Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

• Textbook: Chapter 2
• Lesson
• Minimum of 1 newspaper article

Instructions

1. Find a newspaper article that discusses one of the unethical business practices listed on pages 62 – 63 of the OpenStax book.
2. Summarize the unethical business practices discussed in the article you chose
3. Discuss at least two changes you would make to this company’s practice to follow more ethical business practices.
4. Discuss how your policy change would align with one of the following concepts: justice, utilitarianism, deontology, or individual rights.

Writing Requirements (APA format)

• Length: 1.5-2 pages (not including title page or references page)
• 1-inch margins
• Double spaced
• 12-point Times New Roman font
• Title page
• References page (minimum of 1 source)

Grading

This activity will be graded based on the Week 4 Assignment Rubric.

Solution:

Week 4 Assignment: Ethics in Business

By definition, business ethics entail standards for what is considered morally right or wrong in business operations (Byars & Stanberry, 2018). Business ethics amplify existing legal framework in regulating business behaviors and operations. This write-up explores unethical business conduct at Volkswagen Group, an automobile and commercial vehicles.

Summary of Article

The article reports on the Volkswagen emissions scandal, which is also referred to as the “diesel dupe” (Hotten, 2015). Following investigations, the Environmental Protection Agency found that Volkwagen had fitted their cars with a sophisticated ‘defeat device’ (Hotten, 2015). This software was able to recognize when the cars were being tested for emissions based on factors such as air pressure, position of the steering wheel, and speed. If the software detected laboratory testing of the cars, it would trigger the engine to operate significantly below normal performance and power (Hotten, 2015). It would put the engine into a safe mode and manipulate the actual emissions readings. According to the EPA findings, the manipulated vehicles were emitting 40 times more nitrogen oxide pollutants than is legal in the United States (Hotten, 2015). All the while, Volkswagen had been marketing its vehicles in the country claiming that they had low emissions. The company engaged in unethical behavior by conspiring to dupe the market and regulators, and through false advertising.

Proposed Changes

In this scenario, I would propose a cultural change in the organization and a renewed commitment production of environmental friendly vehicles. Notably, the organization had a corrupt culture. This culture allowed the information technology department to develop the defeat device and have it fitted in at least 2 million cars (Hotten, 2015). The company needs to…Please click the icon below to purchase full answer at only $10