Introduction to Business (MGT211)
Fall, 2013
Graded Discussion Board No. 1
Due Date: November 10, 2013
Total Marks: 30
Topic: Role of Ethics in Business
NOTE: There is no grace period in case of GDB
Objective of GDB
The basic objective of this discussion is to make students familiar with role of ethics in business practice.
Learning Outcomes
After attempting this GDB students will be able to:
· Comprehend the importance of ethics in business practices.
· Analyze that how unethical business practices harm the other business’s revenues.
Case:
Microsoft is an American multinational software corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services related to computing. All over the world the companies and individuals use wide variety of its quality products. Microsoft charge good price for its quality product and encourage the purchase of original software. In Pakistan the prices of original software are in thousands and most of the individual users cannot afford to purchase the original software.
It has been observed that pirated copies of the same software are conveniently available for PKR 40-50 in markets. This is against the copy right laws as all software of Microsoft are copy righted. For Microsoft piracy is a serious issue as directly affects the quality of its brand and revenue. People who are against the piracy believe that it is a serious crime. Companies invest millions and billions of dollars in research and development and brand positioning thus selling pirated versions of software is a theft. Some argue that most of the people cannot afford to buy software thus pirated versions at low cost can solve their many computing issues. In addition to that such large companies can afford such losses occur due to piracy as their revenues are much larger.
Point of Discussion:
You have read the comments of both schools of thoughts about piracy in the above mentioned case.
In your opinion which school of thought is appropriate and why? Provide at least five points of discussion to justify your opinion.
Marking scheme: (each point carries 6 marks). You may add examples to enrich your discussion.
Student’s Guide
1. Keep you discussion with the mentioned scenario and irrelevant answers and material will not be graded.
2. Do not copy/paste the challenges or problems of SME sector in general.
3. Be careful from those blogs who are promoting cheating culture among our students and killing their creativity and critical thinking. Answers copied from such blogs will be straightaway marked as zero. Similarly any relevant or irrelevant material copied from internet sources will get the same treatment. It can seriously damage your grades.
Note:
For acquiring the relevant knowledge, do not rely only on handouts but also watch the course video lectures and read additional material available online or in any other mode.
Important Instructions:
· Your discussion must be based on logical facts.
· The GDB will open and close on above specified date and time. Please note that no grace day or extra time will be given for posting comments on GDB.
· Use the font style “Times New Roman” and font size “12” .
· Your answer should be relevant to the topic i.e. clear and concise.
· Do not copy or exchange your answer with other students. Two identical / copied comments will be marked Zero (0) and may damage your grade in the course.
· Books, websites and other reading material may be consulted before posting your comments; but copying or reproducing the text from books, websites and other reading materials is strictly prohibited. Such comments will be marked as Zero (0) even if you provide references.
· You should post your answer on the Graded Discussion Board (GDB), not on the Moderated Discussion Board (MDB). Both will run parallel to each other during the time specified above. Therefore, due care will be needed.
· Obnoxious or ignoble answer should be strictly avoided.
· You cannot participate in the discussion after the due date via email.
· Questions / queries related to the content of the GDB, which may be posted by the students on MDB or via e-mail, will not be replied till the due date of GDB is over.
· For planning your semester activities in an organized manner, you are advised to view schedule of upcoming Assignments, Quizzes and GDBs in the overview tab of the course website on VU-LMS.
Note related to load shedding: Please be proactive
Dear students!
As you know that Pre Mid-Term semester activities have started and load shedding problem is also prevailing in our country. Keeping in view the fact, you all are advised to post your activities as early as possible without waiting for the due date. For your convenience; activity schedule has already been uploaded on VULMS for the current semester, therefore no excuse will be entertained after due date of assignments, quizzes or GDBs.
Answer>
I am in agreement, that software piracy is unethical and against the law. It also may cause a loss of precious data to individual / company. But it is another big reality that most of individual / home users / students and small scale entrepreneurs can’t afford high price of expensive Microsoft softwares, also non availability of local Microsoft backup support team.
JUSTIFICATION.
• Product Prices are too High according to local region (Pakistan) e.g. Windows 8 Price is 96$ approx. which is too much high. The student packages are also very high. Prices are same for all over the world of Microsoft which is main cause of piracy. To stop piracy prices must be readjust according in region
• Public awareness programs against software piracy are never lunched. It may also be a cause of Microsoft's products sales boost and profits by lunch some special offers and discounts.
• Local Offices / Outlets / Customer Care Centers / Help Desk / software anti-piracy teams are not available. Make ensure employee’s teams are must be stay in I.T. markets. It would be helpful to control piracy.
• Computer / Laptop / Server Computer / Mobiles / other Machines are not protected against pirated software which can be easily installed. No need to online license verification through internet or other type of verification. Machine unique id may be effective.
• Investors & Business Partners are not introduced by Microsoft local market in Stock Exchange with prices high. So peoples don’t care about Microsoft loss. It’s also a appreciation of piracy.
Example: Nokia (Popular Mobile Phone Company) got great success in Asia Pacific Region because Nokia produced its products according to Asian Counties people requirements and also worked with local people. We can see in Asia Region every class people using Nokia Mobile according to their budget which is available form (Pak rupees 1,800 to 80,000). Local Companies are providing their warranty for Nokia Mobile phones (Advance Telecom, United Mobiles, Mobile zone etc.) Fake Copies are availed in market but peoples are not using them.
Conclusion:
Even though pirated softwares are unethical & might cause a loss for Microsoft but on the other hand Microsoft management should also understands the market thinking, people's needs and affordability issues. If Microsoft reviews his policy about the price reduction and also launches the public awareness campaign in this country the earnings of Microsoft may be high as this is the market of 200 million peoples and this may cause great profit for Microsoft and also prosperity for local people.
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