College of Business Administration

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Seminar in Business Ethics and Social Institutions

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Case Discussion Questions for July 31, 2006:


Globalization Issues:

1. Do you think SeaCode is a slave ship or an innovative way to set up off shoring?

2. Does this idea advance globalization in positive or negative way?

3. Are there some “Dark Side Globalization Issues” related to SeaCode?

4. Can this option be considered superior to standard outsourcing because more money is kept in the US economy?

Employee Rights Issues:

5. Can this be considered unfair to American workers who compete for these same software engineering jobs or does it promote competition in the labor force?

6. Is it ethical for SeaCode to ignore California Labor laws, Labor laws of their employees’ host countries and/or International Labor Laws?

7. Is it fair to pay the engineers only $20,000 a year while they work 60 hours a week (two ten hour shifts around the clock six days a week) considering that is the average pay at outsourcing foreign centers such as Bangalore, India?

8. What kind of ethical, cultural, political and religious problems could arise by the fact that the engineers cannot leave the boat at will, are living in close quarters and are from numerous countries?

9. Is it a problem that OSHA will not be able to monitor the safety of the work environment due to its location 3 miles off the coast? Could this violate the Employee’s right to a safe and healthy workplace?

International Work Visa Issues:

10. Is it ethical for SeaCode to avoid H1-B VISA requirements by trying to get the engineer classified as seamen? If achieved, is this fair to other foreign workers who must secure a H1-B VISA to work in the United States?

11. Do you agree or disagree with Bill Gates position on the current number of H1-B visas issued by the US government?

12. From a utilitarian stand point are the current restrictions on H1-B Visas good for the US economy?

Future Implications :

What kind of problems could this type of operation cause in the future if it became a trend in outsourcing?


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