Character Counts Accounting Scandals Rock Financial World Entering the 21st Century, Enron, WorldCom, and Andersen were three of the most celebrated names in corporate America. But the actions of a few individuals forced financial mammoths Enron and WorldCom into bankruptcy. Andersen, once one of the prestigious “Big 5” accounting firms, was forced out of business. These accounting scandals caused hundreds of thousands of employees to lose their jobs and millions of individuals to lost billions of dollars in investment and retirement accounts. The scandals rocked the public’s confidence in the accounting profession and the stock markets. The principles of right and wrong that guide an individual in making decisions are called ethics. The use of ethics in making business decisions is called business ethics. Making ethical business decisions is a skill you can learn. In Chapter 4, you will explore a model that guides your evaluation of business decisions. In later chapters, you will apply that model to make ethical business decisions. You will also be exposed to sources that will enable you to continue learning about business ethics long after you have completed this Introduction to Business course. Instructions: With a partner complete the following: 1. Conduct research and select a court case involving an unethical business accusation
toward a business/company.
a. In Google, search under ‘News’ or use a Wall Street Journal (online or in my
classroom) (1 point)
2. Each person in the (group) must record the following in a Google Document and share it
in our class (Introduction to Business) GDSF (one person create the doc and share it out
to your group members):
a. List the organization(s) involved (1 point)
b. Date(s) (1 point)
c. Give a brief summary of the case. What happened? Be sure to include specific
details from both sides. (2 points)
d. Explain the laws and/or regulations that are being violated. (2 points)
e. What is the outcome of the court case? (2 points)
f. Why do you consider the actions in the case to be unethical? (2 points)
g. Define ethics and social responsibility. (2 points)
h. Explain how the concept of social responsibility could be involved with this case.
(2 points)
i.
3. Copy and paste all links to all sources (include website name).
4. Worth 15 points