Assignment Directions

This assignment assesses CO-5 [content page].

Students will select a recent real-world scenario where ethical challenges were evident across multiple business functions.

Submission Instructions:

Prepare a 6–8 page report analyzing how each function contributed to or mitigated ethical risk, referencing ethical frameworks.

Requirements: Minimum 4 peer-reviewed sources, APA format, include recommendations for ethical improvements.

Be sure to review the following prior to submitting your assignment:

· We strive for academic integrity in all aspects of education, and you are expected to uphold these standards when creating and submitting your discussion. View the Standards of Student Conduct [webpage] for more information on what that means at APUS.

· Assignment Rubric

· If you do not see the rubric, select Course Tools in the blue horizontal navigation bar and then Assignments. Select the appropriate assignment, and the rubric will be located near the bottom of the page.

🟥 Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your report easily!

Step 1 — Select a Real-World Scenario

Guidelines:

Choose a recent, well-documented ethical dilemma in a company (2018–2026 preferred)
The scenario must involve multiple business functions, such as:
- Finance/accounting
- Marketing/advertising
- Human resources
- Operations/supply chain
- IT or data management

Examples of Potential Cases:

Volkswagen Emissions Scandal – unethical software manipulation affected engineering, marketing, and compliance functions.
Wells Fargo Fake Accounts – HR, finance, and sales ethics failures.
Facebook/Cambridge Analytica Data Breach – IT, marketing, and leadership decisions.
Boeing 737 MAX Crisis – engineering, safety, and management oversight failures.

Tip: Ensure there is enough scholarly and media coverage to support a 6–8 page analysis.

Step 2 — Structure Your Report (6–8 Pages)

APA Guidelines:

12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced, 1-inch margins
Title page and reference page not included in page count
In-text citations for all claims
Minimum of 4 peer-reviewed sources, plus credible news/media sources

Suggested Outline:

1. Title Page (APA format)

Include:

Report title
Your name
Course and instructor
Date

2. Introduction (0.5–1 page)

Introduce the company and the ethical scenario
State the purpose of the report: to analyze how business functions contributed to or mitigated ethical risks
Briefly outline the structure of your analysis

Example:

This report analyzes the ethical challenges faced by Volkswagen during the 2015 emissions scandal. The company’s decision to install defeat devices in diesel vehicles implicated multiple business functions, including engineering, marketing, finance, and compliance. Using ethical frameworks, this report examines how each function contributed to or mitigated ethical risk and provides recommendations to improve ethical decision-making across the organization.

3. Background of the Ethical Scenario (0.5–1 page)

Provide a concise but thorough description of the case
Include timeline, stakeholders, and key decisions
Highlight the ethical issues involved

Tip: Use credible sources (news reports, peer-reviewed analyses, government investigations).

4. Analysis by Business Function (3–4 pages)

Format: Subsections for each function

A. Finance/Accounting

How did financial goals or pressures contribute to ethical risk?
Were there mitigating actions?
Ethical frameworks: utilitarianism, deontology, stakeholder theory

B. Marketing/Sales

Misrepresentation, deceptive advertising, or pressure to meet targets?
Ethical considerations: honesty, transparency, consumer protection

C. Human Resources

Role in encouraging or deterring unethical behavior
Training, reporting channels, whistleblower protections

D. Operations/Engineering

Design and production decisions that led to ethical lapses
Safety, quality, and regulatory compliance

E. IT/Data Management (if applicable)

Privacy, security, or data use issues
Role in mitigating ethical risk through controls

Tip: For each function, cite at least one scholarly source linking ethical theory to the behavior observed.

5. Ethical Frameworks Applied (0.5–1 page)

Deontology: adherence to rules and duties
Utilitarianism: outcomes and consequences
Virtue ethics: character and corporate culture
Stakeholder theory: balancing interests of all affected parties

Tip: Use frameworks to explain why functions acted ethically or unethically.

6. Recommendations for Ethical Improvement (1 page)

Suggest realistic policies or procedures for each business function
Examples:
- Whistleblower programs (HR)
- Transparent marketing audits (Marketing)
- Ethics training and compliance monitoring (Finance/Operations)
Tie each recommendation to an ethical framework

7. Conclusion (0.5 page)

Summarize findings
Reinforce importance of cross-functional ethical alignment
Suggest next steps for organizations

Step 3 — References

Minimum 4 peer-reviewed sources plus credible news or official reports. Examples:

Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2021). Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Treviño, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2021). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do it right (7th ed.). Wiley.
News source on case (e.g., BBC, Reuters, New York Times)
Peer-reviewed journal on ethical frameworks or corporate governance

Step 4 — Writing Tips

Use headings for each business function to improve readability
Integrate ethical frameworks with examples from the case
Avoid excessive summary; focus on analysis and recommendations
Check APA format for citations and references
Stay within 6–8 pages for body content

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