Teaching Modern Business Ethics

December 3, 2025

Teaching Modern Business Ethics

David Shurtleff | 2020

Abstract

Teaching relevant college-level business ethics is a critically important endeavor especially considering the dynamic nature of business, technology, and social changes that are currently occurring. Ethical issues continue to plague many institutions and these issues can have wide-ranging financial, reputational, safety, privacy, and employment-related impacts on organizations, individuals, and society. Research has identified the need for updated teaching material and instructional approaches to business ethics that address these issues. This project developed a complete course to address modern business ethical topics and to provide both updated research material and new instructional methods.

In terms of material, this course provides a fundamental understanding of ethics and refutes the post-modern notions of relativism and the use of individual opinions as a basis for ethical behavior. Additionally, organizational culture and leadership are highlighted as more important than formal, legalistic compliance programs for determining long-lasting and consistent ethical outcomes. Individual ethics form the foundation for organizational ethics and this concept is strongly stressed throughout the course. Ethics is also about action and an ethical decision-making model is introduced along with a discussion on the importance of having the moral courage to speak up and act when faced with ethical dilemmas. Finally, several relevant special topics concerning the ethics associated with technology are introduced. The unique ethical problems associated with high social media usage, virtual reality, autonomous transportation, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics are addressed.

Instructionally, a variety of approaches are provided to interject both theory and practice to the student. Traditional written and video presentation material is provided along with numerous class discussion-type questions that are intended to promote robust and critical thinking on ethical issues. The development of a critical thought process is important for the student’s ethical development. Numerous practical case studies taken from both historical and business perspectives are provided. Ethical dilemma scenarios are also included wherein the students will have to problem solve and determine the ethical course of action for each scenario. Finally, an industry engagement activity is planned in which an interaction with a local business entity (who will provide an ethical issue that the organization is dealing with) is required and it is up to the students to research the problem and present solutions to the organization.

Overall, the goal of the course is to equip students with a strong foundation for dealing with ethical issues in the modern business arena.

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