Introduction to Business, Government, and Society

Ryan Fehr
Assistant Professor Michael G. Foster School of Business University of Washington, Seattle

Index Cards
Name / Nickname Year and major Hometown where you grew up Do you currently have a job? Any job this summer?

Past internship/jobs?
Future career plans?

Day One Agenda

Introduction to the course Review of syllabus and policies Warm-up exercises

Course Framework
Making Ethical Decisions
Context of business Business power Ethical decision-making (sessions 16) Topics

Managing Relationships
Ethical leadership Employees and customers Organizational cultures (sessions 711)
Not a Moral Person Hypocritical Leadership Unethical Leadership

Building Socially Responsible Systems

Business regulations/governance CSR and sustainability Globalization and MNCs (sessions 1221)

Teleology

Deontology Moral Management No Moral Management

Moral Person Ethical Leadership Moral Muteness

Symbols

Power Structures

Stockholders

Tools

Do it!

??

??

Stories & Formal Values & Myths Assumptions Structures Rituals & Routines Control Systems

Imprudent

Technology

Irresponsible
Governments Corporation Customers

Dont do it!

??

??

Ethics

Strategy
Communities Employee

Idyllic

Many forces influence and are influenced by business Business power produces business responsibility Think comprehensively to make optimal decisions

Be cognizant of and responsible for the ethical culture that you create for others Be mindful of stakeholder rights and interests

Organizations depend on stakeholders for their survival To navigate the business environment, organizations must know how to address their stakeholders needs

Key Points Principles

Critical Thinking Communication

Integrated Management Corporate Strategy

Classroom Etiquette

Fried, C.B. (2008). In-class laptop use and its effects on student learning. Computers and Education, 50, 906914.

True or false?
Ethics are critically important to business Bullfighting is unethical

In class assignment
Read Apple/Foxconn article With a partner discuss and answer these questions. 1. What are the pros and cons of using Foxconn as a supplier? 2. What changes, if any, should Apple make to address the Foxconn controversy?

Themes from each module of the course

Making ethical decisions. Decide what you consider to be the most ethical way to go. Managing relationships. Interpret the wants and needs of the people impacted by your decision.

Building socially responsible systems. Build a plan to fix the problem in the long run.