HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMMES
Academic Year 2024: July - December
Summative Assessment 2 (SA2): Business Ethics (HBMN201-1)
NQF Level: 6, 16
Weighting: 10%
Assessment Type: Research Essay
Educator: Nomasonto Mbanga
Examiner: Nomasonto Mbanga
Due Date: 25 November 2024
Total: 20 Marks
Instructions:
1. Summative Assessment 2 (SA 2) must be submitted on the 25 November 2024.
2. The essay must be a minimum of 600 (six hundred) words and should not exceed
800 (eight hundred) words.
3. The essay structure must be as follows:
● Cover Page:
o Name
o Surname
o Student Number
o Name of your Support Centre (i.e., Boston, Braamfontein)
● Introduction: Tells the reader what the essay is about.
● Body / Main Content: Is based on research and relates to the essay question or
topic that has been set.
● Conclusion: Is a summary of what has been covered in the essay; it may also
include suggestions/recommendations.
● Reference list: (not included in the word count): the Harvard Referencing Method
1 HBMN201-1-Jul-Dec2024-SA2-NM-V.2-30062024
must be adhered to with regard to in-text citations and the reference list. Please
make sure you read and adhere to Boston's Harvard Method of Referencing: A
Beginner's Guide when referencing, as well as The Beginners Guide to
Plagiarism, both are available in the HE Library module on ColCampus.
4. The essay must be typed using the following format settings only:
● Font: Arial
● Font Size: 12
● Line Spacing: 1.5
5. For this assessment, the following must be adhered to:
● You have been provided with two (2) academic sources (see below). These
sources are compulsory and must be consulted and referenced when answering
the research question.
● The compulsory sources must be accessed using the HE Library module on
ColCampus unless otherwise stated, e.g., through a hyperlink.
Compulsory sources to be used:
Copy and paste the article details provided into Google Scholar search; then click on [PDF]
• Akpuokwe, C.U., Bakare, S.S., Eneh, N.E. and Adeniyi, A.O., 2024. CORPORATE
LAW IN THE ERA OF GLOBALIZATION: A REVIEW OF ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS
AND GLOBAL IMPACTS. Finance & Accounting Research Journal, 6(3), pp.304-319.
Available at: https://www.fepbl.com/index.php/farj/article/view/857 [Accessed 14 March
2024].
• Wang, T., 2023. Research on the Impact of E-commerce on Offline Retail
Industry. Frontiers in Business, Economics and Management, 10(1), pp.169-173.
Available at: https://drpress.org/ojs/index.php/fbem/article/view/10237 [Accessed 14
March 2024].
• Mollel-Matodzi, N. and Mason, A.M., 2023. South African fashion design entrepreneurs’
awareness and practices of sustainable fashion supply chain operations. DISCERN:
International Journal of Design for Social Change, Sustainable Innovation and
Entrepreneurship, 4(1), pp.1-11. Available at:
https://www.designforsocialchange.org/journal/index.php/DISCERN-J/article/view/103
[Accessed 14 March 2024].
• Academic sources and accessing credible e-Resources:
2 HBMN201-1-Jul-Dec2024-SA2-NM-V.2-30062024
Not all sources/texts can be classified as academic sources. Wikipedia, for
example, is not a credible academic source since authors are not identifiable, and
editing an article on this site is very easy. Also, blog posts often provide valuable
information but are not academically sound. To judge whether a source is
credible, consider the following criteria:
• The author should be identifiable through author information, affiliations,
and/or qualifications.
• An academic source has usually been peer-reviewed.
• Academic textbooks or academic journals should be published by a
recognised authority/publisher like a university, an academic publishing
house, a research organisation, etc.
• A list of references should be present, that is, full citations for sources used.
Thorough reference to research is a crucial characteristic of legitimate
academic work.
6. You must make use of the Boston Harvard Method of Referencing. Refer to the
examples of referencing below:
Book, single author:
Holt, D.H. 2017. Management principles and practices. Sydney: Prentice-Hall.
Book, 2 or 3 authors:
McCarthy, E.J., William, D.P. & Pascale, G.Q. 2017. Basic marketing. Cape
Town: Juta.
Book, more than 3 authors:
Bond, W.R., Smith, J.T., Brown, K.L. & George, M. 2016. Management of small
firms. Sydney: McGraw-Hill.
Book, no author:
Anon. 2009. A history of Greece. Athens: Cengage.
3 HBMN201-1-Jul-Dec2024-SA2-NM-V.2-30062024
eBook:
Case, J., Marshall, D. & McKenna, S. 2018. Going to university: The influence of
higher education on the lives of young South Africans [E-book]. Cape Town:
African Minds. Retrieved from https://www.africanminds.co.za/wp-
content/uploads/2017/06/9781928331698_web.pdf [Accessed 3 June 2019].
