1.Analyze the case below in two ways: (a) using the ethics triangle, and (b) using behavioral ethics concepts. (5 possible points)

Yours is an advocacy organization, and funding is often difficult for such nonprofits because most foundations are leery of supporting them. You have a donor who has been very generous; indeed, her gifts have underwritten a substantial portion of your budget. The organization takes a position on a local controversy in furtherance of and consistent with its mission. It turns out that the donor will be adversely affected if the organization prevails, and the donor makes it clear that support will stop if the organization doesn’t mute, or at least moderate, its position. It is possible to modify the position significantly without looking as if you have backed off, so other supporters will not know that you have bowed to the pressure. There is no way to make up for the loss of income in the short term, and you will have to fire three longtime staff members if the donor terminates support. What will you do?

Source: J. Svara. The Ethics Primer (2015, p. 140)

(b) Behavioral Ethics

2. What is a moral hazard?

3. Analyze the case below in two ways: (a) using the ethics triangle, and (b) using behavioral ethics concepts. (5 possible points)

Yours is an advocacy organization, and funding is often difficult for such nonprofits because most foundations are leery of supporting them. You have a donor who has been very generous; indeed, her gifts have underwritten a substantial portion of your budget. The organization takes a position on a local controversy in furtherance of and consistent with its mission. It turns out that the donor will be adversely affected if the organization prevails, and the donor makes it clear that support will stop if the organization doesn’t mute, or at least moderate, its position. It is possible to modify the position significantly without looking as if you have backed off, so other supporters will not know that you have bowed to the pressure. There is no way to make up for the loss of income in the short term, and you will have to fire three longtime staff members if the donor terminates support. What will you do?

Source: J. Svara. The Ethics Primer (2015, p. 140)

(a) Ethics Triangle

2. Rules

4. Analyze the case below in two ways: (a) using the ethics triangle, and (b) using behavioral ethics concepts. (5 possible points)

Yours is an advocacy organization, and funding is often difficult for such nonprofits because most foundations are leery of supporting them. You have a donor who has been very generous; indeed, her gifts have underwritten a substantial portion of your budget. The organization takes a position on a local controversy in furtherance of and consistent with its mission. It turns out that the donor will be adversely affected if the organization prevails, and the donor makes it clear that support will stop if the organization doesn’t mute, or at least moderate, its position. It is possible to modify the position significantly without looking as if you have backed off, so other supporters will not know that you have bowed to the pressure. There is no way to make up for the loss of income in the short term, and you will have to fire three longtime staff members if the donor terminates support. What will you do?

Source: J. Svara. The Ethics Primer (2015, p. 140)

(a) Ethics Triangle

1. Results

5. What are three common themes associated with scandals?

6. How and why are disclosure rates of unethical behavior different between the public and private sectors?

7. What are three of the seven conditions that justify whistleblowing?

8. What are three of the five factors that contribute to these results?

9. Describe the 20-60-20 rule.

10. The U.S. Merit System Protection Board, an appeals panel for federal civil servants, rules against whistleblowers in percent of cases.

11. Analyze the case below in two ways: (a) using the ethics triangle, and (b) using behavioral ethics concepts. (5 possible points)

Yours is an advocacy organization, and funding is often difficult for such nonprofits because most foundations are leery of supporting them. You have a donor who has been very generous; indeed, her gifts have underwritten a substantial portion of your budget. The organization takes a position on a local controversy in furtherance of and consistent with its mission. It turns out that the donor will be adversely affected if the organization prevails, and the donor makes it clear that support will stop if the organization doesn’t mute, or at least moderate, its position. It is possible to modify the position significantly without looking as if you have backed off, so other supporters will not know that you have bowed to the pressure. There is no way to make up for the loss of income in the short term, and you will have to fire three longtime staff members if the donor terminates support. What will you do?

Source: J. Svara. The Ethics Primer (2015, p. 140)

(a) Ethics Triangle

3. Virtue

12. Explain Martin Luther King’s statement, “Our lives begin to end the day that we become silent about things that matter,” when it is applied to a whistle­ blower.

13. What are three costs that organizations bear due to corruption?

14. What is meant by: (a) role distortion, (b) role failure, and (c) role rejection?

References:

Public Service Ethics: Individual and Institutional Responsibilities

Chapter 9, “Corruption Control” (pp. 165-200)

Chapter 10, “Whistleblowing in Organizations” (pp. 201-227)

Bowman, J. S., & West, J. P. (2015).

Blind Spots

Chapter 5, “When We Ignore Unethical Behavior” (pp. 77-99)

Bazerman, M., & Tenbrunsel, A. (2011).

To Serve with Honor: Doing the Right Thing in Government

Chapter 6, “How Do Organizations Foster Unethical Behavior?” (pp. 71-86)

Newell, T. (2015).