Download Duration of programme: XX months

BHM305 BUSINESS, ETHICS, RESPONSIBILITY &
SUSTAINABILITY
Academic Year 2013/14
Number of Aston Credits:
10
Number of ECTS Credits:
5
Staff Member Responsible for the Module:
Bahar Ali Kazmi, Work & Organisational Psychology Group
South Wing, Room SW712, Extension 5371
Email: [email protected]
Helen Borland, Work & Organisational Psychology Group
Email: [email protected]
Or contact tutors by email or the Work and Organisational Psychology Group
Administrator Jenny Thompson, SW 802, Extension 3257 [email protected]
Pre-requisites for the Module:
None
Mode of Attendance:
On Campus and Off Campus
Module Objectives and Learning Outcomes:
The Institute of Business Ethics defines business ethics as ‘the application of ethical
values to business behaviour.’ As Aristotle recognised, ethics is not an ethereal
abstraction but is a practical aid to business problem solving. This module is
transdisciplinary in that it takes ideas from a range of disciplines to help understand,
analyse and resolve ethical dilemmas in management. There has been a growing
interest in the ethics of business and what is generally referred to as CSR (Corporate
Social Responsibility) and Sustainability. Whilst these terms have a number of
synonyms and a variety of different uses, they all relate to issues about society, the
economy and the environment.
Objectives:
To distinguish between ethics, morals, codes of conduct and the law. A1
To understand the ethical dilemmas facing managers. A2 D13
To explore models that supports ethical decision-making and their limitations. A3
Be aware of different philosophies and their implications. A1
To understand corporate social responsibility and philanthropy.A1
To explore the concept of sustainability and sustainability strategies for business
A1
Examine the evolution of governance and its practice. A2
To understand the role of social accounting and accountability A2
To consider the role of business in relation to ethics, CSR, human rights, poverty
& sustainability. A1
To study a series of cases focusing on contemporary issues. C1 B3
To reflect on personal and organisational values D11
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the module students will be able to:
Understand the nature and concepts of ethics, responsibility and sustainability. A1
Understand ethical components of managerial decision making A3
Develop thinking and analytical skills and draw upon a range of models and
frameworks to aid ethical decision-making. B3 D13
Apply their knowledge of ethics to everyday dilemmas and to some of the great
international debates D5
Be sensitive to the influence of culture on ethics, responsibility and sustainability
D6
Be conscious of own and organisational values and their impact on decision
making D14
Module Content:
Week 1:
Introduction and overview of module
Why ethics? Why now? Why does it matter?
Perspectives on ethics and responsibility.
Models, concepts and frameworks for decision-making.
Week 2:
Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy – why bother?
Business and Human Rights. Business & Poverty
What is the role of Business?
Week 3:
Strategic Sustainability. What do we mean by sustainability and what
are the issues for business?
Week 4:
Corporate Governance. What is the role of the law in regulating
corporate behaviour?
Week 5:
Social Reporting and Accountability
Week 6:
Strategies for Ecological Sustainability
Week 7:
The role of ethical codes, policies and practices including ‘whistle
blowing’
Week 8:
Individual influences on ethical decision-making. Personal &
organisational values, their origin, development and integration.
Reflective learning
Week 9:
No lecture: First Assignment Hand in
Week 10:
No Lecture: Second Assignment Hand in
Corporate Connections:
The recent banking crisis and the collapse of economic markets have brought
questions about the ethics and responsibilities of organisations sharply into focus
For example; The Birmingham Centre for Business Ethics works with business
organisations in the West Midlands. Drawing members from the corporate world and
local businesses. The work of the UN Global Compact covers organisations locally
and globally.
International Dimensions:
The foundation of ethics goes beyond national borders. The interconnectedness
between global events and the impact they have on peoples lives has given further
impetus to calls for a re examination of the role of business in society. Many of the
dilemmas facing managers occur because of developing world issues, such as the
globalisation of trade and climate change. International issues become central when
comparing Eastern and Western cultures and the module will use case studies and
speakers that highlight international issues. The module will also draw upon the
experiences of students to explore comparative issues from different cultures.
