Learning Journal 3

This Learning Journal consists of two Sections; please read all of the text below before you begin.  Section I. (maximum one page, single spaced, 12-point font) An introduction paragraph describing at least three new things that you learned from the readings, in-class discussions, and any other assignments completed this week for this course. Also, describe how the new information you have gained will be useful to you now and in the future. Respond to two of the four following discussion questions with at least a paragraph for each question. 1. Choose a company and analyze its CSR report. In doing so, think about what seem to be its reasons for being socially responsible. Is it pragmatic, ethical, strategic, or some combination? Can you identify its key stakeholders? 2. Using the same company as an example, think about the four types of corporate social responsibility. What is your assessment of how the company is doing? 3. Think about the television programs and films you’ve seen recently in which business’ social responsibility (or lack thereof) was portrayed in some way. How were business and businesspeople portrayed? Is there anything the business could or should do to improve its media image? Some businesses try to stay out of the limelight. Why might that be? What do you think of that strategy? 4. Think about industry‐disrupting companies such as Uber (disrupting the taxi industry) and Airbnb (disrupting the hotel industry). Research them if you don’t know much about them. What are the legal and ethical issues facing them? In what ways are they being responsible, irresponsible? How would you evaluate their corporate social responsibility? Finally, conclude your learning journal entry with at least two questions that you still have about the content of the chapter you read this week. These questions can be about something that you did not fully understand or they could be an area you are curious about and would like to know more about. Section II. Deepwater Horizon (maximum one page, single spaced, 12-point font) Prior to starting this writing section, you should have completed the following: (1) read the HBR article entitled “Creating Shared Value,” (2) read the HBR article entitled “What’s a Business For?”, and (3) watched the Frontline: “The Spill” video. Once you have completed these items, write a maximum one-page, single-spaced answer with 12-point font responding to the following questions. 1. What is the primary ethical issue at the heart of the Deepwater Horizon disaster? Which values are in conflict here that caused the disaster to occur? 2. Do some research online about BP and their reputation prior to the Deepwater Horizon disaster. What was their reputation with regards to the environment prior to this oil spill? Were they a company that was trying to create shared value or at least promoting their efforts to do so? Why or why not? 3. Do you think that the executives at BP who were ultimately responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill would agree with Handy’s explanation of what a business if for? Why or why not? The link of Lynn Brewer: Enron Whistleblower:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKhmgZqjx5Q The link of TED Talk by Mellody Hobson—Color blind or color brave?: https://www.ted.com/talks/mellody_hobson_color_blind_or_color_brave?language=en The link of Freakonomics: Is it okay for restaurants to racially profile their employees?: http://freakonomics.com/podcast/is-it-okay-for-restaurants-to-racially-profile-their-employees-a-new-freakonomics-radio-episode/