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ethical gap or ethical problem

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The gap between society's expectations of business ethics and actual business ethics

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ethics

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The discipline that examines good or bad practices within the context of moral duty and obligation

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moral conduct

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relates to principles of right and wrong in behavior

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business ethics

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concerned with good and bad or right and wrong behavior and practices that take place in business

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descriptive ethics

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involves describing, characterizing, and studying morality. focuses on "what is"

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normative ethics

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concerned with supplying and justifying moral systems. focuses on "what ought/ought not to be"

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conventional approach to business ethics

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based on how normal society today views business ethics. Involves a comparison of a decision or practice to prevailing societal norm

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principles approach to business ethics

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based upon the use of ethics principles to direct behavior, actions, and policies

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ethical tests approach to business ethics

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based on short, practical questions to guide ethical decision making and behavior

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descriptive question

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"what is" 1. what are your personal ethics? 2. what are your organization's ethics? 3. what are the ethics of your industry? 4. what are society's ethics? 5. what are global ethics?

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normative question

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"what ought to be" 1. how ought we treat our aging employees? 2. how safe ought we make this product? 3. how clean an environment should we aim for? 4. how should we treat long time employees when the company is downsizing? 5. should we outsource aspects of production to china or india?

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what is the minimum standard of ethical behavior?

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meeting the requirements of law

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three key elements of the conventional approach to making ethical judgements

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1. observe the decision, action, or practice that has been committed in the workplace setting 2. compare the practice with prevailing norms of acceptability-that is, society's or some other standard of what is acceptable or unacceptable 3. we must recognize that value judgements are being made by someone as to what really occurred(the actual behavior) and what the prevailing norms of acceptability really are.

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what is the most serious danger of using the conventional approach?

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falling into ethical relativism

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ethical relativism

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where we pick and choose which source of norms we wish to use based on what will justify our current actions or maximize our freedom

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four important ethical questions

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1. what is? (descriptive ethiscs) 2. what ought to be? (normative ethics) 3. how do we get from what is to what ought to be? (practical question) 4. what is our motivation in all this?these questions capture the core of what ethics is all about

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practical question

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how do we get from where we are to where we ought to be? what do we intend to accomplish, what circumstances permit us to accomplish, and what we are ultimately able to accomplish. these ideas interject a measure of realism into our efforts to close the gap.

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whst is the biggest challenge of the practical question?

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balance

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three models of management ethics

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1. immorla management 2. moral management 3. amoral management

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immoral management

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an approach devoid of ethical principles and active oppostition to what is ethical

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characteristics of immoral managers

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- intentionally do wrong - self centered and self absorbed -care only about self or org's profits/success -actively oppose what is right, fair, or just -exhibit no concern for stakeholders -are the "bad guys" -an ethics course probably would not help them

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cases of immoral mgt

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-stealing petty cash -cheating on expense report -taking credit for another's accomplishment's -lying on time sheet -coming into work hungover -telling a demeaning joke -taking office supplies for personal use -showing preferential treatment toward certain employees -rewarding employees who display wrong behaviors -harassing a fellow employee

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moral management

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conforms to high standards of ethical behavior or professional standards of conduct

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characteristics of moral managers

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-conform to high level of ethical or right behavior -conform to high level of personal and professional standards -ethical leadership is commonplace -goal is to succeed within confines of sound ethical precepts -high integrity is displayed -embrace letter and spirit of law -possess an acute moral sense and moral maturity -are the "good guys"

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integrity strategy closely resembles the moral mgt model

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-guiding values and commitments make sense and are clearly communicated -company leaders are personally committed, credible, and willing to take action on values -espoused values are integrated into normal channels of mgt decision making -the org's systems support and reinforce its values -all managers have the skills, knowledge, and competencies to make ethically sound decisions daily

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positive ethical behaviors

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-giving proper credit where due -being straightforward and honest with other employees -treating all employees equally -being a responsible steward of comapnay assets -resisting pressure to act unethically -recognizing and rewarding ethical behavior of others -talking about the importance of ethics and compliance on a regular basis

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habits of moral leaders

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1. they have a passion to do right 2. they are morally proactive 3. they consider all stakeholders 4. they have a strong ethical character 5. they have an obsession with fairness 6. they undertake principled decision making 7. they integrate ethics wisdom with management wisdom

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amoral management

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intentional: does not consider ethical factors unintentional: casual or careless about ethical factors

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characteristics of intentionally amoral managers

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-don't think ethics and business should "mix" -business and ethics are existing in separate spheres -a vanishing breed

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characteristics of unintentionally amoral managers

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-don't consider the ethical dimension of decision making -don't "think ethically" -have no "ethics buds" -well intentioned, but morally casual or unconscious -ethical gears are in neutral

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teleological theories

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focus on the cosequences or results of the actions they produce

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deontological theories

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focus on duties

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major principles of ethics

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-utilitarianism -rights -justice -care -virtue ethics -servant leadership -golden rule

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utilitarianism

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asserts that we should always act so as to produce the greatest ratio of good to evil for everyone or to produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people. it is a teleological principle.

