College of Business Administration

Seminar in Business Ethics and Social Institutions

Case Discussion Questions for July 31, 2006:

1. “When in Rome, do as the Romans” Is this an appropriate guideline for a business to follow when manufacturing or outsourcing to other countries?

2. Are you willing to pay a marked-up price for a garment that was manufactured with unionized labor?

3. Are ethics a function of wealth?

4. Does responsibility come with wealth? Why or why not?

5. Is media pressure enough to create acceptable working conditions?

6. What are the effects of media pressure? How long does pressure from the media last?

7. In which country are the bulk of the garments that you wear made? Does the country of origin necessarily indicate “sweatshop labor”?

8. Is there justification for sweatshops? Are there any benefits derived? Are they a necessary evil?

9. When an MNC is operating in a foreign country, which society’s moral code is it obligated to follow?

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