Ethical Decision Making and Leadership in Business

Assessment Brief 

The Task

Your assessment will take the form of a 3,000 word (you are allowed to go over by 10% making it a maximum of 3,300 words) submission consisting of three parts in total.

You will be expected to show that you understand the importance of individual and organisational ethical thinking and practice and that you can apply ethical decision making. You will also need to show that you can think critically about the role of business in society. Further, you will need to show that you have understand the way in which theory can underpin how ethical issues are viewed, but also that you understand that theory offers a guide but not necessarily the answer to practice. The assessment also requires you to show that you have reflected on what makes an ethical leader and manager and what that means in the context of organisational culture.

An extensive rubric is provided which will show you how the work is marked and what is required to achieve high marks.

Your assessment into two parts with part 1 being further split into two. Read the requirements below and attempt all three parts. You will submit all three parts together in the same submission.

You should look at the following cases of businesses that have attracted attention due to some aspect of practice. You should choose the ONE of these that interests you and complete the following:

Part 1

1. You are required to write a brief report for senior managers at the case of your choosing. This report is written from the perspective of a middle manager tasked to outline the ethical dimensions of the issues from the case. You will need to explore a number of factors including - Why should this be explored as an ethical question? How might the company want to think about the role of business in society? You will also need to outline who the key stakeholders are and in what way they are affected. You should include research into examples of how ethical choices impact on other companies (e.g where is there research that shows good choices benefit companies and bad choices have a negative impact?). Finally you should conclude with some recommendations for what the company should do. This part of your assessment should be written as a report, but should be referenced in the normal academic way using Harvard citations and referencing.

2. For this part you should again use your chosen case study – but this time choose TWO ethical theories and demonstrate that you can apply these to the case to show how your chosen theories lead you to a view on the ethics of the case.

Your choices for cases are:

Deliveroo: The case of the gig economy

Nike: The case of creative advertising

NHS gifts and hospitality: The case of conflicts of interest.

ASOS: The case of supply chain ignorance

VW: The case of consumer deception

Each of these is on Moodle and is linked to an article related to the story.

Part 2

Part 2 is NOT related to the case study. This section requires you to discuss what makes an ethical leader and how you would, as an ethical manager, manage your business and/or others to a high ethical standard.

You will need to think about personal ethics, about the conditions that bring about unethical organisations and practices, about organisational values and methods of compliance. This part can be written in a more reflective style

Resit assignment details

Resit submission date: TBC

For students who are offered a resit you are required to improve and resubmit your original work as well as adding a further reflective commentary discussing what you have learned from the process. You must resubmit your work using the specific resit Turnitin link on Moodle.

You should:

1. Review your previously submitted work and read carefully the feedback given by the marker.

2. Use this feedback to help you revisit and rewrite your work, improving it in the areas identified as weak in the original marking process

3. Include with your resubmission an additional reflective piece (500 words) on what you understand was weak, how you set about addressing this and what you have learned from this that may help you with further assignments. You should address the following specifically:

   1. Identify tutor feedback points on your original work and identify where/how the resit work has changed (give page number) in response to feedback

   2. Identify the lessons you have learnt from doing the resit

   3. Reflect on how your feedback and this process will help you improve future assignments

If you did not submit work at the first opportunity you cannot reflect on your feedback. However, you are still required to submit a reflective piece in which you identify your reasons for non-submission, the implications of non-submission for your future success and how you propose to address this in the future.

If you were deferred at the first assessment opportunity you do not need to include the reflective piece as this is a first submission at a later date, not a resit.

The original marking criteria will still apply (see marking grid provided above*) except that the 10% weighting for presentation will be awarded instead to your reflective piece. 

*this refers to your marking grid included in your assessment brief

How will we support you with your assessment?

• Assessment briefing Week 1 (lecture).
• Assessment guidance document and detailed rubric provided
• Dedicated seminar session to making sure the brief is clear and on your formative assessment in Week 4.
• In Week 6, feedback session on your formative assessment in the seminar session to support the development of your summative assessment.
• Tutorial session to support the completion of your summative assessment in Week 11.
• Each of your seminar turs has office/academic guidance hours advertised on their email sigh off and at their office door – you can make use of these office hours to talk through your ideas and progress as you develop your work.

How will your work be assessed?

Your work will be assessed by a subject expert who will use the marking grid provided in this assessment brief.  When you access your marked work it is important that you reflect on the feedback so that you can use it to improve future assignments.

Sample Answer

Ethical Decision Making and Leadership in Business

Introduction

Ethical decision-making in business is a critical component of responsible corporate practice. Organisations operate within complex environments where actions have far-reaching consequences for stakeholders, society, and the environment. Ethical dilemmas arise when business objectives conflict with moral principles, requiring managers to navigate decisions that balance profitability with social responsibility. This report focuses on the case of ASOS and its supply chain practices, examining the ethical considerations involved, stakeholder implications, and lessons from applying ethical theories. The analysis then extends to what constitutes ethical leadership and how managers can foster ethical cultures within organisations.

Case Study Overview: ASOS and Supply Chain Responsibility

ASOS, a leading online fashion retailer, has faced scrutiny over the ethical implications of its supply chain management. Allegations include poor labor conditions, insufficient oversight of supplier practices, and environmental negligence in sourcing materials. These issues raise questions about corporate responsibility, sustainability, and the moral obligations of businesses operating globally. Addressing such concerns is not merely a legal requirement; it reflects an organisation’s commitment to ethical conduct and long-term reputation management.

The supply chain challenges at ASOS illustrate the tension between cost efficiency, competitive advantage, and ethical responsibility. Poor labor conditions or environmental violations can damage brand reputation, erode customer trust, and invite regulatory penalties. Furthermore, ethical lapses have ripple effects on stakeholders, including employees, suppliers, consumers, investors, and wider society.

Ethical Dimensions of the Case

Exploring ASOS’s supply chain issues as an ethical question is necessary because business decisions directly impact human rights, environmental sustainability, and social equity. Ethical considerations include fair labor practices, transparency, accountability, and respect for stakeholders’ rights. Addressing these questions ensures that the company aligns with societal expectations and avoids reputational or financial harm.

Key stakeholders include:

• Employees and suppliers: Workers in factories are directly affected by labor conditions and workplace safety.

• Customers: Ethical lapses can influence consumer trust and purchasing decisions.

• Investors: Stakeholders are concerned with sustainable profitability and long-term value.

• Regulators and NGOs: Enforcement bodies and advocacy groups monitor compliance with labor and environmental laws.

• Society at large: Ethical supply chains contribute to broader social and environmental well-being.

Research shows that companies investing in ethical supply chains often benefit from enhanced brand loyalty, improved employee morale, and reduced legal risks. Conversely, neglecting ethical standards can lead to negative publicity, reduced sales, and increased operational risks.

Application of Ethical Theories

Two ethical theories relevant to ASOS’s supply chain issues are utilitarianism and deontology.

Utilitarianism prioritizes actions that maximize overall well-being. Applying this to ASOS, management should evaluate supplier practices and choose options that enhance the welfare of the largest number of affected stakeholders, including workers, communities, and consumers. Decisions guided by utilitarian principles would prioritize ethical sourcing even if it increases costs, as the overall social and environmental benefits outweigh financial savings.

Continued...