4BU015 The Responsible Business 4BU015 Assignment Brief Academic year / semester 2026 SEM 2 Module code and title 4BU015: The Responsible Business Assignment name Written assignment – word document Assignment type Article Assignment weighting and size 3000 words Assessment unpacking video location Canvas – Assessment Information and Support ‘What’s my assignment?’ unpacking date Week 1 : Overview and unpacking of the entire assessment Week 6 : Overview and unpacking of the entire assessment revisited
Learning outcomes LO1: Demonstrate knowledge of aspects of organisational and personal responsibility LO2: Present current debates relating to the role of business in society
LO3: Evaluate the scope of personal responsibility
LO4: Reflect on personal efficacy
Assignment Requirements In today’s global business environment, companies are under constant scrutiny for how they respond to crises – whether ethical, environmental, social, or financial. Responsible leadership means responding with integrity, accountability, and transparency, even in times of uncertainty.
This assignment simulates a real-world business crisis and gives you the opportunity to demonstrate how you would respond as a responsible leader.
Your Role: Ethics Consultant
You will take on the role of an Ethics Consultant advising a company facing a crisis. You will be assigned (or choose) a unique crisis scenario – ranging from environmental disasters to data breaches, discrimination cases, or ethical supply chain failures.
Your Task: LinkedIn article (3000 words)
You will write a professional LinkedIn article that outlines a clear, ethical, and strategic response to the crisis. This article should be written for a public, professional audience and demonstrate your understanding of:
Responsible business practices Ethical leadership Your own personal values and decision-making Your article will be submitted to Canvas. Additionally, you are encouraged to publish your article on LinkedIn to build your professional profile.
Your LinkedIn article should:
Introduction
Describe the crisis and evaluate its ethical implications: Propose a clear, values-driven response strategy. Present and engage with current debates about the role of business in society. Reflect on your personal values, leadership style, and decision-making. References: Harvard referencing style. List all sources cited in the article.
Assignment Breakdown (The Responsible Business) Ethics Consultant LinkedIn Article (3000 Words) This guide unpacks the assignment explanation and provides a clear, step-by-step structure for you to follow when writing your LinkedIn-style article as an Ethics Consultant advising a company in crisis. Use this as a framework to organise your work, meet the assessment criteria, and manage your word count effectively.
Overview Of The Assignment Your Role: Ethics Consultant Task: Advise a company facing a simulated crisis scenario. Format: LinkedIn-style professional article Total Word Count: 3000 words (+/- 10%)
You can pick a crisis of your own or use the crisis scenario provided to you.
Do not choose a real-life company.
No more than two students in one class can have the same crisis.
Your article must address four key elements:
Describe the crisis and its ethical implications Propose a clear, value-driven response strategy Engage with debates about the role of business in society Reflect on your own values, leadership style, and decision-making Suggested Structure And Word Guide These word counts are guidelines, not strict rules. You can adjust slightly as long as the total remains within the allowed range.
Introduction (Approx. 400–600 words)
Set the scene for your reader and explain why ethical leadership matters in business crises.
What to Include
Explain why ethical leadership and responsible business practices are important during crises. Introduce the idea of shareholder vs stakeholder models. Briefly mention concepts such as: ○ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ○ Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Public Expectations: Discuss growing demand for transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct. Article Roadmap: Outline what each section of your article will cover. Section 1 – Crisis Description and Ethical Implications (Approx. 700–900 words)
Clearly describe your crisis scenario and introduce your company name and industry. Explain: What happened When it happened Who was involved Stakeholder Analysis
Identify all affected stakeholders, such as: Employees Customers Local communities Environment Shareholders Ethical and Legal Implications
Discuss: Breaches of trust – Harm to individuals or vulnerable groups Legal responsibilities vs moral responsibilities Compliance and ethical duties Analyse the consequences of the crisis:
Short-term impacts: financial loss, media attention, operational disruption Long-term impacts: reputation, stakeholder trust, sustainability Section 2 – Values-Driven Response Strategy (Approx. 1100–1300 words)
Crisis Model Framework
Choose and apply a recognised crisis management model (e.g. Fink’s Four-Stage Model or another covered in class). Explain the model briefly and justify why it fits your crisis. Plan for all stages: Pre-crisis, During crisis and After crisis
Stage 1 – Prodromal (Warning & Prevention)
(What the company should have done before the crisis)
Stage 2 – Acute (Immediate Response)
(What the company should do during the crisis)
Stage 3 – Chronic (Recovery & Remediation)
(How the company rebuilds trust)
Stage 4 – Resolution (Learning & Cultural Change)
Discuss: – Root cause analysis – Ethics training – Corporate culture reform – Long-term governance improvements
Section 3 – Personal Reflection (Approx. 400–600 words)
This is the only section written in the first person.
What to Reflect On
Your core values as an ethics consultant: Integrity Empathy Accountability Your preferred leadership style: Transformational Transactional Ethical leadership Professional Identity
Explain how publishing this article aligns with your: Career goals Leadership aspirations Professional values Conclusion (Approx. 200–300 words)
What to Include
Summary of the crisis and ethical response Reinforce the importance of responsible business practices Highlight the link between ethics and long-term success End with a call to action encouraging ethical leadership and proactive crisis planning Referencing And Academic Standards Referencing Style
Use Harvard Referencing (Min 8) Include: In-text citations Full reference list Academic Integrity
Do not copy content without citation Paraphrase correctly Use credible academic and industry sources