GS4 · Topic
Corporate Governance
Ethics in the private sector: boards and disclosure, corporate social responsibility, regulatory capture, business and society.
222 UPSC Mains GS4 questions on Corporate Governance that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2013–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
Mr. X is a billionaire businessman who heads a conglomerate engaged in insurance, energy generation and distribution, and manufacturing. Despite being globally known as a great philanthropist, he turned down a shareholder request seeking the disclosure of the conglomerate's actions on issues related to climate change as well as diversity and inclusion. Because of increased attention to climate and diversity issues, many leading firms have committed themselves to incorporate relevant considerations in their business strategies. Therefore, some industry-observors wonder if Mr. X is out of touch with the industry at large and have warned him that failing to address climate change issues puts his businesses under systemic risk. But, Mr. X maintained his vote against the disclosure proposal, while the same time acknowledged the importance of both climate change and a diverse and inclusive work force. However, Mr. X believes that such ethical issues take secondary importance to maximising shareholder profit. (a) Discuss the importance of including climate change strategies and diversity and inclusion in a business organisation? (b) In your opinion, what matters more for a business organisation - socio-environmental concerns or shareholder profit? (c) How can the two above-mentioned issues be reconciled?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Corporate GovernanceEnvironmental Ethics
You are the Compliance Officer at GreenTech Industries, a company that manufactures eco-friendly products and believes in making positive environmental impacts. Your primary responsibility is to ensure that the company adheres to environmental laws and ethical standards. The Company recently developed a new product that promises significant ecological benefits but involves a manufacturing process that produces hazardous waste. During an internal audit, you discover that the hazardous waste from the new product's manufacturing process is being disposed of in a manner that technically meets legal standards but raises serious ethical concerns. While compliant with current laws, the disposal method poses potential risks to a local community's health and the environment in the long term. Legally, GreenTech Industries is not violating any regulations. The waste disposal method is within the permissible limits set by environmental laws. However, ethically, you are aware that continued use of this method could significantly harm the local community and ecosystem. You were left wondering, on the one hand, the Company was legally correct, but on the other, it was hypocritical about its avowed values of positively impacting the environment. As a conscientious professional, you are serious about taking action, but the challenge is its whats and hows. 1. What are the ethical issues and dilemmas that confront you in the above case? 2. Discuss the available options along with its merits and demerits. 3. What will be the chosen course of action? Why?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCorporate Governance
You are a mid-level manager at ‘GoodLife Pharma,’ a leading pharmaceutical company in India. After years of research and development, the company is on the cusp of launching a revolutionary new drug, ‘Revivol,’ which promises to significantly improve the lives of patients suffering from a debilitating chronic illness. The drug is projected to be a blockbuster, generating billions in revenue and potentially saving countless lives. You’ve been an integral part of the Revivol team, and its success could significantly boost your career prospects.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Corporate GovernanceEthical Dilemmas in Government
Rashmi, a social work postgraduate who escaped an early marriage, started an NGO for rescuing and rehabilitating child marriage victims. In the last five years, she saved a lot of young girls from becoming victims of child marriage. Her modus Operandi was simple. She had developed a network of informants in villages who relayed information to her, and after verifying, Rashmi with help from local law enforcement personnel, prevented the marriage from happening. Rashmi did commendable work, but she made some enemies in the process. The local leaders resented her popularity with women and young girls in particular. To expand her activities, Rashmi contacted the management of the only industrial unit in the district. She successfully persuaded the company to contribute to her activities and the NGO. The company even gave her access to their facilities to conduct workshops for workers to raise awareness about the issue of child marriage. As she started her workshops and campaign on the company premises, the initial response was lukewarm and, at times, complete indifference. But she persevered. After a couple of months, one day, the company union members stopped her from entering the company and even threatened her with violence. Rashmi spoke with the management, who supported her and ensured her safety. The management issued a circular supporting Rashmi and her NGO. To management's surprise, after a week of the circular, the Union called for a flash strike and threatened to continue the work stoppage if the NGO activities continued. The workers believed