BSc Management (International Business Economics) with Industrial/Professional Experience / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Ethical Business

Course unit fact file
Unit code BMAN24261
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This course gives students a critical perspective on the behaviours of corporations and other organizations. The ethical/unethical behaviours of organisations are understood in the context of social and economic change, particularly the evolution of globalization. To help achieve this, the course covers a multiplicity of examples from the academic literature and from the lecturer’s own research. 

Pre/co-requisites

Available as option for BSc Mgt/Mgt Specialism, IM and IMABS. Core for BSc Management with SEB Specialism.

Available as option for BSc Mgt/Mgt Specialism, IM and IMABS. Core for BSc Management with SEB Specialism.

Aims

The main objective is to make students aware of key issues around ethical and unethical behaviours in the management of modern work organizations. The focus is on how organizations seek to change, evolve and develop. The course aims to impart a critical perspective on issues such as control, change, conflict and power. In so doing the course builds upon many of the theories and concepts which students encounter in their first year. A key objective of the course is for students to understand organizational behaviour and change in a ‘real world’ context and to be able to apply in practice core methods of business ethics and sustainability. 

Learning outcomes

By the end of the unit students should have acquired awareness of how corporations and contemporary organizations seek to manage their workforce and their physical, social and political environments in a number of ways. You will gain knowledge about some of the non-mainstream elements of organizational life, including organizational misbehaviour and corporate crime. 

Syllabus

Lectures in this module may cover topics such as:
• Normative ethics
• Ethical decision-making
• Individual and organisational factors influencing ethics
• The ethics of organisational leadership 
• Sustainability
• Globalisation and international issues
• Stakeholder theory

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching is organised into 11 lectures and 3 practical workshops.

 

Lectures: 11x2  hours per week

Applied workshops: 1 x 3hrs, 2 x 2.5 hours

 

Total study hours: 200 hours split between lectures, classes, reading and research, and preparation for classes and coursework.

Assessment methods

The course is assessed by an applied project and a group presentation thus:

•    Applied project report of business ethics and sustainability 80% - (ILO: Applied - Test of ability to apply knowledge of business ethics to analyse and interpret organisational ethical problems and suggest solutions)
•    Group presentation, 20% (ILO: Conceptual - Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of key concepts of ethical business)
 

 

Feedback methods

Formative assessment/Feedback is by way of lecture and workshop participation and supported collaborative learning.

Recommended reading

Core textbooks:

The two core textbooks for this course are:

  • Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2015). Business ethics (4th ed.). Oxford: OUP Oxford. Note: Both the 3rd and 4th editions are acceptable
  • Ferrell, O., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2018). Business Ethics: Ethical decision making & cases (12th ed.). Boston, MA: CENGAGE Learning Custom Publishing.
  • Note: Both 11th and 12th editions are acceptable 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 22
Seminars 8
Independent study hours
Independent study 170

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Andra Toader Unit coordinator

Additional notes

Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Dependent courses: None

Programme Restrictions: BSc Management and Management (Specialisms), BSc International Management with American Business Studies, and BSc International Management.

Core: BSc Management (Sustainable & Ethical Business)

BMAN24261 is available to study abroad and exchange students admitted through the University of Manchester’s International Programmes Office

For Academic Year 2023/24

Updated: March 2023

Approved by: March UG Committee

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