Critical Thinking: Chapter 3

Overview: These problems are meant to encourage deeper thinking on the material presented in the textbook. You are to answer ALL questions presented in the problem using the knowledge you have gained throughout the textbook. However, do not simply repeat what is in the book. Use that information and interpret it the best you can to apply it to the situation.

Requirements: Review the information and questions below. Provide a detailed 4-5 sentence explanation on how you would solve the problem or issue, based not only on the readings in the chapter, but your own personal experience and/or any additional outside research you perform. If quoting a source directly, make sure to cite that source, but do not rely solely on quoted materials.

Issue: Great Cakes is a large bakery known for its quality boxed cake products. Its motto is We Use Only the Best Ingredients. Ralph Sands, the purchasing supervisor, is responsible for ordering the ingredients for all the bakery products. He is being considered for a promotion based on his proven ability to purchase ingredients at the best price available. The cost of all the ingredients has risen substantially over the past few months. Sands decides to purchase 25% of the ingredients at a lower quality than Great Cakes normally uses because the cost is significantly less. Without relying on the companys test kitchens, he believes this substitution will not be noticed by the customers and the lower cost will counterbalance the increased costs of the other ingredients. Sands explains this decision to his friend, Lynn Pall, the companys accountant, one day at lunch. He also tells her that he does not intend to inform management of the inclusion of the lower-quality ingredients in the bakerys products.

Questions to be Answered:

1) What ethical considerations arise from Ralph Sands decisions?

2) What problems face Lynn Pall because of his actions