Deliverables
One essay of 2000 words, excluding references. Submissions may be up to 10% over the word
limit, but there will be a 5% penalty of the total available marks for up to each 5% beyond that
limit, e.g. Exceeding the word limit by 11% to 15% = 2-mark penalty; exceeding the word limit
by 16% to 20% = 4-mark penalty. And so on.
You should use an essay structure, which includes an introduction, body and conclusion,
organised into paragraphs. Your conclusion should summarise your essay’s main argument,
which should critically evaluate the different ideas your essay covers.
Research quality will be evaluated on both the quality of sources and how well these sources
are applied to the case. For each question, you must incorporate and reference at least two peerreviewed academic sources. Although it is not mandatory to use more than two academic
sources, as a guide, you should refer in total to three to seven additional sources, at least half
of which should come from peer-reviewed academic journals. Useful starting points for
identifying appropriate sources are the recommended readings for each topic, Macquarie
University Library’s online search function and relevant databases like Academic Search
Premier (access via the Library Multi-search) and Google Scholar.
Referencing
Ensure you reference all sources you use in your assignment, including online sources. Direct
quotes (i.e. statements not in your own words) should be included in quote marks in addition
to being referenced. You should use the APA 7th referencing system. The Library has set up an
institutional account for APA’s ‘Academic Writer’, which includes tools for using this system.
There are also numerous web resources on APA referencing, and popular referencing software
(e.g. Endnote – free to students) can be set up to insert your references automatically in the
correct style.
Use of generative artificial intelligence
Generative AI (e.g. Chat GPT) may be used in limited ways to research your topic, but only
as expressly permitted in the attached Appendix. You may, for example, use this tool to
research definitions of key terms. However, all such uses must be referenced, including using
quote marks for any material taken directly. The referencing system here is recommended.
Generative AI may not be used to generate examples, analyse texts listed in the question, or
to produce text without attribution. Be aware also that it remains students’ responsibility to
ensure any use of generative AI is within the requirements of academic integrity. As penalties
apply for integrity breaches, please contact your convener before submitting your task if you
are unsure if any particular practice is acceptable.
Extensions and Penalties
Unless an application for Special Consideration has been submitted and approved, a 5%
penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not
submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be
awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set
at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.
Marking: See the detailed marking rubric on iLearn.
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Questions
Choose ONE of the following questions for your essay. To answer this question, you will need
to draw on readings covered in the course as well as your own research, including integrating
at least two peer-reviewed academic articles into your analysis.
1. Is Australian Ethical right to divest from Lendlease
In March, 2023, Australian Ethical (AE) became one of the first Australian funds to divest due
to concerns over an endangered species, when AE withdrew funds from Lendlease due to
Lendlease’s’ alleged impact on Koala populations. Critically assess the ethics of AE’s decision,
considering both AE’s and Lendlease’s views. You should use Milton Friedman’s shareholder
ethics and at least one other ethics theory covered in the unit relevant to how companies should
treat animals and/or natural environments [note: Anthropocentric/non-anthropocentric
perspectives are categories of ethics theories, not ethics theory]. Begin by comparing how
Friedman and your other theory would determine the ethical standards for treating animals,
including explaining the main reasons each theory would provide for this approach. Then apply
these ethical theories and your own case research to explain whether AE made the right
decision in this case from each perspective. Finally, critically analyse which perspective is most
convincing
and why, including recommending a course of action to AE’s board and leadership.
Your answer must incorporate and reference ideas from at least two peer-reviewed academic
journal articles from the unit readings or your own research.
2. Is JP Morgan Chase’s ‘WADU’ tracking system ethical
In 2022, JPMorgan Chase attracted widespread press when their ‘Workplace Activity Data
Utility’ (WADU), which tracks extensive data from JP Morgan workers, was revealed. While
JPMorgan Chase says the system helps teams collaborate, employees have raised concerns
about the impact of the system on their privacy at work. Critically assess whether, or to what
extent, JPMorgan Chase’s WADU system is ethical. You answer should use discourse ethics
and at least one other relevant ethics theory covered in the unit. Begin by explaining how
discourse ethics and your chosen theories would determine whether a company is ethically
managing the needs and/or interests of different stakeholders, including what reasons each
theory would give for this view. Then apply these ethical theories, and your own detailed case
research, to assess whether JPMorgan Chase’s WADU system is ethical according to each
theory and explain why. Finally, critically analyse which perspective is most convincing and
why, including making recommendations to JPMorgan Chase’s leadership on how they might
act more ethically in this case. Your answer must incorporate and reference ideas from at least
two peer-reviewed academic journal articles from the unit readings or your own research.
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3. What strategies to boost workplace diversity are most ethical
In 2022, CEO Women and Bain & Company released a new report on Accelerating Women’s
representation in senior leadership, which included five strategies to increase female
representation in leadership roles. Critically assess the arguments and proposals this report puts
forward. Your answer should begin by explaining the main arguments for creating more diverse
and equitable workplaces according to utilitarian ethics and at least one other theory covered
in the unit that you find relevant to this case. Then apply these theories to explain and analyse
the main arguments and proposals covered in the CEO Women and Bain & Company report
from each perspective, including whether these arguments and proposals are justified and
sufficient to respond to the current state of employment diversity in senior roles. Finally,
critically analyse which perspective you find most convincing and why, including making your
own recommendations to companies looking to address diversity at work as to which of the
strategies in the report, and/or which additional strategies, they ought to adopt and why. Your
answer must incorporate and reference ideas from at least two peer-reviewed academic journal
articles from either the unit readings or your own research.
4. Is Amazon’s next day delivery system ethical
In August 2022 Amazon launched next day delivery in Australia. While this proposal aimed to
attract new customers to its Prime subscription service, critics have argued the next day
delivery model makes unacceptable demand on workers’ health and is bad for the environment.
Critically assess the ethics of Amazon’s next day delivery system. Your answer should apply
at least one ethics theory covered in the unit and a detailed account of the requirements of the
NSW WHS Act (2011). Your answer should begin by outlining what ethical obligations
employers have to employees’ physical and mental health according to your chosen ethics
theory and under the NSW WHS Act (2011) and explain why. Then apply these frameworks
to explain the core responsibilities Amazon has to workers in its delivery system, incorporating
the respective legal duties of organisations (PCBUs), officers and workers in managing risks
to workers’ health under the NSW WHS Act (2011). Finally, draw on these frameworks to
critically assess how far the next day delivery system can meet these requirements, including
making a recommendation to Amazon’s leadership team as to how they might manage their
delivery system most ethically. Your answer must incorporate and reference ideas from at least
two peer-reviewed academic journal articles from either unit readings or your own research.
APPENDIX: Acceptable use of Generative AI for this task
Green Zone: GAIT use permitted within academic integrity guidelines
For this assessment, in addition to spelling/grammar checkers and referencing software,
students are permitted to use generative artificial intelligence tools (e.g., ChatGPT) to: