From 2009 on, Wells Fargo associates have opened millions of accounts that their customers were unaware of.

From 2009 on, Wells Fargo associates have opened millions of accounts that their customers were unaware of.

From 2009 on, Wells Fargo associates have opened millions of accounts that their customers were unaware of. This has caused many regulatory authorities to be involved and even imposed fines on the company for their unethical and illegal actions.

Organizational scandals have longed revealed the unethical side of the business environment. As they have become more of a public issue through media outlets, they seem to be less infrequent in recent years. Discovering that an organization or person has created a breach of contract between ethical business practices and realities have forced many organizations to look within and implement sustainable changes. Whether it be in direct leadership shifts, consumer relations or stakeholder buy-in, organizations have had to make changes – some bigger than others. As a way to learn from the mistakes of others, students will identify a company/organization or person and analyze a situation where they have compromised the law of the court or the law of morals and ethics. After providing an overview of the situation, students will answer the following questions in their analysis:

What factors contributed to the legal/ethical fail? (As detailed through your research and as you see it as the person reviewing the situation)

How did the legal/ethical fail impact the organization? Employees? Shareholders? General Consumer?

What measures are in place or in the creation phase to rectify the situation?

What, if anything, has happened to the “culprit”?

Apply the theories/concepts discussed in the course to provide recommendations to the company/organization/person to prevent any future fails. What advice would you offer their competitors as well?

Written Assignment: Students will write a minimum of five-page (maximum 10 pages) professional report highlighting the legal/ethical fail identified.

The written report should be constructed in a formal, third-person writing style (i.e. professional language, no contractions, no personal pronouns, no personal references), include appropriate formatting, headings, margins, and in-text citations. Use APA format style.

The written document MUST contain, at a minimum, three sources. The sources can come from websites, scholarly articles, journals, surveys, media outlets, etc. You may NOT use Wikipedia as a direct source.

Purpose and Development of Research Paper – 10 Points Total

Articulates a purpose and presents abundant relevant details from credible sources, if appropriate

Articulates a purpose and presents some relevant details from credible sources, if appropriate

Implies a purpose and presents some relevant details from credible sources, if appropriate

Lacks a purpose or presents insufficient details from credible sources, if appropriate

(10 Points Possible)

(5-9 Points Possible)

(1 – 4 Points Possible)

(0 Points Possible)

Grammar, Mechanics, and Documentation of Research Paper – 5 Points Total

Thoroughly conforms to conventions of Standard American English and format, language, and documentation appropriate to the discipline

Reasonably conforms to conventions of Standard American English and format, language, and documentation appropriate to the discipline

Sometimes conforms to conventions of Standard American English and format, language, and documentation appropriate to the discipline

Contains numerous lapses in Standard American English or format, language, and documentation appropriate to the discipline, indicating a serious lack of competence in this area.

(5 Points Possible)

(3-4 Points Possible)

(1-2 Points Possible)

(0 Points Possible)

 

Clarity and Organization of Research Paper & Supporting Documents – 5 Points Total

Conveys information in a clear, organized fashion

Conveys information in a clear, organized fashion with some lapses in clarity or organization

Conveys information in an adequately clear, organized fashion with several lapses in clarity or organization

Contains numerous lapses in clarity or organization, impeding understanding

(5 Points Possible)

(3-4 Points Possible)

(1-2 Points Possible)

(0 Points Possible)