Business Gone Green Ethical Reasoning Assignment Essay

AB0603 Business Gone Green Ethical Reasoning Assignment Summary Page| Your name: Chia Xinying| Your Instructor: Dr. Josephine Lang| Seminar Group: 01 Word Count: 1095| Briefly lay out, in bulleted-form in the space provided within this page (i.e., do not elaborate), the content of your write-up in addressing the various criteria in the ethical reasoning rubric.| Criteria| Your points| 1. Specify the ethical issue identified| * Edited women from their Saudi Arabia’s catalogue * Goes against Ikea Group and Sweden’s values * Reflects the pervasive ethical business challenge faced * Further ethical implications such as cultural imperialism| 2. Issue construction: Theoretical perspectives used to elaborate on the issue| * Consequentialism – Ethical Egoism: Self interest to garner business support justified * Consequentialism – Utilitarianism: Went against view of majority; unjustified * Deontology –Kantianism: In accordance to moral rules of Saudi Arabia, against principle moral of rights * The Conventional Approach: Follows conventional Saudi Arabia’s advertising; justified| 3. Issue construction: Uncertainties inherent in the issue| * Business ethics and corporate social responsibility- search for universal values for international commercial behaviour * Cultural Imperialism – Infringement of Islam values- Westerners criticize what they do not understand, it might not be right to criticize Ikea’s behaviour * Intent of altering Saudi’s Catalogue – intent remains unknown| 4. Explanation & justification: Effects on key stakeholders| * Ikea as a corporation & its employees- negative repercussions on its reputation and credibility thus imperative for the company to adopt an international guideline * Ikea’s local and global customers- many Swedes were offended by Ikea’s decision * Swedish government – have portrayed Sweden as being gender unequal| 5. Conclusion: Values, synthesis, and trade offs| * Important that Ikea stands by its values in all circumstances * In order to send the correct message to its consum ers target * Corporate  red light to Ikea to take cultural marketing issues more seriously * Act in the interest of its stakeholders as it serves an indirect representation. * How to reconcile localization with a universal ethics code, however, will remain a challenge for Ikea as well as other corporations.| Checklist | 1. Summary page ____ 2. 900 to 1100 Words Essay ___ 3. List of References ____ | 4. Signed Declaration of Academic Integrity _____ 5. Self-assessed Ethical Reasoning Rubric ______| NANYANG BUSINESS SCHOOL AB0603 – Business Gone Green Ethical Reasoning Assignment 1095 words (excluding headers, sub-headers and citations) Name: Chia Xinying Student Matriculation No.: U1110173A Instructor: Dr Josephine Lang Definition of the Ethical issue Ikea, the international furniture company, edited women from their Saudi Arabia’s catalogue. This action is deemed ethically inappropriate, as it seems to support gender inequality, which goes against Ikea Group and Sweden’s values. (Quinn, 2012) Some may argue that Ikea was submitting to pressure from the conservative Islamic state while others say that Ikea was just respecting and being understanding towards Saudi Arabia’s cultural standards. This media coverage aptly reflects the pervasive ethical business challenge faced by globalized companies, where it is difficult to find a balance between international commercial behaviour and localization of marketing communications. Moreover, this issue could lead to further ethical implications such as cultural imperialism, which will be discussed further. Theoretical Perspectives to Elaborate on the Issue 1) Principles approach (a) Consequentialism – Ethical Egoism Under the egoism approach, Ikea’s decision is justifiable as the move to satisfy Saudi monarchy’s gender segregation rules (Kayyem, 2012) could be seen as an act of self-interest to garner business support in a male-dominated society. On the other hand, Ikea may have also thought that it is an ethical action to be sensitive to women’s rights in Saudi Arabia and conform to them. (b) Consequentialism – Utilitarianism On the basis that following the view of the majority will produce the best consequence, Ikea’s action is unjustifiable as its action is against the values of Ikea, Sweden and even United Nations (United Nations Millennium Goals). Ikea’s act has thus garnered many bad press and negative reaction from the general public. It has also worsened its own brand image and reputation in the globalized economy. (c) Deontology -Kantianism Ikea’s actions are in accordance to moral rules dictated by the Sharia council as women’s rights in Saudi Arabia is largely influenced and defined by Islam and tribal customs. However, this conflicts with the moral principle of rights stating that, â€Å" All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.