Business Ethics: Insights and Practices for Sustainability

RUNNING HEAD: BUSINESS ETHICS
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Business Ethics
Report
System 0032
[Pick the date]

Business Ethics
1
Session 2: Ethical Decisions
Case: Break a Promise
Reading: Ethic meets sustainability- dangers in getting ethics wrong for our organization and the
environment and people
Main Insights from case
From the case, I understand the dilemma of student and I have learnt that taking ethical decision
is very important for the society and individual career. I developed this habit as I realized the
consequences of taking unethical decision are much bigger in longer run. So now I analyze both
the aspects of situations that are right and wrong then take the final decision based on my ethics
and values.
Main Insights from Reading
In this reading I learnt about ethical behavior and moral conduct that companies should follow in
their operations and performance otherwise all these impact adversely on the environment,
people and image of the organization. Sustainable practices such as CSR initiatives should be in
alignment with the ethical principles (Crane et.al, 2019). Right and wrong decisions that are
made by the company have impact on the economic, environmental and social performance
(Ferrell and Fraedrich, 2015).
Relation to my present or future
To take ethical decision an individual should know the difference between what is right and
wrong doing and how that wrong decision impact on the environment and people. This unit help
me to take ethical decision in the future as I understand the importance of ethics and how this
link with sustainability.
Questions that interests or trouble me
How to promote companies to take CSR activities seriously?

Business Ethics
2
Session 3: Ethical Action (Tax Avoidance)
Case: The Shakedown
Reading: Google Shifts $24.5 billion to cut tax bill
Main Insights from case
From the case, it is understood that companies in any corner of the country try tax evasion and
through that survived in the market. In the case, the company intentionally moved 15.9billion
euros to other companies in order to save tax. I experienced this and learnt that I will pay all the
taxes on time as per the law as it is the ethical action that should be taken by all the citizens
rather than avoiding and manipulating accounts in order to save tax.
Main Insights from Reading
Tax avoidance is internally transferring the funds to lower tax countries in order to save amount
of tax to be paid (West, 2018). Tax evasion requires an ethical action from the side of regulating
authorities or from the government. The ethical action that can be taken is to strengthen code of
conduct and ensure good governance framework in the companies. Code of ethics or code of
conduct ensures strict rules and practices for the companies that should be followed. Some
universally accepted principles are performance, accountability, acceptance, trustworthiness and
compliance with the rule of law (Braithwaite, 2017).
Relation to my present or future
From this reading and case of Google I get to know that big players like Google have ethical
issues. These companies will not follow ethical principles this lead to major problems to the
people and growth of the economy. I understand the importance of ethical action from this case
and reading and what actions can be taken to promote ethical behavior in the organization at
present.
Questions that interests or trouble me
The question that bothers me is that why companies or even big player like Google do unethical
things just to save some money?

Business Ethics
3
Session 4: Giving voice to value
Case: Should you sell
Reading: Cummins: An engine maker bets on clean Air
Main Insights from case
From the case it can be said that in this digital era giving voice to values is important aspect as
people are engaged in the social media sights. I experienced this as I saw an advertisement in
which characters were violating the rules and after some days people took stand to ban that ad
and was banned after few days. The companies try to show ads in order to promote their products
without even thinking about the values and ethics. Through that I learnt to take stand for the right
thing, even in the difficult situation.
Main Insights from Reading
It is important to “give voice to values” in order to ensure ethical behavior and culture in the
organization (Thomas, 2019). I experienced that when I went to a mall and a person stole an item
I want to disclose this but not able to give voice to my values. The concept of GVV not focuses
on forcing individuals to use ethical values in the organization. It is focusing on ethical
implementation and providing effective environment where individual can apply its value freely
and openly (Arce and Gentile, 2015). Cummins employees and individual ensure value
implementation on when they set professional purpose, voicing their values, by facing and
expecting values conflict, act consistently.
Relation to my present or future
The pillars of GVV help in implementing this concept in the organization. Through this case I
get to know that values of an individual are most important factor that helps the company to
grow. Positive attitude and values helps in success and growth in future for an individual.
Questions that interests or trouble me
Why employees don’t raise their voice again unethical practices?
How long it take to a person to understand the importance of ethics?