Startup Ethics Challenge: Code, Impact, and Strategies
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Startup Ethics Challenge: Code, Impact, and Strategies

Grade 10Other8 days
In this project, 10th-grade students explore the critical role of ethics in entrepreneurship by analyzing ethical dilemmas and developing a code of ethics for a fictional startup. Students research case studies, identify stakeholders, and apply ethical decision-making frameworks to propose solutions. They also define core values for their startup, understanding how these values influence company culture and sustainability, fostering ethical communication, collaboration, and decision-making in a business context.
EntrepreneurshipEthicsEthical DilemmasStakeholdersCore ValuesDecision-MakingCommunication
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can entrepreneurs create and uphold a code of ethics that ensures long-term success and positive impact on stakeholders?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How do ethical considerations shape the decisions and actions of entrepreneurs?
  • In what ways can a code of ethics impact a startup's culture, reputation, and sustainability?
  • How does effective communication contribute to maintaining ethical standards in a business environment?
  • What strategies can entrepreneurs implement to foster and sustain ethical behavior within their ventures?
  • What are the potential consequences of unethical behavior on a business's stakeholders, including employees, customers, and the community?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Understand the role of ethics in entrepreneurial success.
  • Develop a comprehensive code of ethics for a startup.
  • Analyze the impact of ethical and unethical decisions on stakeholders.
  • Improve communication and collaboration skills in a business context.

National Business Education Association

Evaluate the best method of communication for business scenarios.
Primary
National Business Education Association Entrepreneurship Standard 1: Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurial Skills. Achievement Standard: Examine the role entrepreneurs play in today’s economy and recognize the unique personal characteristics and skills that successful entrepreneurs possess. C. Communication Skills and Ethical Responsibilities. Level 3. Standard #9Reason: Directly relates to ethical communication in business.
Prepare for and effectively participate in business collaborations with diverse partners
Primary
National Business Education Association Entrepreneurship Standard 1: Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurial Skills. Achievement Standard: Examine the role entrepreneurs play in today’s economy and recognize the unique personal characteristics and skills that successful entrepreneurs possess. C. Communication Skills and Ethical Responsibilities. Level 3. Standard #10Reason: Focuses on ethical collaboration.
Develop a code of ethics for a business venture.
Primary
National Business Education Association Entrepreneurship Standard 1: Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurial Skills. Achievement Standard: Examine the role entrepreneurs play in today’s economy and recognize the unique personal characteristics and skills that successful entrepreneurs possess. C. Communication Skills and Ethical Responsibilities. Level 3. Standard #11Reason: Core project activity.
Analyze the effect of unethical behavior on a business.
Primary
National Business Education Association Entrepreneurship Standard 1: Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurial Skills. Achievement Standard: Examine the role entrepreneurs play in today’s economy and recognize the unique personal characteristics and skills that successful entrepreneurs possess. C. Communication Skills and Ethical Responsibilities. Level 3. Standard #12Reason: Central to understanding ethics.
Identify strategies that facilitate ethical behavior in a business.
Primary
National Business Education Association Entrepreneurship Standard 1: Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurial Skills. Achievement Standard: Examine the role entrepreneurs play in today’s economy and recognize the unique personal characteristics and skills that successful entrepreneurs possess. C. Communication Skills and Ethical Responsibilities. Level 3. Standard #13Reason: Focuses on applying ethical strategies.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Ethical Time Machine

Students are transported back in time to witness a famous historical business scandal (e.g., Enron, the Ford Pinto case). They analyze the decisions made by the company's leaders, considering alternative ethical choices and their potential outcomes, promoting critical thinking about how ethical lapses shape history.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Ethical Dilemma Decoder: Case Study Analysis

Students analyze real-world ethical dilemmas faced by businesses, identifying stakeholders, potential consequences, and ethical decision-making frameworks. This activity enhances their analytical and critical-thinking skills.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research and select 2-3 case studies of companies facing ethical dilemmas (e.g., data privacy, environmental impact, labor practices).
2. For each case study, identify the key stakeholders involved (e.g., customers, employees, shareholders, community).
3. Analyze the ethical issues at stake and the potential consequences of different decisions on each stakeholder group.
4. Apply ethical decision-making frameworks (e.g., utilitarianism, deontology) to evaluate the options and recommend the most ethical course of action.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed analysis of each case study, including stakeholder identification, ethical issue analysis, potential consequences, and recommended ethical solutions.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with NBEA Entrepreneurship Standard 1.C.12: Analyze the effect of unethical behavior on a business by examining real-world consequences.
Activity 2