† (Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) 2) The Conventional Approach In this final approach, the justification of an act depends on the prevailing norms of the society. In Saudi’s advertisements, women only appear infrequently. (Quinn, 2012) It is not unusual to see censors blacking out many parts of a women’s body in imported magazines. Thus Ikea’s actions will be deemed acceptable to the conventional approach of advertisements in Saudi Arabia. From the different theoretical perspectives above, it clear that the moral rules and principles that Saudi Arabia follows is different from the rest of the world. Thus it really boils down to which values do Ikea chooses to uphold. Uncertainties Inherent in the Issue (a) Business ethics and corporate social responsibility  Being a globalized business, Ikea will be constantly dealing with business ethics issue such as the search for universal values for international commercial behaviour. For example, when you adapt your business practices to the country’s customs, cultural values and legal requirements, it might be seen as unacceptable in your home markets. (Baker, 2012) Vice versa, if Ikea were to release an unaltered version of the catalogues in Saudi Arabia, would there be a backlash in the Muslim community? This business uncertainty remains a challenge to international companies. (b) Cultural Imperialism – Infringement of Islam values Furthermore, there are many misconceptions in the West about women’s life in Saudi Arabia (NAFJAN, 2012). Western critics towards women rights in Saudi has â€Å"failed to understand the uniqueness of Saudi Society†(Zoepf, 2010) and thus should not inflict western values or lifestyles on the Saudi Arabians said journalist Maha Akeei, a frequent critic of Saudi’s patriarchal customs. (Hiel, 2007) Since Westerners criticize what they do not understand, it might not be right to criticize Ikea’s behaviour when Ikea is being sensitive to their culture. (c) Intent of altering Saudi’s Catalogue While the reason why Ikea decided to steer away from their progressive Swedish values at home is unclear, it is difficult to ascertain whether the issue was ethical as mentioned earlier. Effects on key stakeholders (a) Ikea as a corporation & its employees Ikea has always been a brand conscious company who has an image  that cares about sustainability and its moral values. The company is named one of the ‘World’s Most Ethical Companies’ for the fourth consecutive year in 2010. (PRNewswire, 2010) However, the fact that the company could betray the company’s values at the drop of a hat, have disappointed many of its customers. Even though Ikea was quick to apologise, its actions already has negative repercussions on its reputation and credibility. (Knowledge@Wharton, 2012) Therefore, it is imperative for the company to adopt an international guideline for its employees to follow to better deal with such dilemmas in the future. The company continued: â€Å"We are now reviewing our routines to safeguard a correct content presentation from a values point of view in the different versions of the IKEA Catalogue worldwide.† (Quinn, 2012) (b) Ikea’s local and global customers Moreover, many Swedes were offended by Ikea’s decision, believing that the deletion of women from the Saudi catalogue portrayed their country as being â€Å"gender unequal.†(Vasic, 2012) Global customers who are supporters of women’s rights will also think less of Ikea and be less loyal towards Ikea. (c) Swedish government Even though Ikea is a private company, it inevitably projects an image of Sweden around the world. (Swedish equality minister Nyamko Sabuni, CBC News, 2012) An article of the Swedish Institute also further substantiates that â€Å"Ikea is doing more for the image of Sweden than all governmental efforts† (Wà ¤stberg, O., 2009). As mentioned, Ikea’s decision might have portrayed Sweden as being gender unequal, thus it is important for Ikea to uphold Sweden’s image, as it is a corporate representation of the country. In all, Ikea’s reputation has taken a toll and should operate with the right values expected from its customers. Conclusion Based on the ethical theories of egoism, conventional approach and moral rules in Saudi Arabia, Ikea’s actions are deemed ethical while based on utilitarianism and principles of rights, their actions are deemed  unethical. While one can never satisfy everyone, it is important that Ikea stands by its values in all circumstances, (i.e. sent the original Swedish version of the catalogue to Saudi Arabia) especially when it involves a violation of human rights, (Knowledge@Wharton, 2012) to send the correct message to its consumers target. While there might be nuances of cultural imperialism when different stakeholders criticize Ikea’s actions, it once again boils down to understanding both cultures fully before making a stand. To recapitulate, through globalization and communications revolution, it is inevitable for companies to face ethical and cultural conflicts. Ikea reflects the realistic marketing choices confronting many globalized companies around the world, with the companies not hesitating to localize their marketing communications though it is against the company’s code of conduct. While Ikea’s motive remains unknown, it has apologised nonetheless. This lesson learnt serves as a corporate red light to Ikea to take cultural marketing issues more seriously and to act in the interest of its stakeholders as it serves an indirect representation. Also, exactly how to reconcile localization with a universal ethics code, however, will remain a challenge for Ikea as well as other corporations. References: Quinn, B. (2012). Ikea apologises over removal of women from Saudi Arabia catalogue. The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/02/ikea-apologises-removing-women-saudi-arabia-catalogue United Nation. (2010) United Nations Millennium Goals http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/ United Nations (2010) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1 http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml Baker (2012) IKEA’s Saudi catalogue apology – right and wrong http://www.mallenbaker.net/csr/post.php?id=453 Zoepf, Katherine (2010). â€Å"Talk of Women’s Rights Divides Saudi Arabia†. