Business Ethics Reflective Journal: Case Studies and Insights

This reflective journal presents a comprehensive analysis of business ethics, exploring various cases, readings, and personal reflections. The journal covers a range of topics, including ethical decision-making, tax avoidance, giving voice to values (GVV), sustainability imperatives, and supply chain challenges. Each session delves into a specific case study, along with relevant readings, to provide insights into ethical dilemmas and sustainable practices. The author reflects on personal experiences and considers the implications of ethical choices on individuals, organizations, and society. The journal also examines emerging models and practices, such as B Corp certification, and discusses the importance of cultural understanding in business. The author concludes by emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and ethical considerations in all aspects of business operations. This assignment is a valuable resource for students seeking to understand and apply ethical principles in a business context.

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

Business Ethics
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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
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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
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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?

Business Ethics
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Session 5: Sustainability imperatives
Case: Ethical Bank
Reading: Beyond bank
Main Insights from case
The main focus in this case is to promote sustainability and ethics in the organization, the
company named Beyond Bank Australia is a B Corp. bank that focuses on promoting ethical
behavior in the people by prompting ethical culture. The customer’s interest is neglected by the
businesses in order to maximize shareholders value. The bank is 100% owned by its customers
as there are no shareholders and the company run its operation differently than other banks in
Australia. The company invests most of its profit in the development of society and community.
Main Insights from Reading
The concept of B Corp. helps the companies to understand ad embed sustainable culture in the
business operations that ensure the sustainability in the companies. It is important for the
company to take care of its stakeholders (Rezaee, 2017). Beyond Bank is one of the B Corp
recognized bank and this concept should be implemented by every company so customers
interest, ethical culture and equality in the society can be attained (Hilty and Aebischer, 2015).
Relation to my present or future
I learnt that B Corp certified companies have greater impact on the society and community and
also ensure sustainability. This helps me to implement the concept of B Corp in future in the
company I will work and this will promote ethics and sustainability in the corporate culture.
Questions that interests or trouble me
How long it will take to promote the concept of B Corp across the world?

Business Ethics
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Session 6: Sustainability mega forces, risks and opportunities
Case: Taking the care
Reading: A good life for all
Main Insights from case
From the case of good life, it is understood that in many countries sustainability issues are more
as countries are not meeting their basic level of sustainability. The purpose of this case is to
make people aware about the planetary boundaries from that they cannot use resources beyond
that limit.
Main Insights from Reading
Sustainable mega forces such as climate change, population growth, urbanization and much more
create challenges and risk for the company but also provide opportunities in this competitive
environment (Ramanan, 2018). Companies are trying to find solutions for various sustainability
related problem. Such as lack of planetary, climate change, water resources etc. I saw a case
when a chemical factory disposing off its waste and that harmful chemicals affecting the
environment. From the case analysis it can be commented that sustainable forces are creating
risk for the people and for living good life it is suggested that everyone should start using
sustainable practices in professional and personal life (Schaefer et.al, 2019).
Relation to my present or future
It is understood that, society requires more people who are aware about adverse consequences of
human activities and companies activities. I learnt that sustainable practices should be
implemented from now in order to brighter the future.
Questions that interests or trouble me
How long it take by the business to implement sustainable practices and CSR in their businesses
to reduce negative impact of their operation on society?

Business Ethics
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Session 8: Sustainability Challenges
Case: Tragedy in the supply chain
Reading: Tiffany’s CEO on creating a sustainable supply chain
Main Insights from case
CEO created a supply chain keeping in mind the environmental impact and human concern. This
helps the company to differentiate it from its competitors; further the company is concerned
about the human factors that are involved in the extraction of natural resources. Company
enhanced its supply chain by showing concern about environment and society.
Main Insights from Reading
From the case and relating it with readings it can be said that the company should take steps to
manage risks in its supply chain (Dentchev et.al, 2016). In the supply chain of a jewelry
manufacturing firm number of people are involved and it also have negative impact on the
environment and society and people. Some of the risks are natural hazards, resource waste or
over consumption and health and safety hazards to employees (Kandachar and Halme, 2017).
Relation to my present or future
I learnt that the company supply chain is also considered as the sustainability challenge. From
the reading I get insight about the supply chain management risks that company face. I ensure in
the future that supply chain of the companies adopt sustainable practices so that its impact on
environment and society can be reduced.
Questions that interests or trouble me
Why companies are not concerned about the health and safety of employees and take it as a
serious issue?

Business Ethics
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Session 9: Emerging Models and Practices
Case: Culture
Reading: Culture Clash in the Boardroom
Main Insights from case
The case is related to cultural clashes between the board of directors and shareholders as the
company is listed in the New York stock exchange and that means they have to follow the rules
and practices of business as per the US. But clashes in Chinese and US culture leads to
problematic situation in the boardroom between directors. The discussion was based on the HR
policies and intuitive structure for the workers.
Main Insights from Reading
From the reading it is known that emerging models and practices across the world has changed
and companies have to work accordingly (Guerrero et.al, 2016). In the case company can adopt
new business model in the subsidiary and that model should work according to the US policies
as the policies of parent company cannot be adopted in other country operations that are not
ethical in that framework (Ramanan, 2018). I realized when I was in my school in my class most
of the friends are of different culture and at first we all fight because of differences.
Relation to my present or future
This help me in building good relation with the people working in organization as with adopting
the culture and changing the policies and business model of the company as per the country help
in understanding other cultures and policies. So this will help me developing a cultural friendly
business model.
Questions that interests or trouble me
How culture brings people of different religion together?
Why people don’t understand that each culture has their own values and belief and it is important
to respect other culture?

