Ethics Workshop

7/31/2019 Ethics Workshop

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Teaching Business Ethics

Laura Pinto


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Ethics: Context in Contemporary Business

85% of Canadian organizations surveyedby KPMG practice formal ethical

standardsApproximately 75% of major U.S.

corporations are actively trying to build

ethics into their organizations (Harvard BusinessReview)


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Like Nailing Jell-o to a Wall

What is business ethics?

The discipline of applying ethical principals

to solve complex moral dilemmasAn area that requires reasoning and

judgment based on individuals principals

and beliefs in making choices that balanceself-interest against social claims andresponsibilities


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Why Practice Ethics?

To anticipate laws and the market in order to:

Forestall punitive social regulation

Prevent fraud or other organizational wrongdoing

Long-term market rewards through positive

reputation

To increase employee morale and

productivity

Because business is part of the social system

in which we all must live


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What Do Ethical Corporations Do?

Obey laws

Adopt codes of ethics that focus on

stakeholder interest over shareholderinterest

Participate in socially responsible

initiatives


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Examples

Bank of Montreal

The Body Shop


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Why Teach Ethics?

To develop students critical thinkingskills by:

Stimulating moral investigationAnalysing key concepts

Dealing with ambiguity and disagreement

Prepare students for issues they will

face in business careers Stimulate students sense of social

responsibility


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Levels of Business Ethics

Individual

OrganizationalAssociation

Societal

International


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Stakeholders

Customers

Employees and labour unions

Individual citizens

Shareholders

Environment

Government


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Ethical Obligation Vs. Legal Obligation

Because something is legal, it

does not necessary make itethical, and vice-versa

Being ethical implies more than

simply complying with existinglaws


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Ethics Vs. Social Responsibility

Social responsibility is best described asa subset of ethics

Social responsibility represents theduties of an individual or organizationto be accountable for its decisions


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Ethical Frameworks

Two general categories of reasoning

used to solve ethical dilemmas --

deontology and utilitarianism

Arguments and decisions can be made

by using either or a combination of both


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Deontology

Value-based

Using personal or individual beliefs ofright and wrong to solve and ethicaldilemma

Follows the logic that people ought todo what they believe is right, and

refrain from doing what they believe iswrong

Does not take consequences or long-

term outcomes into account


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Utilitarianism

Outcome-based

Using the potential outcome of anaction to solve and ethical dilemma

Follows the logic that people ought tobase their decisions on the action thatwill result in the greatest good for the

greatest number Does not take personal beliefs or values

into account


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Links to Courses

Information Technology

Introduction to Business

Science

Law

International Business Marketing

Administrative Studies


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Teaching Methods

Vary teaching methods based on:Age of students

Ability of students Topic covered

Effective strategies include: Case studies

Literature

Role play

Investigation


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Case Studies

Provide real-life or simulated situationsto which students can apply their

knowledge Can be constructed by teachers and

students using internet web sites and

newspaper/magazine articles


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Literature

Using literature to provide a context forbusiness ethics is a method rapidlygaining popularity in universities

Provides a richer context in whichstudents experience more creativethought

The Lorax(Dr. Suess) is an example ofliterature that can be used with studentsof all ages


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Role Play

Builds on case studies and literature

Allows students to experience and

internalize theory and situations

Takes form of debate or dramatization

Students play the role of either ethicistor managerin working through anethical dilemma


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Investigation

Applies authenticlearning to the ethicscurriculum

Students examine local businesses andrate them for the degree to which theypractice ethics

Alternately, students examinecompanies from which they purchasegoods or services using the internet andperiodicals


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Lets Look at an Ethical Dilemma .


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Internet Resources

Business Ethics Linkswww.ethics.ubc.ca/resources/business/

Canadian Centre for Ethics & Corporate Policywww.ethicscentre.com

Online Journal of Ethicswww.depaul.edu/ethics/gerde.htm

Ethics in Action www.ethicsinaction.com

KPMG Canada Ethics & Integrity Servicewww.kpmg.ca/ethics/home.htm


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Print Resources

Business Ethics Magazine

Business Ethics: A Managerial Stakeholder

Approach (Joseph W. Weiss, Wadsworth:Belmont, CA, 1994)

Practical Ethics (Gordon Shea, AMAMembership Publications: New York, 1988)

Business and Society: Ethics, Government,and the World Economy (Alfred A. Marcus,Irwin: New York, 1993)


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Conclusion

There are always those who think theyknow what is your responsibility better

than you do.

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ethics Workshop

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