Ethical Theory and Business

MGT 374 A
Faculty of Management
Department of Management
Fall 2016

Course Description:
An introduction to basic ethical concepts and principles that are relevant to business. A survey of
basic ethical perspectives (Religious, Christian and Philosophical) will establish the conceptual
foundation that students will then apply in considering examples and cases from the business
world. The course will also address the use of ethics in solving moral dilemmas that arise in
business interactions.
Note: Open only to students in the Bachelor of Management program.
Course Prerequisite(s)
48 Credits required
Co-requisite(s):
N/A.
Course Hours:
3-0-0.
Credit Value:
3 credits earned for successful completion of this course.

INSTRUCTOR(S) CONTACT INFORMATION

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Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
Email:
Web Page:
Office Hours:

Tim Slaughter BSc. Hons, MBA

HA212 G
780.491.6860
tim.slaughter@concordia.ab.ca
http://management.concordia.ab.ca
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30 to 12:30

CLASS/LAB TIMES
Tuesday/Thursday 15:25 to 16:40
CLASSROOM/LABORATORY POLICIES
Concordia provides learning accommodation services for students with disabilities.
Please refer to Section 8.4.1 of the Calendar for more details.

Recording of classes is permitted only if recording is part of an approved accommodation

plan or with prior written consent of the instructor. Please refer to Section 9.2.3 of the
Calendar for more details.

Please refer to Section 9.2.8 of the Calendar for details regarding Educational Decorum.
It is the responsibility of both students and instructors to facilitate the educational
process.

At Concordia, Faculty Advising allows students to build a relationship with faculty

members so they can plan their university education and access appropriate resources and
services. To make use of faculty advising, please talk to your instructor or program
coordinator for input or referral.

DISTRACTED STUDENT RULE The use of cell phones during class time is prohibited.
No texting is allowed what so-ever. The use of computers is allowed, but only in so far as
strictly relating to course content. Any breach of this rule will result in the requirement of
the student to leave the classroom immediately. Only exception is verified family
emergencies.

Our requirements and expectations for this course reflect the work environment of the
real world. We expect our students to be engaged in learning which means showing up
for class, asking questions and/or for clarification when necessary and being actively
involved in discussions. Regular attendance and preparation is expected since making a
contribution to the learning of your classmates is difficult if you are absent or havent
covered the material being discussed.

Bringing current events and news stories that are relevant to the course topics/content to
the attention of others and using them as examples during course discussions

Making comments that are clearly related to the case and that apply the content, concepts
and frameworks presented in the readings.

Clarifying discussion issues and synthesizing important aspects of earlier discussion.

Citing examples that enlighten key points and/or that introduce alternate considerations.
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Positively contributing to the collective learning process in the class.

Going beyond the commonplace and providing fresh analytic perspectives.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
For the successful student, course outcomes include, but are not limited to, the ability to:
1. Define and understand the ethical responsibilities of managers in the context of domains,
planning, organizing, leading and controlling.
2. Understand the philosophical underpinning of how ethical decisions are made.
3. Provide a descriptive understanding of how ethical decision making occurs in an
organization.
4. Provide knowledge and exercises to help you understand the responsibilities of ethical
leadership.
5. Explore how managers are important gatekeepers with internal and external stakeholders.
6. Learn how the oversight of top managers and corporate governance affect ethical
decisions and how stakeholders may influence the organization.
7. Know how to evaluate the ethical standards of companies and determine whether they
truly function according to those standards.
8. Integrate their own personal values into their ethical framework that they will apply as
future business persons.

REQUIRED RESOURCES
Moodle (CCMS) Access:
Students need to check Moodle (CCMS) on a regular basis.
Class presentations (e.g., information slides) or articles might be posted on Moodle to
support student learning.
Students can expect Moodle to be used in this class in the following ways:
Syllabus Access
Access to grades via grade book
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Provision of course notes and materials

Textbook(s):
Principles of Responsible Management: Glocal Sustainability, Responsibility, and Ethics, 1st
Edition - Oliver Laasch; Roger N. Conaway. Cengage Learning. ISBN: 13: 978-1-285-08026-0.
On-line Resources:
N/A.
Other items and/or requirements:
N/A.
OPTIONAL RESOURCES
Textbook(s):
N/A.
Library Resources:
N/A.
On-line Resources:
N/A.

COURSE/LAB SCHEDULE
Week
1

Date(s)
Sep 8

Topic

Reading(s)

Introduction

Business ethics and a simple

ethical dilemma.