that Rashmi's campaign was corrupting the women's minds and disrespecting their traditions. The company's management seeing the aggressive reaction sought to assuage the workers by stopping the NGO activities. Rashmi tried to persuade the management by highlighting their social responsibility to the community. But the management was curt in replying that every social problem is not their moral responsibility. Rashmi was disappointed with the management's decision and wondered how best to involve the company in her campaigns. (a) What are the issues involved in the above case? (b) What do you think Rashmi should do? Would it be a good idea for Rashmi to involve local administration? Suggest an implementable course of action. (c) Do you think companies should also accept responsibility for the social problems of the region where they operate? Why/why not? (d) What could be the reasons for such an aggressive reaction from the workers union? How do you think Rashmi should handle the workers union?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCorporate Governance
It takes more than a corporate governance policy to inspire ethical behaviour in and truly sustain a truly ethical workplace. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019
Corporate GovernanceWork Culture
While Public-Private Partnerships promise efficiency and innovation, they often blur the lines between public interest and private profit. Critically examine the ethical issues involved in PPP models of governance. How can transparency, accountability, and equity be ensured in such collaborations, especially in essential sectors like health, education, and infrastructure?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Corporate GovernanceEthical Dilemmas in Government
CSR beyond immediate community? (Note: The provided text also contains parts (a), (b), (c), and (d) of a case study regarding Mr. Sharma and the pharmaceutical company.)
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Corporate GovernanceEthics in International Relations
An international soft drink company has a signature soft drink that it sells all over the world. In India, the version of the soft drink complies with Indian food and health regulations, but is less healthy and less safe than the drink sold in the European market where the law is stricter. A recent study in a respected health journal has indicated that this product can lead to severe public health issues in the years to come. The government has appointed a committee under your chairmanship to look into the issue and submit a report on the matter. What are the factors that you would consider in making your suggestions? In particular, identify the various stakeholders and examine the various socio-economic and ethical issues involved in this case.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCorporate Governance
Answer the following in 150 words: (a) Relationship between public service values and public administration ethics. (b) Good governance in public administration vs corporate sector. (c) Ethical principles in public procurement. (d) Role of emotional skills for civil servants in public service delivery.
150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Civil Service ValuesCorporate Governance
Big firms often undertake sub-contracting to complete large infrastructure projects in a timely manner. You recently joined one such firm as a manager responsible for awarding these contracts. Looking at the past records, you find that all contracts for the past few years have been awarded to a particular firm, X. Your superior has asked you to award an upcoming contract to the same firm. Although, not binding, company maintains that sub-contracting work should be offered after competitive bids. This is to ensure that the firm most suitable for the project in terms of operations and finance gets the contract. When you discuss this with your superior, he insists that hiring of the firm X has been done as per legal norms of the company and no official rule has been violated. You decide to contact the owner of the firm X. After doing so, you realize that he is the nephew of your superior, who is also a shareholder in the company. (a) State the ethical issues involved in the case. (b) Does this form of transaction between two private parties constitute a conflict of interest? Justify. (c) Evaluate the possible ways of awarding contracts in such a situation with their merits and demerits. Also state which method would be more suitable in each situation.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017
Conflict of InterestCorporate Governance
Duty towards profit of Bank v/s Duty towards Nation that sees tax evasion / organised crime
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentCorporate Governance
Mr. A is a senior most member of a highly reputed company with considerable customer interface. In recent months, the business of the company has been going down. On detailed analysis, it was found that some of the functionaries of the company have impulsive nature, which has many a times led to altercations with the customers and even among themselves. This has adversely affected the work culture and sullied the image of the company in the market. He seeks your advice, as you are his friend as well as a person who understands management. (a) What are the factors that you would consider in making your advice? (b) What steps will you suggest to deal with the situation that the company faces?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Corporate GovernanceWork Culture