BUSINESS ETHICS
Business Ethics recognizes members who can analyze and present solutions to ethical dilemmas commonly faced in the business world. This event includes an individual objective test, a written report, and a presentation, allowing members to explore ethical decision-making, integrity, and corporate responsibility.
Event Overview
Division: High School
Event Type: Team of 1, 2 or 3 members
Event Category: Presentation
Event Elements: Objective Test, Pre-judged Report and a Presentation (with a Topic)
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes
Pre-judged Component: Three-page Executive Summary due by date specified in the SLC registration packet
Presentation Time: 3-minute set-up, 7-minute presentation (one minute warning), 3-minute Question & Answer
Educational Alignments
Items Provided by Competitors: Sharpened pencil for objective test, Fully powered device for online testing, Conference-provided nametag, Photo Identification, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code, Technology and presentation items for presentation
Items Provided by FBLA: One piece of scratch paper per competitor, Internet access, Test login information, Table for presentation
Objective Test Competencies
· Communication Skills
· Self-Awareness
· Doing the Right Thing
· Teamwork Skills
· Leadership Skills
· Career Readiness
Test questions are based on the knowledge areas and objectives outlined for this event. Detailed objectives can be found in the study guide included in these guidelines.
District
Check with your District leadership for District-specific competition information.
State
Eligibility
· FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by District Director) of the current program year.
· Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top ten of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top ten of an event at NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
· Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
· Members must stay within the official FBLA housing block of the official FBLA hotel in order to compete.
· Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
· Each competitor can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report).
· Only competitors are allowed to plan, research, and prepare their pre-judged component. They must also set up their presentation by themselves.
· Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
· Identification: Competitors must present valid photo identification (physical) that matches the name on their conference name badge. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, or school ID.
· All members of a team must consist of individuals from the same chapter.
· Each section of the event must be completed by the same individuals. Competitors must participate in each level to be eligible for an award.
· If competitors are late for an objective test, they may be disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled.
· If competitors are late for a presentation time, they may be disqualified or placed later in the schedule. The decision is solely up to the judges.
· Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted participate in the competitive event.
Recognition
· The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 5.
Event Administration
· This event has three parts: Objective Test, Pre-judged Report, Final Presentation based on a topic
· Objective Test
o Objective Test Time: 50 minutes
o This event has an objective test that is administered at the SLC.
o No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.
o Competitors on a team must test individually, starting within minutes of each other. Individual test scores will be averaged for a team score.
· Pre-Judged Asset Details: Executive Summary
o Submission Deadline: A PDF of the executive summary must be uploaded in the conference registration system by the date specified in the SLC registration packet.
o Number of Pages: The report will be no more than three (3) pages.
o Assets must be formatted to fit standard 8.5” x 11” paper.
o Links and QR codes are not permitted.
o Competitors must research the topic and prepare a one-page summary (called a report) prior to the conference.
o Advisers or others may not assist in preparing the asset. It must be created entirely by the competitor(s).
o All content must be original and created specifically for this competition.
o Assets will be judged prior to the State Leadership Conference (SLC).
o Pre-judged assets will not be returned. All submitted projects become the property of FBLA and may be published or reproduced for promotional purposes.
o Competitors must interview three local businesspeople as part of their research and explain how the interview findings factored into their recommendations. This information must be addressed in the report and the presentation.
o The first page of the report must include only the title (Business Ethics Summary) on the first line, names of all competitors on the second line, the name of the school on the third line, the state on the fourth line and the year (2026-27) on the fifth line.
o The second page of the report is a one-page summary of the topic and findings, with the following headings: Why the Ethical Issue Happened, How the Ethical Issue Should be Resolved, What Could Have Prevented the Ethical Issue. The one-page summary can be single spaced.
o The third page is a works cited page.
· Presentation Information
o Equipment Set-up Time: 3 minutes
o Presentation Time: 7 minutes (one-minute warning)
o Question & Answer Time: 3 minutes
o Internet Access: Not provided
o Important: Time allocations are exclusive. The presentation must begin immediately after the 3-minute set-up time concludes. Time may not be shifted between segments. Competitors will not interact with judges during the set-up period.
o Based on the objective test and case study summary combined scores, the five highest scoring teams will move on to the presentation round of this event.
o Presentations may be open to conference attendees, space permitting. Finalists may not view other competitors’ presentation in their event.
o Competitors must research the topic and be prepared to present their findings and solutions. The presentation must address why the ethical issues happened, how it should be resolved, and what could have prevented it.
o Technology Guidelines
· Internet Access: Not Provided
· Presentations must be delivered using one or two personal devices (laptop, tablet, mobile phone, or monitor approximately laptop-sized).
· If using two devices, one must face the judges and the other must face the presenters.
· Projectors and projector screens are not permitted, and competitors may not bring their own.
· Wireless slide advancers (e.g., presentation clickers or mice) are allowed.
· External speakers are not allowed; audio must come directly from the presenting device(s).
