BUSINESS ETHICS

Volkswagen scandal case: Who is in the driving-seat of ethical decision making?

1. Outline the main points of emission scandal. What role could issues regarding moral intensity have played in the decision-making that let to the scandal? (with references)
2. Analyse, using Rest's four stage model of ethical decision-making, at what stage VW deviated from the model in its decision-making processes regarding the attempted cover-up. ( with references)
3. What context-related factors could have influenced executives and engineers at VW not to whistle blow on the fraudulent activities? ( with references)
4. Do you think that VW's senior management handled the scandal well? Could earlier admission of the fraudulent activities have reduced the negative impact on the firm? ( with references)
5. How could VW seek to improve their approach to ethics management in the future? Can claims that the firm has so quickly changed its culture stand up to scrutiny? ( with references)