essay questions in business ethics

• Business Essentials
• Leadership & Management
• Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business (CLIMB)
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Digital Transformation
• Finance & Accounting
• Business in Society
• For Organizations
• Support Portal
• Media Coverage
• Founding Donors
• Leadership Team

• Harvard Business School →
• HBS Online →
• Business Insights →

Business Insights

Harvard Business School Online's Business Insights Blog provides the career insights you need to achieve your goals and gain confidence in your business skills.

• Career Development
• Communication
• Decision-Making
• Earning Your MBA
• Negotiation
• News & Events
• Productivity
• Staff Spotlight
• Student Profiles
• Work-Life Balance
• AI Essentials for Business
• Alternative Investments
• Business Analytics
• Business Strategy
• Business and Climate Change
• Creating Brand Value
• Design Thinking and Innovation
• Digital Marketing Strategy
• Disruptive Strategy
• Economics for Managers
• Entrepreneurship Essentials
• Financial Accounting
• Global Business
• Launching Tech Ventures
• Leadership Principles
• Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability
• Leading Change and Organizational Renewal
• Leading with Finance
• Management Essentials
• Negotiation Mastery
• Organizational Leadership
• Power and Influence for Positive Impact
• Strategy Execution
• Sustainable Business Strategy
• Sustainable Investing
• Winning with Digital Platforms

What Are Business Ethics & Why Are They Important?

• 27 Jul 2023

From artificial intelligence to facial recognition technology, organizations face an increasing number of ethical dilemmas. While innovation can aid business growth, it can also create opportunities for potential abuse.

“The long-term impacts of a new technology—both positive and negative—may not become apparent until years after it’s introduced,” says Harvard Business School Professor Nien-hê Hsieh in the online course Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability . “For example, the impact of social media on children and teenagers didn’t become evident until we watched it play out over time.”

If you’re a current or prospective leader concerned about navigating difficult situations, here's an overview of business ethics, why they're important, and how to ensure ethical behavior in your organization.

Access your free e-book today.

What Are Business Ethics?

Business ethics are principles that guide decision-making . As a leader, you’ll face many challenges in the workplace because of different interpretations of what's ethical. Situations often require navigating the “gray area,” where it’s unclear what’s right and wrong.

When making decisions, your experiences, opinions, and perspectives can influence what you believe to be ethical, making it vital to:

• Be transparent.
• Invite feedback.
• Consider impacts on employees, stakeholders, and society.
• Reflect on past experiences to learn what you could have done better.

“The way to think about ethics, in my view, is: What are the externalities that your business creates, both positive and negative?” says Harvard Business School Professor Vikram Gandhi in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability . “And, therefore, how do you actually increase the positive element of externalities? And how do you decrease the negative?”

Related: Why Managers Should Involve Their Team in the Decision-Making Process

Ethical Responsibilities to Society

Promoting ethical conduct can benefit both your company and society long term.

“I'm a strong believer that a long-term focus is what creates long-term value,” Gandhi says in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability . “So you should get shareholders in your company that have that same perspective.”

Prioritizing the triple bottom line is an effective way for your business to fulfill its environmental responsibilities and create long-term value. It focuses on three factors:

• Profit: The financial return your company generates for shareholders
• People: How your company affects customers, employees, and stakeholders
• Planet: Your company’s impact on the planet and environment

Check out the video below to learn more about the triple bottom line, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more explainer content!

Ethical and corporate social responsibility (CSR) considerations can go a long way toward creating value, especially since an increasing number of customers, employees, and investors expect organizations to prioritize CSR. According to the Conscious Consumer Spending Index , 67 percent of customers prefer buying from socially responsible companies.

To prevent costly employee turnover and satisfy customers, strive to fulfill your ethical responsibilities to society.

Ethical Responsibilities to Customers

As a leader, you must ensure you don’t mislead your customers. Doing so can backfire, negatively impacting your organization’s credibility and profits.

Actions to avoid include:

• Greenwashing : Taking advantage of customers’ CSR preferences by claiming your business practices are sustainable when they aren't.
• False advertising : Making unverified or untrue claims in advertisements or promotional material.
• Making false promises : Lying to make a sale.

These unethical practices can result in multi-million dollar lawsuits, as well as highly dissatisfied customers.

Ethical Responsibilities to Employees

You also have ethical responsibilities to your employees—from the beginning to the end of their employment.

One area of business ethics that receives a lot of attention is employee termination. According to Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability , letting an employee go requires an individualized approach that ensures fairness.

Not only can wrongful termination cost your company upwards of $100,000 in legal expenses , it can also negatively impact other employees’ morale and how they perceive your leadership.

Ethical business practices have additional benefits, such as attracting and retaining talented employees willing to take a pay cut to work for a socially responsible company. Approximately 40 percent of millennials say they would switch jobs to work for a company that emphasizes sustainability.

Ultimately, it's critical to do your best to treat employees fairly.

“Fairness is not only an ethical response to power asymmetries in the work environment,” Hsieh says in the course. “Fairness—and having a successful organizational culture–can benefit the organization economically and legally.”

Why Are Business Ethics Important?

Failure to understand and apply business ethics can result in moral disengagement .

