Business & SocietyETLW: 302

The questions we ask

How should we live our lives?

What kind of person should I be?

How do you define ethics?

What are they? Where do they come from? How do they apply in business? Are they important?

The Meaning of Ethics

Ethics

• A conception of right and wrong conduct. It tells us whether our behavior is moral or immoral with fundamental human relationships

Business ethics

• The application of general ethical ideas to business behavior

What are the most important ethical issues in the business

world today?

Topics

Individuals: Ethical decision making, stakeholders

Organizations: Culture, diversity, regulation, public issues, CSR, sustainability

The world: globalization, Base of the Pyramid, Social Business

Syllabus

BE ON TIME Email me if you aren’t going to be here No, you can’t make up missed

assignments

What this class doesn’t do

Tell you what’s right or wrong

Give you the answers

What this class does

Forces you to engage and be active

Makes you think for yourself

We need ethics…right?

T. L. Ceranic Business & Society (ETLW 302)

YES!

T. L. Ceranic Business & Society (ETLW 302)

The Smell test…

Good ethics = good business!

Built to Last

“Truly exceptional and enduring companies all placed great emphasis on a set of core values.”•“Essential and enduring tenants.”•“Not to be compromised for financial gain or

short-term expediency.”

Without specific values, the only value is profit.

Why do Ethical Problems Occur?

Personal gain/selfish interest

Competitive pressures on profits

Battle between business goals and personal goals

Cross-cultural contradictions

Let’s Get Ethical!

For Next Class

Read•How to identify an ethical issue•Parable of the Sadhu•Student Privileges with Strings Attached

Complete the Ethical Lens Inventory