College of Business Administration

Seminar in Business Ethics and Social Institutions

Discussion Questions for October 22, 1996:

Discussion questions from French/Granrose, Ch 6

1. Based on the "meritarian" approach, people are rewarded based on their merits. What should be the criteria for merit, how is merit defined? What quantifies the rewards for those merits? Does our society provide equal opportunity to achieve these merits?

2. According to IRS numbers in 1989 the top 4% of Americans (2.1 million individuals and families) earned $452 billion in wages and salaries, the same as the bottom 51%. (45.2 million individuals and families). Discuss justice issues.

The following units represent our national wealth
(assumes 100 units and 100 people):
· One person gets 48 units
· 19 share 46 units
· The remaining 80 people share the remaining 6 units

Is this fair and just? What factors should decide on the proper distribution?

3. Now suppose this example represents a corporation:

· One person gets 48 units - CEO
· 19 share 46 units - Management
· The remaining 80 people share the remaining 6 units -Laborers

Is this fair and just? What factors should decide on the proper distribution?

4. A basic definition of affirmative action is: seeks to discriminate in favor of those job candidates who have historically been the victim of prejudice.

Is affirmative action an example of perfect procedural justice, imperfect procedural justice or pure procedural justice? Discuss. Should a lottery be used to choose like candidates for a postion?

Affirmative Action Debate

Position being applied for: Marketing Department Manger

Candidates
Joe, a 30 year old white male with 5 years management experience in sales. He holds bachelors degree in communications from University of Indiana with a Masters in Marketing from San Diego State. Joe is very personable and professional and participates on many community boards.

Joanne, a 30 year old white female with 4 years experience in sales. She holds a bachelors degree in marketing from University of Michigan. She, too, is very active on community programs and is very ambitious.

The direct supervisor, Steve, has the following thoughts on the candidates:

He believes Joe is more qualified and would prefer to hire him. He felt he could work better with Joe and could build a better working relationship. JoeÕs prior experience and personality would more closely match the companiesÕ needs.

Although, he believes Joanne is capable of doing the job and is basically equal in skills, he does not feel he could build the same rapport that could be created with Joe.

However, the companies has a preferential hiring strategy in which the company gives preference to minorities, woman , and other excluded groups in hiring and promotion decisions.

Steve's manager, Nancy is "suggesting" that Joanna receives the offer of employment.

1. Please debate pro or con for affirmative action
2. Please discuss how choosing Joanna is justified or not justified

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