MODULE 8: POST CLASS EXERCISE
Course: Business Ethics
Due: 02 April 2026 @ 23h59
Marks: 35
Purpose
This assignment requires you to apply the FOUR ethical tests (Legal, Company
Rules, Fairness, Disclosure) to South African scenarios. You must demonstrate
structured reasoning and original thinking.
Academic Integrity
You may use resources to understand concepts, but your analysis must be your
own. You may be asked to explain your answers orally.
Instructions
- Answer ALL questions.
- Answers should be typed except for the Part 4.
- Use the FOUR ethical tests in every answer.
- Follow the required structure for each test.
- Include ONE real-life example from your own experience in each case.
PART 0: Thinking Process (5 marks)
1. Write the FOUR ethical tests in your own words.
2. Briefly explain how you approached the case.
3. Identify one personal challenge you experienced.
CASE STUDY 1: Hiring & Nepotism (10 marks)
A manager in a local municipality must hire a new administrative officer.
Two candidates apply:
- Candidate A: Highly qualified with strong experience
- Candidate B: Less qualified, but a relative of the manager
The manager hires Candidate B.
Use the following structure for EACH test:
Test Your Analysis
Legal
Company Standards/Rules
Fairness
Disclosure
CASE STUDY 2: Load Shedding & Business Fees (10 marks)
A small business owner buys a generator to continue operating during load
shedding.
To cover fuel costs, the owner:
- Charges customers an additional 'energy fee'
- Does not clearly explain this charge
Apply the same structure as above.
CASE STUDY 3: Data Privacy (10 marks)
A South African mobile app collects user data (location and spending habits) and
sells this data to third-party companies.
Users agreed to the terms and conditions but did not read them.
Apply the same structure as above.
PART 4: Final Judgement (Handwritten – 5 marks)
Write 8–10 lines explaining 3which case is the MOST unethical? Justify your
answer using the framework.
For this section you must do it in handwriting and submit as a photo or
scanned page.
MODULE 8: MARKING RUBRIC
This rubric explains how your assignment will be assessed. Use it as a guide
when preparing your answers.
Criteria Excellent Competent Developing / Limited
(Partial
(Full Marks) Marks)
Legal Test (5 marks) Clearly explains Basic Incorrect or unclear
legality AND explanation understanding of legality
distinguishes of legality but
between legal vs lacks depth
ethical
Company Standards/ Accurately Mentions Little or no reference to
Rules (5 marks) applies company rules but company rules
rules and lacks full
explains ethical explanation
implications
Fairness (5 marks) Clearly identifies Identifies Fails to identify
stakeholders and some stakeholders or fairness
explains impact in stakeholders issues
depth but
explanation
is limited
Disclosure (5 marks) Strong Basic No clear understanding of
explanation of mention of disclosure test
public justification disclosure
and transparency but lacks
depth
Application & Applies all tests Applies tests Answers are mostly opinion
Reasoning (5 marks) clearly with but with little structure
strong reasoning reasoning is
and examples weak or
incomplete
Overall Structure & Well-structured, Some Poor structure, difficult to
Clarity (5 marks) clear, logical, and structure but follow, lacks clarity
easy to follow inconsistent
or unclear in
places
Personal Example (3) Relevant and well Some Missing or unclear
integrated relevance
Handwritten Section Clear, structured, Some Weak or unclear
(5) shows structure
understanding