Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Business & Finance

Online Business Ethics Quiz: Test Your Real-World Judgment

Quick, free ethics in business test with real scenarios. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Lakshmi Kalpana RoyUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art shows business team with code of conduct book scales of justice and lightbulb idea icons on sky blue background

This business ethics quiz helps you practice everyday choices at work and spot risks around conflicts of interest, gifts and bribery, privacy, and policy rules. For more practice, try our ethical behavior quiz, explore tougher scenarios in the ethical dilemma quiz, or review policy basics with a code of conduct quiz.

What primarily guides individuals and organizations in distinguishing right from wrong in a business context?
Maximizing profit at all costs
Shareholder directives
Market competition
Business ethics principles
Business ethics principles establish the moral framework for decision making within organizations. They go beyond legal requirements to include values like honesty, integrity, and fairness. Companies rely on these principles to foster trust with stakeholders. For more details on foundational concepts, see .
What is the main purpose of a company's code of conduct?
To set auditing procedures
To list competitors
To define expected behavior and ethical standards
To outline salary scales
A code of conduct provides clear guidelines on acceptable and unacceptable behaviors for employees and management. It helps ensure consistency in ethical decision making across the organization. By outlining values and policies, it reduces uncertainty and guides actions. Learn more at .
Which situation best exemplifies a conflict of interest?
An employee reports suspected fraud
An employee uses company resources for unauthorized personal use
An employee follows all company policies
A manager hires a close friend over a more qualified candidate
Hiring a friend over a better-qualified candidate benefits the manager personally and undermines organizational fairness. This scenario illustrates competing interests between personal relationships and professional obligations. Disclosure and recusal are typical ways to manage such conflicts. More on conflicts of interest at .
What does insider trading involve?
Investing only in index funds
Buying or selling a security based on material nonpublic information
Trading during market holidays
Trading options after public release of information
Insider trading occurs when someone trades a companys stock or securities based on confidential, material information not available to the public. It undermines market fairness and is illegal under securities laws. Regulators enforce strict penalties to prevent misuse of privileged data. For legal details, see .
What is the role of a whistleblower in an organization?
To improve sales figures
To audit financial statements
To report unethical or illegal activities internally or externally
To manage employee training
A whistleblower identifies and reports wrongdoing, such as fraud or safety violations, to internal authorities or regulatory agencies. Their actions can protect the public, the company, and shareholders from harm. Many jurisdictions have laws protecting whistleblowers from retaliation. See for guidance.
Which action is an example of corporate social responsibility?
Reducing product quality to increase margin
Focusing only on shareholder returns
Cutting employee benefits to reduce costs
Donating part of profits to community projects
Corporate social responsibility involves voluntary initiatives that benefit society, such as community donations or environmental programs. Such actions reflect a companys commitment to social welfare beyond profit-making. They can enhance reputation and stakeholder trust. Explore more at .
Under most corporate gift policies, which gift is generally acceptable?
A vendors branded pen set
Expensive tickets to a sports event
A luxury vacation paid for by a vendor
A cash gift of $100 from a supplier
Low-value promotional items like branded pens are typically allowed because they carry minimal risk of influencing business decisions. High-value gifts or cash may create an appearance of impropriety or undue influence. Companies set gift thresholds to maintain ethical standards. For policy examples, see .
Which of the following best describes a bribe?
A standard vendor discount
A salary bonus paid to all employees
Money or favors offered to influence a business decision illicitly
A charitable donation made by a company
A bribe is an illicit payment or favor intended to influence a person in a position of power. Unlike legitimate promotions or discounts, it undermines fair competition and ethical standards. Anti-bribery laws like the OECD Convention prohibit such conduct. Learn more at .
Which ethical theory suggests that actions are right if they produce the greatest good for the greatest number?
Utilitarianism
Virtue ethics
Deontological ethics
Ethical egoism
Utilitarianism assesses actions based on their consequences and seeks the maximum overall happiness or welfare. It was developed by philosophers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. Decisions are judged ethically right if they result in the best aggregate outcomes. For deeper study, see .
According to stakeholder theory, whose interests should a company consider?
Shareholders and board members
All parties affected by corporate actions
Only shareholders
Only employees
Stakeholder theory broadens corporate responsibility to include any group impacted by business operationscustomers, suppliers, employees, communities, and investors. It argues that long-term success depends on balancing diverse interests. This approach often enhances reputation and sustainability. Read more from the Business Roundtable at .
What is the first step in a common ethical decision-making model?
Identify the ethical issue
Consult stakeholders
Implement the decision
Evaluate outcomes
Ethical decision-making models typically begin by recognizing and defining the moral issue at hand. Clear identification sets the stage for considering values, rights, and responsibilities. Subsequent steps include gathering facts, evaluating options, and reviewing actions. An overview is available at .
Which regulation primarily governs data privacy and protection in the European Union?
CCPA
HIPAA
SOX
GDPR
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) sets strict rules on processing and storing personal data of EU residents. It enhances individual rights and imposes hefty fines for noncompliance. Organizations must demonstrate accountability and implement appropriate security measures. Official text can be found at .
What is the main responsibility of a compliance officer?
Leading marketing campaigns
Designing product features
Ensuring organizational adherence to laws and regulations
