Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Business Ethics
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish
If the student is enrolled for the English track then classes for that subject will be taught in the same language.
Teaching staff
Agree interviews by email
Introduction
organisations and their relationships with society, making sound moral judgements in decision-making, evaluating one’s own values, arguing ethically in business environments and contributing to collective decisions. At the same time, it facilitates an understanding of those from different cultural traditions or ideological backgrounds and helps distinguish between what is right and what is only economically profitable or ‘politically correct’.
Business ethics contributes to the humanisation of economic and business activities. At the same time, it enhances corporate reputation and minimises the risk of relations between society and the company turning sour.
This course centres on worldwide case studies in which ethical issues are particularly prominent. It also presents the foundations of ethics in a serious but accessible way.
Pre-course requirements
no prerequisites
Objectives
- To understand why ethics is an essential part of any human decision.
- To gain an understanding of frequent ethical issues and dilemmas in business management.
- To become familiar with the essential business ethics concepts and the most relevant international standards for business ethics and corporate social responsibility.
- To understand the role of human virtues in business management and dealing with people.
- To understand the main ethical requirements for decision-making based on human dignity, human rights and other essential ethical principles.
- To reflect on an effective integration of ethics into business management and organisations.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 11 - To be familiar with the main concepts and theories related to humanity and society.
- 12 - To be familiar with the main concepts and theories of economic and business philosophy.
- 50 - To acquire the ability to relate concepts, analyse and synthesise.
- 51 - To develop decision making skills.
- 53 - To acquire the skills necessary to learn autonomously.
- 54 - To be able to express one’s ideas and formulate arguments in a logical and coherent way, both verbally and in writing.
- 56 - To be able to create arguments which are conducive to critical and self-critical thinking.
- 60 - To acquire knowledge that promotes respect for other cultures and habits.
- 62 - To acquire mechanisms that facilitate the adoption of ethical commitments.
- 68 - To develop mechanisms that encourage sensitivity towards social welfare issues.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Students who take this course will develop their ability to identify ethical values and make moral judgements. They will also learn to identify and solve practical problems and make good decisions.
Syllabus
I. FOUNDATIONS OF BUSINESS ETHICS
November 3
Session 1. What is business ethics about?
Reading:
The rise and fall of Arthur Andersen
Melé, D., Business Ethics in Action. Seeking Human Excellence in Organisations. Palgrave-Macmillan, 2009 (hereinafter BEA) pp. 6-15.
Session 2: Business Ethics: some conceptual clarifications
Reading:
BEA pp. 13-17; 27-38.
November 5
Session 3: Case Study Workshop
Manville: Selling in a different cultural context
Facing a custom in Philippine
Session 4: Cultural diversity and business ethics
BEA pp. 46-57.
Melé, D. & Sánchez-Runde, C. 2013. “Cultural Diversity and Universal Ethics in a Global World.” Journal of Business Ethics, 116:4, 681-87.
November 10
Session 5: Case Study Workshop
Working for a Family Business
Session 6: Ethical Theories and Religious Approaches
Reading:
BEA pp. 57-64 and 89-94.
Melé, D., 2011. “Catholic Social Teaching” in L. Bouckaert and L. Zsolnai (eds.). The Palgrave Handbook of Spirituality and Business. New York, Palgrave – MacMillan, pp. 118-128.
November 12
(Assignment for the 1st Report. Deadline: November 17)
Session 7: Case Study Workshop
A Good Team Player
Session 8: Human Dignity and the Common Good
Reading:
BEA pp. 71-89
Melé, D., 2009. "Integrating Personalism into Virtue-Based Business Ethics: The Personalist and the Common Good Principles." Journal of Business Ethics 88(1): 227-244.
II. THE PERSON WITHIN THE ORGANISATION
November 17
Session 9: Case Study Workshop
Discussion of case study for the 1st Report
Paula’s Dilemma
Session 10: Individual Responsibility within the Organisation
Reading: BEA pp. 101-101.
Alzola, M. 2008. “Character and Environment: The Status of Virtues in Organisations.” Journal of Business Ethics, 78:3, 343-57.
November 19
Session 11: Case Study Workshop
A project in Asia Danone – The decision to close biscuit plants
Session 12: Ethical Decision-Making
Reading: BEA, pp. 111-122.
Arjoon, S. 2006. “Ethical Decision-Making: A Case for the Triple Font Theory.” Journal of Business Ethics, 71:4, 395-410.
