Business Commons^™

Equine Welfare As A Mainstream Phenomenon, Bernard E. Rollin

Bernard Rollin, PhD

The 20th century has witnessed a bewildering array of ethical revolutions, from civil rights to environmentalism to feminism. Often ignored is the rise of massive societal concern across the world regarding animal treatment. Regulation of animal research exists in virtually all Western countries, and reform of “factory farming” is regnant in Europe and rapidly emerging in the United States. In 2012, a series of articles in The New York Times focused welfare attention squarely on the horse industry. Opponents of concern for animals often dismiss the phenomenon as rooted in emotion and extremist lack of appreciation of how unrestricted animal …

Information Technology Ethics: A Research Framework, Richard V. Mccarthy, Leila Halawi, Jay E. Aronson

Leila A. Halawi

Information technology has become so pervasive that opportunities for abuses abound. IT Ethics has taken on increasing importance as the size and complexity of IT issues continues to grow. This paper outlines a research framework to analyze: Do significant ethical differences exist amongst undergraduate and graduate MIS students?

Ethical Attitudes Of Business Information Systems Students: An Empirical Investigation, Leila Halawi, Silva Karkoulian

Leila A. Halawi

This paper discusses attitudes toward ethical issues in information systems. Approximately 150 subjects were drawn from two populations: full-time undergraduate business information systems students and full-time master’s students. The subjects read a subset of six ethical scenarios. Hypotheses were tested for significant differences between the undergraduate students’ beliefs and those of graduate students, and female and male students who responded to the same scenarios.

Evaluation Of Ethical Issues In The Knowledge Age: An Exploratory Study, Leila Halawi, Richard V. Mccarthy

Leila A. Halawi

Unethical information technology (IT) conduct is estimated to cost billions of dollars in deficits for enterprises. Included in this unethical behavior are issues associated with the knowledge age. Many IT ethics concerns do not have guidelines that are well recognized or broadly accepted. This study will explore the ethical perception of a diverse group of knowledge workers. It will also examine the effects of deterrents, individual factors and external variables to determine if there are noted differences in ethical perceptions that can be explained by these variables.

Myth: Hard Work And Credentials Determine Employment Opportunities

Alev Dudek

Case Study: Sexism In Advertising And Airlines, Tamilla Curtis, Anke Arnaud Ph.D., Blaise Waguespack

Dr. Anke Arnaud

This case study outlines an ethical dilemma faced by a young female student who is planning to buy airline tickets. Her purchase decision is influenced by cost and advertising strategies. The case discusses advertising ethics, ethical moral philosophies, including teleology and deontology, and sexist advertising with examples from the airline industry. This case will be beneficial for marketing students to discuss the topic of advertising ethics, and for business students to discuss the topic of organizational ethics. Students enrolling in aviation related classes will also benefit from this case. The teaching notes for instructors are available upon request.

Case Study: Sexism In Advertising And Airlines, Tamilla Curtis, Anke Arnaud Ph.D., Blaise Waguespack

Dr. Tamilla Curtis

This case study outlines an ethical dilemma faced by a young female student who is planning to buy airline tickets. Her purchase decision is influenced by cost and advertising strategies. The case discusses advertising ethics, ethical moral philosophies, including teleology and deontology, and sexist advertising with examples from the airline industry. This case will be beneficial for marketing students to discuss the topic of advertising ethics, and for business students to discuss the topic of organizational ethics. Students enrolling in aviation related classes will also benefit from this case. The teaching notes for instructors are available upon request.

Readings And Cases In Information Security: Law & Ethics, Michael Whitman, Herbert Mattord

Herbert J. Mattord

Readings and Cases in Information Security: Law & Ethics provides a depth of content and analytical viewpoint not found in many other books. Designed for use with any Cengage Learning security text or as a standalone professional reference, this book offers readers a real-life view of information security management, including the ethical and legal issues associated with various on-the-job experiences. Included are a wide selection of foundational readings and scenarios from a variety of experts to give the reader the most realistic perspective of a career in information security.

