...Ethics and Compliance David Livingston, Raul Lopez, Robert Morrison, Tyler Norwood FIN/370 Finance for Business University of Phoenix May 7, 2011 Joe Brennan Ethics and Compliance Even though there are federal rules and regulations governing work place behavior, what if there were no boundaries for ethics and compliance, would Amazon continue to follow the same procedures set by the federal laws to ensure ethical behavior within the work place. How does Amazon differ from other organizations when it comes to ethical behavior? One way is because Amazon adheres to a strict conflict of interest policy regarding customers, employees, and Amazon follows strict policies on record keeping and financial integrity. Team C will depict Amazon’s policy and procedures for ethical and SEC compliance, explain the function of monetary markets in the United States, and assess Amazon’s monetary performance for the previous two years by means of financial ratios. Team C will explain Amazon’s financial health in reference to the debt, return of equity, and daily receivable ratios. As part of their code of business conduct and ethics policies, Amazon established basic guiding principles to help steer their employees to do what is ethically and morally right to reassure their investors that they are doing what is right for the investors and the public. Of course Amazon must be in compliance with the governing (a) laws, (b) rules and (c) regulations set forth by local and federal governments...
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...discussion will be to explain what ways public administrators are bound by both individual ethics and office ethics and in what ways might these ethical frameworks overlap. I will then discuss ways might the ethics may diverge and what implications might this divergence have on public administrator accountability. In conclusion, I will discuss how this case example has shaped the future of local, state, and federal administration law in the United...
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...Chapter 11 Law and Ethics Chapter Overview Chapter 11 covers the topics of law and ethics. In this chapter readers will learn to identify major national and international laws that relate to the practice of information security as well as come to understand the role of culture as it applies to ethics in information security. Chapter Objectives When you complete this chapter, you will be able to: Differentiate between law and ethics Identify major national and international laws that relate to the practice of information security Understand the role of culture as it applies to ethics in information security Access current information on laws, regulations, and relevant professional organizations Set-up Notes This chapter could be completed in a single class session, if there is sufficient time to cover the material. Unless the students have not had the opportunity to read the material in advance (in some settings, the textbooks are not made available until the first class meeting), it may be prudent to have a general discussion of the topic, with detailed lecture to follow at the next class meeting. The subject matter can be covered in 1.25 to 2.5 hours. Lecture Notes and Teaching Tips with Quick Quizzes Introduction As a future information security professional, it is vital that you understand the scope of an organization’s legal and ethical responsibilities. To minimize the organization’s liabilities the information security practitioner must understand...
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...Chapter 1 Today’s Business Environment: Law and Ethics 1. Which of these issues may impact a company’s operations? a. international issues b. political issues c. ethical issues d. legal issues e. all of these issues can impact operations ANSWER: e (page 3-4) National: AACSB Analytic; Diversity; AICPA BB-Legal 2. Which area of law is most likely to impact directly the finance and accounting departments of a company? a. products liability b. employment discrimination c. credit regulation d. environmental law e. all of these are likely to impact about the same ANSWER: c (page 3) National: AACSB Analytic; AICPA BB-Legal 3. Which is generally recognized as the best (most correct) definition of law? a. a body of rules of action or conduct prescribed by controlling authority, and having binding legal force b. that which must be obeyed and followed by members of a society subject to sanctions or legal consequences c. the circumstances in which the public force is brought to bear through the courts d. a rule of conduct that justifies a prediction that it likely will be enforced by the courts if its authority is challenged e. all of the other choices are correct; there is no one agreed upon...
