Ethical Theories and Contemporary Business Issues: Coursework Re-Assessment, Singapore

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
Gender Identification
Over-diversification of gender identities can lead to several challenges. Firstly, it may cause confusion and misunderstandings, both within the LGBTQ+ community and among the public.
As the number of recognized identities grows, it becomes harder for people to understand and respect each distinct identity, potentially leading to miscommunication and inadvertent disrespect.
Over-diversification can dilute the impact of advocacy efforts. When the focus is spread across a vast number of identities, it becomes more challenging to address the specific needs and rights of each group effectively. This can result in a lack of coherent strategy and weaker political and social support for each identity.
(a) Discuss in detail the above case study in the context of Kantian Theory principles
  (30 marks)

Question 2

(a) Describe what is virtue ethics and explain a clear example to illustrate the theory being applied in real life. (10 marks)
(b) A US major manufacturer, GA, has outsourced its 8,000-worker production plant to a lower cost country in order to boost profit margin and improve shareholders’ dividends. Many of the workers were made redundant as a result. Since the manufacturer no longer has a production facility in US, its suppliers who used to provide raw materials, machinery and other support services also suffered major losses and started retrenching their workers. The local government also collected fewer taxes since there were fewer employed workers and lowered business activities. Describe utilitarian theory and apply it to determine if GA’s decision to outsource its production is considered ethical or not.
(20 marks)

Question 3

(a) Identify and describe the corporate responsibility view that was advocated by Milton Friedman.
   (10 marks)
(b) Entrepreneurs like Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Elon Musk of Space X have taken risks to build to their businesses and been successful at it. The fundamental premise for their success mostly hinges on the ownership of private property and free market forces. For billionaires like them who have made their wealth mostly based on their own effort and perseverance, would it be fair to impose high income tax on them to redistribute their wealth to help the poor?
(20 marks)

Question 4

(a) Describe the terms ‘sweat shop’ and ‘child labour’.
(15 marks)
(b) Overfishing in countries like Japan has led to near extinction of some fishes due to the common believe that the supply of fishes is ‘free and unlimited’. Identify and describe this incorrect assumption about nature and suggest a solution to overfishing.
(15 marks)

Question 5

(a) Distinguish between bribery and kick back with ONE example each to illustrate these unethical behaviours.
(15 marks)
(b) On average, female in US earn about 20% less than male in similar jobs requiring identical qualifications and experiences. Identity and describe the program that aims to close this gender pay gap.
(15 marks)