“Moral disengagement refers to ways in which we convince ourselves that what we’re doing is not wrong,” Hsieh says in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability . “It can upset the balance of judgment—causing us to prioritize our personal commitments over shared beliefs, rules, and principles—or it can skew our logic to make unethical behaviors appear less harmful or not wrong.”

Moral disengagement can also lead to questionable decisions, such as insider trading .

“In the U.S., insider trading is defined in common, federal, and state laws regulating the opportunity for insiders to benefit from material, non-public information, or MNPI,” Hsieh explains.

This type of unethical behavior can carry severe legal consequences and negatively impact your company's bottom line.

“If you create a certain amount of harm to a society, your customers, or employees over a period of time, that’s going to have a negative impact on your economic value,” Gandhi says in the course.

This is reflected in over half of the top 10 largest bankruptcies between 1980 and 2013 that resulted from unethical behavior. As a business leader, strive to make ethical decisions and fulfill your responsibilities to stakeholders.

How to Implement Business Ethics

To become a more ethical leader, it's crucial to have a balanced, long-term focus.

“It's very important to balance the fact that, even if you're focused on the long term, you have to perform in the short term as well and have a very clear, articulated strategy around that,” Gandhi says in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability .

Making ethical decisions requires reflective leadership.

“Reflecting on complex, gray-area decisions is a key part of what it means to be human, as well as an effective leader,” Hsieh says. “You have agency. You must choose how to act. And with that agency comes responsibility.”

Related: Why Are Ethics Important in Engineering?

Hsieh advises asking the following questions:

• Are you using the “greater good” to justify unethical behavior?
• Are you downplaying your actions to feel better?

“Asking these and similar questions at regular intervals can help you notice when you or others may be approaching the line between making a tough but ethical call and justifying problematic actions,” Hsieh says.

Become a More Ethical Leader

Learning from past successes and mistakes can enable you to improve your ethical decision-making.

“As a leader, when trying to determine what to do, it can be helpful to start by simply asking in any given situation, ‘What can we do?’ and ‘What would be wrong to do?’” Hsieh says.

Many times, the answers come from experience.

Gain insights from others’ ethical decisions, too. One way to do so is by taking an online course, such as Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability , which includes case studies that immerse you in real-world business situations, as well as a reflective leadership model to inform your decision-making.

Ready to become a better leader? Enroll in Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability —one of our online leadership and management courses —and download our free e-book on how to be a more effective leader.

About the Author

Business Ethics Journal Review

Edited by alexei marcoux & chris macdonald — issn 2326-7526.

• About BEJR — Now 10 years in!
• Books Received
• Instructions for Authors
• Past Issues
• The Editors

Student’s Guide to Writing Critical Essays in Business Ethics (and beyond)

Here is some advice for writing critical essays, in business ethics but also in other fields. There is of course much more to say on the topic, but this is a start.

Writing your own critical essay:

What kinds of criticisms should you offer in your essay? There are a nearly infinite number of errors or problems that you might spot in an essay or book that you want to critique. Here are a few common ones to look for, to get you started:

• Point out one or more logical fallacies. Did the author present a false dilemma , for example? Or an argument from ignorance ? Has the author presented a false analogy or a hasty generalization ?
• Critique the scope of the author’s claim. For example, does the author claim that his or her conclusion applies to all cases, rather than just to the small number of cases he or she has actually argued for?
• Point out unjustified assumptions. Has the author made questionable assumptions about some matter of fact, without providing evidence? Alternatively, has the author assumed that readers share some questionable ethical starting point, perhaps a belief in a particular debatable principle?
• Point out internal contradictions. Does the author say two things that, perhaps subtly, contradict each other?
• Point out undesirable implications / consequences. Does the author’s position imply, perhaps accidentally, some further conclusion that the author (or audience) is unlikely to want to accept, upon reflection?

In general, a good critical essay should:

• Describe and explain in neutral terms the article or book being critiqued. Before you start offering criticism, you should demonstrate that you understand the point of view you are critiquing.
• Be modest. Your goal should be to offer some insight, rather than to win a debate. Rather than to “show that Smith is wrong” or “prove that Sen’s view is incorrect,” you should set your aims on some more reasonable goal, such as “casting doubt” on the view you are critiquing, or “suggesting reason why so-and-so should modify her view.”
• Be fair. Sometimes this is referred to as the “principle of charity.” It has nothing to do with donating money. Rather, it is about giving the other side what you owe them, namely a fair reading. Your goal is not to make the author whose work you are criticizing sound dumb. Rather, the goal is to make her sound smart, but then to make yourself sound smart, too, but showing how her view could be improved.
• Be well structured . Professors love structure. Remember: a critical essay is not just a bunch of ideas; it is an orderly attempt to convince someone (in most cases, your professor) of a particular point of view. Your ideas will only have real punch if you put them in a suitable structure. That’s not all that hard. For example, make sure your opening paragraph acts as a roadmap for what follows — telling the reader where you’re going and how you propose to get there. Make sure each paragraph in the body of your essay has a main point (a point connected to the goal of your essay!) and that its point is clearly explained.
• Stick to two or maybe three main arguments . “The three main problems with Jones’s argument are x, y, and z.”
• Be clear. That means not just that your essay should be clearly structured, but also that each sentence should be clear. Proof-reading is important: get someone with good writing skills to proof-read your essay for you. If you can’t do that before your deadline, you can proof-read your essay yourself by reading it out loud. We’re serious. It is much easier to spot errors in your own writing if you read out loud.