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utilitarian justice

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critics of utilitarianism say that the mere increase in total good is not good in and of itself because it ignores the distribution of good which is also important.

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principle of justice

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involves the fair treatment of each person

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the golden rule

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do unto others as you would have them do unto you

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why use the golden rule as a conerstone ethical principle?

answer

1. it is accepted by most people 2. it is easy to understand 3. it is a win-win philosophy 4. it is a compass when you need direction

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what's consistently cited as the top factor in motivating unethical behavior among managers and workers in the workplace?

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behavior of superiors

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who feels the most pressure to compromise personal ethical standards?

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lower management

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what's the most important factor in ethical leadership?

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the moral tone of an organization is set by top management

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what does a moral organization encompass?

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it is an org that is dominated by the presence of moral managers making moral decisions. moral management has become an integral part of the culture. moral management permeates all the org's decisions, policies, and practices. the org uses the best practices for achieving a moral management culture. of special importance are moral leadership provided by board of director oversight and top management leadership.

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priciples approach to ethics

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based on the idea that managers desire to anchor their decisions on a more solid foundation than the conventional apporach to ethics

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principles of ethics

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-the categorical imperative -the conventionalist ethic -the disclosure rule - the golden rule -the hedonistic ethic -the intuition ethic -the market ethic - the means-ends ethic -the might-equals-right ethic -the organization ethic -the professional ethic -the proportionality principle -the revelation ethic -the utilitarian ethic

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the categorical imperative

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act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same "will" that it should become a universal law

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the conventionalist ethic

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individuals should act to further their slef interest as long as it doesn't violate the law.

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the disclosure rule

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if the full glare of examination by associates, friends, family, media, etc were to focus on your decision would you still remain comfortable with it?

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the hedonistic ethic

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if it feels good, do it.

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the intuition ethic

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the solution to moral problems lies simply in what you feel or understand to be right in a given situation.

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the market ethic

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selfish actions in the market place are virtuous because they contribute to efficient operation of the economy

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the means-ends ethics

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worthwhile ends justify efficient means

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the might-equals-right ethic

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justice is defined as the interest of the stronger. what is ethical is what an individual has the strength and power to accomplish.

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the organization ethic

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an individual should ask whether actions are consistent with organizational goals and what is good for the organization.

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the professional ethic

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you should do only that which can be explained before a committee of peers

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the proprtionality principle

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if both the means and end are good I may ethically permit or risk the forseen side effects if and only if I have a proportionate reason for doing so.

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the revelation ethic

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through prayer or other appeal to transcedent beings and forces answers are given to individual minds.

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6 tests of ethical tests approach

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1. test of common sense 2.test of one's best self 3. test of making something public 4. test of ventilation 5. test of the purified idea 6. gag test

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test of common sense

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if proposed course of action violates your common sense don't do it.

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test of one' best self

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if proposed course of action is not consistent with your perception of yoursle at your "best" don't engage in it.

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test of making something public

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if you would not be comfortable with people knowing you did something, don't do it.

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test of ventilation

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expose your course of action to others' opinions.

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test of the purified idea

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don't think you can let an accountant or lawyer "purify" your idea by telling you it's ok. you will still be held responsible.

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gag test

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if you gag at the prospect of carrying out a proposed course of action, don't do it.

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big four

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don't compromise your action or decision by greed, speed, laziness, or haziness

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technology

answer

the totality of the means employed to provide objects necessary for human sustenance and comfort

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benefits of technology

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-increased production of goods and services -reduced amt of labor needed to produce goods and services -made labor easier and safer -increased productivity -increased standard of living -increased life expectancy

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side effects of technology

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-environmental pollution -depletion of natural resources -technological unemployment -creation of unsatisfying jobs

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technological determinism

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what can be developed will be developed

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ethical lag

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occurs when the speed of technological change far exceeds that of ethical development

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electronic commerce or e-commerce

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firms selling products and services online. beyond this companies are integrating the internet into every aspect of their business.

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issues in e-commerce

answer

-access -intellectual property -privacy and informed consent -protection of children -security of information -trust -collection and use of personal information -identity theft

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USA today poll tracked employees over a recent 5 yr period in 4 differnt ways these technology users indicated increasing appreciation of the benefits of technology:

answer

1. expands job related knowledge 2. increases productivity 3. improves cmm with clients and customers 4. relieves job stress

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ethical issues about technology in the workplace

answer

-surveillance which leads to invasion of privacy -pornography -gambling -web based music services -intellectual property -monitoring technology -"phishing"

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surveillance

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involves companies electronically watching, monitoring, or checking up on their employees.