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/world/middleeast/01iht-saudi.html?pagewanted=1&src=me&_r=0 Hiel, Betsy (2007). â€Å"Dhahran women push the veil aside†. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 19 September 2010. http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/middleeastreports/s_507462.html PRNewswire ( 2010) IKEA Named as One of the ‘World’s Most Ethical Companies’ for Fourth Consecutive Year in 2010 http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ikea-named-as-one-of-the-worlds-most-ethical-companies-for-fourth-consecutive-year-in-2010-89384407.html Arabic Knowledge@Wharton. (2012, October 16). Missing the Picture: IKEA’s Women-free Catalogue in Saudi Arabia Fails to Protect Company Values and Reputation. Retrieved from Arabic Knowledge@Wharton: http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/arabic/article.cfm?articleid=2880 Vasic 2012 Ikea Erases Women From Saudi Arabian Catalogue http://blogs.ubc.ca/ninavasic/2012/10/02/15/ Swedish equality minister Nyamko Sabuni, CBC News, 2012 Ikea regrets editing women out of Saudi cataloguehttp://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/10/01/ikea-saudi-catalogue-controversy.html Wà ¤stberg, O.(2009) Branding Sweden & Ikea http://www.placemarketing.nl/countrybranding/branding-sweden-ikea/ Declaration of Academic Integrity Declaration of Academic Integrity Please sign (for hard copy submissions) or put a tick in the box (for online submissions) to indicate that you have read and accepted the following statements. Your assignment will not be accepted without this declaration ————————————————- ————————————————- I confirm that: ————————————————- I have read and understood the University’s Shared Values & Honour Code, including the information on practices concerning the academic integrity (given in http://academicintegrity.ntu.edu.sg/a-guide-to-academic-integrity/) and that in the attached coursework submission I have worked within its expectations. ————————————————- I am aware that failure to act in accordance with the University’s Shared Values & Honour Code may lead to the imposition of penalties which may include the requirement to revise and resubmit an assignment, receiving a lower grade, or receiving an F grade for the assignment; suspension from the University or termination of my candidature. ————————————————- I consent to the University copying and distributing any or all of my work in any form and using third parties to verify whether my work contains plagiarised material, and for quality assurance purposes. ☑ I have read and accept the above. If you require any further guidance about academic integrity, please talk to your profess or refer to http://academicintegrity.ntu.edu.sg Course title: Business Gone Green Course Code: AB0603 Assignment: Ethical Reasoning I, Chia Xinying, declare that the work which I am submitting is original and that I have made proper referencing and citations (where appropriate and required). Chia Xinying 10th March 2013 NameDate Signature AB 0603 Business Gone Green Ethical Reasoning Rubric ISSUE DEFINITION: Describes the Issue of the Situation| Weak| Defines the issue either too narrowly or too broadly with embedded personal biases| Average| Defines the explicit issue appropriately and impartially| Professional| Defines the issue holistically and impartially with logical elaboration| | Weak Average Professional____________________________ 1 2 3| ISSUE CONSTRUCTION : Identifies Alternative Theoretical Perspectives| Weak| Identifies only one theoretical perspective with scant elaboration| Average| Identifies only two theoretical perspectives with some elaboration | Professional| Identifies numerous pertinent theoretical perspectives with good elaboration| | Weak Average Professional____________________________ 1 2 3| ISSUE CONSTRUCTION: Identifies and Elaborates on Uncertainties| Weak| Unable to identify uncertainties inherent in the ethical situation| Average| Identifies only a few uncertainties inherent in the situation with inadequate elaboration| Professional| Incorporates a comprehensive understanding of uncertainties with logical arguments| | Weak Average Professional_____________________________ 1 2 3| EXPLANATION AND JUSTIFICATION: Discusses Effects on Key Stakeholders| Weak| Does not directly describe effects of issue on key stakeholders | Average| Provides little or only superficial discussion of effects of issue on key stakeholders | Professional| Identifies the key stakeholders and addresses their interests and concerns holistically with evidentiary support| | Weak Average Professional_____________________________ 1 2 3| CONCLUSION: Clarifies Values, Synthesis and Trade-offs| Weak| Does not discuss the issue holistically and does not explain how various factors were weighed in arriving at a conclusion| Average| Discuss the issue within a narrow context and provides inadequate evaluation of alternatives and weighing of factors | Professional| Provides a holistic discussion of the issue, reconciles conflicting values/interests, and justifies trade-offs made in reaching a conclusion| | Weak Average Professional_____________________________ 1 2 3| Sources: (a) Wolcott, Susan k., (2005). Colloquium on Change in Accounting Education, October 28, 2005. (b) Sonenshein, Scott. (2007) The role of construction, intuition and justification in responding to ethical issues at work: the sensemaking-intuition model. Academy of Management Review, Vol. 32, No.4, pp. 1022-1040.

