The links shown in the textbook are no longer active; however, these documents can still be located by using your favorite search engine to search for "Standards of Business Conduct for Starbucks" and "Standards of Business Conduct for McDonald's."
Exercise: A Assurance of Learning Exercise
PURPOSE: This exercise aims to familiarize you with corporate codes of business ethics. Go to Starbucks' Standards of Business Conduct found at their www.starbucks.com Web site and more particularly at the https://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/SoBC_FY09_eng.pdf Web page.
Then see the Code of Business Ethics for McDonald's Corporation or lack of one thereof. (At the time of this writing, the author could only find a social responsibility statement for McDonald's and it was at the https://www.mcdonalds.com/usa/work/socialresp.html Web page.)
Instructions:
Step 1: Go to the Web sites just listed and print the Standards of Business Conduct information for (1) Starbucks Corp. and (2) McDonald's Corp. Read the two statements.
Step 2: On a separate sheet of paper, list three aspects that you like most and three aspects that you like least about (1) Starbucks statement and (2) the McDonald's statement. In other words, compare the two statements. Conclude by indicating which statement of conduct you like best. Why do you think it is best?
Step 3: Explain why having a code of business ethics is not sufficient for ensuring ethical behavior in an organization. What other means are necessary to help ensure ethical behavior? Give the class an example of a breach of ethical conduct that you recall in your work experience.