I. Areas of Responsibility for Exam 1

Exam 2 Information-Feb. 27

This info sheet is designed to assist you in studying for exam 2. The major topics identified on this sheet SHOULD NOT BE regarded as a comprehensive list of questions that might be asked, but instead as a way to organize your study of lecture notes, textbook readings, etc.

I. Areas of Responsibility for Exam 1

A. Class discussion, activities, and lecture notes.

B. Textbook reading: Chap. 3, pp. 73-82; Chap. 7, pp. 176-201; Chap. 8, pp.

216-253

C. All in-class assignments and online quiz

D. Optional: chapter powerpoint slides (these could help you in reviewing

the chapters as they provide an outline of the textbook chapters)

2. Major Topics

A. From chap. 3, review the five key stakeholder questions, making sure you

know what they are and understand what each question means.

B. From chapter 7, review what we discussed in class and your textbook

discussion of the public’s view of business ethics (pp. 179-181)

C.Know Definitions of ethics and business ethics

D. Know Three major approaches to studying business ethics.

E. Review question “What is business ethics and what are the approaches to

studying it?”

F. Review the meaning of the conventional approach to making business

ethics decisions—what is the role of religion, the law, the employer, etc. in

forming societal opinions about business ethics

G. What are some of the difficulties in ONLY using religion or the law to make

business ethics decisions?

H. What is relativism? What are the two types we discussed in class (i.e.

hard and soft versions)

I. Relativism-definition, types, and implications for ethics.

J. What is the difference between descriptive ethics and normative

ethics?

K. Models of management—immoral, moral, amoral. Definitions and examples. Remember

we watched videos illustrating these three managerial perspectives on ethics.

L. What is an ethics principle? How does making a decision based on

principle differ from making a decision based on the conventional approach?

M. What is a teleological principle? A deontological principle?

N. More specifically, what is utilitarianism? What are its advantages and

disadvantages as a principle by which to make business ethics decisions?

Remember our examples related to Ford Pinto, etc.

P. What is the categorical imperative—alternative definitions; implications forethical

decisions. What are two ways of stating it? Contrast it with utilitarianism.

Q. Problems with the categorical imperative

R. Principle of rights: legal right, moral right, negative right, positive right.

Is this principle a teleological principle or a deontological?

S. Principle of justice—different types of justice; implications for decision Making.

Procedural justice, distributive justice.

T. Justice—the veil of ignorance. What is the point of this concept in regard

to thinking about fairness?

V. The Golden Rule as an ethical principle

W. Ethical tests—different “quick” ethical tests and their implications for decision making

X. Major factors affecting the organization’s ethical climate.

Y. Ethical decision-making process (figure 8-7). Does this process suggest that one, several,

or none of the approaches to ethical decision-making should be used by those in business?

What is an ethics screen?

III. Some Key terms from Chapters 7 and 8

Business ethics; conventional approach; descriptive ethics; relativism; ethicsl tests approach; immoral management; amoral management; moral management; normative ethics; principles approach.

Categorical imperative; deontological principle; distributive justice; due process; ethical leadership; ethical tests; reciprocity; ethics screen; golden rule; legal rights; moral rights; negative rights; positive rights; principle of justice; principle of rights; utilitarian principle; procedural justice.

IV.

A. Arrive on time!! Remember that no one will be allowed to begin the exam

AFTER the first person has turned in a completed exam.

B. All electronic devices must be turned on silent mode and STORED away

during the exam. No devices allowed on desk, in hands, or on seat.

C. Pencil or pen—bring a spare in case you need it.

D. Bring your MSU ID and be prepared to present it when turning in exam, if

asked.

GOOD LUCK!