scholarly journals Enhancing Business Schools’ Pedagogy on Sustainable Business Practices and Ethical Decision-Making

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5527
Author(s):  
Kathleen Rodenburg ◽  
Kelly MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Business Schools ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Ethical Orientation ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
New Ecological Paradigm ◽  
Ecological Paradigm

Business school curriculums are designed to improve business skills and a student’s eventual workplace performance. In addition to these business skill sets the emerging business environment demands softer skills associated with ethical decision-making and sustainable business practices. The objective of the study is to identify the key influencers of ethical orientation and attitudes towards the environment as a first critical step for curriculum planning designed to develop both ethical decision-making and environmental sensibilities of students in business schools. Using a bivariate regression analysis (OLS) that compared the established New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale and the newly introduced Ethical Orientation Scale (EOS), this study assesses environmental eco-consciousness and ethical orientation over time and across varying socio-demographic variables. The study shows first, that in addition to socio-cultural variables, situational factors influence ethical decision-making. Secondly, it illuminates that ethical orientations as measured by the EOS predicts beliefs about the environment as measured by the NEP scale. It further provides evidence of the ethical underpinnings of the New Ecological Paradigm as well as provides initial validation for the new EOS. These outcomes provide additional levers to assist business educators in the creation of high impact teaching strategies to measure and encourage ethical decision-making and sustainable business practices that protect the environment.

scholarly journals Enhancing Business Schools’ Pedagogy on Sustainable Business Practices and Ethical Decision-Making

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Rodenburg ◽  
Kelly MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Business Schools ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Ethical Orientation ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
New Ecological Paradigm ◽  
Ecological Paradigm

Business school curriculums are designed to improve business skills and a student’s eventual workplace performance. In addition to these business skill sets the emerging business environment demands softer skills associated with ethical decision-making and sustainable business practices. Understanding the key influencers of ethical orientation and attitudes towards the environment is the first critical step for curriculum planning designed to develop both ethical decision-making and environmental sensibilities of students in business schools. Using a bivariate regression analysis (OLS) that compared the established New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale and the newly introduced Ethical Orientation Scale (EOS), this study assesses environmental eco-consciousness and ethical orientation over time and across varying socio-demographic variables. The study shows first, that in addition to socio-cultural variables, situational factors influence ethical decision-making. Secondly, it illuminates that ethical orientations as measured by the EOS predicts beliefs about the environment as measured by the NEP scale. It further provides evidence of the ethical underpinnings of the New Ecological Paradigm as well as provides initial validation for the new EOS. These outcomes provide additional levers to assist business educators in the creation of high impact teaching strategies to measure and encourage ethical decision-making and sustainable business practices that protect the environment.

scholarly journals Do Business Ethics and Ethical Decision Making Still Matter: Perspective of Different Generational Cohorts

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Klopotan ◽  
Ana Aleksić ◽  
Nikolina Vinković
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Business Ethics ◽  
Generational Differences ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Ethical Behaviour ◽  
Ethical Values ◽  
Generation Z

AbstractBackground: Research in business ethics shows that individual differences can influence one’s ethical behaviour. In addition, variability in attitudes towards ethical issues among different generations is emphasized. Still, results are inconclusive and call for an additional examination of possible generational differences with regard to ethics and ethical values.Objectives: Our objective is to test if the perception of the importance of business ethics, attitudes towards ethical issues and aspects influencing ethical behaviour, differ among the four generations currently present in the workforce.Methods/Approach: Theoretical implications are empirically tested on a sample of 107 individuals, members of Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z.Results: In general, the results indicate that there are little or no generational differences related to the analysed aspects of business ethics. The significant difference is present only in the importance given to factors that influence ethical decision-making: (i) formal rules and procedures, (ii) performance management system and (iii) job pressures, between the members of Generation Z and older generations.Conclusions: In spite of employee diversity, ethics continues to present an important aspect of the business environment. Thus, organizations need to be oriented towards creating ethical leaders and a positive ethical climate that ensures that ethical values and behaviours are present throughout the organization.

Exposing Accounting Students to Multiple Factors Affecting Ethical Decision Making

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin R. Radtke
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Accounting Students ◽  
Ethical Orientation ◽  
Lively Discussion ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Ethical Orientations ◽  
Position Questionnaire

This learning exercise describes one possible method to engage students in discussion about ethical issues. It focuses on recognition of ethical issues, professionalism, and individual differences in ethical orientations. The goal of this learning exercise is to stimulate discussion and resolution of ethical dilemmas among groups with heterogeneous ethical orientations. It consists of four sections. First, the Ethics Position Questionnaire is introduced as a means of classifying students based on their ethical orientation. Second, evaluation of what constitutes an ethical dilemma is explained. Third, how the concept of professionalism affects ethical decision making is discussed. Fourth, breaking students into groups with heterogeneous ethical orientations should stimulate lively discussion of ethics vignettes. Completion of this learning exercise should make students aware of several factors that impact ethical decision making and allow them an opportunity to discuss ethical issues with students who have different ethical orientations.

