CSU MBA 6301 Unit I-Study Guide

MBA 6301, Business Ethics 1













































UNIT I STUDY GUIDE
The Foundation of Ethical Thought and
Contemporary Issues in Business Ethics

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Analyze the foundation of ethical theory and the history of business
ethics.
2. Analyze the ethical framework needed for decision making.
3. Identify the global business standards used in ethics.
4. Examine the deontological frameworks of business ethics.
5. Examine the teleological frameworks of business ethics.
6. Identify and discuss the myths related to business ethics.
7. Analyze the three simple ethical tests established by the Institute of
Business Ethics.
8. Discuss the ethical cycle of business ethics.
9. Assess the dynamics of rationalizing unethical behavior.


Unit Summary

Business ethics has become a popular discipline in colleges and universities
over the last few decades. This popularity has now translated to the boardroom
and down the corporate ladder where corporations have made it commonplace
to communicate its ethical stance and policy to all stakeholders in the ethical
chain.

Every individual must have a moral and ethical foundation from which to make
ethical decisions. Every individual has certain values (whether he/she knows it or
not) on which he/she base his/her decision-making. Business ethics can be
described as the collective values of all involved in the corporate decision-
making process or those who share in decisions made by the corporation.

Ethical behavior of individuals has been categorized, and a variety of categories
have been developed to enunciate the ethical decision-making process of the
individual. The process of individual ethical decision making is important
because it affects the collective decision making process of the corporation.

Scholars have developed a global business standard framework from which to
evaluate the conduct of companies. Eight ethical principles have been
developed to assist in determining the conduct of companies: Fiduciary
Principle, Property Principle, Reliability Principle, Transparency Principle, Dignity
Principle, Fairness Principle, Citizenship Principle, and Responsiveness
Principle. Each satisfies a particular element in order to establish a global
business standard for the proper conduct of companies.

Integrity plays a large role in personal and business ethics. There are some
simple rules of thumb to evaluate and gauge an individual’s integrity: publicity
test, the trusted friend, the reciprocity test, the Golden Rule, and the universality
test. Each test evaluates an individual’s personal integrity.

Reading
Assignment

Chapter 1:
The Foundation of
Ethical Thought

Chapter 2:
Contemporary Issues in
Business Ethics


Key Terms

1. Beneficence
2. Business ethics
3. Ethics
4. Fidelity
5. Golden Rule
6. Gratitude
7. Justice
8. Noninjury
9. Obituary test
10. Publicity test
11. Reciprocity test
12. Reparation
13. Self-improvement
14. Trusted friend
15. Universality test
MBA 6301, Business Ethics 2


There are certain specific behaviors that indicate “high integrity.” Humility, a
concern for the “greater good,” being truthful, fulfilling one’s commitments,
fairness, taking responsibility, respect for others, celebrating the good fortune of
others, and forgiving others are all character traits that exhibit high integrity.

One of the pressing issues in business ethics is the ability to use ethical decision
making to build character. Furthermore, ethical managers are able to make their
own rules relating to acceptable behavior within a corporation. However, an
issue still exists since everyone is not self-aware. Every individual views the
world from his/her own experience and world view; therefore, it can be argued
that individuals may not always view the same actions as unethical or wrong.
This may create some problems within the corporation. Managers and
employees must be able to understand the impact of their decisions and how
their decisions affect others. Ethics training assists employees in a further
understanding of the ethical dilemmas facing a corporation and its employees.

Many people and corporations will attempt to rationalize their behavior. Proper
ethics training and corporate transparency will assist in decreasing unethical
conduct within a corporation. Corporations will engage in “self-monitoring” to
detect ethical violations within a company. A company’s reputation translates to
its “good will,” and, clearly, company stakeholders have a vested interest in the
good will of the company. It is important that corporate managers strive to
achieve ethical behavior across the board in the company. Corporations must
make resources available to their managers so they can train employees in
ethical decision making as well.