Introduction to Data Ethics

An Introduction to data ethics, focusing on questions of privacy and personal identity in the economic world as it is defined by big data technologies, artificial intelligence, and algorithmic capitalism. Originally published in The Business Ethics Workshop, 3rd Edition, by Boston Acacdemic Publishing / FlatWorld Knowledge

The why, when, and how of Corporate Social Responsibility

Reflecting on the question of who is the principal subject of social responsibility in the business sphere, Greenfield sets out a number of common assumptions among practitioners in the field and tries to dismantle them through a critical review of recent literature. Some of his reflections need to be nuanced from an ethical basis and elaborated upon from a practical point of view. Taking as our starting point Greenfield´s conclusion "there is no such thing as business ethics, only ethics of individual business men and women", this article aims to look in more depth at the consequences of regulating personal ethics and referring it to an institution.Business ethics, Corporate social responsibility, Strategy

Perceptions of Business Ethics of Working Adults in Public and Private Sectors

The public sector in Illinois has long been under scrutiny of corruption and ethical misconducts. Therefore, understanding the ethical perceptions of public and private sector employees and the factors that influence them, as well as their ability to exert leadership in society. There has been increased research on business ethics over the years. Ethical issues such as conflict of interest, account and consumer fraud, and bribery have become more complex and culturally diverse (Nguyen, Tran, Mujtaba, & Tran, 2014). The purpose of this study is to investigate how age, gender, nationality, workplace Code of Ethics, business ethics training, longevity with current employer, and government work experience influence personal business perceptions of American working adults and students. Using Comparison t-test and ANOVA analyses, this research analyzes 132 public and private sector employees and students at Governors State University. Significant correlations were not observed between personal business perceptions and gender, age, nationality, education, business ethics training, management and government experience. This study found significant differences in the mean Personal Business Ethics Scores (PBES) scores and Code of Ethics in the workplace. The results from this research suggest that business ethics codes and diversity trainings play a role in creating an ethical workplace climate. This study offers a unique analysis of the personal business ethics perceptions of students at Governors State University and working adults in public and private sectors

How Ethics Affect Business

This paper shows the impact of ethics on business, where ethics are divided into several sections, including personal ethics, social ethics, religious and professional ethics. This research will focus on ethics policy in business and the importance of imposing it on employees and managers in the companies. Followed by the results of their application to employees and customers. This research employs a descriptive methodology, using literature studies as source of theories. The study case is taken in a Nissan company based in Japan

The Efficacy Of Business Ethics Courses When Coupled With A Personal Belief System

Business educators are being challenged on an increasing basis to reassess the ethical awareness of their students and the effectiveness of their ethics education.  In this paper we test a traditional approach to ethics exposure in business law classes, which is the primary venue for teaching ethics in many business curriculums.  We find that ethics exposure in the traditional business law course using popular textbooks does not influence the ethical sensitivity of students.  We also document that ethical sensitivity of students breaks down at several levels.  Business students have different personal standards as compared to acceptable corporate standards of ethics

Ethical theory and business ethics: the search for a new model

The following thesis is an attempt to propose a 'model' to begin an analysis on a specific dilemma within business ethics. The model will utilise both 'metaphorical' and 'literal' language in the form of questions based on modem moral philosophical theory. The motivation in providing these questions is that there will be less ambiguity if a 'tool' was used to analyse the dilemma, rather than use intuition or abstract moral philosophy. The model, called the Comb, will be used to analyze a comprehensive case study - the case of the Newfoundland Fishing Industry. The case is in the form of an illustrative dilemma and examines the restructuring of the Newfoundland fishing industry. Newfoundland is one of the island provinces of Canada and its main industry, the offshore and inshore fisheries, has recently been 'decimated' by a number of factors. The case will hopefully demonstrate that the restructuring of the Newfoundland fishing industry may be portrayed as an ethical dilemma in business. The analysis will hopefully 'sort' and 'arrange' some of the ethical issues emanating out of the restructuring. The thesis is also an attempt to develop an argument for approaching business ethics from a reflective standpoint. The end result is designed to make the user of the questions developed through the Comb think reflectively, to open new lines of debate within the subject area of business ethics as well as the case of the restructuring of the Newfoundland fishery. The questions of the Comb provide the framework which may be seen as absent in a business ethics analysis. It would seem that the answers about why business is ‘unethical’ are quite easy to produce - the capitalist system, the emphasis on short-termism, managerial incompetence and so on - but are they the answers to the right questions? The Comb specifically and this thesis as a whole are attempts to develop a practical, reflective method to a examine specific dilemma in business ethics. It may be seen as an attempt to develop 'detachedness’ within the 'involvement' of a case study. The thesis is a personal search. Not a search to find answers but one which will propose questions to expand the author’s understanding of the dilemma of the restructuring of the Newfoundland Fishery. It is a search to attempt to understand the subject area of business ethics and how to operationalise the theory behind it. Moreover, it is a search to see if a systematic and simplified model is possible within the subject area of business ethics. The thesis will conclude that while the model may be seen as valid for improving the author’s understanding of the subject area of business ethics and the case study of the Newfoundland fishery, improvements may be made through, for example, establishing alternative 'metaphors’. It will also argue that the 'context' of a business ethics analysis is very important. Business ethics and the model may have to understood as the right ‘tool' for the times