The Neenan Company: rebuilding from a crisis

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 310-318
Author(s):  
Lumina S. Albert ◽  
Grace Hanley Wright ◽  
Thomas J. Dean
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Crisis Management ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Structure Design ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Structural Problems

Synopsis The Neenan Company is a construction firm based in Fort Collins, Colorado, known for their efforts in pioneering the advancement of the design/build approach to construction. With a history of industry leadership, innovative contracting methods, and ethical business practices, the company now faces management, customer relations, and financial challenges. Serious structural problems were discovered in a number of public schools and other buildings built by the company. Thrown into a whirlwind of shock, Randy Myers, President of the company, must consider how to respond to the crisis, and how to prevent these issues in the future. Written from his perspective, this case provides a platform for considering the challenges that can result from industry innovation, ethical decision-making, and crisis management. Research methodology For the development of this case, the authors interviewed the top management at the Neenan Company: Founder David Neenan, President Randy Myers, and Donna Smith, Vice President of Business Development. The authors also interviewed current employees, previous employees of Neenan, representatives of school buildings built by Neenan, stakeholders, other experts in the construction field and existing customers of the company. The company made internal documents available to the authors, including financial statements and quality control and assessment tools, which were provided by Ryan Dellos, Chief Financial Officer. The authors surveyed financial documents and business documents to analyze pertinent information and data relevant to the case. All the interviews were recorded, coded, and analyzed to include multiple perspectives. Extensive online research was conducted on the construction industry and The Neenan Company which included several news articles and interviews on David and Randy. Additionally, the authors carefully studied the news reports by The Denver Post and other related press materials. Experts from the construction field and financial field provided assistance with data analysis and interpretation. The authors used a variety of academic resources to draw connections between the issues faced by Neenan and concepts discussed in business courses. Relevant courses and levels This case has applications in entrepreneurship, small business management, business ethics, leadership, organizational structure/design, and new venture management courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. It also contains critical areas of decision-making relevant to an advanced strategic management course. The case can be introduced at any stage of the term, and is specifically relevant to discussions focussing on innovation and growth, corporate social responsibility, ethical decision-making, stakeholder theory, entrepreneurial crisis management, and long-term venture success.

scholarly journals Teaching ethics through court judgments in Finance, Accounting, Economics and Business

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Robina Ramírez
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Codes Of Conduct ◽  
Educational Innovation ◽  
Criminal Code ◽  
University Education ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Royal Decree ◽  
Cross Sectional

<p>The current environment of business and financial corruption in Spain has increased in recent years. In order to reduce the scope of this problem, the Spanish Criminal Code (L.O. 1/2015) has introduced codes of conduct and ethics to encourage a new culture of respecting laws for companies and employees. An Educational Innovation Group at the University of Extremadura has proposed a cross-sectional model to study ethics, in an effort to address concerns about the consequences of illegal acts in society and companies. Students in Business, Finance and Accounting are required to practice ethical decision-making through court judgments in order to develop “ethical competences”. These competences are included in the European Higher Education Area and the Official University Education in Spain, specifically in the Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October through cross-sectional competences within the academic programmes. The results of the study show that a high percentage of students validate this methodology as a way of improving ethical decision-making skills at University that will be applied to future business practices.</p>

scholarly journals Ethics in Organizations: The Case of Tata Steel

2006 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunil Kumar Maheshwari ◽  
M P Ganesh
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Ethical Practices ◽  
Different Levels

The concern for ethical decision-making among the regulators, social groups, and managers has substantially increased in recent years following the failure of some of the prominent business organizations owing to strong social condemnation of some of their business practices. This paper reviews the literature to address this concern by examining and discussing significant issues of ethical decision-making in organizations. Literature shows that the research to examine the linkage of ethical decision-making with other organizational construct is inadequate. This paper tries to fill this gap by developing a comprehensive framework of organizational ethical decision-making and behaviour of individuals in organizations. The framework identifies three groups of variables: a) moral intensity, b) intrinsic factors, c) extrinsic factors. Further, it is used to analyse the implementation of code of conduct at Tata Steel. Ethical problems are problems of choice owing to the conflicting nature of values. They occur when the individual values and the social norms conflict with each other. Often, due to conflicting interests of different stakeholders, managers in organizations face the dilemma of identifying the righteous decision as perceived by these stakeholders. Hence, it is important to guide managers � by articulating and communicating unambiguously — regarding what is right and what is not. Intense socialization will be required at different levels to imbibe organizational values and ethical practices. The socialization that leads to willing adoption of practices is likely to lead to better implementation of ethical practices. The scope of socialization could be extended to include the family members of employees to develop a sense of pride among them for being ethical. Organizations would need to undertake the following initiatives which would be useful for implementation of ethical practices: Enhance perceived self-efficacy among the employees. This study shows that people with high self-efficacy are more open to ethical choices in their decision-making. Initiate reward and incentive mechanisms, suitable monitoring system, and accountability mechanisms. Internal competition-driven performance management practices induce violation of ethical norms in organizations. Hence, organizations with such practices would need extra effort in socialization, training, and monitoring to ensure ethical decision-making. Develop different mechanisms for avoidance of violation of code of ethics. For adequate monitoring, ethic supervisors should ideally report to an independent unit in the organization, preferably at a higher level. Hence, the reporting relationships may need alteration for implementation of ethical practices. The study also suggests that leadership at different levels of the organization will have to display strong commitment to ethics through communication and adoption of role model stature.

The psychologist’s role in ethical decision making: Adolescent bariatric surgery.

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin L. Price ◽  
Margaret E. Lee ◽  
Gia A. Washington ◽  
Mary L. Brandt
Keyword(s):  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Adolescent Bariatric Surgery
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