Business Ethics Touchstone 2
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School
Western Governors University *
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SOPHIA
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
4
Uploaded by CaptainTitanium8208
Business Ethics Touchstone 2 Template
Name: America Flores
Date: 2/22/2024
Step 1. Select ONE code of ethics from the list provided.
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3M https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/ethics-compliance/code/
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Berkshire Hathaway https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/govern/ethics.pdf
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Starbucks https://livingourvalues.starbucks.com/en-us/
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SHRM https://www.shrm.org/about-shrm/pages/code-of-ethics.aspx
●
ASAE https://www.asaecenter.org/about-us/policies/code-of-conduct
Step 2. Answer the following questions, applying the vocabulary and concepts from the tutorials
.
1. Give the name of the company or organization you have chosen from the list above.
Berkshire Hathaway
2. Find each of the following topics in the code of ethics you have chosen. Write 1-2 sentences paraphrasing or summarizing the company policy on each topic. If you cannot find a policy on the topic, indicate why you think they company did not provide a policy and what potential problems might occur because they do not have a policy.
Basic conduct
The basic conduct listed is conflicts of interest, corporate opportunity, fair dealing, insider trading, confidentiality, protection and proper use of company assets, compliance with laws rules and regulations, and significant accounting deficiencies. Confidentiality
Confidentiality is stated to be maintained with sensitive information in respect to the company, stakeholders and clients, even after one no longer works there. The only time is when they are required to by law enforcement.
Competition
Competition isn’t specifically highlighted, but it is mentioned in respect of being respectful and professional with competitors and also to not create conflicts of interest.
Giving and receiving gifts
Giving and receiving gifts is stated to be appropriate when creating rapport with customers, but not to use towards unfair advantages.
Insider trading
Employees with access to confidential information can not use that information for purposes other than for official company business.
Social media usage
Social media use is not specified. I don’t see any potential issues here because I think it would correlate with or be similar to the confidentiality aspect.
Disparagement
Disparagement is not covered, which might be a potential negative because anyone can speak badly after no longer being employed somewhere.
3. Based on the evidence seen in part 2, write a 5-7 sentence paragraph describing whether the company’s ethical code describes an ethical minimum (legal compliance) or
a higher ethical standard. Support your answers with specific examples from the code of ethics.
I think the code of ethics for Berkshire Hathaway describes an ethical minimum standard. The code of ethics is very standard and baseline and doesn’t go above and beyond what a code of ethics should be. The entirety of the code of ethics is definitely beneficial for the company and its clients. It doesn’t address work safety or rules around harassment to protect employees. There is also no mention of even how colleagues should interact in a respectful manner, except when they covered the policy around fair dealing.
4. Based on the evidence seen in part 2, write a 5-7 sentence paragraph describing what
kind of culture the company seems to have based on the competing values framework (adhocracy, clan, market, hierarchy). Write 5-7 sentences supporting your answer with specific examples from the code of ethics. The Berkshire Hathaway code of ethics gives the impression that it has a market culture. Because of the type of company that this is, their code of ethics makes a lot of sense. They touch base multiple times on finances so this paints the picture that they are very results oriented. It is brought up in the “Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets”, “Timely and Truthful Public Disclosure” and again in the “Significant Accounting Deficiencies” sections of the ethical standards. Again, with the type of business this is, it aligns with what a market culture company is. 5. Based on the evidence seen in part 2, write a 5-7 sentence paragraph describing what
ethical theory they seem to follow (virtue ethics, utilitarianism, or deontology). Support
your answer with specific examples from the code of ethics.
Berkshire Hathaway seems to follow the deontology ethical theory. Regardless of what the code of ethics covers, they have two sections dedicated to violations of ethical standards and compliance procedures. Deontology refers to doing the right thing no matter the outcome. They
indicate within their code of ethics that if they suspect any violations, to think about the facts, discuss with someone above you if you are unsure and to not be afraid to do the right thing because they give the option to remain anonymous.
6. Based on this organization’s code of ethics, write 2-3 sentences in response to each question.
Do you feel they are reasonable and employee-
centered? I do feel like the code of ethics is reasonable but not employee centered. It seems to be more company and client centered.
Do any of the policies give you concern? None of the policies give me concern. It all seems very standard and reasonable in respect to protecting the company and its clients.
Would you want to work here? Why or why not?
I would not want to work here, but not because of anything indicated in their code of ethics. This type of company seems very conservative and overly professional. It gives me the impression that people who work here are stressed.
What additional information
would you find useful before making a decision to work here or not?
An explanation of what the company is and what they do would be helpful to making a decision to work here. I had to search what the company does and what it was because I didn’t initially understand.
Step 3. Refer to the checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.
❒ Did you select a code of ethics from the ones listed above
and read it carefully in its entirety?
❒ Did you locate each topic in the code of ethics and describe it in your own words?
❒
If any policy is missing, did you explain in your own words why they may not have included a policy and what problems may occur because of this?
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❒ Did you answer all of the subsequent questions using both language from the code of ethics and the concepts and terms covered in the tutorials?
❒ Did you meet the length requirements for each question?
❒ Did you review the rubric and compare your assignment with the rubric to ensure
all elements have been addressed?
❒ Did you read through your assignment to ensure no grammar errors exist? Did you use spell check?