The purpose of this assignment is to apply critical analytical skills to problems that are relatively unstructured. These questions in actuality are "think pieces" as much as complex problems. (In addition, there really is not a single "correct" answer for any of these, however, there are many potential "poor" answers.) Ideally, each person will spend some time pondering each question before the group meets to formulate answers, and the group processes will generate insight, creativity, and synergy. For each of the three questions, prepare an essay (in contrast to a list or an outline). There is no required length, but two pages (single-spaced) for each question should be sufficient. One submission per group. (Note: The intention is that the groups for this assignment will be identical to the teams for the major team project. However, this is flexible, given the relatively short time to complete the assignment and that the groups have just been formed. Therefore, this assignment may be submitted by the entire team or by other combinations.) #1 作业 Smith has an organic vegetable farm and spreads manure on a seasonal basis. Smith’s neighbor, Jones, owns a school that offers classes in meditation. For several days after Smith spreads manure, the prevailing winds bring the manure odor onto Jones’ property. Several students have quit the meditation classes due to this problem and have requested that Jones refund their money. Jones is worried that the school is actually getting a bad reputation because of the problem. Consider two possible alternative legal arrangements. Under arrangement "A" there is no law or regulation that addresses odors that may impact neighbors. Under arrangement "B" it is the responsibility of a property owner to assure that offensive odors do not negatively impact neighbors. Penalties can include fines and/or "cease and desist" orders. Arrangement "B" is enforced only on the basis of complaints (i.e., police or inspectors do not search out offensive odors) and after a hearing in which an impartial examiner takes testimony and makes a decision. Does it matter which legal arrangement — "A" or "B" — is in effect? How and why? (Note that the question is not "what should the law be?") #2 作业 Taylor is a recent graduate of Old Abe University with an MBA in finance. Taylor has just started a demanding job in a small town in the American Midwest and earns an annual salary of $50,000. Taylor is concerned about environmental degradation and recycles bottles and paper, but wonders what to do about plastic bags, given that the nearest recycling facility for plastic bags is 344 miles away. Identify and evaluate Taylor’s options with respect to plastic bags. Be explicit regarding the criteria to evaluate these options and the benefits and costs of each option. (Assume that Taylor will accumulate at least some plastic bags. In other words, it is impossible to live Taylor’s lifestyle in a "zero plastic bag world.") Summarize the major tradeoffs, environmental and otherwise, in this situation. #3 作业 In the "business and society" literature, a fundamental framework involves addressing whether an given outcome is good for a particular business firm and/or good for the broader society. In a famous essay, "The social responsibility of business is to make a profit," Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman argued that a business firm’s management is acting irresponsibly if undertakes any action that is not in the firm’s best interest, irregardless of the broader social consequences. Friedman would therefore argue that the firm’s managers should only take actions to pursue outcomes in the quadrants labeled I and II in the 2X2 matrix below. I Good for business firm Good for society II Good for business firm Bad for society III Bad for business firm Good for society IV Bad for business firm Bad for society Let’s apply this framework to issues involving the environment. In other words, in the figure the quadrants labeled I and II represent actions that are "privately valuable" (i.e., good for a particular firm or firms). Quadrants I and III represent actions that are "environmentally valuable" (i.e., good for the environment). Provide four examples (if not actual, they should be plausible) involving a business firm and the environment, such that there is one example for each of the four quadrants in the table. (In other words, provide one example of "good for business, good for society," one example of "good for business, bad for society," etc.) For each, describe the main features of the example and explain why that particular outcome would occur. How representative are your examples of other possible outcomes in each quadrant?