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...The United States Federal Reserve System was founded by Congress in 1913 to provide the nation with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary and financial system (2005). Over time the Federal System has expanded into additional areas to include globalization, technology, innovation, diversity, and ethics. The Federal Reserve System is an organization that should demand more attention. This private organization affects global markets by playing an important role as the reserve currency of the world. Moreover, the Federal Reserve is impacted by the world financial markets. The Federal Reserve affects global markets by setting interest rates, establishing the nation’s monetary policy, and by controlling the printing of U.S. dollars. Interest rates are important to the global economy because it determines the supply and demand of U.S. exports and dollars. Furthermore, changes to the monetary policy affect the value of the dollar on currency markets (2005). Higher interest rates establish the assumption of a strong economy; therefore, the cost of imports is lower and the cost of exports higher. For this reason, market investors pay close attention to data releases and statements by the Federal Reserve in order to adjust to changes to the monetary policy. The Federal Reserve implements its monetary policy through its control over the federal funds rate—the rate at which depository institutions trade balances at the Federal Reserve (2005). Essentially changes to the value...
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...Major Laws Concerning Fraud and Abuse Anna Afoakwa Health Information- Law and Ethics (Summer Quarter) Author Note: This assignment is being submitted as module 9 assignment Healthcare ethical behavior is an important topic in health industry. Ethics or moral behavior is the ground on which humanity stands for a compatible existence. The word ‘ethics’ means different to different people and is based on moral, philosophic and religious principles of the society in which it is practiced. All problems of life have solutions, but all solutions are not based on moral principles. Principles alone do not lead to ethical decisions; decisions without principles are ethically empty. Below are the seven major laws concerning fraud and abuse. The False Claims Act: imposes liability upon any person who knowingly submits or causes the submission of false or fraudulent claims for payment or approval. In the healthcare context, examples of conduct that can arguably lead to charges of violations of the statute include, but are not limited to: billing for medical services not rendered; misrepresenting the level of services rendered; falsely certifying compliance with federal laws; and submitting a claim for payment that is contrary to Medicare or Medicaid payment requirements. The Federal Anti-Kickback Statute: prohibits providers of services or goods covered by a federal healthcare program ("Federal Healthcare Program") from knowingly and willingly soliciting or receiving or providing...
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.... Ethics-Whistleblowers Laura Dove Bus 670 Instructor Starcher July 18, 2011 Ethics/Whistleblowers In this ever-increasing society, businesses are becoming more competitive to increase the success of the organization. These organizations must ensure their operations adhere to the specific regulatory guidelines set forth by the government. For this reason, organizations place emphasis on proper management and preventive measures to alleviate risks of legal liability. With adequate knowledge active steps can be taken to eliminate risk factors and reduce the affects of any possible risks. Some critics believe that businesses should adhere to an ethical or a socially responsible behavior that is higher than the law. Organizations and or employers tell us that one way to increase compliance with the company’s core ethical values is to convince the staff that their best interest and the firm’s are met by acting ethically (Mallor, Barnes, Bowers, & Langvardt, 2010). Moreover, if the company’s ethical values are in place, the action to report unlawful behavior should not be as difficult. Subsequently, individuals labeled as whistleblowers in the workplace has a challenging, ethical and or morally, as well as lawful thing to do. The intent of this paper is to give a brief synopsis of ethics, whistleblowers, dilemmas of whistleblowers, legal issues involved with individuals labeled as whistleblowers, to include the government and society (The Occupational...
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...emerge, and watch for issues that need attention. Law and Ethics in Information Security As individuals we elect to trade some aspects of personal freedom for social order. Laws are rules adopted for determining expected behavior in modern society and are drawn from ethics, which define socially acceptable behaviors. Ethics in turn are based on cultural mores: fixed moral attitudes or customs of a particular group. Some ethics are recognized as universal among cultures. Slides 9 Types of Law Civil law represents a wide variety of laws that are recorded in volumes of legal “code” available for review by the average citizen. Criminal law addresses violations harmful to society and is actively enforced through prosecution by the state. Tort law allows individuals to seek recourse against others in the event of personal, physical, or financial injury. Private law regulates the relationship between the individual and the organization, and encompasses family law, commercial law, and labor law. Public law regulates the structure and administration of government agencies and their relationships with citizens, employees, and other governments, providing careful checks and balances. Examples of public law include criminal, administrative, and constitutional law. Slide 11 Relevant U.S. Laws - General Computer Crime Laws The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 is the cornerstone of many computer-related federal laws and enforcement efforts. It was amended...
