lOMoAR cPSD| 61371432
WGU D072 Study Guide: Ethical Issues, Organizational Culture
and Leadership Insights | Actual Study Questions and Answers
| 2026 Updates | 100% correct
Section 1 Common Ethical Issues
Lesson 1 – The Importance and Impact of Ethics
1. With ethics, morals and values, define each term.
Ethics- The principles that guide a person's behavior.
Morals- Are sets of rules that individuals develop based on cultural norms and beliefs.
Values- Are stable life goals that reflect what is most important to them.
2. Explain the similarities, differences and how ethics, morals and values are related.
- Morals are personal standards of right and wrong, ethics are a system of moral
principles applied in a specific context, and values are the underlying beliefs that
shape both morals and ethics.
3. Define legal.
- Act that is allowed or in conformity with the law of the land.
4. Provide an example for each of the following that is not in the course of study:
a. legal-ethical – Most states cannabis is illegal, and judge agrees with eh law of
zero cannabis use.
b. legal - unethical – It’s legal to cheat on spouse but community sees it as not
ethical (or right).
c. illegal-ethical conflicts – It’s illegal to speed but in some cases, it can be seen as
ethical (pregnant women in labor).
5. What is a conflict of interest? Provide an example not mentioned in the course of study.
- When someone’s personal interests, like relationships or money, affect their ability
to make fair decisions at work.
6. What happens when organizational ethics conflict with personal ethics?
- When organizational ethics clash with personal ethics, an individual may
experience significant internal conflict, leading to stress, discomfort, decreased job
satisfaction, potential burnout, and even the need to consider leaving the
organization if they feel unable to reconcile their values with the company's
, lOMoAR cPSD| 61371432
practices; essentially, they might feel morally conflicted about carrying out their
work duties.
7. What are some implications of when a company acts in an ethical manner?
- Boosted reputation, increased customer satisfaction, and improve employee
satisfaction. Companies that act ethically can attract loyal clients, hire top talent,
and even win awards.
8. What are some implications of when a company acts in an unethical manner?
- Some of the main effects of unethical behavior in business include loss of company
credibility, the negative association between employees, failure to maintain a
longterm relationship with consumers, and reduced employee productivity.
Lesson 2 - Organizational Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
1. Define corporate social responsibility. Explain the benefits and provide reasons companies do
corporate social responsibility.
- Corporate Social Responsibility is the philosophy in which a company voluntarily
engages in actions that benefit society, be it economically, socially, politically, or
environmentally.
- Risk Management: CSR education equips us with the ability to identify and
manage risks associated with environmental, social, and governance factors.
- By seeing that their community is lacking something that they can provide, earning
more profit and reputation
2. Provide an example of corporate social responsibility activity that is not in the course of study.
- Environmental initiatives: Reducing carbon footprint, investing in renewable
energy, using sustainable packaging.
- Community engagement: Sponsoring local events, volunteering at non-profits,
donating to community causes.
- Employee programs: Matching employee donations, paid volunteer time off,
employee-led charity drives.
- Ethical sourcing: Ensuring fair labor practices with suppliers, promoting ethical
business practices.
- Diversity and inclusion efforts: Implementing inclusive hiring practices, promoting
workplace diversity.
, lOMoAR cPSD| 61371432
3. List the six different company stakeholders. Provide examples of how the six different company
stakeholders may benefit from corporate social responsibility.
- Community Members – Economic Development, Social Impact programs, Positive
Image.
- Employees - Increased morale and engagement, Sense of Purpose, and Attractive
Workplace.
- Customers – Positive Brand Perception, Product trust, Loyalty.
- Shareholders – Reduced Risk, Improved Financial Performance, Enhanced Brand
Value.
- Suppliers – Fair trade practices, Long-term partnerships, Operational efficiency
- Government Agencies – Reduced workload, enhances reputation, and improved
social impact.
4. What is the World Trade Organization important and what benefits does it provide?
- An international organization that regulates global trade between nations, aiming
to ensure that trade flows smoothly, predictably, and freely by establishing and
enforcing trade agreements, resolving disputes, and promoting fair competition.
- Helps promote ethical behavior and help build trust in the global community.
5. List and describe the seven CSR activities and explain who benefits.
- Local Clean-Up Events - Organizing volunteers to clean and beautify local parks,
streets, or natural areas, fostering community pride and environmental
stewardship. – Community Members
- Food Drives - Collecting non-perishable food items to distribute through local food
banks, helping to alleviate hunger in the community. – Low-Income Families
- Health and Wellness Initiatives - Offering free health screenings, fitness classes, or
wellness workshops to promote physical and mental well-being. – Community
Members
WGU D072 Study Guide: Ethical Issues, Organizational Culture
and Leadership Insights | Actual Study Questions and Answers
| 2026 Updates | 100% correct
Section 1 Common Ethical Issues
Lesson 1 – The Importance and Impact of Ethics
1. With ethics, morals and values, define each term.
Ethics- The principles that guide a person's behavior.