Startup Ethical Compass: Defining Core Values

Students brainstorm and define core ethical values that will guide their fictional startup. This activity sets the foundation for developing a comprehensive code of ethics.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Divide into groups, each representing a different fictional startup (e.g., tech, sustainable fashion, food delivery).
2. Brainstorm potential core values for the startup (e.g., integrity, transparency, sustainability, fairness).
3. Discuss and select the top 5 core values that best represent the startup's mission and vision.
4. Write a brief description of what each core value means in the context of the startup's operations.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA document outlining the startup's top 5 core values with detailed descriptions of their meaning and application.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with NBEA Entrepreneurship Standard 1.C.11: Develop a code of ethics for a business venture by establishing the foundational values.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Entrepreneurial Ethics Portfolio Rubric

Category 1

Ethical Dilemma Analysis

Evaluation of student's ability to analyze real-world ethical dilemmas, identify stakeholders, assess consequences, and propose ethical solutions.
Criterion 1

Stakeholder Identification

Accuracy and completeness in identifying all relevant stakeholders in the ethical dilemmas.

Exemplary
4 Points

Identifies all stakeholders comprehensively and accurately, demonstrating a deep understanding of their roles and interests.

Proficient
3 Points

Identifies most stakeholders accurately, with a good understanding of their roles and interests.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some stakeholders, but with limited understanding of their roles and interests.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify stakeholders, showing minimal understanding of their roles and interests.

Criterion 2

Consequence Assessment

Depth and breadth of the analysis of potential consequences of different decisions on each stakeholder group.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the consequences, considering both short-term and long-term impacts on all stakeholders.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides a thorough analysis of the consequences, considering impacts on most stakeholders.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a basic analysis of the consequences, with limited consideration of stakeholder impacts.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to analyze the consequences, showing minimal understanding of the impacts on stakeholders.

Criterion 3

Ethical Framework Application

Appropriateness and consistency in applying ethical decision-making frameworks (e.g., utilitarianism, deontology) to evaluate options and recommend ethical solutions.

Exemplary
4 Points

Applies ethical frameworks expertly, justifying the recommended solutions with nuanced reasoning and demonstrating a deep understanding of ethical principles.

Proficient
3 Points

Applies ethical frameworks effectively, justifying the recommended solutions with clear reasoning.

Developing
2 Points

Applies ethical frameworks inconsistently, with limited justification for the recommended solutions.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to apply ethical frameworks, showing minimal understanding of ethical principles.

Category 2

Startup Ethical Compass

Evaluation of student's ability to define core ethical values for a fictional startup and explain their meaning and application.
Criterion 1

Core Value Identification

Relevance and appropriateness of the identified core values to the startup's mission and vision.

Exemplary
4 Points

Identifies highly relevant and insightful core values that strongly align with the startup's mission and vision, demonstrating a deep understanding of the business context.

Proficient
3 Points

Identifies relevant core values that align well with the startup's mission and vision.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some relevant core values, but the alignment with the startup's mission and vision is limited.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify relevant core values, showing minimal understanding of the startup's mission and vision.

Criterion 2

Core Value Description

Clarity and depth of the explanation of each core value's meaning and application in the startup's operations.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides exceptionally clear and detailed descriptions of each core value, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of their practical application in the startup's operations.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides clear and detailed descriptions of each core value, demonstrating a good understanding of their practical application.

Developing
2 Points

Provides basic descriptions of each core value, with limited detail on their practical application.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to describe the core values, showing minimal understanding of their practical application.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflecting on the 'Ethical Dilemma Decoder: Case Study Analysis' activity, what was the most challenging ethical dilemma you analyzed, and how did applying ethical decision-making frameworks help you understand the complexities involved?

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Question 2

In the 'Startup Ethical Compass: Defining Core Values' activity, which core value do you believe is most critical for a startup's success, and why?

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Question 3

To what extent do you agree with the statement: 'A strong code of ethics is essential for the long-term success and positive impact of a business'?

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Question 4

How has this project changed your understanding of the role of ethics in entrepreneurial ventures?

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