Examiner’s Report

Unit Title: Business Ethics and Sustainability

Unit Code: 6UBES

RQF Level: Level 6

Session: December 2018

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Comments on Learning Outcome and Assessment Criteria Performance
Question 1
Discuss characteristics of ethical leaders using for example Freeman and Stewart (2006) framework.

Learning Outcome 5 – Analyse the influence of organisational culture and leadership on business ethics with a focus
on marketing and human resource management.
Assessment Criterion 5.1 – Critically evaluate how organisations’ culture and leadership can influence approaches to
ethical decision-making.

1. Comments on learners’ performance

This question was answered well by learners who had studied the topic and understood the question.

2. Recommendations
Remember, when answering a 5-mark question try to be precise as lengthy answers will take up valuable time that
can be used for other 25-mark questions.

3. Quick Tips
Read the question carefully to understand what is required. For a 5 mark question be precise and succinct. When
studying, practice writing short answers to a topic and remember to be relevant. You can do this by making notes
when you are studying.

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Question 2
Critically analyse ONE (for example philanthropic) approach to understanding organisational actions in relation to
corporate social responsibility.

Learning Outcome 2 – Analyse the core principles of corporate social responsibility.

Learning criterion 2.1 - Analyse the core principles of the economic model the philanthropic model and the stakeholder
models of corporate social responsibility.
1. Comments on learners’ performance
This question was answered well by learners who had knowledge of an approach to CSR. However, many
learners find it challenging to use the verb ‘analyse’.

2. Recommendations
Many learners provided information on more than ONE approach and therefore failed to use the question’s
verb ‘analyse’. Such learners provided information on three or four approaches which led to them not answering
the question effectively.

3. Quick Tips
Practice writing answers to questions which ask you to analyse. Understand what is meant by analyse. To be able to
analyse a topic you need to have in-depth, detailed knowledge of the subject area or the effect it has. Only then can
you start to analyse which means breaking the subject of the question down into smaller parts and identifying what is
important.

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Question 3
Critically evaluate ONE teleological framework which influences Eastern approaches to business ethics explaining ONE
such Eastern approach.

Learning Outcome 1 – Critically evaluate differing approaches to business ethics.

Assessment Criterion 1.1 – Evaluate teleological, deontological and mixed frameworks which influence western
approaches to business ethics.

1. Comments on learners’ performance

Learners who had in-depth knowledge of ONE teleological framework answered this question well. However, there
were some learners who confused Western and Eastern approaches and failed to achieve good grades.

2. Recommendations
No recommendations – question clear and unambiguous.

3. Quick Tips
Learners should study the whole syllabus. Particularly where there are different approaches and the question asks for
ONE teleological framework. Be careful to study all approaches, both Western and Eastern and make notes on the
differences. This will enable learners to answer relevantly.

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Question 4
Critically assess FIVE areas of responsibility for human resource management in relation to business ethics, in the
context of global supply chains. Support your answer with examples.

Learning Outcome 5 – Analyse the influence of organisational culture and leadership on business ethics with a focus
on marketing and human resource management.
Assessment Criterion 5.2 – Assess the opportunities and challenges for differing types of organisation to effectively
integrate ethical decision-making into the marketing mix and human resource management functions.

1. Comments on learners’ performance

Where learners had studied the topic they answered well. Those who did not have knowledge of HR responsibilities
focused their answer on global supply chains in general.

2. Recommendations
Learners should study the whole syllabus so that they are able to choose a question from the options. Learners should
also remember to read the whole question to avoid mis-interpretation or focusing on one or two words as in this case
‘global supply chains’.

3. Quick Tips
Learners should study the whole syllabus. Learners should read the question carefully to ensure understanding of
what is required. In this particular question the answer should have related to HR responsibilities. Remember learners
should understand all learning outcomes by reading the relevant chapters. Make your own notes and test yourself.
Undertake sample exam questions. This will enable you to answer questions relevantly under exam conditions.

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Question 5
Critically analyse how an organisation can effectively implement CSR reporting procedures. Use examples to support
your answer.

Learning Outcome 3 – Critically evaluate the opportunities and challenges for a range of organisations to develop
ethical business practice through corporate social responsibility policies and reporting
Assessment Criterion 3.1 – Critically evaluate how organisations of different types can effectively implement
corporate social responsibility policies and reporting procedures on triple bottom line sustainability.

1. Comments on learners’ performance

Learners who had studied the topic and read the question carefully did provide relevant answers. However some
learners used their answer as a theory dump on CSR as opposed to what was asked, namely the ‘implementation’ of
CSR reporting procedures.

2. Recommendations
See quick tips.

3. Quick Tips
Learners should study the whole syllabus. Learners should remember to carefully read the whole question to avoid
misunderstanding. When studying make your own notes on each of the topics in the learning outcomes and relevant
chapters. Making your own notes on each topic helps remember topics for the exam. Undertaking sample exam
questions under exam conditions will help you to realise the time restraints of an exam.

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Question 6
Critically discuss the elements of sustainability in a business context. Support your answer with examples from an
organisation of your choice.

Learning Outcome 4 – Analyse the core principles of sustainability in relation to businesses.

Assessment Criterion 4.2 – Critically discuss the common elements of sustainability in a business context.

1. Comments on learners’ performance

Some learners omitted to refer to an organisation of their choice which indicates that learners do not read the whole
question. Learners who understood what was being asked in this question answered relevantly and discussed the 3Ps.
However others did not have sufficient knowledge of the elements of sustainability to answer in-depth.

2. Recommendations
See quick tips below.

3. Quick Tips
Remember to study the whole syllabus as you will then be able to choose your optional questions and be able to
answer relevantly. Practice previous exam questions on each of the learning outcomes in the relevant chapters.
Remember to make your own notes as this helps you to recall information when answering under exam conditions.

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Question 7
Critically assess the factors that an organisation must consider when developing a sustainability strategy. Support your
answer with examples from an industry of your choice.

Learning Outcome 4 – Analyse the core principles of sustainability in relation to businesses.

Assessment Criterion 4.3 – Critically assess the factors an organisation must consider when developing a sustainability
strategy.

1. Comments on learners’ performance

Some (not all) learners forgot to choose an industry to support their answer resulting in only being able to achieve
limited marks. This indicates a lack of reading of the whole question. However, many learners did have knowledge of
the topic and provided relevant answers. Some learners provided an answer that was more relevant to Q6 rather than
what was asked, namely, assess factors that must be considered when developing a sustainability strategy.

2. Recommendations
As before – learners should study the whole syllabus and ensure they understand and are clear on each topic and the
differences in each.

3. Quick Tips
Study the whole syllabus. Make your own notes on each outcome and relevant chapter. At the end of each chapter try
some questions at first even with the book. Then move on to practice questions under exam conditions. Doing this will
ensure that you are able to focus under exam conditions. You will also know how to manage your time in the exam.