Understanding Business Ethics

"Looking for a deeply reflected and applicable textbook for in-class use in business ethics? Here it is. The best textbook I’ve ever found is the Stanwicks’ masterpiece. Your students will love it." —Volker Brecht, Southern University at New Orleans   Filled with real-world case studies and examples of ethical dilemmas, Understanding Business Ethics, Third Edition prepares students and managers alike to make ethical decisions in today’s complex, global environment. Bestselling authors Peter A. Stanwick and Sarah D. Stanwick explain the fundamental importance of ethical leadership, decision making, and strategic planning while examining emerging trends in business ethics such as the developing world, human rights, environmental sustainability, and technology. In addition to presenting information related to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the text’s 26 real-world cases profile a variety of industries, countries, and ethical issues in a way that is relevant and meaningful to students’ lives.   The Third Edition features new cases from well-known companies such as Disney and General Motors, new coverage of emerging topics such as big data and social media, expanded coverage of corporate social responsibility, and more. Using an applied approach, this text helps students understand why and how business ethics really do matter!

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: The Foundation of Ethical Thought Introduction The Role of Morals The Foundation of Ethical Theory Teleological Frameworks Deontological Frameworks Seven Guiding Principles to Support Ethical Actions The Seven Deadly Sins The Trolley Problem Global Business Standards Codex Chapter 2: The Evolving Complexities of Business Ethics The Global Complexity of Business Ethics History of Business Ethics The Role of Integrity Specific Behaviors of High Integrity Is Everyone Unethical? The Cheating Culture Grade Inflation and the Institutional Pressure to Cheat The Role of Technology and Cheating Generational Differences Pertaining to Ethics The Role of Trust in Ethical Conduct Chapter 3: Stakeholders and Corporate Social Responsibility What Is a Stakeholder? Management’s Response to Stakeholders The Ability to Build Trust with the Stakeholders The Role of Stakeholder Communications Triple Bottom Line Reporting The Benefit Corporation Suppliers as Stakeholders Customers as Stakeholders Government as a Stakeholder NGOs as Stakeholders Local Community and Society as Stakeholders The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility Alternative Firm Configurations to Address Stakeholder Issues The Role of Corporate Reputation The Role of Corporate Philanthropy Part II: Internal Focus of Ethical Issues Chapter 4: Ethics and Financial Reporting Ethics and Financial Reporting The Role of Creative Accounting The History of Ponzi Schemes The Role Of Insider Trading As An Ethical Issue Ethical Philosophies and Accounting Issues The Role of Financial Reporting The Objectives of Financial Reporting Where Were the Auditors? Responsibilities of Management The Use of Heuristics in Auditing Responsibilities of Auditors Responsibilities of Audit Committees AICPA Code of Professional Conduct Components of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Section 404—Internal Controls A Comprehensive Model of Top Management Fraud Accounting Shenanigans or Tricks of the Trade Chapter 5: Ethical Leadership and Corporate Governance Ethical Leadership A Manager’s Ability to Develop Trust, Commitment, and Effort The Responsibility of Managers The Transformation From Moral Person to Ethical Leader Ethics and Corporate Governance Board of Directors The Role of the Board of Directors A Contingent Perspective of Corporate Governance Ethics and the Structure of the Board of Directors The Benefits of a Strong Board of Directors CEO Compensation and Ethical Reputation Ethical Viewpoints Explaining CEO Compensation Corporate Governance and Stakeholders Chapter 6: Strategic Planning, Corporate Culture, and Corporate Compliance Ethics and Strategic Planning The Ethical Cycle Using Strategic Ethical Decisions to Build Character Is There a Link Between Strategic Planning and an Ethical Culture? How to Address Strategic Ethical Decision Making From a Global Perspective How to Address Ethical Crisis and Disaster Recovery Corporate Culture Evaluation of Corporate Culture Using Organizational Integrity to Link Corporate Culture to Corporate Compliance Ethics and Corporate Compliance The U.S. Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations The Challenge of Compliance Corporate Compliance Systems and Global Corruption Chapter 7: Decision Making and Human Resource Issues Ethical Decision Making: Kohlberg’s Six Stages of Moral Development The Role of Emotion in Moral Decision Making Rationalizing Unethical Behaviors Ethical Decision Making and Moral Intensity The Role of Power and Influence in Ethical Decisions Human Resource Issues The Role of Workplace Diversity Ethical Climate and Organizational Misbehavior Sexual Harassment and Sexual Discrimination Office Bullying Employee Monitoring The Ethical Issues Related to Extreme Jobs Part III: External Focus of Ethical Issues Chapter 8: Ethics and the Environment The Tragedy of the Commons Natural Environment as a Stakeholder Natural Environment as a Competitive Advantage Voluntary Environmental Compliance What Does It Mean to Be Green? Employees as Environmental Stakeholders NGOs as Environmental Stakeholders Communicating the Firm’s Environmental Commitment to Its Stakeholders United States Government Regulations Environmental Accounting Issues Environmental Justice Environmental Sustainability Ethics and Climate Change Climate Change as a Strategic Option The Effects of Climate Change on the Firm A Firm’s Carbon Footprint Chapter 9: Ethics and Information Technology Why Are Information Technology Ethical Issues Important? Management Issues and Policy Areas for Information Technology The Next Step: Critical Analysis Privacy of Employees Types of Computer Monitoring Telephone Monitoring Privacy of Customers The Challenge of Technology The Role of Government Regulations The Volunteer Censoring of Internet Search Information Technology-Based Fraud Internet Attacks The USA PATRIOT Act Chapter 10: Marketing and Advertising Alternative Views of the Foundation of Marketing and Advertising Green Marketing Ethical Consumer Behavior Relationship Marketing and Privacy The Role of Consumer Boycotts The Ethical Challenges of Product Recalls The Reasons for Recalls The Steps of a Recall Financial Costs of a Recall The Ethics of Fair Pricing Ethics of Purchasing and Sales False and Misleading Advertising The Eventual Truth in Advertising Advertising to Children The Sydney Principles The Magic of Disney Chapter 11: Ethical Issues in the Developing World The Bottom of the Pyramid New Generation Business Strategies for the Bottom of the Pyramid Social Entrepreneurship Fair Trade Human Rights Poverty and Hunger Food Versus Fuel The UN Millennium Development Goals Part IV: Developing and Evaluating a Strong Ethical Focus Chapter 12: Establishing a Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines Role of a Code of Ethics Code of Ethics and Stakeholders Benefits of a Code of Ethics Content of a Code of Ethics The Role of Total Responsibility Management and a Code of Ethics Steps for an Effective Code of Ethics Value of a Code of Ethics How to Make a Code of Ethics More Effective Examples of Codes of Ethics Role of Government Regulations Global Code of Ethics Chapter 13: Evaluating Corporate Ethics Why Firms Need Ethics Training Programs Establishing an Ethics Training Program Establishing a Global Ethics Training Program Benefits of an Ethics Training Program Enforcement and the Ethics Training Program Sending the Right Message to the Employees Corporate Ethics Officers Ethical Auditing Components of the Ethical Audit Whistle-Blowing Hotlines Government Regulations and Whistle-Blowing Evaluation of Ethics and Stakeholders Part V: Cases Case 1: Bernard Madoff: How “One Big Lie” Can Destroy Thousands of Lives Case 2: Siemens: How the Greased Wheels Slid off the Ethical Track Case 3: TOMS Shoes: Helping Soles All Over the World Disney Citizenship: Lending a Mouse Ear to Hear How to Help Society Case 4: World Food Programme: A Quarter a Day Keeps the Hunger Away Case 5: Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation: All the News That’s Fit to Hack Case 6: Enron: Were They the Crookedest Guys in the Room? Case 7: Google: Don’t Be Evil Unless?.?.?. Case 8: HealthSouth: The Rise and Fall of the Scrushy Empire Case 9: De Beers and the Conflict Diamonds: A Monopoly Doesn’t Last Forever Case 10: Interface: More Than Just a Carpet Company Case 11: Facebook and Privacy: Big Brother “Likes” Us Case 12: Outsourcing at Mattel: Elmo Sad?.?.?.?Elmo Covered in Lead Paint Case 13: GM and the Ignition Switch: It Is Deja Vu All Over Again Case 14: McWane: A Dangerous Business Case 15: Merck’s Vioxx: How Would You Interpret the Data? Case 16: Music Industry: Ethical Issues in a Digital Age Case 17: Apple Outsourcing in China: iSweatshop? Case 18: Patagonia: Don’t Buy Our Stuff Case 19: Tokyo Electric Power and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Disaster: A Tsunami of Problems Case 20: Tyco: I’m Sure That It’s a Really Nice Shower Curtain Case 21: Olympus: A Corporate Governance Picture That Was Out of Focus Case 22: Wal-Mart: But We Do Give Them a 10% Employee Discount Case 23: WorldCom: Can You Hear the Lawsuits Now? Case 24: BP and the Deepwater Horizon Disaster: “I Would Like My Life Back” Case 25: Greyston Bakery: The Zen of Philanthropy

About the Author :
Peter A. Stanwick is an associate professor emeritus in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship at Auburn University. His research has been published in various journals, including The Journal of Business Ethics, Management Decision, The Journal of Corporate Citizenship, The Journal of Corporate Accounting and Finance, Business Strategy and the Environment, Eco-Management and Auditing, American Business Review, International Journal of Commerce and Management, Southern Business Review, International Journal of Management, Journal of Business Strategies, Journal of Organizational Change Management, Journal of Business and Economic Perspectives, Journal of Hospital Marketing, and The International Journal of Organizational Analysis. In addition, Dr. Stanwick served as a reviewer for the Journal of Business Ethics. He was invited to present papers in 2004 and 2011 at Oxford University. Dr. Stanwick has received two grants from the Daniel F. Breeden Endowments for Faculty Enhancement and a Pursell Ethics Grant. In 1995, Dr. Stanwick received the Graduate Faculty Member Award for Excellence by the Association of Graduate Business Students at Auburn University. Dr. Stanwick taught strategic management at the undergraduate and graduate level, international management at the undergraduate level, and business ethics at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In addition, Dr. Stanwick was the College of Business Advisor for Sigma Iota Epsilon (The National Honorary and Professional Management Fraternity) and the Committee of 19, which addresses the social problems of hunger. Sarah D. Stanwick is associate professor emerita in the School of Accountancy at Auburn University. Her research has been published in various journals, including The Journal of Business Ethics, Advances in Accounting, The Accounting Educators’ Journal, The Journal of Corporate Accounting and Finance, The CPA Journal, The Journal of Corporate Citizenship, Business Strategy and the Environment, Eco-Management and Auditing, and the International Journal of Commerce and Management. While at Auburn University, she has received two Daniel F. Breeden Endowments for Faculty Enhancement and a Pursell Ethics Grant. In addition, she received a grant from the World Resources Institute to write an instructional case on the pulp and paper industry in Alabama. She has taught financial and managerial/cost accounting at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She has also taught accounting ethics at the graduate level. Her research interests include the areas of environmental accounting, ethical issues for managers and accountants, and social responsibility issues. She has served as the College Diversity Officer, the advisor for the Auburn University chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma (the international honor society for achievement in the study of business) and the advisor for the Auburn University Women in Business Organization. During her tenure at Auburn, she has directed a successful community outreach program on financial literacy, Tiger$ense. She is a retired certified public accountant. Together, Sarah and Peter have two adult children, Olivia and John, and one faithful miniature dachshund, Belle.      

Review :
"Looking for a deeply reflected and applicable textbook for in-class use in business ethics? Here it is. The best textbook I’ve ever found is the Stanwicks’ masterpiece. Your students will love it." "Great textbook, with relevant cases from the real world." "Excellent book with proper framing and interesting analyzes in various areas/fields, with special emphasis on practical cases."