· Electricity will not be available.
o Visual aids, samples, notes, and other physical materials related to the project may be used; however, no items may be left with the judges or audience.
o Items may be placed on the provided table or on the judges table, if space allows.
o If performing as a team, all team members are expected to actively participate in the presentation.
o Information must be supported by credible, well-documented sources.
o Any use of copyrighted material, images, logos, or trademarks must be properly documented.
o Restricted items: animals (except authorized service animals), Food (for display only; may not be consumed by judges during the presentation), Links and QR codes (for display only; cannot be clicked or scanned by judges before, during, or after the presentation).
o Preparation for and presentation of the entry must be conducted by chapter members.
o The individual or team must perform all aspects of the presentation. Other chapter representatives may not provide assistance.
o Event Specific Information: Competitors should incorporate the following aspects in response to the topic
· Define the Ethical Issue: Identify and clearly define the ethical dilemma using appropriate industry terminology.
· Analyze Contributing Factors: Explain at least two key reasons behind the issue. Provide thoughtful analysis to demonstrate understanding of how these factors impact the situation.
· Offer Ethical Recommendations: Present two or more well-supported solutions to address the ethical dilemma, using credible evidence to justify each recommendation.
· Recommend Safeguards: Suggest at least two safeguards or preventative measures with strong supporting rationale to help avoid similar issues in the future.
· Incorporate Research and Real-World Input: Use accurate, well-sourced research and include insights from business professionals gathered through interviews or outreach to strengthen your analysis.
Scoring
· The objective test score (worth 50 points) and pre-judge score will be added together to determine the finalists.
· The presentation score determines the top winners.
· Decisions of the judges are final. Results announced at the State Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the State Leadership Conference.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
· FBLA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for competitors. Accommodation requests must be submitted through the conference registration system by the official registration deadline. All requests will be reviewed, and additional documentation may be required to determine eligibility and appropriate support.
Recording of Presentations
· No unauthorized audio or video recording devices will be allowed in any competitive event.
· Competitors in the events should be aware FBLA reserves the right to record any presentation for use in study or training materials.
Penalty Points
· Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.
National
If you are competing on the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-competitive-events/
2026-27 Business Ethics Background and Topic: HMaintaining Stakeholder Trust During a Food Safety Crisis.
Background Information and Topic
Background Information: You’ve probably heard phrases like “grace under fire,” “rising to the occasion,” or “cool under pressure” to describe athletes, first responders, or doctors before. Being at your best when facing adversity is an excellent quality for individuals, but it’s also a great quality for businesses. Just one organization can have hundreds, thousands, or even millions of stakeholders who are impacted by its actions. That means when challenges arise and the stakes are at their highest, businesses need to make sound decisions…or else risk hurting others.
One sector where businesses must constantly be at the top of their game is the food industry. There is perhaps no commodity more universal than food—people need it every day, which means that food companies must oversee incredibly complicated and diverse production, processing, and distribution systems to fulfill demand.
It also means that when something goes wrong, the consequences can be severe. In July 2026, it was revealed that some commercially sold lettuce in the United States contained the parasite Cyclospora. The resulting foodborne illnesses caused hundreds of hospitalizations and several deaths. Producer Taylor Farms was pressured to recall its lettuce in 27 states, and the company is now losing business and under intense scrutiny.
It is simply essential that businesses, especially those in industries where the safety of the public is at stake, be equipped with the tools to quickly and correctly address crises. They need a strong ethical framework to help them navigate challenging situations and make difficult decisions.
Ethics are the basic principles (such as integrity, transparency, and trust) that govern our behavior. In the business world, ethics are essential to navigating issues ranging from individual employee conflicts to corporate sustainability practices. For organizations in the food industry, demonstrating sound ethical principles ensures that no matter what comes their way—whether it be logistical failures, like product shortages and transportation breakdowns, or public health emergencies, like contaminated or diseased food—they can reduce societal harm and maintain stakeholder trust.
High School Topic
Tony is the CEO of Prime Label Meats, a beef and poultry processing company. Prime Label is one of the largest meat companies in the country and sells hundreds of millions of pounds of meat every week.
The quality assurance team brings an urgent development to Tony: Traces of a highly dangerous and infectious bacterium were found in a small batch of their beef product. Thankfully, this was an isolated incident, and the bacteria have been contained. The quality team has identified the cattle herd and processing plant that sourced the infected beef and has adjusted production and quarantine patterns accordingly. The team is continuing to run tests nationwide to find any additional traces of the bacteria.
But seeing as Prime Label distributes massive amounts of beef every day, it will be impossible to check every batch. Tony consults with the operations and legal teams, and he is considering enacting a complete recall of all their beef products. A recall is the only way to ensure that all infected beef is identified and customers aren’t harmed.
However, a consultation with the financial and public relations teams makes Tony hesitate. The company’s CFO warns him that a total beef recall would have grave consequences. Prime Label would experience huge losses that might take years—or even decades—to recover from. Furthermore, the food industry as a whole would suffer. Supermarkets, cattle ranchers, and fast food restaurants would all take serious hits.