Consumer Attitude Towards The Spirit Airline Online Advertising, Tamilla Curtis, Blaise Waguespack, Anke Arnaud

Dr. Tamilla Curtis

Sweet Little Lies: Social Context And The Use Of Deception In Negotiation, Mara Olekalns, Carol T. Kulik, Lin Chew

Mara Olekalns

Social context shapes negotiators’ actions, including their willingness to act unethically. In this research, we test how three dimensions of social context – dyadic gender composition, negotiation strategy, and trust – interact to influence one micro-ethical decision, the use of deception, in a simulated negotiation. To create an opportunity for deception, we incorporated an indifference issue – an issue that had no value for one of the two parties – into the negotiation. Deception about this issue was least likely to be affected by trust or negotiation strategy in all-male dyads, suggesting that dyads with at least one female negotiator …

Accounting For Ethics In Action: Problems With Localised Constructions Of Legitimacy, Stewart R. Clegg, Ray Gordon

Ray Gordon

Socially constituted systems of order emanate from tacit interaction. While they are reflected in an organization’s culture, they do not necessarily align with the organization’s authorised rules and codes of conduct. Such misalignment renders legitimacy in organizations problematic. The paper explores the relation between power and legitimacy by showing how such systems of order recursively establish, and are established by, forms of legitimacy that may not be formalised. Empirically, such forms of legitimacy thwarted a police organization’s attempt to reform. Theoretically, an understanding of organizational change is connected to the relationship between power and legitimacy. The paper provides insights into …

Invisible Hands, Andrew Sikula Sr.

Andrew Sikula, Sr.

Why are economists often wrong in their predictions? Because they believe that individual behavior is motivated by money and that corporate activity is motivated by profits. In reality, desires and sense, not dollars and cents, determine performance.

Ethical Considerations In The Marketing Of E-Health Products, Ashish Chandra, Andrew Sikula Sr., David P. Paul Iii

Andrew Sikula, Sr.

The internet is now recognised as a growing international phenomenon. All kinds of products and services are being marketed over the internet to consumers throughout the world because country borders no longer restrict conducting business in the international marketplace. Though there are several advantages of online commerce, this form of marketing does raise ethical dilemmas, particularly when it comes to marketing healthcare products and information to consumers internationally. This paper examines some of these potential ethical concerns and provides some strategies for consumers and online pharmaceutical marketers to handle these dilemmas more appropriately.

Poisoning The Well, Or How Economic Theory Damages, Julie A. Nelson

Julie A. Nelson

Contemporary mainstream economics has widely “poisoned the well” from which people get their ideas about the relationship between economics and ethics. The image of economic life as inherently characterized by self-interest, utility- and profitmaximization, and mechanical controllability has caused many businesspeople, judges, sociologists, philosophers, policymakers, critics of economics, and the public at large to come to tolerate greed and opportunism, or even to expect or encourage them. This essay raises and discusses a number of counterarguments that might be made to the charge that current dominant professional practice is having negative ethical effects, as well as discussing some examples of …

"Time To Lead" Motives-Attributes-Skills Knowledge (Mask) Base In Leadership Performance, Chris D. Bellamy

Dr. Chris D. Bellamy

In today’s business environment, executives are seeking ways to identify new leaders which are well rounded in terms of their motivations, attributes, skills, knowledge and abilities to manage people. Companies invest in skill development of existing managers and often in potential managers. The Motivations-Attributes-Skills-Knowledge (MASK) model establishes the framework for baselining leadership behaviors and competencies for assessment and measurement verses a subjective annual performance evaluation. The model establishes behavior patterns that can be used to quantify and qualify as predictors of present and future leadership performance. This model is the standard by which business leaders can use to significantly improve …

Ethical Issues In Business And The Lawyer's Role, Robert J. Rhee, Carol Morgan, Tamar Frankel, Mark Fagan

Robert Rhee

No abstract provided.

