Assignment Overview

In this Case, you will be applying virtue ethics to the Mattel 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 fromhttp://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:

Sethi, S., Veral, E., Shapiro, H., & Emelianova, O. (2011). Mattel, Inc.: Global manufacturing principles (GMP) – A life-cycle analysis of a company-based code of conduct in the toy industry.Journal of Business Ethics, 99(4), 483-517. Retrieved from ProQuest. (see attached)

Case Assignment:

In a well-written min 5-page paper, discuss how three virtues apply to the Mattel case.

Keys to the Assignment/Requirement:

1.  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/).

2.  Using a section heading for discussion of each of your chosen virtues, discuss how each virtue applies to some ethical issue raised by the Mattel case. For example, you might describe how the virtue you have selected might have been used to more appropriately guide the actions, behaviors, and/or policies of the company (e.g., you may choose to discuss the company’s working conditions, worker safety, company fairness, or Mattel’s attitudes towards the environment).

3.  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).(See Attached Virtue Ethics Journal)

4.  Follow The Student Guide to Writing a High Quality Academic Paper guide.( see attached)

5.  Don’t forget to properly cite your sources – both in-text and as end references in APA Format! Plagiarism will not be tolerated, Turnitin.com will be used to check for plagiarism.

6.  You are expected to demonstrate evidence of critical thinking – as defined in the background materials and the grading rubric.

Assignment Expectations

Your paper will be evaluated using the grading rubric. (see attached)

Background material

Virtue ethics can be traced as far back as Plato and Aristotle. Of course, virtues include such traits as fairness, self-control, and generosity. It is not difficult to understand how such characteristics – or virtues – as honesty and integrity would be relevant in the context of business ethics. In this module, we will use virtue ethics as a lens through which we will evaluate an organization’s business practices.

The following sources provide a very good overview of virtue ethics:

Velasquez, M., Andre, C., Shanks, T., & Meyer, M. J. (2008). Ethics and virtue.Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. Retrieved fromhttp://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/ethicsandvirtue.html

Virtue ethics. (2011).Seven Oaks Philosophy. Retrieved fromhttp://www.sevenoaksphilosophy.org/ethics/virtue.html

In your experience, what has been the hardest situation for you to control? How did you handle it? What were the results?

For the student without work experience:

Interview someone who has been working in the field you anticipate entering and ask them what has been the hardest situation for them to control? How did they handle it? What were the results?

Be sure to mention specifics as covered in the recording and textbook chapter in your answers.

Please write at least 2 pages.

INSTRUCTIONS: Please RESPOND to this answer from the Point of view as a student. Use credible sources and respond as if you are a manager of a marketing agency. Tell this student what your marketing agency would think of each of these answers from a Management perspective in about 4-5 paragraphs:

Student discussion:

Research suggests that to withstand such technological changes, firms must either proactively create new opportunities for themselves or react defensively in ways to counteract the powerful forces of change.” Carpenter and Sanders (2008)

One of the suggested remedies for technological disruption is not patent trolling and legislation. However the massive law suits between Apple and Samsung would indicate this is an effective way to at least benefit from a disruptive technology. An established firm uses its resources to file as many patents around the core technology as to make it difficult for competition to use that technology to be disruptive. Indeed many companies file patents on technology that they never intend to use. The practice ensures that a new disruptive entrant will at least have to pay you a little.(Bessem, 2014)

My personal favorite was Disney attempting to copyright “Seal Team 6”

The second thing in some areas is to delay entry by changing legislation. Wireless technology has been particularly vulnerable to this as the length of time for the FCC to approve something gives everyone a chance to get to market. Uber has seen some legitimate legal challenges from the status of their employees and AirBnB the same from hotels. Southwest Airlines fought the low cost travel sites by not participating and thus driving traffic to their sites.

Although it would be nice if we only had to worry about the other companies, the use fo courts and legislation can be just as effective.

Bessan, J. (2014, December 01). What the Courts Did to Curb Patent Trolling—for Now. Retrieved November 24, 2016, from http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/1…

Bessan, James. “The Evidence Is In: Patent Trolls Do Hurt Innovation.” Harvard Business Review. N.p., 02 Nov. 2014. Web. 24 Nov. 2016.

