WGU D072 STUDY GUIDE: ETHICS,
MANAGEMENT, AND COMMUNICATION IN
ORGANIZATIONS | 2026 WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS ~ WESTERN GOVERNORS
UNIVERSITY.
Study guide
UNIT 2: MODULE 1- The Importance and Impact of Ethics.
Distinguish between personal and organizational ethics.
Personal ethics refers to the ethics a person identifies with, which guides how they interact with others
daily. Personal ethics refers to a person identifies with which guides how they interact with others daily.
Values are these things that are stable. They are the enduring goals that one has for life. Example:
speaking the truth.
Organizational ethics focuses on rules, principles and standards in respect to the business’ activities.
Identify how ethics impact outcomes in organizations.
• Organizations tainted by questionable ethics suffer by a decline in their consumer base, increase
employee turnover, and mistrust from their investor’s.
• Setting an unrealistic goal can lead to the compromise of ethics and standards.
(These tend to happen when the desire for profit outweighs ethical decision-making.)
• Organizations who practices good ethical behavior are more likely to flourish and are trusted by
their stakeholders.
Example of personal ethics.
Speaking the truth, respecting elders, and never purposely hurt others.
Example of professional ethics.
Being punctual, refraining from gossip, and having good time management.
Provide an example of when personal and professional ethics may conflict.
Under the ‘Code of Conduct,’ police officers are obligated to enforce and uphold the law even if they
don’t agree with it.
Police may believe smoking marijuana is ethically wrong, but by law, smoking marijuana is legal.
Where does an organization’s ethics tend to start?
Organization’s ethics tend to start (or fail) from the top (management) then trickle down.
What are the 4 main ethical issues and their roles within organizations?
,1. Societal Issues- Relates to society and getting involve in societal issues out of care and concern.
2. Stakeholder Issues- Anyone affected by the company’s actions (consumers, employees,
suppliers, and people within the community).
3. Internal issues- Relates to relationship between organization and its employees (fairness in
management, pay, and employee participation).
, 4. Personal Issues- Deals with how employees treat each other (gossiping, taking credit for
someone else’s work).
Example of a high/low level of organizational ethic
Good: Sharing credit with co-workers and treating subordinates with respect demonstrates high level of
organizational ethics.
Bad: Treating others unfairly, showing preferences within the workplace is a low level of organizational
ethics.
What are some benefits to an organization that practices high ethics?
Organizations with high ethics benefit from the trust of their stakeholders and has a competitive
advantage in the marketplace.
MODULE 2- Organizati onal Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Define Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
CSR is when an organization voluntarily engages in issues that are affecting the environment, community
or society at large.
What is the importance of CSR in the organization and in the community?
CSR is important in the organization because
• It’s beneficial to both the organization and its stakeholders. It creates long-term profits and
shareholder’s trust for the organization.
• Attract consumers who share the same values.
• Increases organization’s brand image (awareness) /creates a better image
• Creates an advantage over competitors.
CSR is important in the community because
• Organization is gives back to the community (food bank/ school supplies giveaways,
charities/donations, scholarships).
• Ability to influence organization’s economic practices.
Compare corporate ethical commitments with reality of how the commitments are acted out in
accordance with commitments, or in discord to the commitments.
Company in accordance with their commitment example: Company ABC, states that they are becoming
more eco-friendly. They show their commitments by manufacturing in a sustainable way, using
renewable products, encouraging employees to recycle, partnering with like-minded people within the
community.
MANAGEMENT, AND COMMUNICATION IN
ORGANIZATIONS | 2026 WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS ~ WESTERN GOVERNORS
UNIVERSITY.
Study guide
UNIT 2: MODULE 1- The Importance and Impact of Ethics.
Distinguish between personal and organizational ethics.
Personal ethics refers to the ethics a person identifies with, which guides how they interact with others
daily. Personal ethics refers to a person identifies with which guides how they interact with others daily.
Values are these things that are stable. They are the enduring goals that one has for life. Example:
speaking the truth.
Organizational ethics focuses on rules, principles and standards in respect to the business’ activities.
Identify how ethics impact outcomes in organizations.
• Organizations tainted by questionable ethics suffer by a decline in their consumer base, increase
employee turnover, and mistrust from their investor’s.
• Setting an unrealistic goal can lead to the compromise of ethics and standards.
(These tend to happen when the desire for profit outweighs ethical decision-making.)
• Organizations who practices good ethical behavior are more likely to flourish and are trusted by
their stakeholders.
Example of personal ethics.
Speaking the truth, respecting elders, and never purposely hurt others.
Example of professional ethics.
Being punctual, refraining from gossip, and having good time management.
Provide an example of when personal and professional ethics may conflict.
Under the ‘Code of Conduct,’ police officers are obligated to enforce and uphold the law even if they
don’t agree with it.
Police may believe smoking marijuana is ethically wrong, but by law, smoking marijuana is legal.
Where does an organization’s ethics tend to start?
Organization’s ethics tend to start (or fail) from the top (management) then trickle down.
What are the 4 main ethical issues and their roles within organizations?
,1. Societal Issues- Relates to society and getting involve in societal issues out of care and concern.
2. Stakeholder Issues- Anyone affected by the company’s actions (consumers, employees,
suppliers, and people within the community).
3. Internal issues- Relates to relationship between organization and its employees (fairness in
management, pay, and employee participation).
, 4. Personal Issues- Deals with how employees treat each other (gossiping, taking credit for
someone else’s work).
Example of a high/low level of organizational ethic
Good: Sharing credit with co-workers and treating subordinates with respect demonstrates high level of
organizational ethics.
Bad: Treating others unfairly, showing preferences within the workplace is a low level of organizational
ethics.
What are some benefits to an organization that practices high ethics?
Organizations with high ethics benefit from the trust of their stakeholders and has a competitive
advantage in the marketplace.
MODULE 2- Organizati onal Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Define Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
CSR is when an organization voluntarily engages in issues that are affecting the environment, community
or society at large.
What is the importance of CSR in the organization and in the community?
CSR is important in the organization because
• It’s beneficial to both the organization and its stakeholders. It creates long-term profits and
shareholder’s trust for the organization.
• Attract consumers who share the same values.
• Increases organization’s brand image (awareness) /creates a better image
• Creates an advantage over competitors.
CSR is important in the community because
• Organization is gives back to the community (food bank/ school supplies giveaways,
charities/donations, scholarships).
• Ability to influence organization’s economic practices.
Compare corporate ethical commitments with reality of how the commitments are acted out in
accordance with commitments, or in discord to the commitments.
Company in accordance with their commitment example: Company ABC, states that they are becoming
more eco-friendly. They show their commitments by manufacturing in a sustainable way, using
renewable products, encouraging employees to recycle, partnering with like-minded people within the
community.