Morals- Are sets of rules that individuals develop based on cultural norms and beliefs.
Values- Are stable life goals that reflect what is most important to them.
2. Explain the similarities, differences and how ethics, morals and values are related.
- Morals are personal standards of right and wrong, ethics are a system of moral
principles applied in a specific context, and values are the underlying beliefs that
shape both morals and ethics.
3. Define legal.
- Act that is allowed or in conformity with the law of the land.
4. Provide an example for each of the following that is not in the course of study:
a. legal-ethical – Most states cannabis is illegal, and judge agrees with eh law of
zero cannabis use.
b. legal - unethical – It’s legal to cheat on spouse but community sees it as not
ethical (or right).
c. illegal-ethical conflicts – It’s illegal to speed but in some cases, it can be seen as
ethical (pregnant women in labor).
5. What is a conflict of interest? Provide an example not mentioned in the course of study.
- When someone’s personal interests, like relationships or money, affect their ability
to make fair decisions at work.
6. What happens when organizational ethics conflict with personal ethics?
- When organizational ethics clash with personal ethics, an individual may
experience significant internal conflict, leading to stress, discomfort, decreased job
satisfaction, potential burnout, and even the need to consider leaving the
organization if they feel unable to reconcile their values with the company's
, lOMoAR cPSD| 61371432
practices; essentially, they might feel morally conflicted about carrying out their
work duties.
7. What are some implications of when a company acts in an ethical manner?
- Boosted reputation, increased customer satisfaction, and improve employee
satisfaction. Companies that act ethically can attract loyal clients, hire top talent,
and even win awards.
8. What are some implications of when a company acts in an unethical manner?
- Some of the main effects of unethical behavior in business include loss of company
credibility, the negative association between employees, failure to maintain a
longterm relationship with consumers, and reduced employee productivity.
Lesson 2 - Organizational Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
1. Define corporate social responsibility. Explain the benefits and provide reasons companies do
corporate social responsibility.
- Corporate Social Responsibility is the philosophy in which a company voluntarily
engages in actions that benefit society, be it economically, socially, politically, or
environmentally.
- Risk Management: CSR education equips us with the ability to identify and
manage risks associated with environmental, social, and governance factors.
- By seeing that their community is lacking something that they can provide, earning
more profit and reputation
2. Provide an example of corporate social responsibility activity that is not in the course of study.
- Environmental initiatives: Reducing carbon footprint, investing in renewable
energy, using sustainable packaging.
- Community engagement: Sponsoring local events, volunteering at non-profits,
donating to community causes.
- Employee programs: Matching employee donations, paid volunteer time off,
employee-led charity drives.
- Ethical sourcing: Ensuring fair labor practices with suppliers, promoting ethical
business practices.
- Diversity and inclusion efforts: Implementing inclusive hiring practices, promoting
workplace diversity.
, lOMoAR cPSD| 61371432
3. List the six different company stakeholders. Provide examples of how the six different company
stakeholders may benefit from corporate social responsibility.
- Community Members – Economic Development, Social Impact programs, Positive
Image.
- Employees - Increased morale and engagement, Sense of Purpose, and Attractive
Workplace.
- Customers – Positive Brand Perception, Product trust, Loyalty.
- Shareholders – Reduced Risk, Improved Financial Performance, Enhanced Brand
Value.
- Suppliers – Fair trade practices, Long-term partnerships, Operational efficiency
- Government Agencies – Reduced workload, enhances reputation, and improved
social impact.
4. What is the World Trade Organization important and what benefits does it provide?
- An international organization that regulates global trade between nations, aiming
to ensure that trade flows smoothly, predictably, and freely by establishing and
enforcing trade agreements, resolving disputes, and promoting fair competition.
- Helps promote ethical behavior and help build trust in the global community.
5. List and describe the seven CSR activities and explain who benefits.
- Local Clean-Up Events - Organizing volunteers to clean and beautify local parks,
streets, or natural areas, fostering community pride and environmental
stewardship. – Community Members
- Food Drives - Collecting non-perishable food items to distribute through local food
banks, helping to alleviate hunger in the community. – Low-Income Families
- Health and Wellness Initiatives - Offering free health screenings, fitness classes, or
wellness workshops to promote physical and mental well-being. – Community
Members