The public relations team also reminds Tony that a recall would likely incite panic among customers. Consumer trust in Prime Label would plummet, as would trust in any restaurant or retailer that sells beef. The finance and PR teams suggest resuming most operations as normal, and perhaps not even informing the public of the contamination in the first place.
What do you think Tony should do? Should he implement the recall? Should he inform the public of the food safety issue? How should Prime Label balance consumer safety with the broader economic consequences of their decisions?
Suggested Questions
What ethical principles (e.g., respect, transparency, integrity, trust, fairness, accountability, viability, rule of law) play a role in this dilemma? Does one play a larger role than others? Which one—and why is that the case?
Who will be impacted by Tony’s decision in this dilemma? Which stakeholders should Tony prioritize?
Consider the different Prime Label departments mentioned in this scenario: quality assurance, operations, legal, finance, public relations. How should Tony balance the perspectives, input, and objectives of these different teams as he manages this dilemma?
Objective Test Study Guide: Competencies and Tasks
This study guide outlines the skills and knowledge assessed for this event. Objectives followed by a two-letter, three-digit code in parentheses are aligned to the National Business Administration Standards from MBA Research and Curriculum Center. Some objectives reference MBA Research’s Learning Activity Packages (LAPs), which are instructional resources with readings, activities, and assessments available exclusively to teacher advisers. For more information, visit MBAResearch.org/FBLA.
Important Notice Regarding Test Preparation
MBA Research materials are not required to study for or prepare for FBLA competitive event tests. MBA Research provides curriculum and instructional resources directly to teachers and does not administer or manage individual student testing or competition participation.
Note for members and parents: All questions related to tests, study materials, scores, or competition guidelines should be directed to the local FBLA adviser. Only teacher advisers should contact MBA Research directly.
Communication Skills (10 test items)
1. Demonstrate active listening skills (CO:017, LAP-CO-017) (PQ)
2. Explain the nature of effective communications (EI:007, LAP-EI-140) (PQ)
3. Foster open, honest communication (EI:129, LAP-EI-129) (SP)
Self-Awareness (15 test items)
1. Describe the nature of emotional intelligence (EI:001, LAP-EI-001) (PQ)
2. Recognize and overcome personal biases and stereotypes (EI:017, LAP-EI-917) (PQ)
3. Assess personal strengths and weaknesses (EI:002, LAP-EI-902) (PQ)
4. Assess personal behavior and values (EI:126, LAP-EI-126) (PQ)
5. Assess risks of personal decisions (EI:091, LAP-EI-091) (PQ)
Doing the Right Thing (30 test items)
1. Demonstrate honesty and integrity (EI:022, LAP-EI-138) (PQ)
2. Demonstrate responsible behavior (EI:021, LAP-EI-021) (PQ)
3. Demonstrate fairness (EI:127, LAP-EI-127) (PQ)
4. Take responsibility for decisions and actions (EI:075, LAP-EI-075) (PQ)
5. Build trust in relationships (EI:128, LAP-EI-128) (CS)
6. Describe the nature of ethics (EI:123, LAP-EI-123) (CS)
7. Explain reasons for ethical dilemmas (EI:124, LAP-EI-124) (CS)
8. Recognize and respond to ethical dilemmas (EI:125, LAP-EI-125) (CS)
9. Explain the use of feedback for personal growth (EI:003, LAP-EI-903) (PQ)
10. Show empathy for others (EI:030, LAP-EI-030) (PQ)
11. Comply with the spirit and intent of laws and regulations (BL:163, LAP-BL-163) (CS)
Teamwork Skills (15 test items)
1. Participate as a team member (EI:045, LAP-EI-045) (CS)
2. Treat others with dignity and respect (EI:036, LAP-EI-036) (PQ)
3. Foster positive working relationships (EI:037, LAP-EI-037) (CS)
4. Assess long-term value and impact of actions on others (EI:137, LAP-EI-137) (SP)
Leadership Skills (20 test items)
1. Explain the concept of leadership (EI:009, LAP-EI-909) (CS)
2. Explain the nature of ethical leadership (EI:131, LAP-EI-131) (CS)
3. Model ethical behavior (EI:132, LAP-EI-132) (CS)
4. Determine personal vision (EI:063, LAP-EI-063) (CS)
5. Inspire others (EI:133, LAP-EI-133) (CS)
6. Develop an achievement orientation (EI:027, LAP-EI-027) (CS)
7. Enlist others in working toward a shared vision (EI:060, LAP-EI-060) (CS)
Career Readiness (10 test items)
1. Set personal goals (PD:018, LAP-PD-918) (CS)
2. Follow rules of conduct (PD:251, LAP-PD-251) (CS)
3. Make decisions (PD:017, LAP-PD-017) (CS)
4. Demonstrate problem-solving skills (PD:077, LAP-PD-077) (CS)