Ethical dilemma case analysis. Literature & Language Case Study

Analysis Paper #1

Instructions

     This analysis paper involves a case analysis.  You must first choose the case you wish to analyze.  You can find the cases on our Canvas site, under AP cases.

     The cases involve one of four business areas: accounting, finance, management, and marketing.  You are free to choose any case you wish, though you may wish to narrow it down by first selecting a business area.  Within each area, read through the cases (they are around 1 page) and pick the one that most interests you.  Each case presents an ethical dilemma. If you’re not sure you understand the dilemma in the case you choose, please contact me.

     Your paper should be divided into 3 separate sections as discussed below.  Submit your paper through Canvas.  Please put your last name in the document title when submitting.  Also please submit your paper using Word (doc. Format).  Please don’t submit your paper in a PDF or another format as Canvas won’t accept it.

Section I.     Each case ends with a decision to be made.  First, putting yourself in the role of the person making the decision, indicate your key decision options.  What basic choices do you have?  In stating your decision options please avoid imagining a solution that would solve the ethical issue in the case, as the purpose of this case is to assess your ability to apply accurately the ethical perspectives. Second, do a stakeholder analysis that lists the stakeholders to the decision, and include an explanation of how the decision would affect each stakeholder. 

            Note: Do not summarize the case in your paper unless you wish to make some additional assumptions.  Assume the reader knows the content of your case.

Section II.     Analyze your decision options from an ethical standpoint. To do this, apply each of three main perspectives discussed in the course for making an ethical decision: utilitarianism, and universalism (Kant).  You are free (and encouraged) to apply others discussed as well; although apply at these. Indicate what each perspective would say is the ethical course of action, and why.  Be sure to refer back to your stakeholder analysis when discussing the utilitarian decision in the case.

     Please subdivide this section into 2 subsections – first, discuss what utilitarianism would say is the most ethical choice.  Second, discuss what universalism (Kant) would say is the most ethical choice. 

Section III.  Indicate which of your decision options presented in Section I you would choose, and the degree to which it is consistent with each ethical perspective.  Be as detailed in possible in describing the decision you would make and/or the action(s) you would take.  If one or more of the perspectives disagrees with your decision, indicate why you do not choose to follow the guidance of that perspective(s).  Say what is wrong with the perspective for you, either in the context of the decision, and/or for you in general. 

Suggested length: Approximately 3-5 double-spaced pages, normal sized font and margins, though your paper can be as long or short as you like.  However it will be difficult to present an analysis of sufficient depth in less than 5 pages. Also, please put the case name at the top of your case analysis.

Evaluation

Grading Rubric: The maximum score for your paper is 40 points. It will be evaluated on four criteria, with 10 points available for each:

1. A) your stakeholder analysis and application of utilitarianism (10 points)


2. B) your application of profit maximization (10 points)


3. C) your application of universalism (10 points)


4. D) how well your paper is written and organized (as discussed below) (10 points)