MM295-Business Ethics 1

Module Provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Lucy Newton
Email: l.a.newton@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module aims to develop students’ awareness and understanding of the ethical issues in business and management.? In particular, the ethical issues facing multinationals and global companies will be examined.? Businesses do not operate in a vacuum and it is important to consider non-economic issues, such as ethics, to set the management of companies in a broader context. Using a combination of ethical theory and case study analysis, the module aims to enable students to analyse ethical issues that corporate decision-makers face in developing policies concerning a variety of stakeholders. 

Aims:

To develop student's awareness and understanding of ethical issues in a business and management environment, from the perspective of the individual, of individual firms and of wider society and the environment. The module aims to enable students to analyse ethical issues that corporate decision-makers face in developing policies about employees, customers and the broader stakeholders by utilising both theory and case studies. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

• To identify and assess key ethical issues that face modern business 


• To analyse real ethical issues through use of ethical theory 


• To appraise ethical dilemmas from a managerial, individual and societal perspective 


• To critically assess the ethical context in which corporations operate, be it international markets or the natural environment, and consider the impact this has upon business behaviour and performance 


• To provide a written evaluation of key ethical issues using ethical theory. 

Additional outcomes:

By undertaking essay and exam assessments as part of this module, students will enhance their information gathering, analytical, writing synthesis and IT skills. 

Outline content:

The module will consider ethical issues that corporate decision-makers face in developing policies about employees, shareholders, customers and broader stakeholders by utilising both theory and case studies. Topics include:? 

• Ethical Theory 


• Employees and business ethics? 


• Ethical buyer/supplier relationships 


• Consumers and business ethics? 


• Globalisation and ethics 


• Financial issues and ethics 


• Corporate governance and ethics 

Global context:

The international context in which business operation and how this relates to ethics will be considered throughout the module.? In particular, the ethical issues facing multinationals and global companies will be examined.  International company case studies are utilised. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures combined with one-hour seminars. The basic material will be covered in lectures. Discussions take place in the seminars.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One essay, approximately 2,500 words submitted at the start of the Spring term.

One final timed open-book assessment – 72 hours. To take place in the first week of the Summer term (before formal examinations begin).

Formative assessment methods:

Formative feedback is provided during discussions in seminars and answers to queries via email and the Discussion Board facility on Blackboard.

Penalties for late submission:

University penalties for late submission apply.  

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A weighted average of at least 40%.

Reassessment arrangements:

During the August re-sit period – mark capped at 40%. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Textbook optional but recommended – approximately £36.00 - Andrew Crane and Dirk Matten, Business Ethics (fifth edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019). 

Last updated: 22 September 2022