Business Ethics

RATIONALE 

We live in a world comprised of multiple nation states, each with its own legal system. This presents a challenge to the increasingly international nature of business. At least in principle, and unlike legal systems, ethics transcends international boundaries. Equally, consumers are increasingly considering ethical ramifications when making purchasing decisions and businesses need to be aware of this.  Long debated under the rubric of both political and economic philosophy, the ethics of business activity has commanded growing attention in the past few decades and, today, most university courses in management and business offer formal instruction in this field. In an increasingly consumer-driven market, both entrepreneurial and managerial success is predicated, at least in part, on a robust understanding of business ethics. This module introduces students to theoretical perspectives on ethical business and offers opportunities to discuss and debate cases that highlight both principled and questionable practice. Students will develop skills in critical thinking, the presentation of argument and in working with others who may not share the same attitudes, beliefs and ideas. These skills not only support students as they address more complex issues at Level 6, but also as they move into graduate employment. 

AIMS 

Through the completion of this module students will: 

• Be equipped to think and argue in both philosophical and practical ways about ethics in business. 
• Be able to evaluate ethical challenges in business by recourse to multiple theoretical frameworks. 
• Develop a sensitivity to a range of ethical dilemmas in business 
• Develop an awareness of the significant challenges of determining moral direction in a complex, globalised economy.  

LEARNING OUTCOMES 

On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to: 

1. Explain the importance of philosophical deliberation in respect of ethical decision-making in the business environment 
2. Discuss ethical theory insofar as it relates to the analysis of business scenarios 
3. Apply ethical theory in order to examine relevant scenarios in business 
4. Appraise the quality of ethical arguments using appropriate reasoning skills