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:
To help you get started on your business ethics assignment, here’s a proposed answer structure using a real company and a relevant ethical theory. I will also provide a 300-word explanation for the choices made.
✅ Suggested Report Title
“Ethical Issues in Global E-commerce: The Case of Amazon and Stakeholder Theory”
✅ Correct Approach
1. Topic and Theory
- Topic: Business ethics in global e-commerce
- Theory: Stakeholder Theory (Freeman, 1984) – emphasizes the importance of considering all stakeholders (not just shareholders) in ethical decision-making.
2. Organisation: Amazon
Amazon is a global e-commerce giant that has faced several ethical issues, including labor conditions in warehouses, environmental impact, and anti-competitive practices.
3. Summary of Ethical Issues:
- Labor Rights Violations: Unsafe working conditions and unrealistic productivity targets in Amazon warehouses.
- Environmental Concerns: Massive carbon footprint due to global supply chain and excessive packaging.
- Market Domination: Allegations of using third-party seller data to launch competing products.
4. Recommendations:
- Improve worker conditions by implementing fair labor practices and third-party audits.
- Invest more in sustainable packaging and clean energy logistics.
- Promote transparency in business practices and ensure fair competition for third-party sellers.
5. Conclusion:
Amazon must adopt a stakeholder-centric approach to balance profits with ethical responsibility, ensuring long-term sustainability and trust.
✅ 300-Word Explanation
This assignment requires students to examine real-world ethical challenges and use a theoretical framework to analyze them. The example provided focuses on Amazon, one of the most widely known and controversial companies globally. It has frequently been in the spotlight for issues such as poor labor practices, environmental impact, and unfair competition — all of which make it an ideal case for ethical analysis.
The Stakeholder Theory was selected because it broadens the traditional profit-maximization model to include all parties affected by business operations, such as employees, customers, suppliers, and the community. This theory is especially relevant to Amazon, where a laser focus on customer satisfaction and profit has sometimes led to the neglect of other key stakeholders.
The report format encourages critical thinking and ethical reflection. You are expected to draw from at least 10 sources, including 5 academic articles and 5 credible media or company documents, to build a strong foundation for your arguments.
Finally, you will consolidate your insights in a 3-slide presentation, summarizing your findings and recommendations in under 5 minutes — a key professional skill. This dual format (report + presentation) helps develop both analytical and communication competencies, essential for ethical leadership in business.
Let me know if you’d like help writing the full report or designing the slides.