Assessment Information
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969
This material has been reproduced and communicated to you by or on behalf of Kaplan Business School pursuant to Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968 (‘Act’). The material
in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further reproduction or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection
under the Act. Kaplan Business School is a part of Kaplan Inc., a leading global provider of educational services. Kaplan Business School Pty Ltd ABN 86 098 181 947 is a
registered higher education provider CRICOS Provider Code 02426B.
Assessment 2 Information
Subject Code: BUS102
Subject Name: Introduction to Management
Assessment Title: Case Study
Weighting: 35%
Total Marks: 35
Due Date: Week 10 (3.55pm (AEDT) Monday 22 May 2017)
.Assessment Description
Length: 1100 - 1200
CASE STUDY: The 5 Biggest Corporate Scandals of 2015
Chris Matthews, Stephen Gandel
Dec 28, 2015
From Volkswagen's Dieselgate to Martin Shkreli, the former CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals, to Sepp
Blatter, the disgraced former head of soccer's international governing body, 2015 did not disappoint on
corporate scandals.
The allegations weren't as big as, say, Enron or Madoff, the characters were just as captivating. Shkreli was
defiant on Twitter. Perhaps the most blatant was Volkswagen, which ran commercials of its engineers as
angels even when company officials were setting up elaborate systems to lie to customers and get around
pollution controls. Here are the most compelling corporate fiascos and alleged frauds of 2015.
The Volkswagen Emissions Scandal
When Volkswagen revealed in September that it had installed software on millions of cars in order to trick
the Environmental Protection Agency’s emissions testers into thinking that the cars were more
environmentally friendly than they were, investors understandably deserted the company.
Volkswagen lost roughly $20 billion in market capitalization, as investors worried about the cost of
compensating customers for selling them cars that weren't compliant with environmental regulations.
The company not only has to deal with compensating their customers, but it will also need to contend with
potential fines from regulators as well as a reputational hit that could severely affect its market share.
FIFA Corruption Scandal
The only surprising fact about the FBI’s indictment of FIFA officials for racketeering, fraud, and other
offenses was that the charges came from the United States, where soccer’s popularity lags the rest of the
world.
The corruption part was the least remarkable aspect of the news, as FIFA officials had long been suspected
of taking bribes in exchange for granting broadcasting rights for games and hosting rights for events like the
World Cup.
Assessment Information
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969
This material has been reproduced and communicated to you by or on behalf of Kaplan Business School pursuant to Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968 (‘Act’). The material
in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further reproduction or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection
under the Act. Kaplan Business School is a part of Kaplan Inc., a leading global provider of educational services. Kaplan Business School Pty Ltd ABN 86 098 181 947 is a
registered higher education provider CRICOS Provider Code 02426B.
The FBI also indicted five sports marketing executives at the same time. And the scandal spooked some of
America’s largest corporations, including Coca-Cola and McDonald’s-top FIFA sponsors. These firms called
on the governing body to fire its leadership and enact tough reforms.
Toshiba Accounting Scandal
No list of corporate screw-ups would be complete without a good old-fashioned accounting scandal. In
September, electronics conglomerate Toshiba admitted that it had overstated its earnings by nearly $2
billion over seven years, more than four times its initial estimate in April.
CEO and President Hisao Tanaka resigned from the firm, and an independent investigators found
that “Toshiba had a corporate culture in which management decisions could not be challenged” and
“Employees were pressured into inappropriate accounting by postponing loss reports or moving certain
costs into later years.”
Valeant's Secret Division
In October, short seller Andrew Left accused drug company Valeant of using a specialty pharmacy
company Philidor to artificially inflate its sales. Valeant denied the charges. But the fact that Valeant had
never discussed its close ties to Philidor raised questions about Valeant's, and Philidor's, sales practices. It
also shook investors' confidence in the acquisitive drug company, which had racked up debt as it did deals.
Valeant (VRX, +1.28%) could still be on the hook if Philidor broke any laws. Valeant employees appear to
have worked at Philidor under aliases to hide their identities. And Valeant had paid $100 million for an
undisclosed option to acquire Philidor for no additional dollars whenever it wanted, essentially giving
Valeant ownership of the company.
Valeant has appointed a special committee of its board, and an outside investigator, to look into the
company's ties to Philidor, but it has yet to report its findings. Valeant said that Philidor sales never
amounted to more than 7% of its total sales. Valeant's shares fell 75% in the wake of these revelations, to
just over $70 from a high of $260.
Also contributing to the stock fall was the fact that Valeant had been accused over the summer of price
gouging, buying up drugs and then rapidly raising their prices. A number of members of Congress, including
presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, have called for an investigation into the company's drug pricing
practices. And in early October, the company confirmed that it had received a federal subpoena.
Many well known hedge funders, including Bill Ackman, who has defended the company, suffered big
losses on Valeant stock in the wake of the scandal.
Turing Pharmaceuticals and Martin Shkreli
Martin Shkreli became known as the bad boy of the drug industry after his drug company, Turing, increased
the price of a 62-year-old drug that treated HIV patients by 5,000% to $750 a pill. But it's what he did before
that could land him in jail.
In mid-December, the government arrested Shkreli on charges of stock fraud related to his activities while at
Retrophin, the drug company he ran before Turing. The former hedge fund manager is accused of using
shares of Retrophin to pay off investors who had lost money with a hedge fund he ran in the past. The
government described Shkreli's alleged behaviour as similar to a ponzi scheme.
Shkreli, who maintains he is innocent, says there is little evidence of fraud because his investors didn't lose
money. Shkreli, who has been defiant on Twitter about the allegations against him, bought the sole copy of
a Wu-Tang Clan album for $2 million. He has had called himself the most successful Albanian. Mother
Teresa, also an Albanian, presumably would not be proud.
Reference
Matthews, C & Gandel, S 2015 ‘The 5 biggest corporate scandals of 2015’, Fortune, 28 December, viewed
9 March 2017,
Assessment Information
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969
This material has been reproduced and communicated to you by or on behalf of Kaplan Business School pursuant to Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968 (‘Act’). The material
in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further reproduction or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection
under the Act. Kaplan Business School is a part of Kaplan Inc., a leading global provider of educational services. Kaplan Business School Pty Ltd ABN 86 098 181 947 is a
registered higher education provider CRICOS Provider Code 02426B.
Your Task:
The assessment does not require an introduction, conclusion or table of contents. Please refer to the
marking criteria to assist as a guideline to help you complete the tasks.
You are to research and answer all of the following:
1. The case study has identified several ethical issues that have arisen with five different companies.
Give a summary of the different ethical issues that have occurred with these companies. (150
words worth 5 marks)
2. Ethical dilemmas can occur within an organisation which can challenge individual and management
decision making. Explain where the responsibilities lie when it comes to managing ethical
behaviour. Is it the responsibility of the individual or of management? (400 words worth 10 marks)
3. Using one of the examples profiled in the case study identify what caused the breaches of ethical
conduct. In your answer consider elements such as the management style of those in charge and
the culture of the organisation. (300 words worth 10 marks)
4. Some organisations promote their corporate culture as one that supports ethical behaviour. Using
any organisation of your choice as an example, explain the strategies they have in place to prevent
inappropriate and unethical decision making from occurring. (350 words worth 10 marks)
Reference guide: in-text referencing and reference list may include references using weekly readings, text
books, news articles from respected publications, and journal articles. Referencing should be in Harvard
style - refer to Kaplan ‘Harvard Referencing Concise Guide’
Use a minimum of one reference per question
KBS presentation guidelines: Arial, size 11.5 font, 1.5 spacing
Submission: PDF and submit to Turnitin by the due date. Late submissions will incur a late penalty.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969
This material has been reproduced and communicated to you by or on behalf of Kaplan Business School pursuant to Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968 (‘Act’). The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further
reproduction or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act. Kaplan Business School is a part of Kaplan Inc., a leading global provider of educational services. Kaplan Business School Pty Ltd ABN 86
098 181 947 is a registered higher education provider CRICOS Provider Code 02426B.
Assessment Marking Rubric
High Distinction
85 – 100%
Distinction
75 – 84%
Credit
65 – 74%
Pass
50 – 64%
Fail
0 – 49%
Question 1
150 words
/5
• Clearly understands ethical issues
and gives comprehensive
explanations
• All aspects of the discussion are
relevant
• Discussion is supported by a
substantial range of credible and
current sources
• Sentences and paragraphs are
well structured and clear so the
reader can focus on what is
written.
• Vocabulary is professional,
appropriate and extensive
• Grammar, spelling and
punctuation are flawless, which
allows the reader to focus on the
message.
