Financial and Business Ethics (MNG237)

This course introduces students to ethical issues and decision-making in a variety of contemporary contexts. It develops an awareness of the many ways in which ethical considerations can manifest in commercial domains, thereby helping prepare students for their professional careers. It shows how theory works in practice. Many real-world examples will help engage students. Examples draw on recent and emerging concerns, such as the moral implications of social media and the enforcement of codes of behaviors within industries. The course also addresses corporate social responsibility, stakeholder management and sustainability, reflecting the broad scope of business ethics today. This course has a special section, which will introduce students to the ethical and professional standards set by the CFA Institute.

More specifically, we will specifically:

• examine the current factors which are driving an increased awareness of business ethics in today’s business environment;
• provide some clarity to the lexicon of business ethics and related terminology;
• engage with current issues in the business environment and society at large, as presented in the media;
• investigate ethics in a variety of functional areas of business including information technology, human resource management, marketing, accounting, entrepreneurship and international business;
• present ethical principles which are of relevance in these key functional areas;
• review the theoretical foundations of ethics;
• provide guidelines to assist with ethical decision-making;
• discuss the strategies that can be used to strengthen the ethical climates of organisations.

• Introduce students to the core concepts of business ethics and social responsibility in practice.
• Discuss and analyse issues within the area of ethics in economics and business.
• Assess and analyse ethical dilemmas.
• Develop a general orientation in social and moral business dilemmas of our times.
• Understand ethics as a key of the soft skills elements in an international context.
• Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a changing environment.
• Demonstrate knowledge and ability to evaluate and assess ethical theories by appealing to realistic scenarios.
• Explain the relevance of modern ethical theory towards business managers and economists as a tool that guarantees that business serves primarily the interests of society.