Religion- it is among the earliest foundation of ethical standards. Religion largely
reflects how different sections of people behave but most notable thing about religion is that
it teaches people to differentiate good from bad (Stack, 2012).
d) Environment- This provides for reasons as to why a person may change their behavior
in different places. The environment keeps on changing and this also influences ethics.

MBA 5316 3
3. What is the difference between “stockholders” and “stakeholders”?
Stockholders are usually stakeholders in a corporation but stakeholders are always
shareholders. A stockholder owns part of the company through share of stock, while
stakeholder has interest in the performance of the company for reasons not related to stock
performance.
4. List and briefly describe four ethical rules that can help managers analyze the effects
of their business decisions on stakeholders.
a). Honesty- this will help promote transparency and accountability between parties
involved. Once a person is honest and says the truth then this can help a lot to keep off from
unclean dealings.
b). Integrity- Ethics demands that integrity is expected of every person as a person need to
have high integrity among others in the society and be a role model to the rest.
c). Loyalty- This is an important aspect that ensures that a person is fully committed to a
course without thinking otherwise.
d). Promising and trustworthy-This should be encouraged at all times so as to promote
openness.
5. What two key features of organizational culture help to guide an organization’s
members toward behaving socially responsible manner?
Norms and values are essential towards having socially responsible people.
6. Pick an organization that interests you and with which you are familiar. Which
approach does the organization seem to take toward social responsibility? Briefly explain.