Managing HR recruitment
A compliance officer develops, implements, and monitors policies to ensure the organization follows relevant laws, regulations, and internal standards. They also conduct training, audits, and risk assessments. Their role reduces legal exposure and promotes ethical culture. Learn more at .
Which U.S. law focuses on preventing bribery of foreign officials by U.S. persons?
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Dodd-Frank Act
Clayton Act
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) prohibits U.S. individuals and entities from bribing foreign government officials to gain business advantages. It also requires accurate record-keeping and internal controls. Violations can lead to significant fines and penalties. Official information is at .
Which practice is an example of nepotism?
Conducting fair performance reviews
Promoting the most qualified candidate
Hiring a friend over a better-qualified applicant
Rotating staff assignments
Nepotism occurs when family members or friends are favored in hiring or promotion decisions irrespective of merit. This undermines fairness and morale among other employees. Organizations must implement transparent recruitment and promotion processes to prevent it. Further reading at .
What should employees include in their social media posts to comply with corporate policy?
Disclose personal opinions as company views
Share confidential client data
Use company trademarks without approval
Identify opinions as personal and follow privacy guidelines
Employees should clarify that personal social media opinions do not represent the company. They must avoid disclosing confidential information and respect data privacy rules. Adhering to approved social media guidelines helps protect the organizations reputation. See .
An employee learns of upcoming layoffs through internal communications and sells company stock before the announcement. What is this an example of?
Market manipulation
Corporate espionage
Insider trading
Front running
Trading on material, nonpublic informationsuch as knowledge of layoffsis insider trading. It gives the trader an unfair advantage and violates securities laws. The Securities and Exchange Commission enforces strict rules against it. More details are available at .
A manager awards a contract to a vendor owned by their relative without disclosing the relationship. Which ethical violation does this represent?
Collusion
Confidentiality breach
Conflict of interest
Nepotism with disclosure
Awarding contracts to a relative without disclosure creates a conflict between personal interest and professional duty. Ethical standards require transparency to manage such conflicts. Failure to disclose undermines fairness and trust. See conflict management guidelines at .
Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which section protects whistleblowers from retaliation?
Section 806
Section 302
Section 906
Section 404
Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act provides protections for employees who lawfully report fraudulent activities in publicly traded companies. It prohibits retaliation such as termination, demotion, or harassment. Companies must establish mechanisms to support safe reporting. Official text at .
Which ethical framework emphasizes character traits and moral virtues over rules or consequences?
Ethical relativism
Virtue ethics
Utilitarianism
Deontological ethics
Virtue ethics focuses on the moral character and virtues of the individual, rather than solely on rules or outcomes. It traces back to Ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle. The framework asks, What kind of person should I be? rather than What action should I take? For deeper insight, see .
What does the 'triple bottom line' in corporate social responsibility measure?
Economic, environmental, and social performance
Profit, market share, and innovation
Revenue, expenses, and taxes
Ethics, compliance, and governance
The triple bottom line expands performance metrics to include financial results (profit), environmental impact (planet), and social equity (people). It encourages companies to pursue sustainable practices alongside profitability. This approach promotes long-term viability and stakeholder well-being. See .
What is 'ethical fading'?
Gradual loss of moral awareness in decision making
Fading public trust after scandal
Decrease in company profits due to ethics training
Temporary suspension of regulations
Ethical fading occurs when the ethical dimensions of a decision become obscured, leading individuals to focus on other factors like profit or competition. It often results from normalization of deviance within organizational cultures. Awareness and ethical reminders can counteract this trend. For research, see .
How does an ethical climate differ from an ethical culture?
Climate is shared perceptions of ethical practices, culture is the underlying values and norms
Climate only concerns external image, culture concerns internal policies
Climate is long-term values, culture is short-term behaviors
They are identical concepts
An ethical climate refers to employees shared perceptions of how ethics are practiced in daily work. Ethical culture encompasses the deeper values, beliefs, and norms that shape behavior over time. Both influence ethical decision making but operate at different organizational layers. For more, see .
Which concept describes disengaging moral self-sanctions to justify unethical behavior?
Moral disengagement
Ethical relativism
Moral absolutism
Cognitive dissonance
Moral disengagement involves rationalizing or redefining unethical behavior to reduce personal guilt. Individuals may blame victims, minimize consequences, or displace responsibility. Recognizing these mechanisms helps organizations reinforce accountability. For psychological insights, see .
Under the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, what is considered a 'facilitating payment'?
A donation to a political campaign
A large payment to secure a contract
A small payment to expedite routine governmental actions
A commission to a sales agent
Facilitating payments are minor payments made to expedite or secure routine governmental actions, such as issuing permits. While the OECD Convention encourages outlawing them, some jurisdictions still allow small facilitation payments under narrow exceptions. Companies often prohibit all such payments to avoid legal risk. Detailed guidance is at .
0
{"name":"What primarily guides individuals and organizations in distinguishing right from wrong in a business context?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"What primarily guides individuals and organizations in distinguishing right from wrong in a business context?, What is the main purpose of a company's code of conduct?, Which situation best exemplifies a conflict of interest?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Core Business Ethics Concepts -

