Writing an essay on Buyer's Ethics, need help

31 Mar 09 | Kinzkey

[Kinzkey]

I've have been assigned by my college English teacher to write a 4 page essay on the Ethics of Buying, following MLA standards. I know this is something really dumb and already rigged, but I would like to know how to approach writing such a thing, keep it conservative, and still not royally tick off my liberal English teacher. Any sources that could be recommended would be appreciated as well.

[a fool in paradise]

See? All of this is sounding more like an economics paper or debate viewpoint. Outside of the scope of a mere English class.

[a fool in paradise]

If we’d export liberalism, we would be working on equal footing with the rest of the world.

Set their nations’ wages at a minimum of $7/hour.

[rabscuttle385]

"I think that sweatshop labor, while it has some drawbacks, can be used to change a poorer nation into a wealthy one."

I would be careful with that second part there. You may want to suggest that it provides opportunities for individuals in developing nations to create wealth for their households and improve their material standard of living. Also, be careful with the phrase "sweatshop labor." It's rather charged, has a negative connotation, and is tough to defend. You could, however, argue that an employer ought not to adopt a one-size-fits-all policy with regards to treatment of employees in different jurisdictions but ought to pay the prevailing market wage in any given country.

[rabscuttle385]

All of this is sounding more like an economics paper or debate viewpoint.

Well, that's what it appears to be.

I'll admit, the subject material may be a poor choice, though I don't know what grade level the OP is in. Either way, the student is required to formulate and defend an argument, and that's definitely within the realm of an English class.

[bert]

Assume you are a purchasing agent for a business.

You have ethical duties to your company.

Your duty to the company is to first decide what you are buyingand then write detailed specifications for what the company needs. It is ethical to determine exactly what you are buying. Purchasing ethics include knowing exactly what you want.

There are other considerations. It is your duty to the company to insure the goods are delivered at a specified time. If the vendor is not able to deliver, it is ethical to have a penalty in your purchase document (a purchase order) for late delivery.

The manner of shipment should be considered.... UPS, Common Carrier, Ocean Freigh ,Air freight. If freight costs are an issue, it is ethical to tie them down as part of the cost.

As a purchaser, you have an ethical duty to pay for the goods. Don’t order and then refuse delivery because you are broke. Don’r receive the goods and not pay for them.

Companies have an ethical duty to stockholders to make a profit. It is ethical to ask the vendor for a discount.

Buy low, sell high.

[1rudeboy]

It might be an exercise in rhetoric/persuasive writing. (I can dream, can’t I?)

[Lucian]

as a fellow college student i must ask the most prudent question of all. When is it due?

[Kinzkey]

If we’d export liberalism, we would be working on equal footing with the rest of the world. Set their nations’ wages at a minimum of $7/hour.

But the company mightn't be able to afford to pay that much in wages, and still be able to sell at a low price. It would also eliminate some jobs that would be worth less than $7/hr.

[Kinzkey]

as a fellow college student i must ask the most prudent question of all. When is it due?

This friday.

[rabscuttle385]

This friday.

Wow. You're starting early. That's impressive.

[iowamark]

Great story!

[papasmurf]

That’s the best, non humorous, post so far.

Except the last line. it was incomplete.

Buy low, sell high. Buy straw hats in the winter, and umbrellas in the summer.

Seriously though, very good post.

[Kinzkey]

Wow. You're starting early. That's impressive.

Really? I thought it was late, since I knew about it last week.

[rabscuttle385]

Me? I'd probably write the essay the day before it was due, though I intend to not try that sort of approach for two really big (10-12 page) reports I have to get ready before May 1.

[BenLurkin]

Bump!

[a fool in paradise]

This is a shovel ready job.

[rabscuttle385]

LOL!!! Does it qualify for stimulus funds?!

[a fool in paradise]

But the company mightn't be able to afford to pay that much in wages, and still be able to sell at a low price. It would also eliminate some jobs that would be worth less than $7/hr.

This is also a problem in America. We export these jobs and then import the goods because we are unwilling to pay people less for some tasks.

[tomswanson]

MLA standard is how you cite something in a paper or your works cited. If you had any research you need to cite them. Writing is not easier without the professionals guidelines. You should make your paper one of the best to score good grade. You can get some writing tips from verified essay writing services writers. It is also good to go through with sample essays, you can get some basic ideas.

[cynwoody]

Fill the offers in order lowest until you’re filled. Period.