the Module 2 Case, you will be applying virtue ethics to the Enron case.
the Module 2 Case, you will be applying virtue ethics to the Enron case.
the Module 2 Case, you will be applying virtue ethics to the Enron case.
Required Reading
Part 1: Critical Thinking
Before you begin to write up your Case, let’s consider what is meant by “critical thinking.” Critical thinking is one of the five key rubric criteria by which your
assignments are graded. Therefore, it is required that you demonstrate evidence of critical thinking in all assignments. For an overview of critical thinking, read the
following very carefully:
Kurland, D. (2000). What is critical thinking? Critical Reading. Retrieved from http://www.criticalreading.com/critical_thinking.htm
Next, review the Critical Thinking Skills chart at the following site. This is an excellent visual synopsis of the various components of critical thinking. Note the
questions that are associated with each element of critical thinking:
A must have chart featuring critical thinking skills. (2014). Educational Technology and Mobile Learning. Retrieved from http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/05/a-
must-have-chart-featuring-critical.html
Part 2: Virtue Ethics
Visit the library, and locate the following article:
Madsen, S., & Vance, C. (2009). Unlearned lessons from the past: An insider’s view of Enron’s downfall. Corporate Governance, 9(2), 216-227. Retrieved from ProQuest.
Optional Reading
The following additional readings may also be helpful to you as you consider the Case:
Chandra, G. (2003). The Enron implosion and its lessons. Journal of Management Research, 3(2), 98-111. Retrieved from ProQuest.
Free, C., Macintosh, N., & Stein, M. (2007). Management controls: The organizational fraud triangle of leadership, culture and control in Enron. Ivey Business Journal
Online. Retrieved from ProQuest.
Sims, R. R., & Brinkmann, J. (2003). Enron ethics (or: culture matters more than codes). Journal of Business Ethics, 45(3), 243-256. Retrieved from ProQuest.
Case Assignment
In a well-written 4- to 5-page paper, discuss how three virtues apply to the Enron case.
Keys to the Assignment
Choose three virtues (e.g., justice, fairness, integrity, courage, honor, truthfulness, etc.), and define each using a reputable online dictionary, e.g.,
http://www.merriam-webster.com/
Using a section heading for discussion of each of your chosen virtues, discuss how each virtue applies to some ethical issue raised by the Enron case. For example, you
might choose “integrity,” in which event you will define what is meant by integrity, followed by a discussion of how the lack of integrity on the part of Enron’s
leadership contributed to the company’s accounting fraud. Or you might choose “fairness,” and discuss how the company’s fraudulent activities adversely impacted one or
more of its stakeholder groups, e.g., its employees, stockholders/investors, customers.
Be sure to use at least two sources from the library to support your discussion and analysis (choose sources that are not included in the Background section of Module
2).
Follow The Student Guide to Writing a High Quality Academic Paper guide.
Don’t forget to properly cite your sources – both in-text and as end references!
You are expected to demonstrate evidence of critical thinking – as defined in the background materials of Module 2 and the grading rubric.
Answer this Question last:
Jim Smith has worked for the ABC Insurance Company for the past twenty-three years. Jim graduated with a top-notch accounting degree and he also has his MBA. Bar none,
Jim is considered by everyone in his organization to be a brilliant accountant. At issue is that Jim’s brilliance may be coupled with just a little too much
“creativity” when one considers his approach to maximizing the company’s profits.
At the end of every quarter, Jim calls up the supervisors of each of ABC’s insurance branches, and asks them to estimate their outstanding insurance claims. These
insurance claims represent money that the company very likely owes its customers – i.e., claims are estimates of money owed at the end of the quarter to ABC’s
customers who are likely to file a claim in the near future, but who have not yet done so (the total money owed – but still outstanding – is referred to as a “claims
lag”, since there is a lag from the date on which an insurable event has occurred to that point in time at which ABC has become aware that a customer has filed a valid
claim).
For instance, based on historical experience, at the end of each quarter, Division 1 of ABC Company estimates that 20% of all claims for that quarter are still
outstanding (i.e., an insurable event has occurred, but has not yet been reported to Division 1). This is the number (20%) reported to Jim. Being the “brilliant”
accountant that he is, and in light of his sheer eagerness to maximize profits for the quarter (and because his quarterly bonus is based on each quarter’s profits!),
Jim reduces the outstanding claims reported by all of ABC’s insurance divisions by 10%. In doing so, Jim has effectively reduced the company’s quarterly claims
expenses by this same 10% — and voila! — Jim has also managed a creative increase in his own quarterly bonus.
As you might guess, Jim sees nothing wrong in further reducing the divisions’ company claims estimates, reasoning: “Look…they’re all a bunch of estimates anyhow!”
Jim further opines: “Besides, I have a duty to this company and to its stockholders – and that is to maximize profits!”
