Business Ethics Resources Website

To be able to make this business ethics resource trial more comprehensive, we created a website, http://www.businessethicsresources.com. This blog was a good starting point, but possibility of posting some related articles, books, and links with various categories necesitated switching to a website. Please visit the website and send your comments.

http://www.businessethicsresources.com

Business and Society: Stakeholders, Ethics, Public Policy

Lawrence, Anne T. and Weber, James. (2007) Business and Society: Stakeholders, Ethics, Public Policy. McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 12th edition.

BUSINESS AND SOCIETY: Stakeholder Relations, Ethics and Public Policy by Lawrence and Weber has continued through several successive author teams to be the market-leader in its field. BUSINESS AND SOCIETY, 12e highlights why government regulation is sometimes required as well as new models of business-community collaboration. The authors believe that businesses have social (as well as economic) responsibilities to society; that business and government both have important roles to play in the modern economy; and that ethics and integrity are essential to personal fulfillment and to business success. In addition, this textbook has long been popular with students because of its lively writing, up-to-date examples, and clear explanations of theory.

Business Ethics: Decision-Making for Personal Integrity & Social Responsibility

Hartman, Laura P. and DesJardins, Joseph R. (2007) Business Ethics: Decision-Making for Personal Integrity & Social Responsibility. McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 1st edition.

Hartman/DesJardins Business Ethics is designed to prepare the student to apply an ethical decision-making model, not only in this ethics course but throughout her or his business discipline. This model teaches students ethical skills, vocabulary, and tools to apply in everyday business decisions and throughout their business courses. The authors speak in a sophisticated yet accessible manner while teaching the fundamentals of business ethics. Hartman’s professional background in law and her teaching experience in business curriculum, combined with DesJardins’ background in philosophy results in a broad language, ideal for this approach and market.

The authors’ goal is to engage the student by focusing on cases and business scenarios that students already find interesting. Students are then asked to look at the issues from an ethical perspective. Additionally, its focus on AACSB requirements makes it a comprehensive business ethics text for business school courses.

An Introduction to Business Ethics

DesJardins, Joseph R. (2008) An Introduction to Business Ethics. McGraw-Hill, 3rd edition.

Since its inception An Introduction to Business Ethics, by Joseph Desjardins has been a cutting-edge resource for the business ethics course. DesJardin's unique approach encompasses all that an introductory business ethics course is, from a multidisciplinary perspective. It offers critical analysis and integrates the perspective of philosophy with management, law, economics, and public policy.

Who are We? The Challenges to America's National Identity

Huntington, Samuel P. (2004) Who Are We? The Challenges to America's National Identity. New York: Simon & Schuster. [Brief part in Chapter 4 - Individualism and Work Ethic, Protestant America and Catholicism]

America was founded by British settlers who brought with them a distinct culture including the English languzge, Protestant values, individualism, religious commitment, and respect for law. The waves of immigrants that later came to the United States gradually accepted these values and assimilated into America's Anglo-Protestant culture. More recently, however, national identity has been redoded by the problems of assimilating massive numbers of primarily Hispanic immigrants, bilingualism, multiculturalism, the devaluation of citizenship, an the "denationalization" of American elites. (From the front flap of the hardcover edition)

Traditional Islam in the Modern World

Nasr, Seyyed Hossein. (1995) Traditional Islam in the Modern World. New York: Kegan Paul International. [Chapter 2 - Islamic Work Ethic, pp. 35-46]

Iranian-born Nasr (Islamic studies, George Washington Univ.) distinguishes traditional Islam from both modernist and resurgent "fundamentalist" forms, and explores its encounter with the modern world in such realms as education, science, and urbanism. A reprint of the 1987 cloth edition. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Second chapter of this book deals with Islamic Work Ethic.

The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power

Bakan, Joel. (2005) The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power, New York: Free Press.

As incisive as Eric Schosser's bestselling Fast Food Nation, as rigorous as Joseph E. Stiglitz's Globalization and Its Dicontents, and as scatching as Michael Moore's Stupid White Men, Joel Bakan's new book is a brilliantly argued account of the corporation's pathological pursuit of profit and power. An eminent law professor and legal theorist, Bakan contends that the corporation is created by law to function much like a psychopatic personality whose destructive behavior, if left unchecked, leads to scandal and ruin.

Despite the structural failings found in the corporation, Bakan believes change is possible and outlines a far-reaching program of concrete, pragmatic, and realistic reforms through legal regulation and democratic control.

Backed by extensive research, The Corporation draws on in-depth interviews with such wide-ranging figures as CEO Hank McKinnell of Pfizer, Nobel Prize-winner Milton Friedman, business guru Peter Drucker, and critic Noam Chomsky of MIT. (From the flaps of hardcover edition)

The Corporation is also made into a movie.

