An Introduction to Business Ethics, Seventh Edition
By Joseph Desjardins
Contents:
Preface x
Chapter One: Why Study Ethics? 1
Learning Objectives 1
Discussion Case: Facebook 1
Discussion Questions 5
Business Ethics: The What and the Why 6
Ethics, Morality, and Social Justice 9
Business Ethics as Responsible Decision Making 12
Skeptical Challenge I: Isn’t the Law Enough? 14
Skeptical Challenge II: Ethical Relativism 16
A Model for Ethical Decision Making 22
Reflections on the Chapter Discussion Case 25
Chapter Review Questions 26
Chapter Two: Ethical Theory and Business 27
Learning Objectives 27
Discussion Case: CEO Compensation versus Minimum Wage 27
Discussion Questions 29
Introduction 30
Utilitarian Ethics 37
Challenges to Utilitarianism 41
Utilitarianism and Business Policy 44
Rights, Duties, and Principle-Based Ethics 46
Summary and Review 50
Reflections on the Chapter Discussion Case 52
Chapter Review Questions 53
Chapter Three: Corporate Social Responsibility 54
Learning Objectives 54
Discussion Case: Section 230: If It Is Legal, Is It Ethically Responsible? 54
Discussion Questions 58
Introduction 59
The Economic Model of Corporate Social Responsibility 59
Critical Assessment of the Economic Model: The Utilitarian Defense 62
Critical Assessment of the Economic Model: The Private Property Defense 67
Modified Version of the Economic Model: The Moral Minimum 70
The Stakeholder Model of Corporate Social Responsibility 73
Strategic Model of Corporate Social Responsibility: Benefit Corporations 78
Summary and Review 80
Reflections on the Chapter Discussion Case 82
Chapter Review Questions 83
Chapter Four: Corporate Culture, Governance, and Ethical Leadership 86
Learning Objectives 86
Discussion Case: Fraud at Wells Fargo 86
Discussion Questions 89
Introduction 89
What Is Corporate Culture? 90
Culture and Ethics 92
Ethical Leadership and Corporate Culture 94
Effective Leadership and Ethical Leadership 97
Building a Values-Based Corporate Culture 99
Reflections on the Chapter Discussion Case 102
Chapter Review Questions 102
Chapter Five: The Meaning and Value of Work 104
Learning Objectives 104
Discussion Case: Work–Life Balance After a Pandemic 104
Discussion Questions 107
Introduction 107
The Meanings of Work 109
The Value of Work 111
Conventional Views of Work 116
The Human Fulfillment Model 117
The Liberal Model of Work 120
Business’s Responsibility for Meaningful Work 122
Reflections on the Chapter Discussion Case 124
Chapter Review Questions 125
Chapter Six: Moral Rights in the Workplace 127
Learning Objectives 127
Discussion Case: Workplace Privacy and Employee Monitoring 127
Discussion Questions 129
Introduction: Employee Rights 129
The Right to Work 131
Employment at Will 134
Due Process in the Workplace 136
Participation Rights 140
Freedom of Expression 142
Employee Health and Safety 145
Privacy in the Workplace 151
Reflections on the Chapter Discussion Case 154
Chapter Review Questions 155
Chapter Seven: Employee Responsibilities 157
Learning Objectives 157
Discussion Case: Trust in Business 157
Discussion Questions 160
Introduction 160
Trust and Business 162
The Narrow View of Employee Responsibilities: Employees as Agents 163
Professional Ethics and the Gatekeeper Function 168
Managerial Responsibility and Conflicts of Interest 171
Trust and Loyalty in the Workplace 175
Responsibilities to Third Parties: Honesty, Whistle-Blowing, and Insider Trading 178
Reflections on the Chapter Discussion Case 185
Chapter Review Questions 187
Chapter Eight: Marketing Ethics: Product Safety and Pricing 159
Learning Objectives 189
Discussion Case: Social Harms: Obesity and Opioids 189
Discussion Questions 193
Ethical Issues in Marketing: An Overview 193
Ethical Responsibility for Products: From Caveat Emptor to Negligence 197
Strict Product Liability 202
Ethics and Pricing 204
Reflections on the Chapter Discussion Case 208
Chapter Review Questions 209
Chapter Nine: Marketing Ethics: Advertising and Digital Marketing 211
Learning Objectives 211
Discussion Case: Digital Marketing and “Dark Patterns” 211
Discussion Questions 213
Introduction 214
Ethics of Manipulation and Deception 218
Government Regulation of Deceptive and Unfair Advertising 221
Digital Marketing and Consumer Privacy 225
Marketing Ethics and Consumer Autonomy 227
Targeting the Vulnerable: Marketing and Sales 233
Reflections on the Chapter Discussion Case 237
Chapter Review Questions 238
Chapter Ten: Sustainability and the Natural Environment 240
Learning Objectives 240
Discussion Case: Business and Sustainability 240
Discussion Questions 243
Introduction: Business, the Environment, and Sustainability 244
Corporate Social Responsibility and the Environment 245
Business’s Responsibility as Environmental Regulation 248
Business Ethics and Sustainable Economics 250
Business Ethics in the Age of Sustainable Development 253
The “Business Case” for Sustainability 257
Critical Reflections on Chapter Discussion Case 259
Chapter Review Questions 261
Chapter Eleven: Workplace Diversity and Discrimination 262
Learning Objectives 262
Discussion Case: Sexual Harassment and Gender Equality 262
Discussion Questions 264
Introduction: Diversity and Equality 264
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace 268
Discrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action 272
Preferential Treatment in Employment 277
Arguments Against Preferential Hiring 281
Arguments in Support of Preferential Hiring 284
Reflections on the Chapter Discussion Case 287
Chapter Review Questions 288
Chapter Twelve: International Business and Globalization 290
Learning Objectives 290
Discussion Case: Business Ethics in a Global Setting 290
Discussion Questions 292
Introduction 293
Ethical Relativism and Cross-Cultural Values 294
Cross-Cultural Values, Human Rights, and the Ruggie Principles 297
Globalization and International Business 300
Globalization and the Poor 302
“Race to the Bottom” 305
Democracy, Cultural Integrity, and Human Rights 306
International Business and a Duty of National Loyalty 309
Reflections on the Chapter Discussion Case 311
Chapter Review Questions 311
Index 313