LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, DELHI

Two Year Full Time Post Graduate Diploma in Management

Trimester-III
Course Code: 113006
Academic Session: 2015-16
Prof. Samant S. Priya

Course Title: Business Ethics

Instructors: Prof. Sushil Kr. Dixit

COURSE OBJECTIVE:
Business Ethics is basically applied ethics. It is the application of our understanding of what is good and
right to that assortment of institutions, technologies, transactions, activities and pursuits that is known as
business. The development in the area of ethics is vast and widely applicable. Credit for this development
belongs to many philosophers and business scholars who have succeeded in relating ethical theory to
various problems in business. Practicing managers in the world of business can benefit from the results.
COURSE CONTENTS:
Module Session
Topic & Reading/s
No.
No./s
I
1-2
Introduction to business ethics; ethics in the world of business;
Ethics & management, ethics & role of managers.
Readings:
Manual G Velasquez (2010) Business Ethics : Concepts & Cases ,Sixth Edition, PHI
publication: Ch 1
Boatright( 2007) Ethics and the Conduct of Business , Fifth Edition , Pearson
Publication Ch1
Cases :
River Blindness : Emerck Case : Velasquez
B F Goodrich : Aircraft Brake Case :Velasquez
Article: How (Un) ethical are you? HBR December 2003
II
3-5
Moral Development and Moral Reasoning, Moral Responsibility and Blame;
Utilitarianism, Rights and Duties , Justice and Fairness , Ethics of Care,
Virtue Ethics, Morality
Readings :
Manual G Velasquez (2010) Business Ethics : Concepts & Cases ,Sixth Edition, PHI
publication: Ch 1,2
Boatright( 2007) Ethics and the Conduct of Business , Fifth Edition , Pearson
Publication Ch1, 2, 3
Cases :
Slavery in chocolate industry: Velasquez
Unocol in Burma : Velasquez
III

6-7

The Ethics in Marketplace, Free Markets & Rights, Free Trade and Utility ,
Monopoly, Oligopoly, Perfect Competition
Readings :
Manual G Velasquez (2010) Business Ethics : Concepts & Cases ,Sixth Edition, PHI
publication: Ch 3
Cases:

IV

8-9

Playing Monopoly : Microsoft : Velasquez

Article : Discipline of building character : HBR March April 1998
Ethics of Marketing, Consumer Protection, Firms duties, Consumer Rights,
Advertisements and Business Ethics, Product Safety,
Readings:
Manual G Velasquez (2010) Business Ethics : Concepts & Cases ,Sixth Edition, PHI
publication: Ch 6
Boatright( 2007) Ethics and the Conduct of Business , Fifth Edition , Pearson
Publication Ch10
Cases :
Ford-Firestone Brawl: Velasquez

10-11

HR issues at work place, employees privacy, Ethical issues in recruitment and

selection, firms duties in the organization.
Readings:
Manual G Velasquez (2010) Business Ethics : Concepts & Cases ,Sixth Edition, PHI
publication: Ch 7, 8
Boatright( 2007) Ethics and the Conduct of Business , Fifth Edition , Pearson
Publication Ch 6, 7, 8, 9
A.C. Fernando :Business Ethics: An Indian Perspective(2009) ; Pearson Ch 10
Cases :
HMSI: Better wages con not suppress workers demand for their rights: AC
Fernando
Phaneesh Murthy sexual harassment case: AC Fernando

VI

11-12

Corporate Social Responsibility: CSR as a strategy

Readings:
A.C. Fernando :Business Ethics: An Indian Perspective(2009) ; Pearson Ch7,8,9
Cases :
ITC e-choupal: A strategic approach in building sustainable competitive
advantage.
Titan Watch Industries: Successful CSR approach
Case Plus Video: Nestles marketing approach towards India
Tata SteelA company that also makes steel Case from A.C.Fernandos book

VII

13-14

Corporate Governance and Investors rights

Readings:
A.C. Fernando :Business Ethics: An Indian Perspective(2009) ; Pearson Ch7,8,9
Cases:
Enron: Questionable Accounting Leads to Collapse from Business Ethics by
Ferrell

VIII

15

Business Ethics & Financial Management, Ethical issues in banks, insurance sector
SEBI & its role.
Readings :
A.C. Fernando :Business Ethics: An Indian Perspective(2009) ; Pearson Ch 8
Cases:
What went wrong at Satyam by J P Sharma
2


IX

16

17

XI

18-20

Ketan Parekh Scam: 2001 : AC Fernando

Whistle Blowing in corporate, Principle and Policy with respect to whistle blowing
Readings :
A.C. Fernando :Business Ethics: An Indian Perspective(2009) ; Pearson Ch 12
Cases :
Satyendra Dubey : A Patriotic but Unfortunate Whistle Blower: AC Fernando
Ethics & Environment, Sustainable Development, Industrial Pollution
Readings :
A.C. Fernando :Business Ethics: An Indian Perspective(2009) ; Pearson Ch 11
Cases :
Gas or Grouse from Business Ethics by Velasquez
Review and Presentations

PEDAGOGY:
The teaching methodology used in this course will be a judicious mix of lectures, case analysis &
discussions, as well as presentations by the students. However, more emphasis will be laid on case analysis,
assignments and project study. Cases are expected to be prepared within groups prior to the class.
EVALUATION PARAMETERS:
END TERM EXAMINATION
Internal Assessment

Midterm Examination
Group Project/ Assignment
Unannounced Test/quiz
Article reviews
Class Participation

50%
50%

20
10
05
10
05

It is expected that each participant will develop a strong ethical awareness and sensitivity towards
ethical conduct and will behave in an ethical manner. A maximum of 10 marks may be deducted
from the marks earned by you in case you are found after a due process to be involved in an
unethical conduct.
GROUP PROJECT GUIDELENES
Group projects will be allocated to the students by 2nd or 3rd lecture. Each group will comprise of 2-3
students.
TEXT & READINGS:
1)
2)
3)
4)

Manual G Velasquez (2010) Business Ethics : Concepts & Cases ,Sixth Edition, PHI publication:
Boatright( 2007) Ethics and the Conduct of Business , Fifth Edition , Pearson Publication
A.C. Fernando (2009) :Business Ethics: An Indian Perspective ; Pearson Publication
Newspaper articles especially The Times of India, Economic Times, Mint, The Hindu, Business line.