“research suggests that to withstand such technological changes, firms must either proactively create new opportunities for themselves or react defensively in ways to counteract the powerful forces of change.” Carpenter and Sanders (2008)

One of the suggested remedies for technological disruption is not patent trolling and legislation. However the massive law suits between Apple and Samsung would indicate this is an effective way to at least benefit from a disruptive technology. An established firm uses its resources to file as many patents around the core technology as to make it difficult for competition to use that technology to be disruptive. Indeed many companies file patents on technology that they never intend to use. The practice ensures that a new disruptive entrant will at least have to pay you a little.(Bessem, 2014)

My personal favorite was Disney attempting to copyright “Seal Team 6”

The second thing in some areas is to delay entry by changing legislation. Wireless technology has been particularly vulnerable to this as the length of time for the FCC to approve something gives everyone a chance to get to market. Uber has seen some legitimate legal challenges from the status of their employees and AirBnB the same from hotels. Southwest Airlines fought the low cost travel sites by not participating and thus driving traffic to their sites.

Although it would be nice if we only had to worry about the other companies, the use fo courts and legislation can be just as effective.

Bessan, J. (2014, December 01). What the Courts Did to Curb Patent Trolling—for Now. Retrieved November 24, 2016, from http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/1…

Bessan, James. “The Evidence Is In: Patent Trolls Do Hurt Innovation.” Harvard Business Review. N.p., 02 Nov. 2014. Web. 24 Nov. 2016.

“research suggests that to withstand such technological changes, firms must either proactively create new opportunities for themselves or react defensively in ways to counteract the powerful forces of change.” Carpenter and Sanders (2008)

One of the suggested remedies for technological disruption is not patent trolling and legislation. However the massive law suits between Apple and Samsung would indicate this is an effective way to at least benefit from a disruptive technology. An established firm uses its resources to file as many patents around the core technology as to make it difficult for competition to use that technology to be disruptive. Indeed many companies file patents on technology that they never intend to use. The practice ensures that a new disruptive entrant will at least have to pay you a little.(Bessem, 2014)

My personal favorite was Disney attempting to copyright “Seal Team 6”

The second thing in some areas is to delay entry by changing legislation. Wireless technology has been particularly vulnerable to this as the length of time for the FCC to approve something gives everyone a chance to get to market. Uber has seen some legitimate legal challenges from the status of their employees and AirBnB the same from hotels. Southwest Airlines fought the low cost travel sites by not participating and thus driving traffic to their sites.

Although it would be nice if we only had to worry about the other companies, the use fo courts and legislation can be just as effective.

Bessan, J. (2014, December 01). What the Courts Did to Curb Patent Trolling—for Now. Retrieved November 24, 2016, from http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/1…

Bessan, James. “The Evidence Is In: Patent Trolls Do Hurt Innovation.” Harvard Business Review. N.p., 02 Nov. 2014. Web. 24 Nov. 2016.

My country selection : Brazil  Select a country and offer a culture analysis of the country, using culture research studies.   This report will include, at a minimum, discussions of the country’s: location, history, size, political system, economic system, language, traditions, values and ethics, lifestyles, cultural characteristics, and business practices Also provide tips for leading in this country, plus a summary conclusion that underscores what is most important to remember about leading in this country. The purpose of this paper is to brief colleagues who will be leading a new venture for your firm in this country. Your focus should be on the “practical”—what they need to know to be successful. (1) Your description of the most important characteristic related to the change that you and your group or firm was to create; (2) Your are the leader or you have designated a leader to make lead the people to this change. I would like you to create this scenario as in “if I were trying to motivate these people these are the characteristics I would emphasize to motivate these people to this change. (3) If you need more than 7 double pages, work up to 9 or 10 pages. If this project is not clear in any way, just ask. So… you are the leader of your group or your firm; you will have to designated those aspects of your country that will have the greatest impact on their making the change you are advocating. The paper should be no more than 7 pages double spaced, plus a cover page and a references page, APA Style.  Be sure to cite in-text your readings, research, and lectures.  This is a graduate course…do graduate work as per your syllabus.