...MBA 6301, Business Ethics Course Syllabus Course Description Explores the role of individual, business, and government activities related to ethically responsible commerce and socially beneficial business activity. Prerequisites None Course Textbook Stanwick, P. A., & Stanwick, S. D. (2014). Understanding business ethics (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Course Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Analyze the concepts of business ethics from a personal and an organizational perspective. Assess the ethical issues facing business leaders. Evaluate and distinguish between the concepts of social responsibility, integrity, and business ethics. Explain the framework required to make ethical decisions in today's business environment and how it improves the business climate. Summarize how moral philosophies, on a corporate and individual level, influence ethical decision-making in business. Analyze the influence of corporate culture, including leadership, power, and motivation, on business ethics in the workplace. Explain the pressures that influence ethical decision making in the organization. Evaluate the need for ethical standards, codes of ethics and practices in business. Assess the auditing process to assure ethical practices are being followed. Analyze the role that culture plays in global business ethics. Credits Upon completion of this course, the students...
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...whether business practice should be treated as a profession or not. The essay aims to discover as to which argument is more compelling and the reasons for it. The essay will conclude with supporting reasons favouring one of the two points of view. Business as a Profession This section will provide arguments that support the idea of business and management as a profession. Khurana, Nohria and Penrice (2005) strongly argue that business management should be a profession in order to prepare managers on how to conduct themselves in an ethical behaviour, employ proper judgement while making business decisions and maintain trust internally and externally. This concept maintains that 4 factors are crucial in order to determine the success of management as a profession which is a standardised body of knowledge that is widely accepted, a process of ensuring that individuals possess the required skills before granting them license to practice, ensure that individuals are dedicated to using their knowledge for the common good instead of maximising on profits and finally to create a code of ethics that can ensure that individuals are compliant with the guidelines. This school of thought is supported by Zsolnai (2009) who agrees that a professionalization of business is required to avoid the irresponsible behaviours displayed by business leaders today. In a nutshell, it is being emphasized that public trust would be much stronger and managers less corrupt if business and management...
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...(1) I believe that business schools are trying to respond to the social requirement of educating more ethical and social responsible business leaders. As the author suggests, however, I believe that this might be a long process and its results will be hard to predict. I have heard, for example, of a special interdisciplinary business school curriculum implemented by several institutions (Giving Voice to Values) which focuses on the implementation of ethics in the workplace. These kinds of programs suggest that business schools are trying to move to a different direction, where the main goal of the business leaders is to generate and manage a responsible growth. Generally speaking, I think that there is still a lot to be done and that business schools should focus more on the quality of their graduates as responsible and careful managers and not only as brilliant performers in terms of profits and earnings. (2) I don't believe that business schools alone should be accused. Of course the financial scandals of the recent years which have been orchestrated by MBA graduates have put the business schools in a bad light but this should not take us to the wrong syllogism that all the MBA graduates are irresponsible managers and excellent cheaters . By logic, not all the MBA graduates can be cheaters and lead to economic and social disasters. There is a misconception and generalisation, in my opinion, that lead to think that every student who applies for an MBA wants only to make more...
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...Integrating Corporate Social Responsibility with Competitive Strategy 2001 Winner "Best MBA Paper in Corporate Citizenship" The Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College by Dan O'Brien J. Mack Robinson College of Business Georgia State University 2 This paper is the winner of the 2001 "Best MBA Paper in Corporate Citizenship" competition, sponsored by The Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College. The Center annually sponsors this competition as part of an initiative to support and encourage research in the area of corporate social responsibility among MBA students and faculty in North America. The award is offered for the best paper on corporate citizenship by an MBA student. The contest is open to full or part-time MBA students enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning in North America. For his winning paper, the author received a $5,000 award and the opportunity to present it at the 2001 Academy of Management conference, the major convention of leading business management faculty. His faculty sponsor, Shaker Zahra, a professor in Georgia State University's Department of Management, received a $1,000 honorarium. The MBA Competition is sponsored by corporations with the hope of increasing awareness and interest about corporate social responsibility amongst the next generation of CEOs and business leaders. The corporations supporting this project are sending a message to the next generation of CEOs that research and knowledge...
