Bribery and Privacy Dilemmas in Management Cases
MGMT 301: Principles of Management – Assignment 3: Ethical Decision-Making Case Study (Spring 2026)
American University of the Middle East (AUM), College of Business Administration. Spring Semester 2026. Due: Week 8, by Sunday 11:59 PM. Word count: 1,000–1,250 words (excluding references). Submit via the course portal in APA 7th edition format.
Assignment Overview
Ethical choices shape how managers lead teams and handle conflicts at work. For this task, you examine a business scenario where personal gain clashes with company rules. Classmates often find these cases hit close to real job dilemmas we’ve covered in past terms.
Focus falls on steps a manager takes to resolve the issue fairly. Participation like this prepares you for boardroom pressures down the line.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify ethical frameworks used in management decisions.
- Analyze stakeholder impacts from moral lapses.
- Recommend policies that prevent future issues.
- Link theory to practical business examples.
Task Instructions
Select one case from the options listed. Prepare a report that covers the problem, ethical analysis, and action plan for the manager. Organize with these sections: Introduction (200 words), Ethical Analysis (500-600 words), Recommendations (200-300 words), and Conclusion (100 words). Draw on utilitarianism, rights-based approaches, or virtue ethics where they fit.
Support points with examples from readings. Factor in cultural norms in the Middle East business context.
Scenario A: Supplier Bribery Pressure
A sales manager faces demands for kickbacks from a key supplier to secure a contract. Refusal risks losing the deal and jobs for the team. Company policy bans such payments.
Scenario B: Data Privacy Breach
Marketing uncovers customer data sold without consent. Leadership debates disclosure versus stock price fallout. Regulations require reporting breaches promptly.
Scenario C: Whistleblower Retaliation
An employee reports financial misreporting. Management considers reassignment to quiet concerns. Legal protections shield whistleblowers.
Requirements and Formatting
- Use APA 7th edition with title page and reference list.
- Cite at least 6 sources, recent and relevant.
- Ariel 12 pt font, double-spaced, page numbers.
- Include a stakeholder map table or diagram.
Grading Rubric
| Criteria | Excellent (90-100%) | Good (80-89%) | Fair (70-79%) | Needs Improvement (Below 70%) | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure and Clarity | Logical flow; engaging style, error-free. | Clear sections; few lapses. | Some gaps in order; minor errors. | Disjointed; many issues. | /20 |
| Ethical Analysis | Strong use of frameworks; balanced views. | Solid application. | Basic coverage; shallow. | Inaccurate or absent. | /30 |
| Stakeholder Focus | Thorough impacts; visual aid helps. | Good detail. | Limited scope. | Overlooked. | /20 |
| Recommendations | Practical, justified steps forward. | Viable ideas. | Vague plans. | Unrealistic. | /20 |
| References | Precise APA; diverse sources. | Adequate citations. | Incomplete list. | Poor or missing. | /10 |
Total: 100 points. Late submissions deduct 5% per day. Similarity below 10% expected.
Sample Response Excerpt (Scenario A)
Refusing the kickback keeps the firm compliant with anti-bribery laws, even if the contract slips away short-term. Managers weigh team job security against long-term trust from clients. Policies like clear reporting channels help staff flag issues early. Research confirms transparent firms outperform peers over time (Ferrell et al., 2022, https://doi.org/10.1108/JBIM-03-2021-0154). Regional examples from Gulf markets show enforcement cuts corruption risks effectively. Stronger vendor audits serve as a key fix here.
Firms that prioritize ethics build loyalty that pays off later.
References (APA 7th Edition)
- Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2022). *Business ethics: Ethical decision making and cases* (13th ed.). Cengage Learning.
- Brower, H. H., & Peterson, C. M. (2021). Ethics in management decision-making. *Journal of Business Ethics, 173*(2), 285-299. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-020-04512-3
- Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2020). *Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization* (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Sharp-Paine, L. (2019). Leadership and ethics. *Harvard Business Review, 97*(4), 134-141.