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biotechnology

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using biology to discover, develop, manufacture, market, and sell products and services

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what is the most basic moral question in stem cell research?

answer

the moral status of a human embryo-the product of sperm and egg-and what constitutes a human being.

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grease payments

answer

Relatively small sums of money given for the purpose of getting minor officials to: -Do what they are supposed to be doing -Do what they are supposed to be doing faster -Do what they are supposed to be doing better

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bribes

answer

Relatively large amounts of money given for the purpose of influencing officials to make decisions or take actions that they otherwise might not take. If the officials considered the merits of the situation only, they might take some other action.

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ethical imperialism

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this position holds that the MNC should continue to follow its home country's ethical standards even while operating in another country

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key issues in dealing with third world nations in outsourcing

answer

These issues reside in all functional areas of business: production/operations, marketing, accounting, finance, and mgt. These issues concern stakeholders: employees, customers, the community, and competitors. These issues involve product safety, plant safety, advertising practices, human resource mgt, environmental problems, and so on.

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clash of ethical systems: business beliefs

answer

-Individualistic ethic -Maximizes concession to self-interest -Minimizes the load of obligations society imposes on the individual (personal freedom) -Emphasizes inequalities of individuals

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clash of ethical systems: government beliefs

answer

-Collectivistic ethic -Subordinates individual goals and self-interest to group goals and group interests -Maximizes obligations assumed by the individual and discouraging self-interest -Emphasizes equality of individuals

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governments roles in influencing business

answer

1. Prescribes the rules of the game for business. 2. Purchases business' products and services. 3. Uses its contracting power to get business to do things it wants. 4. Is a major promoter and subsidizer of business. 5. Is the owner of vast quantities of productive equipment and wealth. 6. Is an architect of economic growth. 7. Is a financier. 8. Is the protector of various interests in society against business exploitation. 9. Directly manages large areas of private business. 10. Is the repository of the social conscience and redistributes resources to meet social objectives.

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privatization

answer

refers to the process of "turning over to" the private sector (business) some function or service that was previously handled by some govt. body.

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**what does a typical federal regulatory agency do?

answer

1. Has decision making authority 2. Establishes standards or guidelines conferring benefits and imposing restrictions on business conduct 3. Operates principally in the sphere of domestic business activity 4. Has its head and / or members appointed by the president (generally subject to Senate confirmation) 5. Has its legal procedures generally governed by the Administrative Procedures Act

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regulation

answer

the act of governing, directing according to rule, or bringing under the control of law or constituted authority.

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reasons for regulation

answer

-controls natural monopolies -controls negative externalities -achieves social goals -controls excess profits -controls excessive competition

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market failure

answer

failure of the free enterprise system

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natural monopoly

answer

exists in a market where the economics of scale are so great that the largest firm has the lowest costs and thus is able to drive out its competitors

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negative externalities

answer

results when the manufacture or use of a product gives rise to unplanned or unintended side effects on others

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social costs

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another name for externalities because they are absorbed by society rather than incorporated into the cost of making the product.

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typical acts of ethical misconduct in the workplace

answer

-abusive or intimidating behavior toward employees -misreporting actual time or hours worked -lying to employees, customers, vendors, or the public -withholding needed info from employees, customers, vendors, or the public -discriminating on the basis of race, color, gender, age, or similar categories -stealing, theft, or related fraud -sexual harassment -falsifying financial records and reports -giving or accepting bribes, kickbacks, or inappropriate gifts

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industrial policy

answer

any selective govt measure that prevents or promotes changes in the structure of an economy

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general ways that business influence the government

answer

PACs, lobbying, and coalition building

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lobbying

answer

The process of influencing public officials to promote or secure passage or defeat of legislation

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PACs

answer

Instruments through which business uses financial resources to influence government

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coalition building

answer

Business and other groups joining forces to achieve common goals

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political strategy

answer

To secure position of advantage regarding a given regulation or piece of legislation

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**the purposes of lobbying

answer

-Gain legislative support or institutional approval for some objective -Obtain reinforcement of established policy or the defeat of proposed policy shifts -Targets the election or defeat of national, state, and local legislators

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grassroots lobbying

answer

Mobilizing the "grassroots"— individual citizens who might be most directly affected by legislative activity—to political action

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cyberadvocacy

answer

Using the Internet to amass grassroots support, and enable grassroots supporters to contact their legislators

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golden rule of politics

answer

he who has the gold, rules

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soft money

answer

a contribution made to political parties instead of to political candidates

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The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002

answer

was a sweeping change of U.S. campaign finance The BCRA removed the influence of soft money on candidates running for national office

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hard money

answer

donations made directly to the candidates

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hard money

answer

donations made directly to the candidates

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hard money

answer

donations made directly to the candidates

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