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...focus on international business, the positive effect of globalization is much more apparent as well as the challenges it presents to countries with different ethical cultures. While most would assume that people in another land speaking a different language, following a different religion, and eating different food would more than likely perceive and behave differently from than our own; the truth is that even though these differences may be perceived, very little is done to actually understand them appropriately unless it is deemed necessary. However, what is quickly becoming equally apparent, for international businesses and corporations to deal successfully with a foreign contractor, business, or even government; the proper measures must be taken to understand the differences in ethical perception and to work to accommodate those differences. Failure to do so leave many of these companies and businesses vulnerable for international ethical dilemmas that are quickly brought to global attention by international media sources; where the wide-spread use of the Internet and digital communication have helped companies grow internationally, now any unaddressed unethical practice or issue from businesses can be heard and commented on around the world. Cultural difference begins with the ethical variations of perspectives or business ethics of each individual international company. Language is a huge barrier when it comes to international or inter-cultural business dealings, but despite...
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...Ethics Reflection Paper STR-581 February 4, 2013 Ethics Reflection Paper Ethics is a very important code of conduct in one everyday life because it plays a vital role in business. When organizations begin the process of creating a strategic plan they often take into consideration the vital role that ethics plays. Social responsibility can be affected in planning because it ensures the needs of the stakeholders in a company are content. In any organization ethic is a vital tool that is utilized to help employees within a organization understand how they should go about conducting themselves in a workplace environment. This should coincide with the values and standards that the organization they are employed with goes by. When strategic plans are created within a organization it should clearly state the expectations that the organization has set forth for employees so they will know how to conduct themselves. With the values set forth that each employee should make certain to make that ethics is a top priority (Pearce & Robinson, 2013). Within a organization values are typically stated in the mission and vision which will clearly explain the expectations and direction that the organization and its stakeholders wish to go in (Pearce & Robinson, 2013). In most organizations you can rely on the mission and/or vision statement to set standards on the principle from which organizations will develop a strategic plan and goals with...
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...How Personal Can Ethics Get? Mahalia D. Wright Dr. B Grizzell, Strayer University Bus 520: Leadership & Organizational April 26, 2011 Abstract This assignment explores an integrating case in the end of our textbook and several articles researched to fully understand just about ethics can get in a organization. The articles and case study conduct detailed findings individual and preferences can impact the ethics of an organization. This paper also reviews an organization’s rules and regulations can impact ethics. This detailed discussion is presented on the reviewed case study about an employee at Wisson Fragrance Company located in Chicago, Illinois named Valerie Young. Valerie’s ethical dilemmas with her boss, Lionel Waters, will give this paper an opportunity to explain the recommendations given due to her circumstances. It has been long understood that employees truly make an organization. The population researched and discussed are MBAs consider vital when searching for a job and it has been proven that most job seekers will not work at a company they could not be proud to state their affiliation. This material suggests that organizations overestimate the level to which others share their views on ethical matters and factors an organization’s ethical practices, corporate social responsibility (CSR), treatment of employees, job training and growth as good impacts. The results from this assignment will reveal the importance of a organization reputation...
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...Abstract Ethics and social responsibility occupy an important place in our personal value system. Customer confidence in how business operates has been severely shaken by recent corporate scandals and collapses, such as Enron and bank failures. Hence it is important for companies to consider incorporating ethics and social responsibility into their strategic planning. This applies whether a company is involved with customers one-on-one, such as a Taco Bell or Dell, Inc., or their involvement is indirect, through their relationship with their clients, such as newspaper distributor Pogo Distribution Company, or wholesale food seller, Del Monte. This paper analyzes what are ethics and social responsibility, how each applies to a company’s strategic planning, and the overall impact on stakeholders when ethics and social responsibility is considered in strategic planning. The paper will conclude with how my ethical perspective has evolved throughout the program. The Role of Ethics and Social Responsibility in Strategic Planning To be their most successful, companies must consider ethics and social responsibility as critical parts, inherent components of strategic plan. Ethical and social responsibility criteria must be included as part of the strategic process in before-profit decisions rather than after-profit decisions in order to receive the maximum benefit, i.e. corporate profits. The Role of Ethics in Strategic Planning Reflecting critically and actively on ethical...