Consider this situation from a virtue ethics perspective. What virtues are at stake?
the Module 2 Case, you will be applying virtue ethics to the Enron case.
Required Reading
Part 1: Critical Thinking
Before you begin to write up your Case, let’s consider what is meant by “critical thinking.” Critical thinking is one of the five key rubric criteria by which your
assignments are graded. Therefore, it is required that you demonstrate evidence of critical thinking in all assignments. For an overview of critical thinking, read the
following very carefully:
Kurland, D. (2000). What is critical thinking? Critical Reading. Retrieved from http://www.criticalreading.com/critical_thinking.htm
Next, review the Critical Thinking Skills chart at the following site. This is an excellent visual synopsis of the various components of critical thinking. Note the
questions that are associated with each element of critical thinking:
A must have chart featuring critical thinking skills. (2014). Educational Technology and Mobile Learning. Retrieved from http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/05/a-
must-have-chart-featuring-critical.html
Part 2: Virtue Ethics
Visit the library, and locate the following article:
Madsen, S., & Vance, C. (2009). Unlearned lessons from the past: An insider’s view of Enron’s downfall. Corporate Governance, 9(2), 216-227. Retrieved from ProQuest.
Optional Reading
The following additional readings may also be helpful to you as you consider the Case:
Chandra, G. (2003). The Enron implosion and its lessons. Journal of Management Research, 3(2), 98-111. Retrieved from ProQuest.
Free, C., Macintosh, N., & Stein, M. (2007). Management controls: The organizational fraud triangle of leadership, culture and control in Enron. Ivey Business Journal
Online. Retrieved from ProQuest.
Sims, R. R., & Brinkmann, J. (2003). Enron ethics (or: culture matters more than codes). Journal of Business Ethics, 45(3), 243-256. Retrieved from ProQuest.
Case Assignment
In a well-written 4- to 5-page paper, discuss how three virtues apply to the Enron case.
Keys to the Assignment
Choose three virtues (e.g., justice, fairness, integrity, courage, honor, truthfulness, etc.), and define each using a reputable online dictionary, e.g.,
http://www.merriam-webster.com/
Using a section heading for discussion of each of your chosen virtues, discuss how each virtue applies to some ethical issue raised by the Enron case. For example, you
might choose “integrity,” in which event you will define what is meant by integrity, followed by a discussion of how the lack of integrity on the part of Enron’s
leadership contributed to the company’s accounting fraud. Or you might choose “fairness,” and discuss how the company’s fraudulent activities adversely impacted one or
more of its stakeholder groups, e.g., its employees, stockholders/investors, customers.
Be sure to use at least two sources from the library to support your discussion and analysis (choose sources that are not included in the Background section of Module
2).
Follow The Student Guide to Writing a High Quality Academic Paper guide.
Don’t forget to properly cite your sources – both in-text and as end references!
You are expected to demonstrate evidence of critical thinking – as defined in the background materials of Module 2 and the grading rubric.
Answer this Question last:
Jim Smith has worked for the ABC Insurance Company for the past twenty-three years. Jim graduated with a top-notch accounting degree and he also has his MBA. Bar none,
Jim is considered by everyone in his organization to be a brilliant accountant. At issue is that Jim’s brilliance may be coupled with just a little too much
“creativity” when one considers his approach to maximizing the company’s profits.
At the end of every quarter, Jim calls up the supervisors of each of ABC’s insurance branches, and asks them to estimate their outstanding insurance claims. These
insurance claims represent money that the company very likely owes its customers – i.e., claims are estimates of money owed at the end of the quarter to ABC’s
customers who are likely to file a claim in the near future, but who have not yet done so (the total money owed – but still outstanding – is referred to as a “claims
lag”, since there is a lag from the date on which an insurable event has occurred to that point in time at which ABC has become aware that a customer has filed a valid
claim).
For instance, based on historical experience, at the end of each quarter, Division 1 of ABC Company estimates that 20% of all claims for that quarter are still
outstanding (i.e., an insurable event has occurred, but has not yet been reported to Division 1). This is the number (20%) reported to Jim. Being the “brilliant”
accountant that he is, and in light of his sheer eagerness to maximize profits for the quarter (and because his quarterly bonus is based on each quarter’s profits!),
Jim reduces the outstanding claims reported by all of ABC’s insurance divisions by 10%. In doing so, Jim has effectively reduced the company’s quarterly claims
expenses by this same 10% — and voila! — Jim has also managed a creative increase in his own quarterly bonus.
As you might guess, Jim sees nothing wrong in further reducing the divisions’ company claims estimates, reasoning: “Look…they’re all a bunch of estimates anyhow!”
Jim further opines: “Besides, I have a duty to this company and to its stockholders – and that is to maximize profits!”
Consider this situation from a virtue ethics perspective. What virtues are at stake?