Why is the European Crisis So Much More Severe than the US Crisis and Essay

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A review of black lives matter a modern social movement in America Essay Abstract The prominence of the Black Lives Matter is a reform of social justice in America. There are many layers to the movement including and having to do with feminism, an ideological change, as well as a different psychology. It holds the future of social justice. It has been over a century since the formal end to American slavery, and decades since the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s, but social justice and an egalitarian society does not yet exist. But with the knowledge and teachings that can change that attitude, the movement will continue to grow and make the strides that are necessary to change the lives of the people who help make America. Black Lives Matter: Beyond a Movement â€Å"Black Lives Matter† is very well known and everyone has a ready association when hearing it. I have always found it most interesting that this movement has come with so much mockery. 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The word fits perfectly into defining so much of society. It is improper, how the current social situation is so prominent today. Roughly 50 years ago was the Civil Rights Movement, that is in the lifetime of many people alive today and yet it does not concern so many that the same issues are here today. The distribution of power and right to life has been given to a select few. Not even given, but taken by a select few, who have and continue to refuse to give it up (Garza, 2014). The right to life, it essentially has been taken from the those who are not white males- the normal (Garza, 2014). And Black lives are given the least regard to their life. Black Lives Matter also serves as an ideology. It even perhaps serves better to be categorized as an ideology. It is an ideology that brought a uniformity to the anger and frustration with the obvious social injustices occurring (Thomas, 2004). Especially, after the tragic killing of Trayvon Martin and the verdict that allowed the killer, George Zimmerman to go back home. After the ruling, the anger and sparked outrage of the Black community, made people worry for Zimmerman. It made the white community worry for their own lives. This truly is irony at its finest (Yancy Butler, 2015). It is more than a misunderstanding of the point. It was disregarded, that this verdict justified the killing of completely innocent Black lives. But rather than worrying about the people who cannot walk down a street, without having to worry about being killed. And their families who have to deal with the death of a loved one and then watch as their killer went free. But then be told that it does not ma tter. And justify it with, ‘all lives matter’ (Yancy Butler, 2015). 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I have always considered myself a feminist, but unfortunately, not until more recently did I know that there are actually different types of feminism and feminists struggles. There is white feminism and there is also Black feminism and Hispanic feminism (which can be grouped together and separately as well). White women argue for some basic rights such as equal pay and respect to work outside of the home. Whereas minority women fight for even more basic rights than that, such as getting hired for a job (Thomas, 2004). They are not just asking for equal pay in a salary job, but for their job applications to not be thrown away for a minimum wage job because of their name. But just like in all feminism, it is important to give people who believe and support the feminist struggle, to separate themselves from the people who do not (Garza, 2014). This is because until there is true equality, the people who support it are different, and the difference raises attention. But, looking at the b igger picture, white feminism is the issue that is raising attention and not so much of the feminist struggle of minorities (Garza, 2014). The ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement creates a new foundation in psychology. Psychology is in part the study of behavior. But the psychology most people study, leave people out, large groups of people are left out (Thomas, 2004). One of these groups is the Black community and even further is Black women (Thomas, 2004). The issues are established, many people are ignorant of it or they chose to ignore it, but knowledge serves as a powerful tool. Social justice starts from the ground up. The racial institution that America exemplifies all so much prevents Black Americans from accomplishing the ‘American dream’. The Black community is stereotypically living in poverty, living in ‘ghettos’, and cannot get jobs. They are blamed for their own issues, as they deserve what they are getting out of life (Garcà ­a Sharif, 2015). But rather than realizing that it is the racism of America that is keeping any