Ethics
Overview:
The final week of this class is devoted to thinking about the lessons we will take away from the discussions. What are our ethical responsibilities to ourselves and the business we work for? What responsibilities should employers have toward their employees and to society? How do we act ethically across the borders of many countries, with innovative technology, and environmental sustainability? The 21st century poses many new ethical dilemmas and there is a moral imperative for business to deal with them.
Theme: Lessons Learned from the Class
Sub Theme One: Individuals Need to Set Personal Values
Read:
Sub Theme Two: Corporations Need to Set Values for within and without
INSIDE THE BUSINESS:
Read:
- Dispatches From the Frozen North (Standard Setting in the Way to do Business)
- Why Good Managers Make Bad Ethical Choices (Setting corporate responsibility)
Learning Activity #1: Ethics: A Personal Perspective, Part II In your first Learning Activity for week 1 you discussed some things that come to mind when you think of the word “ethics”. Over the course of the past 8 weeks, has your view or conception of ethics changed in any way? If yes, is there a specific moment you can identify and describe that triggered the change (a reading(s), or posting(s), discussion(s) with colleague(s) for example)? If your view or conception did not change, why do you think this is the case? How can what you learned in the course be applied in your professional and/or personal life? Learning 200 words
Activity #2: Business Codes of Ethics: Much Ado About Nothing, or the Real Deal “Morgan Stanley: Code of Ethics and Business Conduct,” and “Starbucks Code of Behavior” discuss the approaches and provisions these two companies have utilized in their attempts to establish credible ethical environments, and the “Strategic Leadership of Ethical Behavior in Business” article takes the position that ethical behavior involves a business strategy, and must be elevated to the upper echelons of business strategic planning. There seems to be a divergence of opinion on the value or lack thereof of a business code of ethics. Some have argued that business codes of ethics have little value or utility and are merely for public show and consumption. According to these proponents, corporations merely pay lip service to their codes of ethics. On the other hand, it has been argued that business codes of ethics are an essential and vital part of the ethical fabric of corporations. Using the aforementioned articles as a starting point, what is your perspective on the value or lack thereof of a business code of ethics? Do you think such a code is merely for public show and consumption? Do you think a corporation simply pays lip service to its code of ethics? Why do you feel this way? 200 words
Solution Preview
At the time I enrolled for this class, I knew ethics were moral values which guided persons in their decision-making process. I believed people were judged based on the morality of their actions…
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