Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility

Master 2020/2021

Type: Compulsory course (Finance)

Area of studies: Finance and Credit

Delivered by: Department of Management

Where: St.Petersburg School of Economics and Management

When: 1 year, 1 module

Mode of studies: distance learning

Instructors: Maxim Storchevoy

Master’s programme: Finance

Language: English

ECTS credits: 4

Contact hours: 8

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Abstract

All of us, regardless of whether we are leaders or subordinates in our professional activi-ties face many ethical dilemmas. That is why knowledge of basic ethical principles and methods of ethical dilemmas solving is essential for anyone who wants to make ethical decisions, follow the rules of professional ethics and to be a socially responsible citizen. The main objectives of the course are the following: expanding knowledge and understanding of ethical decision making approaches; acquiring skills of classification and identification of priority groups of stakeholders; improving skills of ethical issues analysis and evaluating their impact on companies image and reputation; developing skills of analyzing social and sustainability reports. Business Ethics mod-ule focuses on theoretical study of moral principles and their application in the process of profes-sional and business decision making. A special emphasis will be made on the issue of corporate social and environmental responsibility as well as business impact on the global sustainable de-velopment. Students will learn methods of analyzing ethical consequences of business decisions and main features of practical approaches to ethical dilemmas solving. The interactive course will include real life cases of ethical dilemmas and methods to improve personal, professional and corporate ethical culture. Students will study the Business Ethics principles and methods of ethi-cal dilemmas solving through a mix of lectures, discussions, cases, group projects and individual assignments. As a result of this course, students will improve their skills of ethical issues analysis and evaluating their impact on personal and company’s image and reputation as well as abilities of ethical dilemmas solving.

Learning Objectives

expanding knowledge and understanding of ethical decision making approaches
acquiring skills of classification and identification of priority groups of stakeholders
improving skills of ethical issues analysis and evaluating their impact on companies image and reputation
developing skills of analyzing social and sustainability reports

Expected Learning Outcomes

Students identify the scientific nature of ethical issues arising in professional activities, determine the factors and causes of ethical dilemmas in business
Students assess the impact of business decisions on the social and natural environment, as well as business image and reputation of the organization, know the methods of ethical decisions making in business
Students know the methods of ethical decision-making in the business. Students can use the knowledge and skills to assess the impact of business decisions on the environment and social sphere, as well as their influence on the organization’s reputation.
Students know the mechanisms of influence of business activities on the social sphere and environment. Students can use the knowledge and skills to identify the causes of ethical dilemmas in the professional activities.
Students know the basics of the stakeholders theory. Students can use the knowledge and skills to identi-fy key stakeholder categories and to analyze their interests. Students can use the knowledge and skills to de-velop organization’s strategy taking into account the inter-ests of different stakeholders
Students know methods of statistical data analysis and interpretation and modern corporate social responsibility models. Students can use the knowledge from lectures and seminars to develop internal and external corporate social responsibility programs de-velopment and maximize the positive social and environ-mental effects.

Course Contents

Ethics and Morality
Corporate and Professional Ethics
Basic Concepts in Business Ethics
Cultural Differences and Ethical Dilemmas
Ethical Corporate Culture
Social Responsibility of Business

Assessment Elements

Test and short essay
Writing test of 40 ques-tions and short essay for 60 minutes
Class participation
Case analysis, presentations, problems solving etc. Students’ individual and group work at the seminars in different forms
Homework
Presentations on ethical issues
Exam
Экзамен проводится в письменной форме (эссе - решение этического кейса). Экзамен проводится в LMS. В день экзамена студент заходит в LMS, получает задание в разделе тест и пишет эссе. Процедура пересдачи подразумевает использование усложненных заданий.

Interim Assessment

Interim assessment (1 module)
0.25 * Class participation + 0.25 * Exam + 0.25 * Homework + 0.25 * Test and short essay

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Beer, L. A. (2015). A Strategic and Tactical Approach to Global Business Ethics, Second Edition (Vol. Second edition). New York: Business Expert Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=939533
Richard T DeGeorge. (2013). Business Ethics: Pearson New International Edition. Harlow, United Kingdom: Pearson. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1418512
Schwartz, M. S. (2017). Business Ethics : An Ethical Decision-Making Approach. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1470324

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Bowie, N. E. (2013). Business Ethics in the 21st Century. Dordrecht: Springer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=581508
Does promotion and islamic business ethics increase consumer loyalty? empirical evidence Resto Kampoeng Banyumili Salatiga. (2019). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.A8AB570B
Silver, D. (2015). Business Ethics in the 21st Century, by Norman E. Bowie. Dordrecht: Springer, 2013. 235 pp. ISBN: 978-9400762220. Business Ethics Quarterly, (02), 279. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.a.cup.buetqu.v25y2015i02p279.282.00
Treviño, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2014). Managing Business Ethics : Straight Talk About How to Do It Right (Vol. 6th ed). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1639358

Course Syllabus