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Ethics and Social Responsibility Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric
Purpose of this Assessment
The Ethics and Social Responsibility competency addresses how to evaluate ethical dilemmas and
formulate a defensible resolution. The final assessment for this competency is to write a paper that
addresses stakeholder analysis, rules for ethical decision-making, ways to cultivate an ethical corporate
culture, business sustainability, and Return on Investment (ROI).
In your paper, you should identify the various ethical dilemmas and identify the stakeholders involved in
the dilemma. Since the stakeholders have different roles and responsibilities, you should analyze the
ethical dilemma(s) from their perspective and identify how the ethical dilemma affects them. You are
expected to synthesize what you have learned about ethical decision-making, as well as the “rules” and
relevant theories of ethics and the importance of business sustainability, and apply that knowledge to
this situation.
Items Required for Submission
1. Eight to ten page Ethics/Social Responsibility case study paper.
Step ONE: Preparation
For this assignment, you are expected to demonstrate your knowledge of ethical decision-making and
civic engagement. As you prepare to evaluate the business dilemma, read the case study below and
consider the following:
● Who are the stakeholders?
● How does the ethical dilemma affect them?
● What are the pros and cons of using Vail, Inc., a wood supplier in South America?
● What are the rules of ethical decision-making?
Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric 1
Ethics and Social Responsibility Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric
● What factors should be considered when creating value and ROI through sustainability efforts?
● How should managers discipline disobedient employees?
● What strategies can be used to improve civic identity?
● How can an ethical business culture be created?
● Why is continued involvement in matters of public concern and social responsibility important
for business?
● What resolution could be provided to Comp Core that demonstrates application of ethical
decision-making?
Case Study
Comp Core, Inc. is a family-owned business in the Midwest that has been operating for 50 years. Having
started from the ground up after the family lost everything in a tornado, Comp Core has become a large
enterprise with name recognition across the United States. The company’s primary business is in
homebuilding and construction; however, Comp Core also is known for building housing developments
for families who have lost their homes in natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina. Philanthropy is an
important part of Comp Core’s mission.
Working with many subcontractors that depend on Comp Core’s success, the company has more than
400 employees in its main offices. Comp Core obtains wood for its low income housing developments
from Vail, Inc., a supplier in South America. Recently, John, one of the employees in Comp Core’s Miami
office, went to see the operations in South America. During the visit, John discovered that Vail is
destroying rainforests throughout South America to supply cheap wood. This destruction has caused
widespread damage to the ecosystem, causing the rivers to overflow and flood surrounding villages,
damaging their crops and livelihoods.
Upon returning to Miami, John discussed this issue with his boss, Susan, who told him to keep it quiet.
Instead of listening to Susan, John wrote an internal memo to the chief executive officer (CEO), chief
financial officer, and other key employees detailing what was going on in South America. The CEO was
quick to respond, telling him to stop discussing the situation, as it could damage Comp Core’s reputation.
The CEO noted that the company has looked everywhere for a different supplier, but hasn’t been able to
find one that performs work as inexpensively as Vail. The CEO fears that if the company stops using Vail
to supply wood, it will not be able to provide affordable building options for people in need.
John is now in trouble for not listening to Susan’s instructions. She is threatening to suspend him for
disobedience. John thinks he did the right thing and now is tempted to make his findings public. The CEO
is concerned that if this information comes out, the company will be disgraced and they may lose
revenue, which could result in subcontractors and employees losing their jobs. He is also worried that if
they stop using Vail as a supplier, they may not be able to continue their philanthropic endeavors.
Step TWO: Complete the Ethics/Social Responsibility Case Study Paper
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate ethical dilemmas and formulate a defensible resolution. You
should support your resolution based on your understanding of rules for ethical decision-making and
reflection of your own academic and civic life. Reference a minimum of three scholarly journals, as well
as the competency readings. You should clearly identify the stakeholders and assess how the business
Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric 2
Ethics and Social Responsibility Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric
dilemma affects them. You should demonstrate your ability to synthesize your reflective insights and
discuss social responsibility. The paper must include the following four sections:
1. Stakeholder analysis – The steps that will be taken, from start to finish, to complete the
stakeholder analysis should be fully explained. The stakeholder analysis should include a detailed
description and discussion of the proposed resolution changes. It should also include a
justification and rationale and highlight the benefits of the implementation of the resolution for
stakeholders.
● Identify the individual stakeholders and assess how they are affected by this situation.
How would you expect them to react to this situation?
● Identify the corporate stakeholders and how they are affected by this situation. How
would you expect them to react to this situation?
2. Rules for ethical decision-making
● What rules or steps can be used to identify the ethical dilemmas? How will you use
these in this situation?
● Using what you have learned about ethical decision-making, what advice would you
have for John, Susan, and the CEO of Comp Core?
3. Value and ROI through sustainability efforts- Apply one of the three corporate theoretical
approaches (Corporate Social Responsibility [CSR], the triple bottom line or stakeholder theory)
as you address these questions:
● What pros and cons exist around using Vail, Inc.? What suggestions do you have to
address these issues?
● How would you advise Comp Core about business sustainability and ROI? What should
Comp Core consider as it decides what to do about Vail, Inc. and how to manage
employees who disobey their managers?
● What could Comp Core do to create a culture of ethical business practices within the
organization? Where would you suggest that it begin; what should it do to foster this
attitude in its employees?
● Identify strategies for the organization to improve its civic identity outside the
organization and provide insight on how these public actions may benefit individuals or
communities.
4. Civic Reflection and Corporate Social Responsibility
● Discuss how you feel about the importance of an organization’s continued involvement
in matters of public concern and social responsibility.
● Use your own planned or real experience in civic-engagement activities and describe
what you have learned about yourself as it relates to a sense of civic identity.
Step THREE: Complete Checklist for Submission
Before you submit your work, check to see if you have met the criteria noted below. Did you:
✓ Support your evaluation of the stakeholders with relevant connections from your own academic
field of study and participation in civic life, politics, and government?
Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric 3
Ethics and Social Responsibility Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric
✓ Analyze the business dilemma and provide meaningful and appropriate advice for Comp Core
based on your knowledge of ethical decision- making, sustainability, ROI, and managing
employees?
✓ Provide evidence of planned or real experience in civic engagement activities?
✓ Clearly articulate what you have learned about yourself in relation to a reinforced and clarified
sense of civic identity and continued commitment to public action?
✓ Identify practical and well-defined strategies for the organization to improve civic identity by
creating a culture of ethical business practices?
✓ Offer reflective insights about how these public actions may benefit individuals or communities?
✓ Provide meaningful insights regarding the importance of continued involvement in matters of
public concern and social responsibility?
✓ Identify all of the stakeholders and assess how they are affected by the ethical dilemma?
✓ Describe in detail the pros and cons surrounding the use of Vail, Inc.?
✓ Provide meaningful and appropriate suggestions to Comp Core that demonstrate application of
ethical decision-making?
✓ Specify a practical and well-defined plan to improve Comp Core’s civic identity by creating a
culture of ethical business practices by clearly formulating a defensible resolution to the ethical
dilemma in the case study?
✓ Support your analysis and resolution with at least three scholarly references and competency
readings?
✓ Check that your paper flows logically, is well written, and meets the required length?
✓ Proofread for accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation?
✓ Follow APA formatting standards and include a minimum of three references?
Step FOUR: Submit Your Work
● Your completed files should be submitted through the Final Assessment page of your competency.