Chapter 1

Drivers, actors and subjects.

Sep 13

Chapter 2

Management: Basics and

Processes

Sep 15

Ethics analysis
and Research
Project Setup

Please review the chapter

headings in the text and be
prepared to discuss your
personal analysis assignment
and the group project.

Notes

Sep 20

Chapter 3

Sustainability and the Triple

Bottom Line

Sep 22

Chapter 4

Responsibility and Managing

for Stakeholder Value

Sep 27

Chapter 5

Ethics: Managing for Moral

Excellence

Sep 29

Chapter 6

Strategy: Responsible
Competitiveness

Oct 4

Chapter 7

Entrepreneurship: Value-added
Ventures

Oct 6
6

10

Mid-term Exam Preparation

Oct 11

Mid-term Exam

Oct 13

Chapter 8

Organization: Responsible
Infrastructure

Oct 18

Chapter 9

Operations: Responsible
Enterprise Excellence

Oct 20

Chapter 10

Supply Chain: Responsible

Supply and Demand

Oct 25

Chapter 11

Human Resources: HR-RM

Symbiosis

Oct 27

Chapter 12

Marketing and
Communications: Stakeholder
Goodwill

Nov 1

Chapter 13

International Business and

Management: Glocally
Responsible Business

Nov 3

Project Update

Students will need to come to

class with a draft of their project
and be prepared to discuss
progress and any issues and
problems

Nov 7-11

Reading

Week Campus

Closed

Nov 15

Chapter 14

Accounting and Controlling:

Group Project

Organizational
Ethics
Assignment
Due: Oct 20

Stakeholder Accountability

Research Paper
Due: Nov 17.

Nov 17
11

12

13

Nov 22

Chapter 15

Nov 24

Presentations

Nov 29

Presentations

Dec 1

Presentations

Dec 6

Course Review

Dec 8

Exam
Preparation

Finance: Responsible Return on

Investment

Fianl Exam:
December 17,
2016

GRADE EVALUATION
Concordia Calendar Table 9.3.2: Extended Description of Grade Levels
Letter Grade Grade Point
Value

Grade Description
Outstanding Outstanding performance, demonstrating complete and comprehensive
understanding of the subject matter; full mastery of concepts and skills;
exceptional interpretive and analytical ability; originality in the use of
concepts and skills; achievement of all major and minor objectives of
the course.

Excellent performance, indicating superior grasp of subject matter and
Excellent
concepts; development of relevant skills to a high level; a high level of
interpretive and analytical ability; originality or intellectual initiative;
achievement of all major and minor objectives of the course.
Very Good
Good

Satisfactory

A+

4.0

A

A-

4.0

Very good to good performance, indicating thorough understanding of

subject matter and concepts; development of relevant skills to a fairly
high level; good interpretive and analytical ability; evidence of
intellectual initiative; achievement of major and minor objectives of the
course.

B+

3.3

3.0

B-

2.7

Intellectually adequate performance, of fair but not good quality,

demonstrating an acceptable understanding of the subject matter and
concepts; development of skills to a satisfactory level; adequate
interpretive and analytical ability; achievement of major objectives of
the course; some minor objectives may not be achieved.

C+

2.3

2.0

The bottom of this range (C-) is the minimum satisfactory standard of

achievement in a course.

C-

1.7

D+

1.3

1.0

0.0

3.7

In courses graded CR or NC, CR denotes that the student has attained at

least the C- level.
Poor

Minimal
Pass

Failure

Minimally acceptable performance, demonstrating some understanding

of basic subject matter and concepts and partial development of
relevant skills, with some evidence of interpretive or analytical ability;
achievement of most but not all major objectives of the course; failure
to achieve several minor objectives.
The bottom of this range (D) indicates that the student has achieved a
marginal level of performance, which may not be sufficient background
for success at the next level in the discipline.
Unsatisfactory performance, demonstrating an inadequate
understanding of the basic subject matter; failure to develop relevant
skills; insufficient evidence of interpretive and analytical ability; and
failure to achieve major and minor objectives of the course.