An Investigative Analysis of Teaching Business Ethics in Tennessee Community Colleges.

The purpose of this study was to investigate what Tennessee community colleges were currently doing in preparing students in the area of business ethics. The study explored preparedness of faculty members in teaching business ethics, motivations for teaching business ethics, preferred methods of business ethics instruction, proportion of time devoted to teaching business ethics, and faculty member perceptions of responsibility, importance, and effectiveness of teaching business ethics. Personal and professional demographic factors were collected, such as age, gender, degree earned, teaching experience. These were useful in developing a profile of business faculty members in the 13 Tennessee community colleges. An on line survey was designed to gather information to address the research questions in the study. The survey consisted of 14 questions with areas for comments and remarks from faculty members. Based upon the findings, conclusions have been drawn. The typical business faculty member is male, 56 years of age or older, teaching in higher education 16 years or longer, holding a masters degree as his highest academic achievement, and holding the current academic position of associate professor. Over two-thirds of the faculty members devoted 10% or less of their class time teaching business ethics. Eighty-five percent of the faculty members have had some business ethics training taking courses and attending workshops. It appears that the business faculty members in Tennessee community colleges are well prepared to teach business ethics. The most preferred method of teaching business ethics was the use of real-life cases, followed by discussion, and hypothetical cases. Ninety-six percent of the business faculty members perceived some degree of responsibility, 100% business faculty members perceived some degree of importance in teaching business ethics. Over two-thirds perceived business ethics instruction not to be effective, somewhat effective, or unsure. Recommendations for faculty include: commit, train, establish goals and objectives, develop effective instructional methods, put program into place, and evaluate its effectiveness. Recommendations for further research include: explore any changes from this study, include other states for comparison, go beyond the specific areas in this study, and conduct a study focused on measuring the effectiveness of business ethics education

Business students’ attitudes towards business ethics: Evidence from Croatian universities

The aim of this paper is to determine the differences in students’ ethical attitudes depending on their gender, level of study as well as university. This study examines the attitude of sample of 670 business students, studying at five (out of seven existing) state-owned universities in the Republic of Croatia, as to predict their attitude towards business ethics. Results of the study show that there are significant differences between demographic and personal characteristics in relation to the attitude of business students towards ethics in the Republic of Croatia. It is believed that this study, based on the analysis of business students’ attitudes towards business ethics, could contribute to understanding their future behaviour in the process of ethical decision-making

Business students’ attitudes towards business ethics: Evidence from Croatian universities

The aim of this paper is to determine the differences in students’ ethical attitudes depending on their gender, level of study as well as university. This study examines the attitude of sample of 670 business students, studying at five (out of seven existing) state-owned universities in the Republic of Croatia, as to predict their attitude towards business ethics. Results of the study show that there are significant differences between demographic and personal characteristics in relation to the attitude of business students towards ethics in the Republic of Croatia. It is believed that this study, based on the analysis of business students’ attitudes towards business ethics, could contribute to understanding their future behaviour in the process of ethical decision-making

Reflective Ethical Decision: A Model for Ethics in Accounting Education

This conceptual paper describes a Reflective Ethical Decision Model (REDM), which uses the underpinnings of philosophical humanism in collaboration with self-directed learning to help students determine and design their own personal model construct of ethical values. This model analyzes the necessary ingredients for applying ethics in accounting and business education and offers a hands-on pedagogical approach to the ethics curriculum. It is an illustration students can use to reflect on personal orientations toward ethical behavior and lifelong values. The rationale for proffering such an approach is the notion that the operational orientations that guide human behavior are not fully developed until early adulthood. This concept is also applicable in professional training and development as a move toward improving ethical decision-making constructs in organizations. The idea is to evoke the personal ethics each of us has, not to promote additional avenues to extend the fallacy surrounding business ethics. The designer, and author, hopes this model concept will encourage future research about ethical decisionmaking as a result of any critique that may arise from this endeavor