The Corporation (DVD)

Achbar, Mark and Abbott, Jennifer. (2004) The Corporation (DVD)

America's dominant institution gets a thorough "Frontline"-like going over in this documentary based on Joel Bakan's best-selling exposé. The film looks at corporations as legal entities and examines their manipulative business practices in interviews with C.E.O.s, whistle-blowers, and media figures such as Naomi Klein, Michael Moore, Ray Anderson, and Noam Chomsky. And, in what turns out to be a depressingly accurate observation, the filmmakers compare the behavior of corporations to that of psychopaths. Despite constant revelations, the film's nearly two-and-a-half-hour running time is exhausting-that's a lot of bad news to process. -Bruce Diones (From The New Yorker)

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price (DVD)

Greenwald, Robert. (2005) Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price (DVD)

Everyone has seen Wal-Mart's lavish television commercials, but have you ever wondered why Wal-Mart spends so much money trying to convince you it cares about your family, your community, and even its own employees? What is it hiding? WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price takes you behind the glitz and into the real lives of workers and their families, business owners and their communities, in an extraordinary journey that will challenge the way you think, feel... and shop.

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (DVD)

Gibney, Alex. (2005) Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (DVD)

Based on the best-selling book of the same name by Fortune reporters Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind, a multidimensional study of one of the biggest business scandals in American history. The chronicle takes a look at one of the greatest corporate disasters in history, in which top executives from the 7th largest company in this country walked away with over one billion dollars, leaving investors and employees with nothing. The film features insider accounts and rare corporate audio and video tapes that reveal colossal personal excesses of the Enron hierarchy and the utter moral vacuum that posed as corporate philosophy. The human drama that unfolds within Enron's walls resembles a Greek tragedy and produces a domino effect that could shape the face of our economy and ethical code for years to come.

Control Room (DVD)

Noujaim, Jehane. (2003) Control Room (DVD)

Control room is a rate film that is both timely and timeless: timeless because it ecplores the ancient and complex relationship between the western and Arab worlds, timely because it reveals how satellite television has changed the way wars are reported- from news providers, driven by the patriotism of their audiences, to army information officers, driven by military objectives. Control room is a seminal documentary that explores how truth is gathered, presented, and ultimately created by those who deliver it.

Super Size Me (DVD)

Spurlock, Morgan. (2003) Super Size Me (DVD)

Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, rejected five times by the USC film school, won the best director award at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival for this alarmingly personal investigation into the health hazards wreaked by our fast food nation. Under extensive medical supervision, Spurlock subjects himself to a steady diet of McDonald's cuisine for 30 days just to see what happens. In less than a week, his ordinarily fit body and equilibrium undergo dark and ugly changes: Spurlock grows fat, his cholesterol rockets north, his organs take a beating, and he becomes subject to headaches, mood swings, symptoms of addiction, and lessened sexual energy.

The gimmick is too obvious to sustain a feature documentary; Spurlock actually spends most of the film probing insidious ways that fast food companies worm their way into school lunchrooms and the hearts of young children who spend hours in McDonald's playrooms. French fries never looked more nauseating. --Tom Keogh

Who Killed the Electric Car? (DVD)

Paine, Chris. (2006) Who Killed the Electric Car? (DVD)

In 1996, electric cars began to appear on roads all over California. They were quiet and fast, produced no exhaust and ran without gasoline. Ten years later, these futuristic cars were almost entirely gone. What happened? Why should we be haunted by the ghost of the electric car?

Sicko (DVD)

Moore, Michael. (2007) Sicko (DVD)

Following on the heels of his Palm d'Or winning Fahrenheit 9/11 and his Oscar winning film Bowling for Columbine, acclaimed filmmaker Michael Moore's new documentary sets out to investigate the American healthcare system. Sticking to his tried-and-true one-man approach, Moore sheds light on the complicated medical affairs of individuals and local communities.

Fahrenheit 9/11 (DVD)

Moore, Michael. (2004) Fahrenheit 9/11 (DVD)

In the most provocative film of the year, Academy Award-winner Michael Moore presents a searing examination of the role played by greed and oil in the wake of the tragic events of 9/11. From Academy-Award winning director Michael Moore (Bowling for Columbine). WINNER, Palme D’Or Award at the Cannes Film Festival, BEST PICTURE. DVD features: * "The Release of Fahrenheit 9/11" featurette * "Iraq, Pre-War" featurette: The people of Iraq on the eve of invasion * "Homeland security, Miami style" featurette: Footage of the old men who patrol the Florida coast lookng for terrorists as part of the homeland security plan

* "Outside Abu Ghraib Prison"
* Eyewitness account from Samara, Iraq
* "Lila, D.C.": Lila Lipscomb at the Washington, D.C. premiere
* Arab-American comedians: Their acts and experiences after 9/11
* Extended interview: More with Abdul Henderson
* "Condi 9/11": Condoleezza Rice's 9/11 Commission testimony
* "Bush Rose Garden": George W. Bush's full press briefing after 9/11 Commission appearance

Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases

Ferrel, O.C., Fraedrich, J., and Ferrell, L. (2008). Ferrell, Business Ethics 7e New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. 7th edition.

