Business Commons^™

Increased scrutiny of corporate actions in today’s business climate puts pressure on all facets of business to adhere to ethical practices founded on principles that are honest, fair and transparent to the stakeholders (Turner, 2010). The importance of business ethics becomes essential in the entrepreneurial setting. Consumer word of mouth and viral internet communications are just a few ways that a negative ethical image could ruin a small business. In fact, Rutherford, Buller and Stebbins (2009) point out scholars have yet to investigate the legitimacy of new ventures. Most of the known research that has been compiled by a few …

To assist the social entrepreneur with direct marketing decision, the authors examine the relationship between the risks and costs associated with direct marketing for nonprofit organizations. This is done by developing and presenting a framework centered on two uncertainty factors – the cost to implement a direct marketing solution and control over (e.g., ability to manage) resources. A transaction cost analysis (economic) argument is used to rationalize the importance for entrepreneurs to effectively manage these two uncertainty factors when implementing a direct marketing program. This is illustrated using a perceptual mapping of each direct marketing channel relative to the two …

Russell Vernon, a second-generation owner and manager of West Point Market in Akron, Ohio must decide whether to settle, go to court or reconcile (mutually agreeable solution) with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on an allegation of racial discrimination. He firmly believes that he is innocent. If he chooses to reconcile or settle the case out of court, he could be construed as a racist. If he chooses to go to court and loses, he may lose his family business. This emotionally charged situation is presented as a management decision that must be based on an analysis of the facts. …