The objective of this activity is for students to be able to identify what are the pros and cons of the Ethical consumption and how these websites can influence business ethics. Using their critical thinking skills students must identify what are the ethical issues of having a business that runs in the underground economy and how this affects society in the long run.

Students should be able to stipulate clearly their logical reasoning and explain their answer(s) using class concepts.

Students should incorporate concepts and terminologies learned in classroom (3 points)

Part I

These are examples of how consumers have influenced or can influence how goods and services are sold to them:

Information on Whole Foods Markets is available at Whole Foods Market | Whatever Makes You Whole (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) and on Product RED Brand at (RED) (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) and Product Red - Wikipedia (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) (Good summary and source for references).

Ethical consumption websites are interesting to visit. Some possibilities are:

Ethical Consumer at: Ethical Consumer: the alternative consumer organization (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.). Note the information under the sections Ethical Ratings (by animal rights, environment, human rights, and politics) and Boycotts (including a list that is interesting to view). Ethical Company Organization at: The Ethical Company Organisation - The Good Shopping Guide (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)

Question to answer

In your opinion should corporate managers or businesses generally, be concerned about this type of website?

Why yes? Why not?

Part II

2. Please define what is the Underground Economy About the underground economy, Canada Revenue Agency. What the Canada Revenue Agency is doing to fight the underground economy - Canada.ca (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)

a. In your opinion, are those who practice the underground economy considered ethical or unethical businesses?

b. Please provide one example of Ethical Business and one example of Underground Economy Business.