This accessible, applied text covers the complex environment in which managers confront ethical decision making. Using a managerial framework, the authors address the overall concepts, processes, and best practices associated with successful business ethics programs–helping students see how ethics can be integrated into key strategic business decisions. The Seventh Edition incorporates comprehensive and rigorous updates that reflect the ever-increasing academic and governmental attention being given to this area. The textbook program provides an abundance of real-world examples and cases, as well as exercises, simulations, and practice tests that provide plenty of opportunity for students to master the text material.

Ethical Theory and Business

Beauchamp, T. L., Bowie, N. E., and Arnold, D. G. (2008). Ethical Theory and Business (8th Edition) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. 8th edition.

This book is a comprehensive anthology of readings, legal perspectives, and cases in ethics in business. Ethical Theory and Business provides students with a strong understanding of ethics in business and the tools needed to address ethical situations in business.The authors examine ethical theory and business practice, the purpose of the corporation, corporate character and individual responsibility, acceptable risk, the ethical treatment of employees, diversity and discrimination in the workplace, marketing and disclosure of information, ethical issues in information technology and, ethical issues in international business. For those interested in examining the ethical challenges we face today.

Evolution And Ethics: Human Morality In Biological And Religious Perspective

Clayton, Phillip and Schloss, Jeffrey (Eds.) (2004). Evolution And Ethics: Human Morality In Biological And Religious Perspective Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Christians frequently resist evolutionary theory, beliving it to be incompatible with the core values of their tradition. But what exactly are the tensions between evolutiona nd religious faith in the area of human morality? Evolution and Ethics examines the burning questions of human morality from the standpoint of Christian thought and contemporary biology, asking where the two perspectives diverge and where they may complement one another.

Respresenting a significant dialogue between world-class scientists, philosophers, and theologians, this volume explores the central features of biological and religious accounts of human morality, introducing the leading theories and locating the key points of contention. Central to these discussions are the questions of whether human actions are ever genuinely selfless, whether there is something in the moral life that trancends biological function, and whether one can sensibly speak of an overall purpose to the course of evolution.

Certain to engage scholars, students, and general readers alike, Evolution and Ethics offers a balanced, levelheaded, constructive approach to an often divisive debate. (From back cover of the book)

Biological Anthropology and Ethics: From Repatriation to Genetic Identity

Turner, Trudy R. (Ed.) (2005). Biological Anthropology and Ethics: From Repatriation to Genetic Identity State University of New York Press.

Biological anthropologists face an array of ethical issues as they engage in fieldwork around the world. In this volume human biologists, geneticists, paleontologists, and primatologists confront their involvement with, and obligations to, their research subjects, their discipline, society, and the environment. Those working with human populations explore such issues as who speaks for a group, community consultation and group consent, the relationship between expatriate communities and the community of origin, and disclosing the identity of both individuals and communities.

Those working with skeletal remains discuss issues that include access to and ownership of fossil material. Primatologists are concerned about the well-being of their subjects in laboratory and captive situations, and must address yet another set of issues regarding endangered animal populations and conservation in field situations. The first comprehensive account of the ethical issues facing! biological anthropologists today, Biological Anthropology and Ethics opens the door for discussions of ethical issues in professional life.

Environmental Ethics: Readings in Theory and Application

Pojman, Louis P. and Pojman, Paul. (2007). Environmental Ethics: Readings in Theory and Application Wadsworth Publishing, 5th edition.

The most comprehensive introduction to environmental ethics available, ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS offers students a current look at the issues and topics that dominate the field today, organized into two main parts that take students seamlessly from theory to application. This Fifth Edition of the Pojmans' popular anthology, like its predecessors, includes numerous topic areas not covered in other anthologies-including an all-new section on Climate Change. Featuring articles carefully selected for clarity and accessibility, the text follows a dialogic pro-con format presenting divergent positions on each topic, ensuring that students are both exposed to and understand both sides of every topic so they can develop their own informed positions.

The bulk of royalties for this book are donated to groups dedicated to protecting the environment, such as the Wilderness Society and the Sierra Club.