Exam 1: Ethical Theory, Philosophical Foundations, Our Reasoning Flaws, and Types of Ethical Dilemmas

Jeff Sanders, head of finance for Components, Inc. has just interviewed Laura Dern, an employee from the finance department of InChip, Components' chief competitor. Laura has explained that she has been passed over one too many times for a promotion at InChip and is thus in the job market. As Laura is leaving she whispers to Jeff, "Look, I have no contract at InChip that obligates me in anyway. I can begin immediately. Further, I have been able to obtain copies of our newest computer chip designs. You'll have them before InChip even begins production."

Doug rented a car to drive from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Doug did not see the warning and he put the wrong kind of fuel in his diesel rental car. The car broke down half-way between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Doug called the rental car company and complained about his defective vehicle. The rental car company sent out a tow truck with a different car for Doug, paid for a hotel for the night, and offered him coupons for free rentals in the future. Doug did not disclose the fueling issue. Doug has not violated any of the categories of ethical breaches.

A major donation by one of your long-term suppliers to a non-profit organization run by your spouse should not create perception problems so long as your purchasing decisions are based on the merits.

Which of the following people is associated with the "Front-Page-of-the-Newspaper" test for ethical dilemmas?

Into which of the following categories do patent and copyright infringement fall?

You were invited to a wedding of a co-worker. A month after the wedding, you see the spouse of your co-worker at the community market and she introduced you to her "boyfriend." She explained that she had only married your co-worker in order to allow him to obtain green-card status and that their divorce was in process. Discuss the ethical issue you face and whether you need to take any action because of what you have learned.

Volkswagen executives do not believe company pressures influenced decisions.

You should disclose to your employer if a relative of yours has submitted a bid for work with your company.

Ayn Rand wrote The Moral Sentiments of Markets .

Which of the following models includes the question of legality of conduct as part of the ethical analysis?

Applying ethical theories, discuss why you would not take food out in your pockets from an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Speeding is not an ethical issue as long as you are in the normative range of the speed limit.

Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy entered a guilty plea to two federal felony charges in connection with his bets and tips to others on NBA games.    Mr. Donaghy picked teams to win in games he was scheduled to referee. Experts have said that Donaghy committed the equivalent of insider trading on Wall Street by providing outsiders with information about games, players, and referees. He got $5,000 from his tippees for correct picks. Apart from the criminal charges, what category of ethical breach does Mr. Donaghy's conduct fall into?

The failure to disclose relevant information about a product or service would be withholding information or giving a false impression.

The use of the HOV or car pool lane has shifted with pregnant women, toddlers in car seats, and use of the lane if no one is in it even during prohibited hours. Which of the following best describes the evolution of the HOV or car pool lane?

Define wi-fi piggybacking and explain why it is an ethical issue.

Which of the following is similar to Kant's categorical imperative?

A newspaper reporter is interviewing you about your experiences in working for a member of Congress. You have indicated you have information about his private life but will not share it. The reporter responds, "Tell me, just between you and me."  You share the information and a quote from you on the private life of the member of Congress appears in the newspaper the next day. The reporter was unethical in violating a trust.

What is the variable in uncovering resume fraud?

Which of the following is not a question in the Laura Nash model for resolution of ethical dilemmas?