November 24
(Assignment for the 2nd Report. Deadline: November 26)
Session 13: Case Study Workshop
Easy Money on Wall Street
Session 14: Frequent Ethical Issues in Business
Reading: BEA pp. 129-146. Argandoña, A. 2007. 'The United Nations Convention against Corruption and its Impact on International Companies.' Journal of Business Ethics, 74:4, 481-96. PART III MANAGERIAL AND ORGANISATIONAL ETHICS November 26
Session 15: Case Study Workshop
Discussion of case study for the 1st Report Medtronic Inc. – A mission-driven company
Session 16: The Purpose of the Firm and Organisational Cultures
Reading: BEA pp. 158-168.
Abela, A. V. (2001). "Profit and More: Catholic Social Teaching and the Purpose of the Firm." Journal of Business Ethics 31, Part 2(2): 107-116.
December 1
Session 17: Case Study Workshop
Toshiba
Session 18: Virtues in Leadership and Organisational Cultures
Reading: BEA pp. 179-184; 202-218 and 227-245. Melé, D., The Character of a Business Leader.
December 3
Session 19: Case Study Workshop
Hotelasa Surgikos
Session 20: Ethics of Work and in Organising Work
BEA pp. 250-265.
December 10
Session 21: Case Study Workshop
The Pizza Puzzle
Session 22: Marketing Ethics
Reading: BEA pp. 274-290. AMA Code of Ethics
PART IV SOCIETAL AND EVIRONMENTAL BUSINESS ETHICS
December 15
Session 23: Case Study Workshop
Siemens – Several bribes hit the company General Motors – Sullivan Principles and gift-giving policy BEA pp. 143-146.
Session 24: Corporate Social Responsibility
Reading:
BEA pp. 299-316 and pp. 324-337.
Garriga, E. & Melé, D. 2004. “Corporate Social Responsibility Theories: Mapping the Territory.” Journal of Business Ethics, 53:1-2, August, 51-71.
December 17
Session 25: Case Study Workshop
Managing a New Product
Session 26: Environmental Business Ethics
Reading:
BEA pp. 347-361
Melé, D. (forthcoming). 'Pollution.' In R. W. Kolb (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Business Ethics and Society, Los Angeles: Sage. (Draft)
December 22
Session 27: Case Study Workshop
Toshiba
Session 28: Business Ethics: An overview
Pava, M. 2008. “Why Corporations Should Not Abandon Social Responsibility.” Journal of Business Ethics, 83:4, 805-12
Next syllabus in for Spanish group (only for your information)
Chapter 1 Origen y principales enfoques de la Ética empresarial
1.1 Códigos éticos
Material
Artículo Melé. Códigos de Ética mele.codigosdeetica.pdf
Caux Round Table Principles cauxroundtableprincipios.pdf
Código ético BBVA codigoconductabbva.pdf
Còdic ètic Telefonica codigoeticotelefonica.pdf
EASY MONEY ON WALL STREET casoeasymoneyonwallstreet.docx
The Minnesota Principles theminnesotaprinciples.docx
Websites
The Minnesota Principles http://www.cebcglobal.org/index.php?/about/the-minnesota-princip
Chapter 2 La dimensión ética del comportamiento
2. Qué aporta la ética a la empresa
Chapter 3 Fundamentos antropológicos de la Ètica. Racionalidad y Afectividad
Material
Apuntes Estructura Persona apuntesestr.persona.doc
Estructura persona. Esquema estructurapersona.esquema.ppt
Plató. La República platon.republ.1.doc
Chapter 4 Decision-Making and Efficacy
Material
Caso Electrónica electronica.doc
Quo vadis quovadis.cas.doc
Chapter 5 La lógica del mercado. Lógica del egoísta
Material
Enron elcasoenron.docx
5.1 Egoismo o benevolencia
Material
Milgrom. El egoismo milgrom.doc
Chapter 6 Estructuring Decisions
6.1 Definición completa de problemas de decisión
Material
El paciente tretrapléjico eltetraplejico.caso.docx
Regalo de Reyes regalodereyes.doc
6.2 Determiantes de la calidad de las deciisiones
Chapter 7 Virtues in Decision-Making
Chapter 8 Motivational Conflicts and Dilemmas
Material
El candidato elcandidato.doc
Héroe heroi.docx
Chapter 9 Ethics and Human Cooperation
Material
Caso Protenc protenc.docx
Chapter 10 La persona en la empresa
Material
El ladrón de Pittsburg elladrondepittsburg.docx
El niño inmigrante ninoinmigrante.doc
10. Qué significa tratar a otros como personas
Chapter 11 Development of the Cooperation. Trust
11.1 Valores posesivos y valores contributivos en la empresa
11.2 Competencia y cooperación. La confianza
Material
Caso La decisión de Inglaterra ladecisiondeinglaterra.doc
Chapter 12 Responsability and Solidarity
12. Egoism, Sentimentalism and Realism in Business
- Teaching and learning activities
Methodological resources
This module uses three different methodological resources:
1. Interactive classes that build on students' prior knowledge
2. Lectures explaining the main concepts
3. Analysis of practical case studies
Class organisation
Most classes are divided into two sessions. Generally, the first has a practical focus, involving a discussion of case studies, dilemmas or activities, while the second is a lecture in which issues arising in the case studies and others will be discussed in depth.