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...Ethics Reflection Chris Rodgers University of Phoenix Strategic Planning and Implementation STR/581 Terry Pancake November 11, 2013 Ethics Reflection Current course readings emphasized the importance of ethical behavior by companies. The word “ethical” has gained more power in the last decade because of foul practices from companies such as Enron, Arthur Anderson, and WorldCom. The unethical behavior of company executives has caused in-depth company reviews by stakeholders no matter the size or reputation of the company. This paper concisely analyzes the important role of ethics and social responsibility as it pertains to the development of a strategic plan. Stakeholders’ concerns also receive applicable consideration, including the brief consideration of the evolved viewpoints of the student during the completion of his or her MBA studies at University of Phoenix. The Role of Ethics and Social Responsibility “Ethics refers to the specific values, standards, rules, and agreements people adopt for conducting their lives” ("What Does "ethics" Mean?", para. 1, 2013). As strategic managers incorporate ethics into the development of a strategic plan, the company can expect notable results and achievements. Social responsibility along with ethics forms the foundation of a well-devised strategic plan that takes into consideration the diverse requirements of internal and external stakeholders. Ethics and social responsibility support the needs of stakeholders through a company’s...
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...case studies, presentation and group assignments. Each group of students will consist of 5-6 students. The assignments / case studies involve library assignments and may be having some small practical studies. The guidelines for the same will be provided in class. Text: The recommended text used for the course is “ Business Ethics and Indian perspective ” by AC Fernando, Pearson VI Impression 2011 . Objective : The objective of the course is to help the students understand the nature of business ethics and issues in corporate governance and its application to the Indian corporate scene. It aims at introducing ethical concepts useful in resolving moral issues in business. It sensitize first year MBA students on ethical principles and developing reasoning and analytical skills needed to build firm foundation and grooming them to apply the ethical concepts to business decisions. The course is specifically planned with a lot of case studies, more specifically Indian scenarios making it relevant for Indian work environment. Sessions cover ethical theories underlying business, application of ethics in day-to-day business, ethics and the environment and ethics in consumer protection. I intend to cover ethical issues in various managerial functions such as finance, human resource and marketing. Evaluation Scheme: Sr. No | Component | Weightage | 1 | Class Participation-Individual | 15% | 2 | assignment-Individual | 15% | 3 | Case Analysis-Group | 30% | 4 | Final...
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...Running head: ETHICS REFLECTION Ethics Reflection STR/581 Ethics Reflection In the last decade ethics has taken an important place in corporate America after some unethical and fraudulent business practices getting uncovered. Few companies’ such as Tyco, Enron, Arthur Anderson, and WorldCom have made their name synonymous with corporate fraud. Unethical behavior of top executives like Bernard Madoff and Martha Stewart can sink the whole company. This paper will explain the role of ethics and social responsibility when developing a strategic plan. In this paper I will also discuss how my ethical responsibility has changed during MBA program. Ethics in Strategic Planning Ethical means that which is morally good, and morally right, as opposed to legally or procedurally right (Mendonca, 2001). Business like most other social activities presupposes a background of ethics and would be impossible without it. To be a good business leader it is very important to doing the right things. Any unethical behavior at workplace can be creates very stressful and overwhelming environment for employees. For example, if an employee finds an unethical behavior, which is not necessarily illegal, his or her inner self of right and wrong could play a role in what he or she does. A good corporation needs to know what is good and bad not only just now, but also within the action-relevant future (Mintzberg, Lampel, Quinn, & Ghoshal, 2003). To give clear directions on...