Week

Weighting

Date
7

a. Attendance/Active Participation
b. Mid-term exam
c. Organizational ethics analysis
d. Research Project
e. Final Exam

10%
25%
15%
20%
30%

Throughout term
October 11, 2016
October 20, 2016
November 17, 2016
December 17, 2016

Description for (a) Active participation includes class attendance, professionalism, reading
assigned materials, overall preparation for class and actively contributing thoughts and personal
experiences. There are no excused absences as you are expected to attend every class meeting.
While your attendance is critical to the exchange of ideas and fruitful class discussions, you
should note that attendance alone is not sufficient to score well on participation. You are
expected to actively contribute to the learning experience of the class. Preparation,
professionalism and mutual respect are also important elements of your participation score.
Persistent negative behaviour that distracts or disrupts attention will be recorded in students file
and your participation grades will be proportionately graded.
Classroom professionalism is expected at all times to create a positive, courteous and respectful
environment conducive to learning. Use of electronic devices may be permitted if students are
utilizing the course material online or have been asked by the professor to research/lookup
specific information in order to contribute to the class.
While attendance is not participation, participation is not possible without attendance. Notify the
instructor in advance if you have to miss a session or leave early. Absences supported with
medical evidence will be accepted, if you are a member of a Concordia sports team and have to
miss class due to a scheduled game (not practice) a verification email must be received from the
appropriate member of staff (coach). Inform the instructor if you were arriving late or leaving
early with details of valid reasons. Students are expected to attend every class meeting, and come
to class punctually. The instructor will assess individual student performance in class to
determine the marks to be assigned at the end of term.
Description for (b) Mid-term exam will consist of short answer and long answer questions
based upon course content studied to date. (October 11, 2016).
Description for (c) Organizational ethics analysis. Each student will choose one company that
has published a code of ethics and write a 4-5 page paper about the values espoused in the code,
how the company applies those values in its practices and any reports, violations, or incidents
that violates its code. As well, the paper should contain a section that compares the company
values with your own. Would you want to work for this company? (October 20, 2016).
Description for (d) Group research project, students will have the opportunity to explore the
philosophical, religious and scientific aspects of ethical decision making and compare and
contrast them to current day ethical actions and thinking within business and management.
Note: There will be a peer review component of grading for this project. IMPORTANT: Please
note that Final exam will incorporate questions on research work of the students, hence
participating/note taking during your peers research presentations is highly recommended.

(November 17, 2016).

Description for (e) The Final Exam will cover chapters, case studies and any supplemental
materials discussed throughout the entire term. The exam will consist of multiple choice, short
and long answer essay questions and ethical case analysis. (December 17, 2016).

Exam Procedures: Students must observe exam conditions when entering class on an exam
day. This means no talking, bags, books etc. to be left at the front of the classroom, all electronic
items to be switched off (not standby or silent). Students that are late may not be admitted to the
class.
Missed Term Work/Exams: Students must submit assignments on time in hard copy or as
otherwise directed by the instructor. Late assignments will be penalized 10% of the earned grade.
Students with a medical excuse might be asked to provide a validating note from a physician.
Students with personal reasons should be directed to Student Life and Learning for proper
documentation (see Section 9.2.2 in Calendar for policy on excused absences).
Deferred Final Examination: Deferred final examinations may be granted to students who are
unable to write final examinations because of illness, severe family difficulty, religious
observance, or circumstances beyond their control. Students are directed to Section 9.2.5 of the
Calendar for further information. Of note is that the application for a deferred exam must
normally be started within 48 hours of the missed examination.
Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is fundamental to the academic enterprise. Students are
urged to familiarize themselves with Section 9.2.9 of the Calendar and to take note that cases of
academic dishonesty (e.g., cheating, plagiarism, collusion, unauthorized submission for credit of
previously graded work, and misrepresentation) are serious offenses. Penalties for academic
dishonesty range from a grade of zero on the work in question to expulsion.

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS AND SERVICES:

Academic Administration
Dean:
Email:
Phone:
Office:

Paul McElhone, PhD

paul.mcelhone@concordia.ab.ca
780.413.7831
HA213

Department Chair:
Email:
Phone:
Office:

Alison Yacyshyn, PhD.

alison.yacyshyn@concordia.ab.ca
780.413.7811
HA328
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Registrars Office
Email:
Phone:
Office:

registrar@concordia.ab.ca
(780) 479-9250
HA120

Academic Support
Dean of Students:
Email:

Phone:
Office:

Student Life and Learning

Email:
Phone:
Office:

Dr. Barbara van Ingen

barbara.vaningen@concordia.ab.ca
(780) 479-9289
HA217
studentlife@concordia.ab.ca
(780) 479-9241
HA114

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