International business management level 5 business ethics

International business management level 5 business ethics
 
1 Module overview

1.1 Introduction, aims and summary of content
This module looks at the theory and practice of Business Ethics, Corporate Governance, and Corporate Social Responsibility. This module is to deepen your understanding of current debates on the conduct of business in a challenging global environment. The module engages with ethical theory in a business context.

The module seeks to critically examine current debates on the nature of the enterprise and its role and impact on society. The implications of creating and sustaining an ethical approach to entrepreneurial activities are identified and examined, and approaches to the management of business ethics appraised. Different ethical theories are used to undertake this analysis.

Contemporary concerns relating to the need for effective corporate citizenship and governance structures are addressed and discussed, together with the causes of emerging calls for improved corporate accountability and social responsibility.

To understand how organisations, formulate and implement ethical stances, it is necessary to analyse both relevant ethical theory and contemporary frameworks for governance structures and processes. The module examines influential ideas and philosophies of ethical behaviour, current developments governance issues, and the growth of codes and agreements guiding corporate social responsibility.

This challenging and engaging subject reflects on some key contemporary business issues and to developing an understanding of ethical perspectives. It is hoped that you find this module useful, interesting and a source of inspiration and practical support in your business career.

The aims of the module are to:
• Critically analyse the drivers of enterprise and wealth creation from the perspective of their ethical implications.

• Investigate changing approaches and attitudes to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

• Critically evaluate frameworks for the discussion of business ethical issues and the use of tools for managing business ethics.

• Examine the impact of globalisation on enterprise

• Evaluate diverse ethical models and theories (normative and descriptive).

• Debate the role of alternative approaches: ‘values’ and “virtues” in business leaders.

Indicative Content:

• Introduction to Business Ethics
• Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility and Stakeholder theory
• Ethical Concepts & Normative Theories (evaluating Business Ethics)
• Descriptive Ethical theories (individual and situational factors)
• Stakeholders and Business Ethics
• See BlackBoard for any update
1.2 Learning outcomes to be assessed
On completion of the module you should be able to:

1. Analyse stakeholder perspectives on business behaviour.
2. Evaluate the importance of business ethics at an academic level and its managerial implications.
3. Identify and examine the most relevant normative and descriptive business ethics theories.
4. Investigate and evaluate approaches to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
5. Make informed judgements of business ethics dilemmas.
6. Access and utilise a wide variety of learning resources in the subject area.
2 Assessment and feedback

2.1 Assessment brief including criteria mapped to learning outcomes

Task Two – 70% (2500 words maximum)

This task will assess your ability to:

• Analyse stakeholder perspectives on business behaviour.
• Evaluate the importance of business ethics at an academic level and also its managerial implications.
• Identify and examine the most relevant normative and descriptive business ethics theories.
• Investigate and evaluate approaches to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
• Make informed judgements of business ethics dilemmas.
• Access and utilise a wide variety of learning resources in the subject area

This is a complex task entailing a considerable research. It is best to approach it step by step. You are strongly advised to make a draft timetable of when you expect to complete each section.

You must choose one of the business scandals contained in Fortune (2017). The 10 Biggest Business Scandals of 2017 [Online] Available from [Last accessed: 10 July 2018].

You need to adapt following structure for your report:

Part 1

Carefully define the concept you are investigating with reference to the chosen case
The concept could be either
§ Corporate Governance
§ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
§ Sustainability
Part 2

Investigate and evaluate the approaches of the chosen case to one of the above concepts, from the perspective of the most relevant normative and descriptive business ethics theories

Part 3

Using the same case, analyse stakeholder perspectives on the business behaviour.

Note: It is important that you do not just provide standard textbook definitions, but clearly apply the ethical theories to the case.

Company Information

Provide evidence from the company’s annual reports and/or websites to demonstrate the approach adapted to your chosen themes. Ensure critical data is selected (e.g. from the Financial Times, other respected journalistic sources, NGOs).

For Corporate Governance, you will find it useful to use the specialist literature and Chapter 6 of Crane and Matten and to refer to the UK Governance Code or similar guidance. You will need to research sources such as the company’s annual reports and website to find relevant information.

If evaluating Corporate Governance, the report should critically consider whether good practice is being followed using the UK current Corporate Governance Code as a guide (e.g. Director’s Contracts and remuneration, role of Chairman, Committee Structure, etc.)

For Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) you may find Carroll’s pyramid model useful in framing your answer.
If analysing its approach to CSR, students should look beyond the claims of the organization and appraise actual activities: are the claimed current values of the organization ‘socially responsible?’’; is the organization acting in practice consistently with its claimed values?

For Sustainability you may find “triple bottom line” model useful to frame your answer.
When analysing its approach to Sustainability, students should look beyond the claims of the organization and appraise actual activities.

The following criteria will be used to assess Task 2:

Assessment Criteria Max Marks
Introduction 5%
Applications of Concept, Models, Theories 20%
Quality of Analysis: Understanding of the nature issue, applying theory to practice where applicable and providing supporting evidence for any claims made 25%
Clarity of expression: Well-presented, well-structured, clearly written, including the use of data and referencing (Harvard) 10%
Conclusion – with evidence-based findings 10%
Total 70%

Both Task one and the written elements of task two are due in week 14 (exact date will be confirmed via Blackboard.

General marking scheme for both tasks

≥ 70% 69-60% 59-50% 49-40% < 39% The work produced is of excellent quality, exceeding expectations for this level in many aspects. The work produced meets all the intended learning outcomes and exceeds the threshold expectations for this level in several of them The work produced meets all the intended learning outcomes and exceeds the threshold expectations for this level in some of them. The work produced meets all the intended learning outcomes at, but rarely exceeding the threshold expectations for this level. The work produced fails to meet all the intended learning outcomes and is marginally inadequate for this level For guidance on online submission of assignments, including how to submit and how to access online feedback, please refer to the UWL Blackboard student-help pages at: Essential Reading Crane, A. and Matten, D. (2016) Business Ethics. (Fourth Edition). Oxford University Press. Recommended Reading Chryssides, G. & Kaler J. (1999) Essentials of Business Ethics. McGraw Hill. Mallin, C (2004) Corporate Governance. Oxford University Press. De George, R.T. (2006) Business Ethics (6th Edition). Pearson. Dienhart, J.W (2000) Business, Institutions, and Ethics. OUP. Fisher, C & A. Lovell (2009) Business Ethics and Values. Prentice Hall. Mele, D. (2009) Business Ethics in Action. Palgrave. McIntosh, M. et al (2003) Living Corporate Citizenship, Prentice Hall. Post, J., Lawrence, A & Weber, J. (2005) Business & Society. McGraw Hill. Wicks, A. Freeman, R. Werhane, P. & K. Martin (2010) Business Ethics, A Managerial Approach, Prentice Hall. A wide range of Journals is available to you, of particular interest are: Journal of Business Ethics Business Ethics Quarterly European Journal of Business Ethics Harvard Business Review Long Range Planning 3 Things you need to know