Business Ethics
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Session 10: Measurement Frameworks
Case: Follow Dubious orders or speak up
Reading: PWC framework and balance scorecard
Main Insights from case
From the case I learnt an interesting thing that it is valuable for the society and environment to
speak up in the right circumstances. I observed an employee who followed all the orders of his
boss without questioning it and this led him in a troublesome situation. From that I learnt in order
to improve my performance I will never follow the instructions that are unethical and harming
others.
Main Insights from Reading
By reflecting and relating this case with the reading it can be said that in order to implement this
initiative of “sustainable beef” by McDonald lots of efforts are required from suppliers, retailers
and customers. To measure the success of this initiative McDonald has to use various
performance measurement tools that are PWC value framework, Balance scorecard framework
and GRI framework (Schipper and Langston, 2015). This can be implemented by McDonald in
order to measure the performance of initiative. McDonald reports this sustainable initiative and
its outcome to the stakeholders according to GRI framework (Thomas, 2019).
Relation to my present or future
These measurement frameworks are important for an individual to understand as this helps in
measuring the performance of an organization and reflects the actual position of the company.
Balance score card and GRI framework are the most used tools of measurement. So this will
help me in the future in practical scenario when I will work in an organization.
Questions that interests or trouble me
Is it possible that after adopting GRI framework companies are disclosing their real values and
work related to CSR and sustainability?

Business Ethics
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Session 11: Measurement, reporting and analysis of triple bottom line performance
Case: Who should take the fall?
Reading: Azko Nobel
Main Insights from case
From the case I get knowledge about how management mistake impact the society and belief of
people. I realized that this sort of breach is common but should be noticed by the management.
The concept of sustainability reporting taking importance in this changing era and in the concept
of triple bottom line social and environmental impact is also included.
Main Insights from Reading
This includes three topics from the reading the analysis of triple bottom line performance,
sustainable reporting and measurement. Azko nobel use materiality matrix to measure the
performance of bottom line. The company divided sustainable agenda for each department such
as human resource responsibility, and purchase and sales department responsibility (Hussain
et.al, 2018). It can be said that different company use different parameters to analyze their triple
bottom performance some KPI are net profit, return on investment, customer engagement,
market share and brand equity. Mainly companies analysis the environmental cost and benefits
and assess capital investment than provide their efforts in facts and figures in annual reports and
sustainability reports (Longoni and Cagliano, 2018).
Relation to my present or future
By understanding this concept I can prove to be an asset for the organization as by using these
concepts in practical scenario I can utilize it in improving the company performance.
Questions that interests or trouble me
What are the guidelines and framework of GRI and is actually companies report according to this
framework?

Business Ethics
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Session 1: Introduction to ethics and sustainability
Case: Culture
Reading: Don’t spin a better story be a better company (Wal-Mart)
Main Insights from case
The ethics and values of each culture is different, from the case it is understood that due to
cultural differences the values, attitude and behavior of individual changes. In some cases,
people actually follow their value and in some cases they just pretend to reflect their good image
to public. I am the one who adhere and stick to the ethics and values and understand the
importance of it in life. According to me In order to be successful it is necessary to follow ethical
path.
Main Insights from Reading
Ethics is about an individual value, belief and attitude in a situation and their actions and
reactions to that in a wrong and right way (Durkhiem, 2018). I experienced that most of the
companies so for the society in order to establish a good image in front of public rather than
actually and intentionally doing well. In case of Wal-Mart, company actually took initiatives for
the betterment of society by investing $1 billion in energy saving and by implementing other
initiatives related to women empowerment. So ethics are important part of the business, the
companies should adopt various ethical and sustainable ways in order to develop the society and
environment (Zsolnai, 2015).
Relation to my present or future
It can be said that ethics and values are the major drivers of successful life. An individual will be
successfully when follow ethical and right path. This concept of ethics and sustainability helps
me take right decision in present as well as in future for the sake of society and environment.
Questions that interests or trouble me
Why businesses show that they are doing ethical things but actually they are not?
How many businesses actually do ethical things for society?

Business Ethics
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References
Arce, D.G. and Gentile, M.C., 2015. Giving voice to values as a leverage point in business ethics
education. Journal of Business Ethics, 131(3), pp.535-542.
Braithwaite, V., 2017. Taxing democracy: Understanding tax avoidance and evasion. Routledge.
Crane, A., Matten, D., Glozer, S. and Spence, L., 2019. Business ethics: Managing corporate
citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford University Press.
Dentchev, N., Baumgartner, R., Dieleman, H., Jóhannsdóttir, L., Jonker, J., Nyberg, T., Rauter,
R., Rosano, M., Snihur, Y., Tang, X. and van Hoof, B., 2016. Embracing the variety of
sustainable business models: social entrepreneurship, corporate intrapreneurship, creativity,
innovation, and other approaches to sustainability challenges. Journal of Cleaner Production.
Durkheim, E., 2018. Professional ethics and civic morals. Routledge.
Ferrell, O.C. and Fraedrich, J., 2015. Business ethics: Ethical decision making & cases. Nelson
Education.
Guerrero, M., Urbano, D., Fayolle, A., Klofsten, M. and Mian, S., 2016. Entrepreneurial
universities: emerging models in the new social and economic landscape. Small Business
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Hilty, L.M. and Aebischer, B. eds., 2015. ICT innovations for sustainability (Vol. 310). Springer
International Publishing.
Hussain, N., Rigoni, U. and Orij, R.P., 2018. Corporate governance and sustainability
performance: Analysis of triple bottom line performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 149(2),
pp.411-432.
Kandachar, P. and Halme, M. eds., 2017. Sustainability challenges and solutions at the base of
the pyramid: Business, technology and the poor. Routledge.
Longoni, A. and Cagliano, R., 2018. Sustainable innovativeness and the triple bottom line: The
role of organizational time perspective. Journal of Business Ethics, 151(4), pp.1097-1120.