Academic journal article with one author:
Waghid, Y. 2019. On the polemic of academic integrity in higher education.
South African Journal of Higher Education, 33(1):1–5.
Academic journal with 2 or more authors:
Waghid, Y. & Davids, N. 2019. On the polemic of academic integrity in higher
education. South African Journal of Higher Education, 33(1):1–5.
Newspaper article from a webpage:
Motshwane, G. 2019. A missed opportunity: Shakes slams Bafana's Afcon plans.
Sowetan Live, 7 June. Retrieved from
https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/soccer/2019-06-07-a-missed-opportunity-
shakes-slams-bafanas-afcon-plans/ [Accessed 8 June 2019].
Court case:
Gold Circle (Pty) Ltd v Maharaj (1313/17) [2019] ZASCA 93 (3 June 2019).
Web-based images (figures, graphs, maps, artwork):
Boston City Campus & Business College. 2019. Welcome [Image]. Retrieved
from https://www.boston.co.za/ [Accessed 3 June 2019].
Music or recording:
Makeba, M. 1960. The Click Song [Recording]. YouTube. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg4Fp-A7IRw [Accessed 8 June 2019].
Chapter in an edited book (collected work):
Velez, C. 1978. Youth and ageing in Central Mexico. In B. Myerhoff & A. Simic
(eds.). Life′s career-ageing: Cultural variations on growing old. San Francisco,
CA: Sage, 107–162.
4 HBMN201-1-Jul-Dec2024-SA2-NM-V.2-30062024
7. Boston expects you to approach your work with honesty and integrity. Honesty is
the basis of respectable academic work. Whether you are working on a formative
assessment, a project, a paper (read at a conference), an article (published by a
journal), or a summative assessment essay, you should never engage in
plagiarism, unauthorised collaboration (collusion), cheating, or academic
dishonesty.
8. Plagiarism occurs when a writer duplicates another writer's language or ideas and
then calls the work their own. Simply put, plagiarism is academic fraud. This
includes the 'copy and paste' of work from textbooks, study guides, journal
articles, etc.
9. To obtain maximum results, please consult the rubric included in this brief to
ensure that you adhere to and meet all the given criteria.
10. A Copyleaks Report will be issued via ColCampus once the assignment is
submitted. Please ensure that you follow the correct steps when uploading your
assignment, to ensure that the Copyleaks Report is correctly issued. If the
incorrect document is uploaded, or if no Copyleaks Report is issued, or if the
Copyleaks Report indicates that a 30% similarity/plagiarism score has been
exceeded, a mark of zero (0) will be awarded.
5 HBMN201-1-Jul-Dec2024-SA2-NM-V.2-30062024
Question 1 [20 Marks]
The impact of global e-commerce on businesses
Globalization has simplified the rise of e-commerce, allowing businesses to expand their
operations worldwide. Increased internet accessibility in various parts of South Africa has
intensified competition, particularly in the textile and clothing industry. This industry plays a
crucial role in providing employment opportunities to combat poverty.
However, fast fashion brands such as Shein and Superbalist in South Africa pose
challenges for local textile and clothing retailers. This rapid fashion trend could result in
these retailers struggling to keep up with the competition, leading to brand discontinuation,
unemployment, and increased poverty. Additionally, the production of fast fashion items
primarily in the brand's home country contributes to employment there, while also generating
environmental issues such as waste from product packaging shipped to South Africa.
In light of these challenges, it's crucial to prioritise ethical business practices for global e-
commerce. This includes considerations such as fair labour practices, environmental
sustainability, and responsible waste management throughout the supply chain.
Adapted: Van Vuuren, G. 2024. Trouble in store for SA retailers as Temu and Shein snatch
market share. Retrieved from https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/2024-04-16-
gerhard-janse-van-vuuren-trouble-in-store-for-sa-retailers-as-temu-and-shein-snatch-
market-share/ [Accessed 03 June 2024].
Required:
Based on the provided text and essential sources, explore how businesses can practice
ethical behaviour worldwide. Elaborate on how legislation can support South African
clothing retailers in competing against large online brands like Shein and Superbalist,
potentially reducing unemployment, poverty, and environmental harm.
Elaborate on the following factors: Regulations, Poverty, and environmental protection.
Conclude by proposing recommendations for South African clothing retailers to address
these challenges effectively.
6 HBMN201-1-Jul-Dec2024-SA2-NM-V.2-30062024
Compulsory sources to be used:
Copy and paste the article details provided into Google Scholar search; then click on [PDF]
• Akpuokwe, C.U., Bakare, S.S., Eneh, N.E. and Adeniyi, A.O., 2024. CORPORATE LAW
IN THE ERA OF GLOBALIZATION: A REVIEW OF ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS AND
GLOBAL IMPACTS. Finance & Accounting Research Journal, 6(3), pp.304-319.
