Here is the link and passcode for the ethics case: https://vimeo.com/243961787atqhfeb14
INSTRUCTIONS: Basedon the video case, please write a 3-5 page reflection paper answering the
following questions. This needs to be in paper format, not simply answers to questions!
Due Friday, June19 at Midnight.
- If you were Kathe Swanson, do you think you could report your boss? Why or why not? Would you
report suspicions of a fraud if the perpetrator was a friend? Please explain.
- Do you believe that Rita acted alone and committed the fraud without any co-conspirators?
- Look up the elements of the fraud triangle. Discuss the fraud triangle in relation to Rita’s case.
- Define segregation of duties. How would you discuss the lack of segregation of duties within the city?
- If you were to write to Rita in federal prison, what would you ask her? Do you believe Rita regrets her
crime? Why or why not?
- Define internal control weakness. Discuss the internal control weaknesses at the City of Dixon. Discuss
internal controls that could have prevented Rita’s fraud.
- What are the three characteristics that distinguish white-collar crimes from other types of crime?
Explain how these characteristics are illustrated in Rita’s case. Do you think white-collar crimes, such as
the one Rita committed, are caused only by individual moral weaknesses or are other factors involved? If
other factors are involved, what are they?
- Can you think of a time in your life when you rationalized an unethical decision? It need not be limited to
the workplace; it might be a choice you made in a close relationship, at school, or in another activity. What
were your rationalizations? Looking back, how could you have combated those rationalizations in the
moment? What are some rationalizations you hear for fairly common unethical choices, like cheating on
tests? Can you come up with arguments against those rationalizations?
- Success is often thought of as the attainment of prosperity (though perhaps less so now than in the
past). What problems can arise from this limited definition of success? What better definition of success
can you come up with? What do you think the impact would be of living according to that definition?
- What do you really believe is important in your life? How do you rank order your values? If you believe
that your values are appropriately prioritized, what would acting on them look like, particularly in an
unethical situation?
- Do you believe that there are cultural differences that might impact someone’s choices in this setting?
If yes, what are they and why should this matter if you a responsible for hiring people globally?
- For the specific ethical issue that you have been assigned, answer the questions and the discuss the
following: what are the issues of integrity, ethics and law posed?