An Introduction to Business Ethics

1. Why Study Ethics? Discussion Case: Malden Mills Discussion Questions Introduction: Why Study Ethics? AIDS Drugs in Africa Ethics and Business Revisited Ethics and Ethos Morality, Virtue, and Social Ethics Ethical Perspectives: Managers and Other Stakeholders Review Questions 2. Ethical Theory and Business Discussion Case: Executive Compensation Discussion Questions Introduction Ethical Relativism Psychological Egoism Modern Ethical Theory: Utilitarian Ethics Challenges to Utilitarianism Utilitarianism and Business Policy Deontological Ethics Virtue Ethics Summary and Conclusions Review Questions 3. Corporate Social Responsibility Discussion Case: Pacific Lumber Discussion Questions Introduction The Classical Model of Corporate Social Responsibility Critical Assessment of the Classical Model: The Utilitarian Defense Critical Assessment of the Classical Model: The Private Property Defense Modified Version of the Classical Model: The Moral Minimum Social Contract Theory The Stakeholder Theory Summary and Conclusions Review Questions 4. The Meaning and Value of Work Discussion Case: The Changing Nature of Work Discussion Questions Introduction The Meanings of Work The Value of Work The Conventional View of Work The Human Fulfillment Model The Liberal Model of Work Business' Responsibility for Meaningful Work Review Questions 5. Moral Rights and the Workplace Discussion Case: Employee Rights and Wrongs Discussion Questions Introduction: Employee Rights The Right to Work Employment at Will Due Process in the Workplace Participation Rights Employee Health and Safety Privacy in the Workplace Review Questions 6. Employee Responsibilities Discussion Case: Professional and Managerial Responsibility at Enron and Arthur Andersen Discussion Questions Introduction The Narrow View of Employee Responsibilities: Employees as Agents Managerial Responsibility: Professional Ethics and Conflicts of Interest Trust and Loyalty in the Workplace Responsibilities to Third Parties Honesty Whistleblowing Insider Trading Review Questions 7. Marketing Ethics: Product Safety and Pricing Discussion Case: Product Safety in the Automobile Industry Discussion Questions Introduction: Marketing and Ethics Ethical Issues in Marketing: An Overview Ethical Responsibility for Products: From Caveat Emptor to Negligence Strict Products Liability Ethics and Pricing Review Questions 8. Marketing Ethics: Advertising and Product Placement Discussion Case: Sales and Advertising in the Auto Industry Discussion Questions Introduction: Ethics of Sales, Advertising and Product Placement Regulating Deceptive and Unfair Sales Advertising Marketing Ethics and Consumer Autonomy Targeting the Vulnerable: Marketing and Sales Review Questions 9. Business' Environmental Responsibilities Discussion Case: Interface Corporation and Sustainable Business Discussion Questions Introduction: Environmental Responsibilities Environmental Pragmatism: Towards a Consensus on Environmental Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility and the Environment Business Responsibility and Environmental Regulation Business Ethics and Sustainable Economics Business Responsibility in the Age of Sustainable Development Conclusions Review Questions 10. Diversity and Discrimination Discussion Case: Female Forman and the Brotherhood Discussion Questions Introduction: Diversity and Equality Discrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action Preferential Treatment in Employment Arguments Against Preferential Treatment Arguments in Support of Preferential Treatment Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Review Questions 11. International Business and Globalization Discussion Case: Globalization Protests Discussion Questions Introduction Ethical Relativism and Cross-Cultural Values Cross-Cultural Values and International Rights Globalization and International Business Globalization and the Poor Race to the Bottom Democracy, Cultural Integrity, and Human Rights Review Questions