Introduction
Ethics in business deals with moral principles and refers to the standard of behavior businesses should implement to ensure that the business is operating fairly. Ethics in the workplace has become concerning as many businesses in and around South Africa are facing unethical behavior within the organization. The importance of addressing unethical practices in the business has been the main objective as this will determine the organization's durability.
Watch the video below for a better understanding of ethics in businesses
After watching the video, explain your understanding of ethical dilemmas. Also, focus on the effects ethical dilemmas has on a business.
Task
Activity 1 - Case Study (Group Work)
Read the following article about corruption at prasa and bosasa and answer the questions as follows.
In your respective groups, complete the important elements and answer how prasa and bosasa can make ethical decisions by using the following steps:
- Step 1: Explain the ethical issue in the organization
- Step 2: In the article, collect information about the issues.
- Step 3: Explain from the article how the organization should approach the issues by seeking possible alternatives
- Step 4: Examine how the organization can decide on solutions and ways they can be tested
- Step 5: Select approaches on how the organization can implement the decisions
Activity 2 - Presentation (Group work)
As a group, you are required to gather information about the articles based on their unethical business practices by answering the areas of concern for each business. These are the key concerns:
- involvement with theft and fraud
- concerns of nepotism
- offering or receiving bribes
- allegations of corruption
- using company assets for own benefits
- cover-ups and misrepresentation of reports
- greed and materialism
Thereafter, each member of the group should choose what article they will discuss, broadcast the areas of concern like journalists and create a debate.
NB! When answering the questions, remember to give your answers some deep thought and insight to your fellow group members and audience.
Process
Step 1:
Activity 1
- Read the following article https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-02-09-serious-corruption-at-prasa-and-bosasa-got-the-kid-glove-oversight-two-former-parliamentary-committee-chairpersons-say-they-did-their-best/ with comprehension.
- Answer the questions based on making ethical decisions
- Use your textbook as a guide to answering the questions
- Use the internet for more information
Step 2:
Activity 2
- Read the following articles based on unethical business practice:
- https://health-e.org.za/2019/06/10/sour-note-tongaat-hulett-bosses-must-pay-back-the-money/
- https://www.ft.com/content/c2db2a6d-693a-49e4-87e2-194183e6445b
- https://www.theafricareport.com/56115/in-south-africa-mckinsey-tries-to-mop-up-shocking-state-capture-mess/
- https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN1QW2C2
- After reading the articles above, answer the questions based on bad decision making
- Use the internet for more information about the organizations
- Use your textbook as a guide to answering the questions
- When broadcasting the content ensure that the information is relevant and accurate
- Ensure that the information had depth and substance
- Present your information with quality
Step 3:
- Read through the evaluation sheet to ensure the quality of your work follows the guidelines of the rubric
Evaluation
|
Content |
Level 4 7 - 10 |
Level 3 4 - 6 |
Level 2 1 - 3 |
Level 1 0 |
Total |
|
Identify the problems
|
Explain and understand all the problems in the article | Explained most of the problems in the article | Explained some of the problems in the article | Explained a few of the issues in the article | |
|
Analyses of the problem |
Insightful and depth of all the problems | Insightful for most of the problems | Insightful for some of the problems | Incompletion of insight for the problem | |
|
Explain the approaches/alternatives |
Detailed approaches and alternatives selected | Detailed for most of the problem | Detailed for some of the problem | Incomplete details for the problem | |
|
Examine the solution |
Well demonstrated reason and appropriate solutions to the problem |
Appropriate and well-thought solutions to the problem | Inappropriate solutions to the problem | Little suggestions and/or appropriate solutions to the problem | |
|
Implementation of the decision |
Excellent research and clearly linked to the problem | Good research and linked to the problem | Limited research and links to the problem | Incomplete links to the problem |
|
Presentation |
Level 4 7 - 10 |
Level 3 4 - 6 |
Level 2 1 - 3 |
Level 1 0 |
Total |
|
Delivery and creativity |
Very clear and concise Demonstrate with interest and engagement with the class |
A clear flow of ideas Demonstrate with interest and engagement with the class |
Most ideas flow but lost at times Limited interest and engagement with the class |
No flow of ideas Lack of interest |
|
|
Involvement of the class:
|
Excellent discussion points that develop a deep understanding Appropriate activities used and creative structure |
Questions addressed with understanding and discussions are well delivered Appropriate activities used to clarify an understanding |
Questions and discussions are addressed Limited activities to clarify understanding |
No attempt to engage with the class | |
| Visuals |
Visuals are used with comprehension and unique ways |
Use of visuals related to the materials | Limited use of visuals related to material | No use of visuals | |
|
Response to class questions |
Excellent response to learners comments and discussed appropriately | Good response to class questions and discussions | Satisfactory response to class questions and discussions | Limited to questions and discussions |
Conclusion
Congratulations on completing the activities Grade 11's !!!. This lesson served as a purpose to acknowledge that businesses have a responsibility to conduct operations in a fair and justified manner.
After completing the lesson, you have also identified ways that businesses should approach ventures and business practices to ensure the organization's success. Therefore, the topic Business Ethics would ensure that you as the learner know right from wrong within a workplace.
For more information read the following tips about Business Ethics: https://www.modernghana.com/lifestyle/11581/5-crucial-business-ethics-tips-you-should-always-have-with-y.html.
Credits
Articles:
- https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-02-09-serious-corruption-at-prasa-and-bosasa-got-the-kid-glove-oversight-two-former-parliamentary-committee-chairpersons-say-they-did-their-best/
- https://health-e.org.za/2019/06/10/sour-note-tongaat-hulett-bosses-must-pay-back-the-money/
- https://www.ft.com/content/c2db2a6d-693a-49e4-87e2-194183e6445b
- https://www.theafricareport.com/56115/in-south-africa-mckinsey-tries-to-mop-up-shocking-state-capture-mess/
- https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN1QW2C2
- https://www.modernghana.com/lifestyle/11581/5-crucial-business-ethics-tips-you-should-always-have-with-y.html.
Books:
- Beautement, V., 2013. Business Studies X-kit Grade 11. 5th ed. Cape Town: Pearson, pp.66-69.
- Nieman, G. and Bennett, J., 2014. Business management. 2nd ed. Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers
Videos:
Teacher Page
This lesson was created for Grade 11 Business Studies learners who are close to completing their schooling career. The topic Business Ethics equips learners to take action and impact lives with their positive decisions.
The role of ethics is important as it affects our personal and business lives too. Therefore, the choices made by an individual determine the type of encouragement they apply.
The activities will be conducted in three 45 minute classes for the subject. The learners should create their own group and discuss their responsibilities. All activities must be completed as an in-class assignment to ensure that the teacher monitors the learner's efforts. Activities may be typed out or handwritten.
Teacher: Ms. MT. George - 215045815