Available at: https://www.fepbl.com/index.php/farj/article/view/857 [Accessed 14 March
2024].
• Wang, T., 2023. Research on the Impact of E-commerce on Offline Retail
Industry. Frontiers in Business, Economics and Management, 10(1), pp.169-173.
Available at: https://drpress.org/ojs/index.php/fbem/article/view/10237 [Accessed 14
March 2024].
• Mollel-Matodzi, N. and Mason, A.M., 2023. South African fashion design entrepreneurs’
awareness and practices of sustainable fashion supply chain operations. DISCERN:
International Journal of Design for Social Change, Sustainable Innovation and
Entrepreneurship, 4(1), pp.1-11. Available at:
https://www.designforsocialchange.org/journal/index.php/DISCERN-J/article/view/103
[Accessed 14 March 2024].
The following learning outcomes are assessed in this assessment:
• Unpack ethical considerations for businesses operating globally.
Note to students: Refer to the below grading rubric, provided to ensure maximum marks!
7 HBMN201-1-Jul-Dec2024-SA2-NM-V.2-30062024
CRITERIA: 0-1 2 3-4 5-6
THEORY Demonstrates poor Demonstrates average Demonstrates very good Demonstrates excellent knowledge
knowledge of theory knowledge of theory global knowledge of theory global of theory regarding the
regarding global considerations for ethical considerations for ethical characteristics of an ethical
considerations for ethical business business business.
business
0-1 2-3 4-5 6-7
APPLICATION, Answer reflects poor display Answer reflects an average Answer reflects a very good Answer reflects an excellent
INTEGRATION & of putting forth an argument display of putting forth an display of putting forth an display of putting forth an
ARGUMENT: by way of poor combination argument by way of an argument by way of a good argument by way of an excellent
of theory; integration; and average combination of combination of theory; combination of theory; integration;
justification. theory; integration; and integration; and justification. and justification.
justification.
No discussion on how Further discussion is made Extensive discussion on how
legislation can support South Partial discussion on how on how legislation can legislation can support South
African clothing retailers in legislation can support support South African African clothing retailers in
competing against large South African clothing clothing retailers in competing against large online
online brands like Shein and retailers in competing competing against large brands like Shein and Superbalist,
Superbalist, potentially against large online brands online brands like Shein and potentially reducing
reducing unemployment, like Shein and Superbalist, Superbalist, potentially unemployment, poverty, and
poverty, and environmental potentially reducing reducing unemployment, environmental harm. All three
harm. None of the factors unemployment, poverty, and poverty, and environmental factors are discussed.
are discussed. environmental harm. One harm. Two factors are
factor is discussed. discussed.
0-1 2 3 4
ESSAY STRUCTURE Poorly laid out document Average layout of document Very well laid out document Excellently laid out document with
Required with a poor sense of logic, with a sense of logic, and with a sense of logic, and a sense of logic, and sense-
components: and not sense-making to the sense-making to the reader. sense-making to the reader. making to the reader.
(introduction, body, reader.
conclusion, reference An average argument only A good argument that A convincing argument and the
list, and appropriate A poor argument that includes two (2) to three includes four (4) of the essay is well organised. Ideas are
word count) includes one (1) to two (2) of (3) of the following required following required arranged logically and flow
the following required components (introduction, components (introduction, smoothly, with a strong
components (introduction, body, conclusion, reference body, conclusion, reference progression of thought from
body, conclusion, reference list, and appropriate word list, and appropriate word paragraph to paragraph. Includes
list, and appropriate word count). count). Some errors in all required components
count). Various errors in spelling, grammar, (introduction, body, conclusion,
8 HBMN201-1-Jul-Dec2024-SA2-NM-V.2-30062024
grammar, punctuation, Minor errors in grammar, punctuation, usage, and/or reference list, and appropriate
spelling, usage, and/or punctuation, spelling, usage, formatting word count). Free from grammar,
formatting and/or formatting. punctuation, spelling, usage, or
formatting errors
0 1 2 3
REFERENCING / Poor/No referencing Boston Harvard referencing Adherence to the prescribed Excellent utilisation of the
ACADEMIC throughout. method used in some Boston Harvard method, prescribed Boston Harvard method
INTEGRITY sections, some referencing minor referencing errors of referencing.
No adherence to the errors evident. evident.
prescribed Boston Harvard Evidence of the two compulsory
referencing method. Evidence of at least one of Evidence of the two sources (in-text referencing and in
the compulsory sources is compulsory sources (in-text the reference list).
No evidence of any of the evident. referencing and in the
two compulsory sources. reference list). Evidence of at least one additional
source (in-text referencing and in
the reference list) is evident.
Total: /20
9 HBMN201-1-Jul-Dec2024-SA2-NM-V.2-30062024
