📋 Written Ability Test (WAT)/Essay Analysis Guide: The Role of Ethics in Business Decision-Making

🌐 Understanding the Topic’s Importance

Ethics is a cornerstone of business strategy, influencing consumer trust, legal compliance, and long-term sustainability. For B-school students, understanding this nexus equips them to navigate complex corporate landscapes.

📝 Effective Planning and Writing

• ⏱️ Time Allocation: 5 minutes for planning, 20 minutes for writing, 5 minutes for review.
• 📖 Preparation Tips:
  • Gather examples like CSR initiatives, ethical violations, and consumer trust studies.

💡 Introduction Techniques for Essays

1. Contrast Approach: “While ethical breaches have cost companies billions, ethical brands continue to thrive and command consumer loyalty.”
2. Solution-Based Approach: “Integrating ethics into decision-making is not just a moral necessity but a strategic tool for achieving sustainable growth.”

📊 Structuring the Essay Body

🏆 Achievements

• 🌱 Increased adoption of sustainability reporting frameworks.
• ⚖️ Reduction in penalties through proactive compliance.

⚠️ Challenges with Comparative Analysis

Example: Ethical sourcing in global supply chains—successes like Fairtrade vs. failures like garment industry scandals.

🔮 Future Outlook

• 🌟 Growing importance of AI ethics.
• 💹 Rise of ethical investment funds.

📄 Concluding Effectively

1. Balanced Perspective: “Ethics ensures long-term viability and trust but requires a nuanced balance with profitability.”
2. Global Comparison: “Countries with robust ethical frameworks, like Sweden, demonstrate that ethical businesses can lead globally.”

📊 Analyzing Successes and Shortcomings

• 💼 Achievements: ESG growth, ethical branding, reduced legal risks.
• ⚖️ Ongoing Challenges: Greenwashing, supply chain violations.
• 🌍 Global Context: Nordic countries exemplify ethical governance.

🚀 Recommendations for Sustainable Progress

• ✅ Strengthen global ethical compliance standards.
• 🤝 Promote ethical leadership through education and policy.

✍️ Sample Short Essays

⚖️ Balanced Perspective

“Ethics in business decision-making balances trust with accountability, offering a competitive edge in a conscientious consumer market.”

🔧 Solution-Oriented

“Fostering ethical supply chains and transparent governance can revolutionize global business practices.”

🌍 Global Comparison

“Ethical companies like Unilever demonstrate that global leadership is rooted in sustainability and responsibility.”