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Money & Morals business ethics case studies will enhance your student's understanding of economic concepts and limitations in real-world phenomena.

Each case study presents a scenario in which ethical aspects must be considered. The material can be used to: 

  • Make students aware of the basic concepts of supply and demand.
  • Develop students' awareness of ways in which markets fail
  • Provide an understanding of the wider economic and social environment
  • Encourage critical thinking and values within students
You may find additional relevant case studies by using the search function or under different subject tabs.

 

Economics Syllabus Links

CodeTitleLevelExam BoardNotes 
F581Markets in ActionLevel 3/KS5OCRThe reason for individuals, organisations and societies having to make choices. Market failure and government intervention.View Resources
F583Economics of Work and LeisureLevel 3/KS5OCRThe distinction between work and leisure. Market structures and competitive behaviour in leisure markets: Firm's objectives.View Resources
A591How the Market WorksLevel 2/KS4OCRHow competitive markets work and determination of price in a competitive market. The impact factors have upon a business operating in a competitive market.View Resources
A592How the Economy WorksLevel 2/KS4OCRObjectives of government policies and government income and expenditure.View Resources
A593The UK Economy and GlobalisationLevel 2/KS4OCRless developed countries and the benefit of international trade.View Resources
Unit 1Competitive Markets - How they work and why they failLevel 3/KS5EdexcelScarcity and production possibility frontiers. Division of labour. Free market and mixed economies. Function of the price mechanism. Externalities.View Resources
Unit 2Managing the EconomyLevel 3/KS5EdexcelInvestment, benefits and costs of growth macroeconomics: supply-side policies.View Resources
Unit 3Business Economics and Economic EfficiencyLevel 3/KS5EdexcelFirms' objectives, perfect competition and monopoly.View Resources
Unit 4 The Global EconomyLevel 3/KS5EdexcelEffects of globalisation. Limits to and ways of promoting growth and development.View Resources
ECON1Markets and Market FailureLevel 3/KS5AQAScarcity and production possibility frontiers. Value judgements. Division of labour. Free market and mixed economies. Price elasticity of demand. Waste disposal. Cost benefit analysis.View Resources
ECON2The National EconomyLevel 3/KS5AQAThe objectives of government economic policy. Economic growth.View Resources
ECON3Business Economics and the Distribution of IncomeLevel 3/KS5AQAIssues of business growth - the cost to other businesses and consumers; the benefit in R&D. Monopoly and competition policy and laws against restrictive practices. Business objectives other than profit maximisation.View Resources
ECON4The National and International EconomyLevel 3/KS5AQAConsequences of globalisation for developing and developed countries. Free trade and the right of protectionism. Fair trade schemes. ***For an understanding of the importance of the City of London to the trade in financial services see the 'Money & Morals Stock Market course'.View Resources
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Case Studies
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Brand Designs

A manufacturer of designer sports footwear and clothing has kept tight control over pricing policy. A major supermarket is ignoring this and selling it cheaply.
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Cheap Labour

Graymark, a large chain of shops, has been very successful in a very short period of time due to using cheap labour in Africa.
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Chemical Pollution

Andy, a commercial land developer, finds a site for a chemical plant near a large town. This could cause pollution problems for the residents.
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Child Labour

Media focus on the manufacture of footballs in less-developed countries using child labour in poor conditions led to unexpected results.
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Competing Restaurants

Sam and Harry own restaurants which are in competition with each other. For years they have had a price war but now want to try something different.
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Designer Babies

The Smith family have a child with cancer. The only option to save her is to have a 'designer' baby privately, with all other costs funded by the NHS.
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Earning On The Side

Anisha has taken on an evening job at a restaurant to help pay her university loans. She is paid cash and is not keen on putting it on her tax form.
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Education or Security

Lana is a government adviser who is responsible for deciding whether the Education or Defence Department should be making budget cuts.
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Electric Cars

The Directors of NewCar, a car manufacturer, are closing a deal with an oil company which will affect the development of their electric car.
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Environment Protection

Skimpy are a property developer with plans for a development of luxury homes. This may have a negative environmental impact in the area.
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Fashionable Gambling

Jessie is assistant to a fashion buyer to help predict trends. She also 'predicts' results of games when gambling online in the evening.
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International Aid

The UK is providing international aid to alleviate poverty, but the funds are being used for military purposes.
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Liquid Gold

The oil corporation has spent millions on research and development of a low grade oil that is being used by a competitor as a higher grade oil.
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Medicine Costs

Wellpharm, a large pharmaceutical company, is marketing a new drug. They have spent £300 million in development and are selling it at a high price.
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No More Games

Leroy, a freelance computer game designer, sends a completed game to ZoneGames, but it disappears in transit and has appeared on the black market cheaper.
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Polluting Improvements

D. Stroy Ltd is a multinational chemical company who are not making their best efforts to prevent waste.
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Price Fixing

Julie,sales manager for a pharmaceutical company, is invited to a conference to explore whether competing companies can collaborate on drug prices.
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Recycling Rubbish

Sharon is supposed to recycle her plastic, paper, bottles and tins for different collections. She is contemplating stopping this as it is inconvenient.
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Sign of the Thymes

Thymes Electrical plc has a factory which produces MP3s, but because of competition from the ipod, its output has been drastically reduced.
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The Environment

A property developer has been granted permission to build a new athletics stadium and leisure centre on land that was previously designated as green belt.