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...Reporting Practices and Ethics Paper Reporting Practices and Ethics Paper Introduction In the health care industry organizations have to create guidelines and principles in order to successfully succeed. Implementing the four key elements of financial management and federally enforced principles are not enough. Ethics has also played a big role in the success of an organization. Many companies set up their own professional guidelines so that all employees maintain the same goal and success. However, as individuals every person has their own perception of personal ethics and sometimes can cause a struggle in certain workplace situation. Developing structure in an organization allows each department to operate to its fullest potential. In a health care organization the accounting department is considered the backbone of the organization. In accordance to, (Hicks, 2013) without an accounting department, it would be impossible for any type of organization to operate in a cost effective manner. The key elements of Financial Management There are four key elements that are recognized and implemented by financial management. The four elements are: Planning, Controlling, Organizing and Directing and Decision Making. An organization can become successful and accomplish goals by setting guidelines utilizing the element of planning. The second element used to succeed is controlling which ensures for all areas of an organization to follow previous planned goals and guidelines...
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...ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE SCENARIO 3 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A ‘GIFT’ AND A ‘BRIBE’ Question: (a) Several times a year, office and warehouse personnel are sent “gifts” from vendors. (b) What is the difference between a “gift” and a “bribe”? * * * Answer: (a) The answer to this item is not so ‘clear cut’. While a ‘gift’ may not rise to the level of a kickback, if the ‘gift’ was given with the intent of influencing the Contractor to use the vendor’s services on the federal contract in question - - it would then be illegal. (b) While the words ‘gift’ and ‘bribe’ may seem rather ‘simple’ and obvious to most of us, in business – accepting one or the other (sometimes without even knowing it) - could cost a company millions. The definition of ‘bribe’ and ‘gift’ is as follows: Gift: Something of value given without the expectation of return Bribe: Something of value given with the hope of a future influence or benefit Gifts and bribes can be money or actual items such as tickets to a sporting event, rounds of golf or meals. When a ‘gift’ is given or accepted – regardless of the intention of the gift-giver - it can give the wrong impression and the ‘appearance’ that whatever has transpired is not on the ‘up and up’. In other words, what may have been an innocent gesture – could be interpreted as just the opposite and can blur the lines of integrity, fairness and trust. Depending on whether you do business solely in...
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...ABSTRACT This paper discusses the role of ethics in public administration practice, and considers the probability of adding an ethical dimension to the public service motivation (PSM) construct. Several scholars have linked PSM with ethical behavior in government. Together theory and research have shown that public servants, when compared to ordinary citizens, are more concerned about ethical considerations at both the individual (personal honesty and integrity) and collective (social justice and fairness) levels in the United States. It may thus be possible for ethics to play a fundamental role in scholarly efforts to define and measure PSM. This paper considers the probability of adding an ethical dimension to public administration construct and helps to clarify the role of ethics in PSM discourse and research (Meguid). PSM has strong ethical connotations and numerous scholars have already connected the concept with ethical behavior in government. Research has shown that public servants, when compared to ordinary citizens, are more concerned about ethical considerations at both the individual (personal honesty and integrity) and collective (social justice and fairness) levels in the United States. There are also historical precedents suggesting that ethics is an influential part of PSM. It may thus be possible for ethics to play a more prominent role in public service ...
