BUSI 1301: Business Principles – Module 4 Assessment: Business Ethics & Social Responsibility Analysis

Assessment Overview

Course: BUSI 1301 – Business Principles (Lamar State College / General U.S. Business Core)

Assessment Type: Critical Analysis Case Study / Written Essay

Weighting: 15% of Final Grade

Length: 750- to 1,000-word essay

Submission Format: Microsoft Word (.docx) uploaded via LMS (Blackboard/Canvas)

Due Date: End of Week 4

Context

In the modern global marketplace, a company’s success is no longer measured solely by its bottom line. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and ethical decision-making are now central to brand reputation, investor relations, and long-term sustainability. This assignment requires you to move beyond definitions and apply ethical frameworks to real-world corporate behavior. You will evaluate how businesses balance the conflicting interests of shareholders, employees, customers, and the environment.

Task Description

For this assessment, you must select one major corporation (e.g., Patagonia, Tesla, Amazon, or Wells Fargo) and analyze their approach to ethics and social responsibility. Your written essay must address the following components:

1. Ethical Framework Identification

Describe the organization’s stated values or code of ethics. Does the company lean toward a stakeholder-driven model or a shareholder-centric model? Explain the difference between these two approaches within the context of your chosen firm.

2. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Audit

Evaluate the company’s performance in at least two of the following areas:

• Environmental Sustainability (Carbon footprint, waste management)
• Ethical Labor Practices (Fair wages, workplace safety, diversity and inclusion)
• Philanthropy and Community Engagement
• Product Safety and Consumer Rights

3. Ethical Dilemma Analysis

Identify a specific ethical scandal or dilemma the company has faced in the last five years. Analyze how they responded. Was the response proactive and transparent, or reactive and defensive? Provide your assessment of whether their actions aligned with their stated corporate values.

4. Recommendations

Based on your analysis, provide two specific recommendations for how this company can improve its social responsibility profile while remaining profitable.

Requirements & Formatting

• Structure: Include an introduction with a clear thesis statement, body paragraphs with topic sentences, and a concluding summary.
• Formatting: Use 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins.
• Citation Style: APA 7th edition is required for both in-text citations and the reference list.
• Originality: All submissions will be processed through SafeAssign/Turnitin. Ensure your work is original and properly cited.

Grading Rubric / Marking Criteria

The transition from shareholder primacy to stakeholder capitalism represents a fundamental shift in how modern business leaders define success. When examining Patagonia’s business model, it becomes clear that environmental stewardship is not a secondary goal but the core of their operational strategy. Their decision to transfer ownership to a non-profit dedicated to fighting climate change serves as a definitive example of deep-seated corporate social responsibility. This level of commitment often creates a competitive advantage by fostering intense brand loyalty among environmentally conscious consumers. Research suggests that firms prioritizing social performance often experience enhanced long-term financial stability compared to those focused solely on short-term gains (Carroll, 2021). Consequently, ethical leadership must be viewed as a strategic necessity rather than a mere public relations exercise. Companies that fail to integrate these values into their supply chain risk significant reputational damage in an era of high transparency.

 References

• Carroll, A.B. (2021) Business and Society: Ethics, Sustainability, and Stakeholder Management. 11th edn. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. Available at: https://www.cengage.com/c/business-and-society-ethics-sustainability-stakeholder-management-11e-carroll/9780357716199/
• Ferrell, O.C., Fraedrich, J. and Ferrell, L. (2019) Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making & Cases. 12th edn. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. Available at: 10.1017/S095581870000185X
• Trevino, L.K. and Nelson, K.A. (2021) Managing Business Ethics: Straight Talk about How to Do It Right. 8th edn. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Available at: https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Managing+Business+Ethics