A multinational organisation has a strict code of conduct which prohibits employees from offering or accepting bribes in any form. However, one of its employees is required to travel through a politically unstable region to conduct important business. In this region, it is common practice to pay local groups or officials for “protection” in order to cross borders safely and guarantee secure passage.

From the company’s perspective, such a payment would be classified as a bribe and therefore strictly prohibited. However, from the employee’s perspective, making the payment could be viewed as a necessary action to ensure their personal safety and the successful completion of their assignment.

Debate Motion

“This house believes that paying for protection in high-risk regions should be regarded as a legitimate safety expense rather than a bribe.”

Student Instructions

1. Research and prepare – each side should be considered so prepare arguments supported by ethical considerations

2. Consider real-world implications – think about how this decision could impact:

   • The safety of employees.

   • The reputation and legal obligations of the company.

   • The wider issue of corruption in international business.

Read Why Ethics Matter: A Business Without Values Is a Business at Risk by Dawn‑Marie Driscoll (2017). Then, in groups or individually, select two of the research questions below. Conduct research using recent case studies, academic literature, and industry reports (2018–2025), focusing on UK businesses or organisations where possible.
Prepare a report or presentation that:

1. Clearly states the research question.

2. Critically evaluates the arguments in the article.

3. Integrates recent evidence to assess whether the article’s points are still valid or require updating.

4. Analyses the implications for organisational strategy, governance, and stakeholder relationships.

5. Develops well‑justified recommendations for embedding ethical values in organisations, supported by evidence.

Research / Discussion Questions – Level 5

1. Critical evaluation of risk from poor ethics:

   • How do organisations without a values-driven culture fail strategically, operationally, or reputationally?

   • Examine recent UK or global examples of ethical failures.

   • Evaluate whether the article’s claims hold in these contexts.

2. Ethics in remote and hybrid working environments:

   • Analyse how remote work changes accountability, culture, and ethical behaviour.

   • Assess the effectiveness of current mechanisms (policies, training, digital tools) to maintain ethical standards.

   • Suggest improvements or innovations based on research.

3. Leadership and ethical culture:

   • Critically assess the role of leadership in embedding ethics.

   • Evaluate examples of effective and ineffective leadership in recent corporate scandals or successes.

   • Consider how leadership style, governance, and organisational structure influence ethical behaviour.

4. External pressures and ethical decision-making:

   • Analyse how regulatory, financial, or competitive pressures create ethical dilemmas.

   • Examine case studies where companies compromised or strengthened ethics under pressure.

   • Critically evaluate strategies that companies use to resist unethical shortcuts.

5. Measuring and demonstrating ethical culture:

   • Explore methods used to assess organisational ethics beyond compliance checklists.

   • Critically analyse whether current measurement approaches are robust, credible, and actionable.

   • Propose improvements or new frameworks supported by recent research.

6. Stakeholder influence on business ethics:

   • Examine the impact of consumers, investors, regulators, and society on ethical practices.

   • Critically evaluate whether external pressures are sufficient to maintain ethical behaviour.

   • Discuss the limitations of relying on external stakeholders versus internal governance.

What are the reasons why people are finding this acceptable?

Create a visual to inform people of the practises and why this creates ethical situations?

Purpose: Develop understanding of how organisations create value and how theoretical models assess this.

Research

1. Define “value creation” in a business context, including:

   • Economic value

   • Social value

   • Environmental value

2. Research how CSR and stakeholder engagement contribute to value creation.

   
   

3. Pick one of the below and create a summary of the model

   • Stakeholder theory (normative / descriptive / instrumental)

   • CSR frameworks (Carroll, Visser, IC model, Concentric model

     
     

Suggested Ethical Issues to Explore

• Local businesses’ sustainability and waste management practices

• Fair treatment of employees (e.g., zero-hours contracts, working conditions)

• Ethical marketing and responsible promotion

• Impact of redevelopment or large chains on small local businesses

• Data protection and customer privacy

• Environmental concerns such as pollution, noise, or traffic

• Support for local charities or community groups