Week 3 Reading Reflection

Week 3 Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

• I didn't know that fear was a big factor in entrepreneurship. When I think of fear in entrepreneurship, I think of losing money. However, that wasn't the case. It is the fear of failing to leave a footprint in the world. Entrepreneurs want to be known and make an impact in the world. 

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

• I was confused about the extended consequence of an ethical decision example. Was the author saying that using inexpensive products for operations was an ethical decision? That would be a normal logical business decision. However, the unsafe product part would not be. 

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

• Why would ethical decisions have extended consequences? If you made well thought out decisions that is right for the business and stakeholders, what could go wrong? I understand that there is always an ethics risk. There may be a consequence to any decision that is made. Except, if you know what the right thing to do is, then how are there "extended" consequences?

• While explaining entrepreneurial fear, what is it that the entrepreneur experiences while at the top of the roller coaster metaphor? Is it suppose to be when failure sets in, and the "dark side" of entrepreneurship comes to light?

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

• "First, ethical decisions have extended consequences. They often have a ripple effect in that the consequences are felt by others outside the venture. For example, the decision to use inexpensive but unsafe products in operation will affect both workers and consumers of the final good." (pg 50, Kuratko) I understand that there can be a ripple effect from any decision that is made. However, I don't agree with Kuratko's example. Using unsafe products in operation is unethical. Inexpensive products in operation is great for the business. Except, looking from a Utilitarianism point of view, using unsafe products in operations makes the whole situation unethical. Even though it's inexpensive, in the long run it will hurt the business.