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:
Here is an example of a correct approach and 300-word explanation for the assignment using the topic:
“Ethical Issues in Global Fashion: The Case of H&M”
Correct Answer / Report Title:
Ethical Issues in Global Fashion: The Case of H&M
(Video link to be included on the title page of the final report)
300-Word Explanation of How to Complete the Assignment:
To successfully complete this assignment, students must select a real-world organization and a related ethical issue to analyze. For example, choosing H&M allows exploration of the fashion industry’s known concerns around sustainability, labor practices, and environmental degradation. The topic must be framed within a relevant ethical theory. For instance, Stakeholder Theory or Utilitarianism can be applied to analyze how ethical decisions affect workers, consumers, shareholders, and the environment.
Begin by reading academic articles and credible media sources to understand the company’s background and controversies. For H&M, credible sources may include the company’s sustainability reports, BBC News, The Guardian, and academic journals on corporate social responsibility (CSR). Collect at least 10 references—5 must be peer-reviewed academic articles, and 5 can be credible media or industry reports.
The report should include:
- Introduction (300 words): Explain the company’s background, the relevance of the fashion industry, and why this topic is ethically significant.
- Issues Analysis (500 words): Identify 2-3 key ethical issues (e.g., poor factory conditions, greenwashing, excessive waste). Analyze them using a theoretical framework like Kantian ethics (duty-based) or Virtue ethics.
- Recommendations (200 words): Suggest realistic changes—like supply chain transparency, ethical sourcing, or circular economy models.
- Conclusion (200 words): Reiterate the core issues and how your recommendations would enhance ethical operations.
- Appendix: Include screenshots/images of your presentation slides.
Then, create 3 professional PowerPoint slides and record yourself presenting them in a 5-minute video. Each slide should match the report’s structure—Intro, Key Issues, and Recommendations. Upload the video and include the link in your report.