• Unit 1: Why Ethics Matters

    Why do ethics matter? According to Driscoll (2017): "...businesses without values are businesses at risk. Their reputations suffer in the marketplace, depressing stock prices and eroding consumer confidence; recruitment of talented personnel is more difficult. Many companies now perform due diligence on companies they are considering as partners or suppliers, and are passing on those that don't meet their ethical standards." If you are a part of an organization at any level, it is essential to understand your role in ethical conduct and recognize what to do when ethical challenges arise. In this unit, you will examine the concepts of being a professional of integrity, the role of ethics and profitability, as well as single vs. multi-ethical standards.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • explain the role of ethics in a business environment;
      • articulate what it means to be a professional of integrity;
      • relate three approaches for examining the ethical nature of a decision; and
      • appraise the concept of corporate social responsibility.

    • 1.1: Being a Professional of Integrity

      • Being a Professional of Integrity Page

        Ethics sets the standards that govern our personal and professional behavior. To conduct business ethically, we must choose to be a professional of integrity. This section will introduce you to definitions of ethics and integrity as a foundation for learning about ethical behavior.

    • 1.2: Ethics and Profitability

      • Ethics and Profitability Page

        All the company's stakeholders benefit from managers' ethical conduct, which also increases a business' goodwill and, in turn, supports profitability. This section will discuss how ethical behavior impacts the profitability of an organization.

    • 1.3: Ethical Standards

      • Ethical Standards Page

        Adopting a single ethical code is the mark of a professional of integrity and is supported by the reasoned approach of each of the normative theories of business ethics. This section discusses the difference between a single approach to ethics and ethical behavior that is more fluid in nature.

    • 1.4: Understanding Ethics

    • 1.5: Ethics and Responsibility

    • 1.6: What is Ethics?

      • What is Ethics? Page

        Watch this video on why ethics matters. As you listen, think about what guides you when there are no regulations, laws, or rules in place. Different industries have best practices even if there or no written rules. What are the signs of ethical behavior in companies?

    • Unit 1 Assessment

      • Unit 1 Assessment Quiz
        Receive a grade

        Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.

        • This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
        • You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
        • You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.