Managing Toxic Leaders: Dysfunctional Patterns In Organizational Leadership And How To Deal With Them, Marco Tavanti

Marco Tavanti

This study reviews different typologies of toxic leaders in organizations-from bullies to narcissistic leaders. Unfortunately, toxic leaders are a painful but common reality in many organizations. Their destructive behaviors and dysfunctional personal characteristics often generate enduring poisonous effects on those they lead. They are identified by selfish outcomes in their decision-making and how they leave subordinates worse off than when they began. What distinguishes excellent from average managers is their ability to effectively manage dysfunctional leaders in the workplace. Even though some organizations may promote or simply tolerate toxic leaders for economic or political reasons, the long-term impact on the …

Executive Compensation: The Role Of Shari’A Compliance, William Marty Martin, Karen Hunt Ahmed

Karen Hunt Ahmed

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this paper is to illuminate issues surrounding executive compensation as it relates to current understandings of Islamic business law. Methodology We review the emerging bodies of literature in the fields of executive compensation and opinions of stock options under Shari’a law. Findings It appears that the trend in offering employee stock options as part of a Shari’a compliant compensation package is acceptable in most cases, yet because of its close association with the more problematic idea of derivative transactions, the company must be vigilant in obtaining the approval from its Shari’a Standards Board before offering …

Executive Compensation: The Role Of Shari’A Compliance, William Marty Martin, Karen Hunt Ahmed

William Marty Martin

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this paper is to illuminate issues surrounding executive compensation as it relates to current understandings of Islamic business law. Methodology We review the emerging bodies of literature in the fields of executive compensation and opinions of stock options under Shari’a law. Findings It appears that the trend in offering employee stock options as part of a Shari’a compliant compensation package is acceptable in most cases, yet because of its close association with the more problematic idea of derivative transactions, the company must be vigilant in obtaining the approval from its Shari’a Standards Board before offering …

The Ethics Of Carbon Neutrality: A Critical Examination Of Voluntary Carbon Offsets, Kathy K. Dhanda, Laura Hartman

Kathy K Dhanda

No abstract provided.

Ethical Considerations Of Sales Channel Selection In The Field Of Entrepreneurship, Todd A. Finkle, Michael Mallin

Todd A Finkle

Alleviating Poverty Through Profitable Partnerships: Globalization, Markets And Economic Well-Being, Patricia Werhane, Scott Kelley, Laura Hartman, Dennis Moberg

Scott Kelley

In this book, the authors approach poverty alleviation from an atypical perspective. The thesis is that poverty can be reduced, if not eradicated, both locally and globally, but this will occur only if we change our shared narratives about global free enterprise, and only if we recalibrate our mindsets regarding how poverty issues are most effectively addressed. They argue that poverty amelioration cannot be effected by the traditional means employed during the last century—foreign aid from developed nations and/or from non-profit international organizations. Rather, the authors present evidence which demonstrates that a mindset embracing initiatives developed by global corporations in …

Business, Profit, Partnership And The Global Common Good, Scott Kelley, Patricia Werhane, Laura Hartman

Scott Kelley

The chapter considers the reduction of poverty through for-profit initiatives, with a critique of global corporations that take goods and services out of the "bottom of the pyramid" rather than developing new markets that provide new jobs as well as export products and services. Thus, the common good is served through economic empowerment without having to appeal to global philanthropy. An inversion of intuitive thinking is proposed whereby models for for-profit initiatives are considered that will contribute to the common good rather than using a notion of the common good to inspire global companies.

Ethics 101: A Common Ethics Language For Dialogue, Marco Tavanti

Marco Tavanti

Chaired by Patricia Werhane, Director, Institute for Business & Professional Ethics, DePaul University. A subcommittee of the Ethics Across the Curricula Committee created this document. The members include: Andrew Gold, Professor, College of Law; Laura Hartman, AVP & Professor of Business Ethics, Department of Management; Karyn Holm, Professor, Department of Nursing; Scott Paeth, Asst. Professor, Religious Studies Department; Charles Strain, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs; Marco Tavanti, Asst. Professor, Public Services Graduate Program; David Wellman, Asst. Professor, Religious Studies Department. This guide draws from various resources prepared by others including copyrighted materials reprinted with the permission of the Markkula …