Students (as individuals) will research a real company and analyze its business ethics issues, then make recommendations for creating a more ethical and sustainable business. This is a written report accompanied by a video-recorded presentation of PowerPoint slides.
Summary Students (as individuals) will research a real company and analyze its business ethics issues, then make recommendations for creating a more ethical and sustainable business. This is a written report accompanied by a video-recorded presentation of PowerPoint slides. Selecting a topic • Students must choose one topic (and accompanying theory) • Students must choose one real organisation to research • Bring the topic together in the title of your report e.g., Ethical issues in global fashion: the case of H&M What to do • Read widely (beyond the textbook) about your chosen topic and theory. Canvas several theoretical perspectives and choose a definition and/or framework to use for your report. • Read widely about your case study organisations (e.g., their website, corporate documents, credible news articles), focusing on the key aspects of your chosen topic/theory • Prepare a professionally written report (1,200 words, excluding references) – see below instructions • Prepare 3 (max) PowerPoint slides and record yourself presenting them – see below instructions • You should cite 10 authoritative sourcesLinks to an external site. (at least 5 academic articles and 5 others, such as reports or trusted media articles). • Include your references in the report ONLY (not in the PowerPoint slides/video) How to do it – Part 1: Report The report is to be 1200 words (+/- 10%). Suggested structure: • Title page: including a URL link to your video (instructions below) • Introduction: Provide a background to the case and why you chose it (300 words) • Issues analysis: Identify 2-3 key ethical issues facing the organisation. Refer to theory that has informed your analysis (500 words). • Recommendations: Make 3-4 recommendations on how the organization could address these concerns (200 words) • Conclusion: Summarise key points (200 words) • Appendix: Include images of your slides How to do it – Part 2: Presentation • Suggested slide structure (max 3 slides): • Slide 1: Introduction to the topic , organisation and context • Slide 2: Outline key issues you identified in your research and analysis • Slide 3: Present recommendations & conclusions • Record yourself presenting the slides using PowerPoint (or other) software – we will talk through how to do this in the workshops • The video should be no longer than 5 minutes (+/- 10%) • Upload your finished presentation to studio (see instructions below)
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer (Structure & Key Points)
Title (Example):
Ethical Challenges in Social Media: The Case of Meta Platforms, Inc.
Report Structure:
- Title Page
- Title of your report
- Your name, student ID
- URL link to your video presentation
- Introduction (300 words)
- Brief background of Meta (formerly Facebook)
- Why you selected Meta: high-profile ethical controversies (e.g., data privacy, misinformation, mental health impact)
- Relevance of business ethics and sustainability in tech
- Issues Analysis (500 words)
- Issue 1: Data Privacy Violations
- Reference to Utilitarianism and stakeholder theory
- Issue 2: Spread of Misinformation
- Application of Kantian ethics – duty of truth and harm prevention
- Issue 3: Impact on Youth Mental Health
- Corporate social responsibility (CSR) lens
- Theoretical framework: Use of stakeholder theory and ethical decision-making models
- Issue 1: Data Privacy Violations
- Recommendations (200 words)
- Implement stricter privacy controls and transparency in data use
- Use AI ethically to monitor and reduce harmful content
- Invest in mental health research and youth-centered design changes
- Strengthen corporate ethics culture through training and governance
- Conclusion (200 words)
- Recap of main issues and their ethical implications
- Emphasize the importance of ethical business in sustaining long-term success
- Appendix
- Images of PowerPoint slides
- References
- At least 10 authoritative sources (5 academic, 5 media/reports)
Explanation
This assignment involves critically analyzing a real company’s ethical challenges using relevant theory and providing realistic recommendations. The structure follows a logical flow—starting from an introduction that explains your case choice, followed by a deeper analysis grounded in academic ethics theories, practical recommendations, and a concise conclusion.
Choosing Meta is appropriate due to its ongoing and widely publicized ethical dilemmas, which provide rich content for discussion. Applying ethical theories like Utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, and stakeholder theory helps frame the issues academically. For instance, data privacy can be evaluated through a utilitarian lens (greatest good vs. individual rights), while misinformation links well with Kantian duty ethics.
The recommendations section is vital—it must show that your analysis isn’t just critical, but constructive. Each suggestion should directly respond to the ethical issues you’ve identified. Avoid generic advice; make sure your suggestions are realistic, actionable, and theory-informed.
The accompanying PowerPoint presentation and video are meant to succinctly communicate your findings and demonstrate your oral presentation skills. Three slides are sufficient if they’re well-designed and focused on key messages.
The assignment encourages critical thinking, academic research, and practical insight. Meeting the word limit, referencing requirements, and presentation length ensures your submission is professional and well-aligned with the criteria.
