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QUIZ
BBA512A BUSINESS ETHICS

Answer ALL question.

Question 1
Describe THREE (3) challenges of observing privacy in the digital age.

1. Data Collection and Surveillance: One of the major challenges of observing privacy in
the digital age is the extensive collection of personal data and the widespread
surveillance conducted by various entities. With the advancement of technology,
organizations and governments have access to vast amounts of data, including
personal information, browsing history, location data, and social media activity. This
data collection can be done without individuals' knowledge or explicit consent, raising
concerns about privacy violations and the potential for misuse or abuse of personal
information.

2. Lack of Control over Personal Information: Another challenge is the limited control
individuals have over their personal information once it is collected and stored by
various entities. Personal data is often shared, sold, or transferred between
organizations, making it difficult for individuals to track how their information is
being used and by whom. Additionally, the complexity of privacy policies and
consent agreements can make it challenging for individuals to make informed
decisions about sharing their data. This lack of control undermines the fundamental
principle of privacy and creates a sense of vulnerability and loss of autonomy.

3. Data Breaches and Cybersecurity Threats: The digital age has witnessed a significant
increase in data breaches and cybersecurity threats, posing a major challenge to
privacy. Malicious actors and cybercriminals constantly target organizations and
individuals to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. Data breaches can
expose personal data, financial records, health information, and other sensitive details,
leading to identity theft, fraud, or reputational damage. Such incidents erode public
trust in digital platforms and raise concerns about the security of personal
information, making it difficult to maintain privacy in the face of evolving cyber
threats.

Overall, these challenges highlight the complex nature of privacy in the digital age,
where the growing dependence on technology and the ease of data collection and
sharing have created significant privacy concerns for individuals and society.

Question 2
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Describe TWO (2) types of whistle blowing. Give ONE (1) example for each type of whistle
blowing.
1. Internal Whistleblowing: Internal whistleblowing occurs when an individual exposes
misconduct, illegal activities, or unethical behavior within their own organization.
This type of whistleblowing involves reporting concerns to someone within the
organization, such as a supervisor, human resources department, or an ethics hotline.
For example, an employee working for a pharmaceutical company discovers that the
company is involved in fraudulent practices, such as manipulating clinical trial data or
marketing drugs for unapproved uses. The employee decides to report these illegal
activities to their supervisor and provides evidence of the wrongdoing.

2. External Whistleblowing: External whistleblowing takes place when an individual

exposes misconduct or illegal activities by an organization to external entities outside
of the organization. This can involve reporting to regulatory agencies, law
enforcement, media outlets, or non-profit organizations dedicated to addressing
specific issues. For example, an employee working for a large financial institution
becomes aware of systemic fraud and mismanagement within the organization.
Despite reporting the concerns internally and witnessing no corrective actions, the
employee decides to go public with the information by leaking documents and
evidence to a reputable investigative journalist, who then publishes an exposé
revealing the financial institution's wrongdoing.

Question 3
Define; (6 marks)
a) Trade secret
A trade secret refers to confidential and valuable information that provides a
competitive advantage to a business or organization. It can include formulas,
techniques, processes, designs, patterns, customer lists, marketing strategies, or any
other information that is not generally known or easily accessible to others in the
industry. Trade secrets are kept confidential and are not publicly disclosed,
distinguishing them from other forms of intellectual property such as patents,
copyrights, or trademarks.

b) Conflict of interest
A conflict of interest arises when an individual or entity is in a position where their
personal, professional, or financial interests may influence or compromise their ability
to act in the best interests of another party or fulfill their duties objectively and
impartially. It involves a clash between a person's personal interests or relationships
and their professional responsibilities or obligations.

c) Privacy
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Privacy refers to the right of individuals to control the access, use, and disclosure of
their personal information and to maintain a sense of autonomy and confidentiality. It
is the ability to keep certain aspects of one's life, thoughts, activities, and personal
information out of the public domain or away from the scrutiny of others, ensuring a
sphere of personal autonomy and protection.
Question 4
Identify FOUR (4) dimension of employee theft.
Employee theft can be categorized into four dimensions:

1. Theft of Physical Assets: This dimension refers to the theft of tangible or physical
assets belonging to the employer. It includes instances where employees steal cash,
inventory, equipment, office supplies, or any other physical items from the workplace
for personal gain.

2. Intellectual Property Theft: Intellectual property theft involves the unauthorized use,
reproduction, or distribution of a company's proprietary information, trade secrets,
patents, copyrights, or trademarks by an employee. This can occur when employees
unlawfully access and misuse confidential business plans, customer lists, research and
development data, software codes, or other intellectual property.

3. Financial Fraud: This dimension encompasses various forms of financial fraud

committed by employees. It includes embezzlement, where employees misappropriate
funds entrusted to them, manipulate accounting records, or engage in fraudulent
financial transactions. Other examples include forging signatures, falsifying expense
reports, or diverting company funds for personal use.

4. Data and Information Theft: With the increasing reliance on digital systems and data,
employee theft in this dimension involves the unauthorized access, theft, or misuse of
sensitive information or data. This can include stealing customer databases,
downloading confidential files, unauthorized disclosure of personal information, or
selling company data to third parties for personal gain.

These dimensions of employee theft highlight the different ways in which employees
may engage in illegal activities that result in financial losses, reputational damage, or
compromised security for the organization. Implementing robust internal controls,
regular audits, and effective monitoring systems can help prevent and detect instances
of employee theft.