Business & Enterprise pupils face ethical dilemma at Runshaw College

On Wednesday, the Year 10 Business & Enterprise pupils visited Runshaw College for a Business Ethics Challenge.

Every day in the highly dynamic and complex world of Business, entrepreneurs and large corporations are challenged by ethical business dilemmas while balancing the need to make a profit. For many companies, Corporate Social Responsibility is at the heart of their decision-making process on many daily business issues. Yet it is not always easy to ‘do the right thing’ or to act ethically when stakeholders may have very different views about how a business should act. For example, a customer may require something very different to an employee or an investor. Eventually, business owners must balance the needs of its stakeholders with the benefits to the business of acting responsibly.

To demonstrate this, pupils were invited to participate in a boardroom simulation which generated discussion and pushed them to make strategic decisions focused on some typical everyday dilemmas a business might face. 

Business & Enterprise Teacher, Miss Gregson, said, “The issues raised provoked debate amongst the pupils who each acted as different stakeholders. The event was very interesting and gave them a wonderful insight into some of the challenges business owners need to negotiate. They will use the skills they learned today throughout their two years study and in life so it was a very worthwhile visit.”

Ellis T said, “This was my first experience of being in a boardroom setting. I was able to use my knowledge of Business whilst gaining confidence for public speaking.”

Charlie W added, “I was taken out of my comfort zone but I attacked it with my knowledge, thank you.”

Ciello D-L agreed that it wasn’t easy by saying, “Today was fast-paced and difficult but we overcame it as a team.”