    Gain a clear grasp of principles such as integrity, transparency, and corporate responsibility to build a solid foundation for ethical decision making.

  2. Analyze Corporate Ethics Quiz Scenarios -

    Interpret real-world case studies to identify ethical dilemmas and recognize compliance issues within code of conduct frameworks.

  3. Apply Code of Conduct Guidelines -

    Use established policies and best practices to determine appropriate actions in diverse workplace situations.

  4. Evaluate Ethical Decision Making Strategies -

    Assess alternative solutions by weighing moral, legal, and organizational factors to choose the most responsible course.

  5. Strengthen Workplace Integrity Awareness -

    Enhance your ability to promote ethical behavior and foster a culture of compliance across teams and departments.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Ethical Frameworks: Utilitarianism vs. Deontology -

    Review how utilitarianism evaluates actions by their outcomes (greatest good for the greatest number) and deontology focuses on duty and universal principles regardless of consequences. A quick mnemonic "GUD" (Greatest utility, Universal duty) helps you recall both approaches during a business ethics quiz. Source: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and Harvard Business Review.

  2. Code of Conduct Essentials -

    Familiarize yourself with core components like conflict of interest, confidentiality, harassment prevention and anti-corruption policies to ace any code of conduct test. Remember the "CATCH" acronym: Conflicts, Agreements, Transparency, Conduct, Harassment. Reference: Deloitte's Global Code of Conduct and corporate ethics quiz guidelines.

  3. PLUS Ethical Decision-Making Model -

    Use the PLUS model - Policies, Legal, Universal values, Self - to systematically evaluate choices in an ethical decision making quiz. For example, ask: "Does this violate our policy? Is it legal? Is it fair universally? Would I be proud if reported?" Source: Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI).

  4. Whistleblowing & Speak-Up Culture -

    Understand how safe reporting channels and anti-retaliation measures encourage integrity in the workplace and boost overall corporate ethics. The OECD Guidelines recommend anonymous hotlines and clear investigation procedures to protect employees.

  5. Stakeholder vs. Shareholder Theory -

    Distinguish between shareholder primacy (profit focus) and stakeholder theory (balancing interests of employees, communities, environment). Use "SPICE" (Shareholders, Public, Investors, Communities, Environment) to remember key stakeholder groups. Source: Journal of Business Ethics.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Marketing & Management Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker