Term:
Business Ethics
Abbreviation: Ethics Lecturer: Credit Points: Language: Participants: Objectives: Prof. Dr. Andreas Suchanek 2 English students term 1/exchange students Why is ethical behaviour for companies not just a nice add-on but an essential aspect of business? In this lecture it is argued that Ethics is an important topic for companies since they can´t afford to ignore the requirements from society in their own interest. This doesn´t mean that companies have to fulfil all those requirements - an analysis of the specific situation is necessary. The core question is how responsibility can be realized under the pressure of competition. The lecture starts with basics of Economic Ethics. Then, the approach will be adopted to business and to companies. Case studies, examples and a speech from a practitioner are used to illustrate the implications for managerial decision-making. Basic literature: - Friedman, M. (1970): The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits, New York Times Magazine (PDF-File) - Porter, M., M. Kramer (2002): The Competitive Advantage of Corporate Philantrophy, Harvard Business Review (PDF-File) - Suchanek, A., (2005): "Is Profit Maximization the Social Responsibility of Business?", Milton Friedman and Business Ethics (PDF-File) Further readings: - Frederick, R.E. (ec., 2003): A Companion to Business Ethics, Malden u. a. - Hoffman, W. M., R.E. Frederick (eds., 1995); Business Ethics. Readings and Cases in Corporate Morality, New York u. a. - Matten, D., Crane, A. (2003): Corporate Citizenship: Towards an extended theoretical conceptualisation, Research Paper Series of ICCSR 04-2003. Examination: Final discussion (50 %), group presentation (50 %)
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