Assignment 1: Not All Companies Are Viewed as Equal

Due Week 4 and worth 175 points

In the land of free trade, the public does not view all industries as equal. Do you believe that is ethical? Do you believe that some industries are unfairly targeted? Should it be consumers’ choice to partake in products that are not healthy for them, or do those companies have an ethical obligation to protect people? In this assignment, you will choose one (1) industry to write about. Possible industries to research could be tobacco, soda, alcohol, casinos, or candy companies, just to name a few.

Write a one and a half to two (1½ – 2) page paper in which you:

1. Become      an advocate for either the consumer or the industry. Prepare an argument      explaining the major reasons why you support either the consumer or the      industry.
2. Explain      the role capitalism plays in corporate decision making.
3. Discuss      if you believe it is possible for a company to cater to both its best      interest and that of the consumer conjointly or if one always has to      prevail. Justify your response.
4. Use      at least two (2) quality references. Note: Wikipedia and      similar Websites do not qualify as academic resources.
5. Format      your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
   1. Typed,       double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch       margins on all sides.
   2. Include       a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, your       professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not       included in the required page length.
   3. Include       a reference page. Citations and references must follow APA format. The       reference page is not included in the required page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Determine      the considerations for and process of ethical business decision making to      balance corporate and social responsibilities, and address moral,      economic, and legal concerns.
• Analyze      selected business situations using the predominant ethical theories, such      as utilitarian, Kantian, and virtue ethics to guide ethical business      decision making.
• Use      technology and information resources to research issues in business      ethics.
• Write      clearly and concisely about business ethics using proper writing      mechanics.