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...3 Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in Information Security Learning Objectives • Upon completion of this material, you should be able to: – Describe the functions of and relationships among laws, regulations, and professional organizations in information security – Differentiate between laws and ethics – Identify major national laws that affect the practice of information security – Explain the role of culture as it applies to ethics in information security Principles of Information Security, 4th Edition 2 Introduction • You must understand scope of an organization’s legal and ethical responsibilities • To minimize liabilities/reduce risks, the information security practitioner must: – Understand current legal environment – Stay current with laws and regulations – Watch for new issues that emerge Principles of Information Security, 4th Edition 3 Law and Ethics in Information Security • Laws: rules that mandate or prohibit certain societal behavior • Ethics: define socially acceptable behavior • Cultural mores: fixed moral attitudes or customs of a particular group; ethics based on these • Laws carry sanctions of a governing authority; ethics do not Principles of Information Security, 4th Edition 4 Organizational Liability and the Need for Counsel • Liability: legal obligation of an entity extending beyond criminal or contract law; includes legal obligation to make restitution • Restitution: to compensate for wrongs committed by an organization...
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...The Ethics of the NSA Mass-Surveillance Program University Name Student Name Course Number/Name Professor Name Date Introduction One of the most explosive scandals of the 21st century was involved the National Security Agency (NSA), and the revelations that the agency had set up a robust, warrantless mass surveillance program in the years after the 9/11 attacks. Designed to pick up bits of intelligence that could be used in order to thwart future 9/11 attacks, critics of the program argued that not only was it unconstitutional given the lack of warrants obtained prior to engaging in the program, but that it was ineffective at stopping any kind of real terrorism. Supporters pushed back that the program was an essential tool for fighting terrorists who had become more advanced digitally, often using the internet in order to communicate with each other. Much of the discussion on the program related to the ethical appropriateness of the NSA’s activities. This paper will summarize the NSA’s surveillance program and discuss it from the perspective of utilitarianism and Kantian ethics; in addition, the paper will discuss the author’s personal viewpoint of the program. Summary of the Program The NSA spying program, named the “Terrorist Surveillance Program” by the New York Times, focused on monitoring the communications of between 500 and 1000 people within the United States with suspected ties to Al-Qaeda (Dunn, 2015). Many of these individuals were American citizens,...
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...Prepared for: Potomac College MGMT 450 – Contract Modification and Options Final Exam As a country, the United States has many needs to obtain goods, services, and real estate. These needs are addressed through acquisition by contract. Through purchase or lease, the Federal Government contractually procures supplies, services, and interests in real property. While Federal Government contracting has the same elements as contracting between private parties, i.e. a lawful purpose, competing parties, offer and acceptance, terms of the offer, etc., Federal contracts are regulated to a much higher degree since the funds are public and must be appropriated. As needs change, so must contracts. Changes to contracts, or modifications, are written, unilateral, or mutually agreed upon (bilateral). A contract modification may introduce or cancel specifications or terms of an existing contract, while leaving the overall objective intact. Unilateral modifications are issued through change orders, and bilateral changes through a supplemental agreement. (Web Finance, Inc., 2013) There are many reasons why you might want to modify a contract. These would include a contract extension, changes in items or amount, contract duration, changes in payment, price increases or decreases, administrative changes or updates, change in representation of small business size, change or transfer of ownership, and many more. Some written contracts already contain provisions for modifications...
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...Ethics as a Government Purchase Agent john doe Organizational Behavior 311 As a purchase agent for the government we a re faced with ethical decisions on a day-to-day basis. Everything we do whether, it is as small as replenishing office supplies or evaluating a government contractor whose service is required. Ethical morals are everywhere. It is important that we understand ethics as a way of life. Just as we use personal family values Ethics must be included in the process of daily activity. So what is ethics? How can we implement ethics into our life and above all how do we keep a high ethical environment around us. Ethics involves moral issues and choices in everyday life. It is about right versus wrong, good vs. bad and the many shades of gray that exist. These and other moral implications are present in every aspect of life whether on or off the job. We have all thought about taking home some office supplies and office computers; or using credits received from accounts that you earned from your job accounts. Maybe you decided to leave early on a certain day for whatever reason. You may have been offered tickets to a game for everyone in the office. While you think about accepting those tickets think of this; you probably just stepped over an ethics boundary that can and will cost you job! Although it may seem harmless, but this is where Ethics is as important as any other Value or Trait that Department of Defense employees and Government officials must comply...
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