Contribution of Research:
This is a transdisciplinary module and each of the contributors incorporates research
from their own area of expertise. For example; Carole Parkes incorporates research
from the Institute of Business Ethics and her research on Ethics, CSR and HRM,
Helen Borland’s research in Strategic Sustainability, Robert Goddard in the area of
Corporate Governance and Stuart Cooper on Sustainability and Social Reporting &
Accountability.
Ethics, Responsibility & Sustainability:
This module is a core part of the MBA specifically designed to cover the knowledge
and skills aspects of Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability.
Method of Teaching:
This is an transdisciplinary module and the module leader co-ordinates inputs from
a team drawn from across and outside the business school and industry
Highly interactive teaching methods are used to explore the main concepts with
case based syndicate work and plenary sessions using topical business problems.
Sessions will be led by people from the appropriate discipline who will present
concepts and facts but not judgements.
Some case studies will be live using practitioners to present and discuss problems
they face.
Directed reading will present alternative views of issues covered and focus upon
process rather than answers
Method of Assessment and Feedback:
In course assignment work consists of two pieces of work. The first requires students
to use the frameworks and models explored in this module to critically analyze
problems and dilemmas encountered in the workplace. Students are also required to
submit a personal reflection of their own values and approach to ethical dilemmas
(see separate assignment brief posted on Blackboard during first week for details).
Included in the assignment brief is the marking scheme for both pieces of work.
Students receive a feedback sheet with individual comments. There is also a group
summary provided on Blackboard of general comments from all the assignments
highlighting areas of good practice and areas for improvement.
Learning Hours:
Contact Hours
Directed Learning
Private Study/Group Work
Assignment tutorials
Total
24
30
30
16
100
The following essential and recommended readings are subject to
change. Students should not therefore purchase textbooks prior
to commencing their course. If students wish to undertake
background reading before starting the course, many of the
chapters/readings are available in electronic form via on-line
library catalogues and other resources.
Essential Reading:
The core text for the module is;
Crane A. & Matten D. (2010) Business Ethics. Managing Corporate Citizenship and
Sustainability in the Age of Globalization, 3rdnd Edition. Oxford University Press.
Readings from this book are suggested by contributors to the module together with
any additional recommended reading which is provided under topic headings.
However, the following texts provide additional material for the areas to be studied.
Indicative Bibliography:
Blowfield, M. & Murray, A. (2008) Corporate Responsibility – a critical introduction
Oxford University Press.
Burchell, J. (2008) The Corporate Social Responsibility Reader. Routledge
Cadbury Adrian. (2002) Corporate governance and chairmanship, A personal view
OUP.
Chryssides George (1996) Essentials Of Business Ethics. McGraw Hill
Crane, A; Matten, D; & Spence, L; (2007) Corporate Social Responsibility: Readings
and Cases in a Global Context. Routledge
Du Nann Winter, D. and Koger, S. M. (2004) The Psychology of Environmental
Problems, 2nd Ed., Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
Ferrell O.C., Fraedrich J., & Ferrell L., (2000) Business Ethics, Ethical Decision
Making and Cases. Houghton Mifflin
Fisher, C. and Lovell, A. (2006) (Second Edition) Business, Ethics and Values.
Individual, Corporate and International Perspectives. Pearson Education Ltd
Hendry J., & Sorrell T., (2000) Business Ethics, Butterworth-Heinemann.
McDonough, W. and Braungart, M. (2002) Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We
Make Things, North Point Press.
Peattie, K. and Belz, F. M. (2009) Sustainability Marketing: A Global Perspective,
Wiley and Sons
Pinnington, A, Macklin, R & Campbell, T. (2007) Human Resource Management.
Ethics and Employment. Oxford University Press..
Smith R K.M.& van den Anker C (2005)The Essentials of Human Rights Hodder
Arnold
Stead, W. E. and Stead, J. G. (2004) Sustainable Strategic Management, M. E.
Sharpe.
There are also a number of academic journals in the area of Business Ethics,
Corporate Social Responsibility, Governance and Sustainability available through
electronic resources of the Library.