minority and especially the Black community from going anywhere (Garcà ­a Sharif, 2015). Many Black Americans have made great accomplishments, but not only are they ignored and not taught about, but are made to seem as exceptions. Successful Black people are not like the normal Black person, they lucked out or they were given some special situation that allowed them to accompli sh anything. There is a deep-rooted problem even with the Black community, that is given from within. They are told they are hated by society and therefore they should see problems with themselves, too (Garcà ­a Sharif, 2015). No one who is not living outside of the white standard should be proud of themselves, in fact, they need to take it one step farther and be ashamed of themselves. Not only ashamed of their own appearance but be afraid to accomplish anything (Garcà ­a Sharif, 2015). Everyone is held up against the white standard, not only in physical beauty but also with development and academic development and progress. If a Black person is more successful than a white person in academics, then there must be some sort of mistake. There has to be another reason for this, perhaps something is wrong with the Black student. This is just one of the many ways social injustice is justified with society. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy with Black children (and even throughout their lives) . They are told they are problems within the classroom and if they accomplish more than a white student, it is not because they are smart. It is probably because they are too hyper or they are not listening to directions. When a person is told they are not good enough, then they will not be good enough (Garcà ­a Sharif, 2015). A person is just as good as other people tell them they are because they take on the role they are told that they have. Black Lives Matter is a â€Å"mode of address† (Yancy Butler, 2015). It is against society telling that an entire group of people that every other life is above yours. So as long as anyone who is not Black is dying, then Black lives and the unjust loss of can be addressed later (or in other words, never) (Yancy Butler, 2015). Black men and women, even boys and girls, are seen and portrayed by society and police as scary, dangerous, aggressive, and violent. Constantly, the testimonies of these murder cases will reveal the cop’s description of the victim as forceful or aggressive (Yancy Butler, 2015). When watching the videos, it is clear this just is not true. But also there is an issue of the cop’s word and racist mindsets, makes people see the video through a lens. It is quite evident that it does not matter how a Black person presents themselves because they are never good enough. The stress, discouragement, outrage, depression, etc., etc. resulting from rac ism and hate acts, is detrimental to the health of the Black community (Garcà ­a Sharif, 2015). The growing importance of social media is resulting in a large part of ‘Black Lives Matter’. Not only education but the usage of social media, I think, will only continue to help the movement toward social justice. What is so amazing about social media is that it is accessible to people all across the country and even the world, within seconds. It does not take more than a few minutes for the entire world to see the video of a horrible killing of another Black life. Or the ruling in yet another unjustified ruling letting goes another cop who killed an unarmed Black man or woman. The videos are hard to watch. And making it even better, once they are on the internet they do not ever really go away. What is so important in a movement, ideology, psychology such as Black lives matter is that the people who have died do not go forgotten. It is crucial that their names are known, giving them a life. Once they are identified and their story is told under ‘young black manâ €™, etc., their story goes with all the other people who are said to not matter. We must be able to see the totally egalitarian society, we must be able to see the possibility of in order for it to ever have a true chance. This movement starts, to say this is done, and we need this- NOW. And we have to listen and respond and see the future as such to move forward successfully. References Garza, A., Tometi, O., Cullors, P. (2014). A herstory of the# BlackLivesMatter movement. Jee-Lyn Garcà ­a, J., Sharif, M. Z. (2015). Black lives matter: a commentary on racism and public health. American journal of public health, 105(8), e27-e30. Maclin, T. (1991). Black and Blue Encounters-Some Preliminary Thoughts About Fourth   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Amendment Seizures: Should Race Matter. Val. UL Rev., 26, 243. Thomas, V. G. (2004). The psychology of Black women: Studying women’s lives in context.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Journal of Black Psychology, 30(3), 286-306. Yancy, G., Butler, J. (2015). What’s wrong with ‘all lives matter’?. New York Times, 12, 156.