• Document professionally
presented in terms of KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions
• In-text referencing and reference
list format correct
• No plagiarism
• Clearly understands ethical issues
and gives in-depth explanations
• Most aspects of the discussion
are relevant
• Discussion is supported by a wide
range of credible and current
sources
• Sentences and paragraphs are
consistently well structured
• Vocabulary is comprehensive
• Minimal errors in grammar,
spelling and punctuation
• Document professionally
presented in terms of KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions with minimal
exceptions
• In-text referencing and reference
list format correct with limited
errors
• No plagiarism
• Understands ethical issues and
gives sound explanations
• Some aspects of the discussion
are relevant
• Discussion is supported by a
range of credible and current
sources
• Sentences and paragraphs are
mainly well structured
• Vocabulary is sound
• Some errors in grammar,
spelling and punctuation
• Document professionally
presented in terms of KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions with some
exceptions
• In-text referencing and
reference list format correct
with some errors
• No plagiarism
• Shows some understanding of
the ethical issues and provides
explanations
• Aspects of the discussion are
sometimes relevant
• Discussion is supported by
some sources but not always
credible and current
• Sentences and paragraphs are
readable but with grammatical
errors
• Vocabulary is limited
• Substantial errors in grammar,
spelling and punctuation
• Document professionally
presented in terms of KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions with a number of
exceptions
• In-text referencing and
reference list format contains
significant errors
• No apparent incidents of
plagiarism
• Shows limited understanding
basic or no explanations
• Meaning is unclear
• Many of the aspects of the
discussion are not relevant
• Discussion is not supported by
credible and current sources
(does not use minimum
references)
• Comments are poorly
structured and unclear
• Many grammatical,
vocabulary and spelling errors
• The main points and new
technical terms are not
explained, or are ambiguous
• Document poorly presented
and does not comply with KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions
• In-text referencing and
reference list format incorrect
or omitted
• Evidence of plagiarism
Question 2
400 words
/10
• Clearly understands
responsibilities of individuals and
management
• All aspects of the discussion are
relevant
• Discussion is supported by a
substantial range of credible and
current sources
• Sentences and paragraphs are
well structured and clear so the
reader can focus on what is
written.
• Vocabulary is professional,
appropriate and extensive
• Clearly understands
responsibilities of individuals and
management
• Most aspects of the discussion
are relevant
• Discussion is supported by a wide
range of credible and current
sources
• Sentences and paragraphs are
consistently well structured
• Vocabulary is comprehensive
• Minimal errors in grammar,
spelling and punctuation
• Understands responsibilities of
individuals and management
• Some aspects of the discussion
are relevant
• Discussion is supported by a
range of credible and current
sources
• Sentences and paragraphs are
mainly well structured
• Vocabulary is sound
• Some errors in grammar,
spelling and punctuation
• Shows some understanding of
the responsibilities of
individuals and management
• Aspects of the discussion are
sometimes relevant
• Discussion is supported by
some sources but not always
credible and current
• Sentences and paragraphs are
readable but with grammatical
errors
• Vocabulary is limited
• Substantial errors in grammar,
spelling and punctuation
• Shows limited understanding
of the responsibilities of
individuals and management
• Meaning is unclear
• Many of the aspects of the
discussion are not relevant
• Discussion is not supported by
credible and current sources
(does not use minimum
references)
• Comments are poorly
structured and unclear
• Many grammatical,
vocabulary and spelling errors
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969
This material has been reproduced and communicated to you by or on behalf of Kaplan Business School pursuant to Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968 (‘Act’). The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further
reproduction or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act. Kaplan Business School is a part of Kaplan Inc., a leading global provider of educational services. Kaplan Business School Pty Ltd ABN 86
098 181 947 is a registered higher education provider CRICOS Provider Code 02426B.
• Grammar, spelling and
punctuation are flawless, which
allows the reader to focus on the
message.
• Document professionally
presented in terms of KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions
• In-text referencing and reference
list format correct
• No plagiarism
• Document professionally
presented in terms of KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions with minimal
exceptions
• In-text referencing and reference
list format correct with limited
errors
• No plagiarism
• Document professionally
presented in terms of KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions with some
exceptions
• In-text referencing and
reference list format correct
with some errors
• No plagiarism
• Document professionally
presented in terms of KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions with a number of
exceptions
• In-text referencing and
reference list format contains
significant errors
• No apparent incidents of
plagiarism
• The main points and new
technical terms are not
explained, or are ambiguous
• Document poorly presented
and does not comply with KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions
• In-text referencing and
reference list format incorrect
or omitted
• Evidence of plagiarism
Question 3
300 words
/10
• Clearly identifies where breaches
occur
• Analysis demonstrates
comprehensive understanding
and valid judgement, supported
by a substantial range of credible
and current sources
• Sentences and paragraphs are
well structured and clear so the
reader can focus on what is
written.
• Vocabulary is professional,
appropriate and extensive
• Grammar, spelling and
punctuation are flawless, which
allows the reader to focus on the
message.
