Environmental Responsibility: Business Practices & Managing for Ethical Behavior Discussion Questions: 1. Do carbon offsets amount to "greenwashing" if no or fewer direct ("at the source") reductions are made? Is carbon offsetting morally wrong or a necessary evil to combat climate change?

2. Will greater transparency (more "reporting") help solve ecological issues? Why or why not? 3. How do we measure/ determine if a product is "green?" Is "Net Green" a better method? Is it a realistic and fair standard for individual businesses to meet?

4. Do you believe the actions by Mr. Groves actions were the result of intentional choices, situations/cognitive blind spots or a combination of these factors? How about those who helped him? Are ethical transgressions more the result of "bad apples" or "bad barrels" (corrupting influences)? 5. Based upon the findings of social psychology, should we conclude that situational influences ("the Cinnabon made me do it") are more powerful than character in determining behavior? If so, are we even responsible for our own actions? 6. What are some steps that can be taken to encourage ethical behavior in organizations? Are "nudges" the magical ingredient in preventing unethical behavior? Why or why not?

Resources to answer the questions above. B. Elgin, "Little Green Lies."* K. Hyams and T. Fawcett, "The Ethics of Carbon Offsetting."* K. Pucker, "Overselling Sustainability Reporting"* T. Zink & R. Geyer, "There's No Such Thing as a Green Product"* Case Study: "Green or Greenwashing?" in R&W, pp. 437-8.

C. Miller, "The Cinnabon Made me Do it"* S. Ayal et al, "Three Principles to Revise People's Unethical Behavior." L. Trevino & M. Brown, "Managing to be Ethical: Debunking Five Business Ethics Myths." In R&W, pp. 450-463. S. Killingsworth, "Behavior Ethics: From Nudges to Norms"* Case Study: "The Psychology of Fraud: Toby Groves"*

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

1 Carbon Offsets and Greenwashing Definition Carbon offsets involve compensating for emissions in one area by reducing or offsetting emissions elsewhere Greenwashing refers to the deceptive practice o... View the full answer