Hi everybody,
Hope GMAT prep going well! Guys can u pls rate my AWA argument honestly and straightforwardly!! I can hear worst of the score tOo like -1 , -2 etc and best like 6/6 ...
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P.S : Your kind effort would be highly appreciated ! I am eagerly waiting.
TA & TC
PRACTICE AWA ARGUMENT TOPIC NO:6
The following appeared as part of a company memorandum.
“Adopting an official code of ethics regarding business practices may in the long run do our company more harm than good in the public eye. When one of our competitors received unfavorable publicity for violating its own code of ethics, it got more attention from the media than it would have if it had had no such code. Rather than adopt an official code of ethics, therefore, we should instead conduct a publicity campaign that stresses the importance of protecting the environment and assisting charitable organizations.”
MY RESPONSE: (409 words)
In this argument, company’s recommendation of conducting a publicity campaign that stresses the importance of protecting the environment and assisting charitable organizations in lieu of adopting an official code of ethics is heavily relied on dubious and ambiguous assumptions. The author needs to address certain important issues to substantiate this argument. Hence, it is not an entirely logical argument.
Primarily, the author assumes that unfavorable publicity gathered by the competitor company which resulted by violating the code of ethics, has actually benefited the rival firm. This assumption is dubious . In lack of strong evidences to support this assumption, it can be entirely possible that in the aftermath, the public image of rival company has spoiled. Consequently, it has to undergo revenue losses due to a distorted or ugly market image. Moreover, according to the memorandum, only one competitor firm has gathered attention in the public eye. The author should provide strong support to reach to such conclusion that the company has to implement business marketing strategies by considering example of only one rival firm. Else, it is plausible that there is a negligible effect of unfavorable publicity of the rival company on the firm.
Secondly, the assertion made by author that business code of ethics may cause the company harm in long run is based on a narrow framework of thinking. It has not considered certain crucial factors which are necessary for an holistic decision making. Ignoring such factors, there can arise numerous possibilities which can be fatal for the company in long run. One such case can be that violating code of ethics in long term, will corrupt the employees’ moral & values and degrade the quality of products manufactured or services rendered by the firm. In addition, it can severely cause an ill effect on the teamwork of the executives thus decreasing output.
Another problem with the argument lies in the assertion made that publicity campaign that stresses the importance of protecting the environment and assisting charitable organizations, should be conducted. It lacks pertinent evidences in its support. Otherwise, company can consider more powerful and effective ways to gain publicity. Using media- electronic and print media, can be a great tool for marketing.
In conclusion, this argument is not convincing in the present form. To strengthen it, this argument should be based on strong evidences and flawless assumptions. The author should have considered all the above mentioned points despite solely stating that code of ethics in business practices should be replaced by a publicity campaign.