Summary of content

The Institute of Business Ethics defines business ethics as 'the application of ethical values to business behaviour.' This module takes the stance that ethics is not an abstraction, but a practical aid to innovation and problem solving in all contexts, and particularly in the context of international business and management, where managers and leaders of all organisations are faced with high levels of complexity and a wide range of managerial dilemmas. Special attention will be paid to how values, a clear purpose, and an ethical perspective can inform managerial and corporate approaches to competitive advantage, sustainability and corporate responsibility. Managers and business leaders in all firms face unprecedented challenges in terms of the intensity of global competition, the expectations of customers, employees, governments and other stakeholders, and the risks posed by geo-political, demographic and environmental change. Evidence of these challenges can be found in the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN expects business to play a key role in achieving these goals, through investment in innovation and responsible management of their resources. Understanding and responding to the challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals is not merely necessary for responsible management, but is also essential to running successful and sustainable international enterprises. The module will use a range of concepts, theories and frameworks to inform discussion, analysis and decision-making in an international context: for example, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Freeman's (1984) "stakeholder engagement" Mackey and Sisodia's (2013) "conscious capitalism" Gentille's (2010) "Giving voice to values" and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Students will be asked to use these and other 'lenses' to critically evaluate the role of business in society. Summary of how PRME-related issues / topics are covered in this module to fit with GCU's 'Common Good' fo

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