SEMESTER SPRING 2023

BUSINESS ETHICS (MGT610)

ASSIGNMENT NO. 01
DUE DATE: MAY 29, 2023 MARKS: 10

Case Study: The Dilemma of Affordable Housing

In a rapidly growing city, there is a severe shortage of affordable housing options for low-income
families. The municipal government is facing a difficult decision regarding how to address this
issue. Two options are being considered: constructing high-rise apartment buildings in a low-
income neighborhood or displacing the existing community to build upscale condominiums. In
this regard, following are some important points to ponder:
The society’s stakeholders have recently shown the following concerns on these two option:
a) Low-income families in need of affordable housing
b) Current residents of the low-income neighborhood
c) Developers and investors interested in high-rise apartments or upscale condominiums.
d) Municipal government and local authorities responsible for urban planning
e) Advocacy groups focused on housing rights and social justice.
According to the utilitarian analysis, following are the concerns for building high-rise apartments
and co-operative societies as option one:
Constructing high-rise apartment buildings in the low-income neighborhood would
provide affordable housing options for low-income families. This would improve their
overall well-being, granting them access to safe and affordable housing. However, the
existing community may face disruption due to construction activities, noise pollution, and
changes in the neighborhood's dynamics.
The below significances indicate the Consequences of Building Upscale Condominiums as option
two:
Building upscale condominiums would attract wealthier residents to the area, potentially
revitalizing the neighborhood and generating economic benefits. However, this would
displace the current low-income residents, who may struggle to find affordable housing
elsewhere. The overall happiness and well-being of the low-income families would be
negatively affected.

Following are the requirements Utilitarianism states from the viewpoint of Ethical Considerations:
The Principle of Greatest Happiness: Utilitarianism prioritizes the greatest happiness for the
greatest number of individuals. In this case, the well-being of low-income families should
 be the primary consideration. Constructing high-rise apartments aligns with this principle
by maximizing overall happiness and meeting the urgent need for affordable housing.
Fairness and Justice: Utilitarianism raises questions of fairness and justice. Displacing the
existing low-income community for upscale condominiums could perpetuate social
inequalities and disproportionately impact vulnerable populations. Constructing affordable
housing promotes fairness and justice by addressing the housing needs of those who are
poor.
Long-Term Consequences: Utilitarianism requires considering the long-term consequences of
actions. Providing affordable housing options can contribute to social stability, improved
educational opportunities for children, and enhanced community cohesion. These positive
outcomes align with the long-term well-being and happiness of the affected individuals.

Required: As a Business Ethics student, you are required to answer the following questions.
a) How does utilitarianism guide decision-making in the case of the affordable housing
dilemma? Discuss the key ethical considerations involved.
b) Assess the potential consequences of building upscale condominiums for the low-income
community. How does utilitarianism address the ethical concerns in this scenario?

INSTRUCTIONS
A 24 hours extra/grace period after the due date is usually available to overcome uploading
difficulties which may be faced by the students on last date. This extra time should only be used
to meet the emergencies; and above mentioned due date should always be treated as final to avoid
any inconvenience. To open the assignment file, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader/ PDF
Reader installed on your computer. For acquiring the relevant knowledge, watch the course video
lectures and read additional material available online in the form of related articles and case studies
or in any other mode.

FORMATTING GUIDELINES: Use the font style “Times New Roman” or “Arial” and font
size “12”. It is advised to compose your document in MS-Word format ONLY. You may also
compose your assignment in Open Office format. Use black or blue font colors ONLY.

Other Important Instructions:

Deadline:
 Make sure to upload the solution file before the due date on VULMS.
 Any submission made via email after the due date will not be accepted.
Rules for Marking:
Please note that your assignment will not be graded or graded as Zero (0), if:
 It is submitted after the due date.
 The file you uploaded does not open or is corrupt.
 It is in any format other than MS-Word or Open Office; e.g. Excel, PowerPoint, PDF etc.
 It is cheated or copied from other students, internet, books, journals etc.

Note related to load shedding: Please be proactive

Dear students!
As you know that pre mid-term semester activities have started and load shedding problem is also
prevailing in our country. Keeping in view the fact, you all are advised to post your activities as
early as possible without waiting for the due date.