Classes start at 12:10 on Mondays. It is extremely important to be punctual.
Course segments
- Foundations of Business Ethics
- Individual Ethics within the Organisation
- Managerial and Organisational Ethics
- Societal Business Ethics
Language
The language of this course is English. However, examinations and any reports can be completed in English, as well as in Catalan or Spanish
Project
A project is required for this course. Two options are possible:
1) Description and discussion of a case study about a company chosen by each student, showing how this company understands and implements business ethics, corporate social responsibility and sustainability (see internet resources).
2) Description and discussion of a case study with ethical issues (own experience or experience of a relative) with ethical comments in terms of morality, responsibilities and virtues.
The deadline for the project is 30 November. Please send the project via e-mail to the lecturer: mele@iese.edu.
- Más allá de los resultados
- Qué aporta la ética a la empresa
- Códigos éticos
- Artículo Mélé. Códigos de Ética
- Caux Round Table Principles
- Código ético BBVA
- Còdic ètic Telefonica
- EASY MONEY ON WALL STREET
- The Minnesota Principles
- Definición completa de problemas de decisión
- Determiantes de la calidad de las decisiones
- Egoism, Sentimentalism and realism in Business
- Valores posesivos y valores contributivos en la empresa
- Competencia y cooperación. La confianza
- Qué significa tratar a otros como personas
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Methodological resources
This subject used three different methodological resources:
1. Interactive lessons that arouse the students' prior knowledge
2. Lectures explaining the main concepts
3. Analysis of practical cases
Class organization
Most classes are presented in two sessions. Generally, the first is practical oriented. It is devoted to a discussion of case studies, dilemmas or activities, while the second is a lecture in which issues which arose in the case studies, and others, will be dealt with in depth.
The classes start at 12:10 on Mondays. It is extremely important to be punctual.
Course segments
- Foundations of Business Ethics.
- Individual Ethics within the Organization.
- Managerial and Organizational Ethics.
- Societal Business Ethics
Language
The language of this course is English. However, exams and eventual reports can be done in English, as well as in Catalan or Spanish
Project
A project is required for this course. Two options are possible:
1) Description and discussion of a case study of a company chosen by each student, showing how this company understands and implement s business ethics, corporate social responsibility and sustainability (see Internet resources).
2) Description and discussion of a case study with ethical issues (one’s own experience or experience of a relative) with ethical comments in terms of morality, responsibilities and virtues.
The deadline for the project is November 30th. Please, send the project via email to the professor: mele@iese.edu.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
10% Personal case study project
20% Participation in class
35% Mid-course examination 1
35% Mid-course examination 2 (if you have pass the mid-course examination 1 with 6 points)
70% Final examination (you must pass the examination with 5 points to pass the course)
Both mid-course and final examinations will consist of discussing a dilemma or a case study plus some questions related to the lectures, literature and class discussions.
Bibliography and resources
Melé, D., Business Ethics in Action. Seeking Human Excellence in Organizations. Palgrave-Macmillan, 2009. This book is required by the course.
Melé, D.. 2012. Management Ethics: Placing Ethics at the Core of Good Management. New York: Palgrave MacMillan.
Bowie, N.E. (ed.). 2002, The Blackwell Guide to Business Ethics (Blackwell,Oxford).
Guillén Parra, M. 2006, Ética en las organizaciones. Construyendo confianza, Pearson-Prentice-Hall, Madrid.
Llano, C.: 1997, Dilemas éticos de la empresa contemporánea (Fondo de Cultura Económica, México).