• Document professionally
presented in terms of KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions
• In-text referencing and reference
list format correct
• No plagiarism
• Clearly identifies where breaches
occur
• Analysis demonstrates an indepth
understanding and sound
judgement, supported by a wide
range of credible and current
sources
• Sentences and paragraphs are
consistently well structured
• Vocabulary is comprehensive
• Minimal errors in grammar,
spelling and punctuation
• Document professionally
presented in terms of KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions with minimal
exceptions
• In-text referencing and reference
list format correct with limited
errors
• No plagiarism
• Understands where breaches
occur
• Analysis demonstrates a sound
understanding and judgement,
supported by a range of
credible and current sources
• Sentences and paragraphs are
mainly well structured
• Vocabulary is sound
• Some errors in grammar,
spelling and punctuation
• Document professionally
presented in terms of KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions with some
exceptions
• In-text referencing and
reference list format correct
with some errors
• No plagiarism
• Shows some understanding of
where breaches occur
• Analysis demonstrates some
understanding and judgement,
supported by some sources but
not always credible and current
• Sentences and paragraphs are
readable but with grammatical
errors
• Vocabulary is limited
• Substantial errors in grammar,
spelling and punctuation
• Document professionally
presented in terms of KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions with a number of
exceptions
• In-text referencing and
reference list format contains
significant errors
• No apparent incidents of
plagiarism
• Shows limited understanding
where breaches occur
• Analysis does not
demonstrate an
understanding and is not
supported by credible and
current sources (does not use
minimum references)
• Comments are poorly
structured and unclear
• Many grammatical,
vocabulary and spelling errors
• The main points and new
technical terms are not
explained, or are ambiguous
• Document poorly presented
and does not comply with KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions
• In-text referencing and
reference list format incorrect
or omitted
• Evidence of plagiarism
Question 4
350 words
/10
• Clearly identifies preventative
steps using high quality examples
• All aspects of the discussion are
relevant
• Analysis demonstrates
comprehensive understanding
and valid judgement, supported
by a substantial range of credible
and current sources
• Clearly identifies preventative
steps using quality examples
• Most aspects of the discussion
are relevant
• Analysis demonstrates an indepth
understanding and sound
judgement, supported by a wide
range of credible and current
sources
• Identifies preventative steps
using appropriate examples
Some aspects of the discussion
are relevant
• Analysis demonstrates a sound
understanding and judgement,
supported by a range of
credible and current sources
• Sentences and paragraphs are
• Identifies some preventative
steps using some examples
• Aspects of the discussion are
sometimes relevant
• Analysis demonstrates some
understanding and judgement,
supported by some sources but
not always credible and current
• Sentences and paragraphs are
• Able to identify limited
preventative steps and not
able to using examples
• Meaning is unclear
• Many of the aspects of the
discussion are not relevant
• Analysis does not
demonstrate an
understanding and is not
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969
This material has been reproduced and communicated to you by or on behalf of Kaplan Business School pursuant to Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968 (‘Act’). The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further
reproduction or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act. Kaplan Business School is a part of Kaplan Inc., a leading global provider of educational services. Kaplan Business School Pty Ltd ABN 86
098 181 947 is a registered higher education provider CRICOS Provider Code 02426B.
• Sentences and paragraphs are
well structured and clear so the
reader can focus on what is
written.
• Vocabulary is professional,
appropriate and extensive
• Grammar, spelling and
punctuation are flawless, which
allows the reader to focus on the
message.
• Document professionally
presented in terms of KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions
• In-text referencing and reference
list format correct
• No plagiarism
• Sentences and paragraphs are
consistently well structured
• Vocabulary is comprehensive
• Minimal errors in grammar,
spelling and punctuation
• Document professionally
presented in terms of KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions with minimal
exceptions
• In-text referencing and reference
list format correct with limited
errors
• No plagiarism
mainly well structured
• Vocabulary is sound
• Some errors in grammar,
spelling and punctuation
• Document professionally
presented in terms of KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions with some
exceptions
• In-text referencing and
reference list format correct
with some errors
• No plagiarism
readable but with grammatical
errors
• Vocabulary is limited
• Substantial errors in grammar,
spelling and punctuation
• Document professionally
presented in terms of KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions with a number of
exceptions
• In-text referencing and
reference list format contains
significant errors
• No apparent incidents of
plagiarism
supported by credible and
current sources (does not use
minimum references)
• Comments are poorly
structured and unclear
• Many grammatical,
vocabulary and spelling errors
• The main points and new
technical terms are not
explained, or are ambiguous
• Document poorly presented
and does not comply with KBS
guidelines and assignment
instructions
• In-text referencing and
reference list format incorrect
or omitted
• Evidence of plagiarism
Total
/35