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...Business Ethics Across Cultures Article Review The first Article that I read is titled Business Ethics in China. In this article the author talked about how China is open to considering the ethical issues as they want to be global players. The Chinese are aware of some of their own corrupt business practices such as favoring family and cronies. Because the Chinese are doing so well and is such an economic powerhouse, any ethical rules that they set in place will have an impact on the entire world. Chinese frown upon double standards when it comes to criticism of their county by companies that flaunt their own ethical issues. So when doing business with the Chinese, they must set up the code of ethics. The article is listed below: Business Ethics in China by Miriam Schulman Is this Essay helpful? Join OPPapers to read more and access more than 460,000 just like it! GET BETTER GRADES If you want to talk about business ethics in China, don't set yourself up as the Western expert imposing foreign models on the Chinese. That was the message of Stephan Rothlin, general secretary of the Center for International Business Ethics (CIBE) in Beijing in remarks to the Business and Organizational Ethics Partnership of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics March 23. The Chinese, Rothlin said, are very open to considering ethical issues: "They want to be global players, and they realize that in order to become a real global power, they have to eliminate corrupt...
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...Ethics Paper Mgt/498 July 4, 2012 Ethics Paper Companies must accept responsible for the consequences of the actions and pass these ethics policies to their employees. “A 2007 survey of global executives by The Economist Intelligence Unit found that the percentage of companies given either high or very priority to corporate ethics and social responsibility had risen from less than 40% in 2004 to 50% 2007 and still rising” (Wheelan, 2010 p. 74). The author of this paper will discuss how the role of ethics and social responsibility will effective stakeholders and society. In addition, the author will discuss how the Arthur Andersen Corporation overstepped their ethical boundaries to their stakeholders. Ethics and Social Responsibilities Ethics spells out the important in order to achieve a specific result within the organization in existing or occurring issues. Moreover, the way people as a society make ethical decisions in his or her personal lives, is not necessarily the same way they make decisions in a business environment. Upper management implements ethical policies for all employees, this information should be updated continually through manuals or on the company’s website. Organizations in the United States use two views for business responsibility in the area of ethics Milton Friedman’s and Archie Carroll’s view. Friedman’s view is widely accepted in the business environment...
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...Ethics Reflection Paper Sheila Bourne University of Phoenix STR/581 Instructor: Charles Von Urff November 17, 2010 Executive Summary When the word “ethics” is mentioned in society and in business what comes to mind to me is that people should practice expressing good morals and values in making the best decisions in their personal and professional life. Basically, ethics is how we ought to act or behave because our conduct is affected by our morals. My paper will analyze how the role of ethics and social responsibility can go bad when ethics are no longer practiced in business, and how my ethical perspective has evolved through my MBA program and has given me strength to pursue an owner/ operator independent small business. Explain the role of ethics and social responsibility in developing a strategic plan, considering stakeholder needs. The role of ethics and social responsibility in an organization for a stakeholder needs can vary depending on the type of people that is leading and managing the organization. Organizations should have guidelines that they use for management to implement to employees so that everyone conducts themselves accordingly to the values, vision and the mission statement set forth by the stakeholders and their needs for that business. This will ensure employees understand the rules and make good ethical decisions for the benefit of the company. Ethical responsibility is the strategic managers’ notion of right and proper business...
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...Group 2: GIRLIE RODRIGUEZ MICHELLE OGATIS VHERLIE MIRAL RICHELLE REYES RONEE QUICHO MBA 111B 28 June 28, 2014 Case Analysis: Wolverine Fastener Co. I. Viewpoint The case is written from the viewpoint of Lance Edson, an MBA candidate, who was on a summer job with Wolverine Fastener Co. II. Statement of the Problem Lance is in a dilemma on whether he should follow orders as he was instructed or to reject a seemingly unethical practice. III. Objective(s) To come up with a quick decision to solve Lance’s dilemma whether to accept or condemn the unethical business practices perpetrated by Roger Gordon. IV. Areas of Consideration a. Roger Gordon is a dynamic businessman. He has an uncanny ability to get things done “just under the wire”. He is an extremely likeable man and he made a platonic relationship with Mary to his advantage. He thinks that was he is doing is not unlawful. b. Edwin Andrews is Roger’s working partner. They equally shared the annual profit and make decisions together yet each was responsible for his own accounts. Though well aware of the relationship between Roger and Mary, he never expressed any concern nor objected to what Roger was doing. He has a mind-your-own-business approach. c. Lance Edson, the writer, an MBA candidate, was working as an assistant to Roger while on a summer job. He is Roger’s close family friend. d. Robert Jacobs the individual fastener buyer at GCF from whom Roger obtained...
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