A few more tips:

• Cite your sources carefully. Use whichever citation method your professor says to use. If in doubt, use one of the established methods (such as APA or Chicago ). But whatever you do, make sure to give credit to the people whose ideas you use, if you want to avoid being charged with plagiarism.
• Use what you’ve learned in class. Your professor would love nothing more than to know that you’ve been paying attention. So try to make use of some of the concepts discussed in class, or in your course textbook.
• Don’t try to sound like an author. Just say what you want to say. Trying to sound like an author just leads people to use big words they don’t understand and to write complex sentences that overshoot their grammatical skills. Just write it more or less the way you would say it out loud, in short, clear sentences.
• Follow instructions. Failing to follow instructions is easily the most common way students screw up when writing critical essays. Read the assignment instructions through carefully — twice! — and then if anything is unclear, ask your professor for clarification.

Looking for essay topics? Check out Business Ethics Highlights .

See also: The Concise Encyclopedia of Business Ethics

Share this:

3 comments on “student’s guide to writing critical essays in business ethics (and beyond)”.

This is a useful resource – thanks Chris

“Shack”

Arthur Shacklock (Griffith University Queensland, Australia)

I’m currently a student at Arizona Christian University taking a Business Ethics course. I’m in the midst of completing an assignment that requires me to post on an open blog forum. It was very difficult for me to find something interesting and that pertained to my class. Then I stumbled across your blog then more specifically, this article. The purpose of this specific assignment is to share my individual and collective experiences derived from collaborative learning and expressed through the narrative, as “actionable knowledge.” Actionable knowledge reflects the learning capability of individuals and organizations to connect elements including; social, political, economic, technological.

Knowing how to write critical essays in Business Ethics is an important element of success. I enjoyed reading through these helpful tips. This is useful information that will help in college and beyond.

Supporting evidence is an important part of writing a sound paper. Like you mentioned in the blog, it can’t be based on bias or ignorance. Rather, backed up by factual evidence to help support your claim. I love the general key points as well. Describe and explain, be modest, be fair, be well structured, and be clear. I am very familiar with these key elements as we have spoken on them in class. They are very important components of business ethics. We’ve learned things about leading in the business world, Capitalism, Socialism, and Communism, Business advertising, and more. In the essay I write in this course, I will refer back to this blog.

Like any other course, it is important to cite your sources like you’ve mentioned above as well as use information that we’ve learned in class. Sound like yourself and speak from your own understanding. The last tip was to follow instructions WHICH IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS! It’s all in the fine print. Read until you understand and ask questions if you don’t.

Good luck with your studies, Deon!

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Recent posts.

• v11n2: von Kriegstein Responds to Ancell
• v11n1: Hargrave and Smith on Stakeholder Governance
• v10n5: Ancell on von Kriegstein on the ‘Radical Behavioral Challenge’
• v10n4: Scharding Responds to Allison
• v10n3: Young on Singer on Disruptive Innovation

Peer-Reviewed Business Ethics Journals (not an exhaustive list!)

Editors’ favourite blogs, useful links, we’re social.

BEJR is published by

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

Home — Essay Samples — Business — Management — Business Ethics

Essays on Business Ethics

When it comes to writing a business ethics essay, choosing the right topic is crucial. The topic you choose will determine the direction of your essay and the kind of research you will need to conduct. In this article, we will discuss the importance of choosing the right business ethics essay topic and provide a list of potential topics that you can consider.

Importance of Choosing the Right Business Ethics Essay Topic

Choosing the right business ethics essay topic is important for several reasons. Firstly, it will determine the scope of your essay. Some topics are broad and cover a wide range of issues, while others are more focused on specific aspects of business ethics. By choosing the right topic, you can ensure that your essay is focused and well-structured.

Secondly, the right topic will make it easier for you to conduct research. If you choose a topic that has been well-researched and has a lot of available literature, you will have an easier time finding relevant sources to support your arguments. On the other hand, if you choose a topic that has not been widely studied, you may struggle to find credible sources to back up your points.

Finally, choosing the right topic will make your essay more engaging for your readers. If you choose a topic that is relevant and interesting, you are more likely to capture the attention of your audience and keep them engaged throughout your essay.

Potential Business Ethics Essay Topics

Now that we understand the importance of choosing the right business ethics essay topic, let's explore some potential topics that you can consider for your essay:

• The impact of corporate social responsibility on consumer behavior
• Ethical considerations in marketing and advertising
• The role of ethics in corporate governance
• Ethical dilemmas in the workplace: A case study approach
• The ethical implications of outsourcing and offshoring
• Whistleblowing: Ethical considerations and implications for employees
• The ethical challenges of data privacy and cybersecurity
• Corporate culture and its impact on ethical decision-making
• Ethics in the supply chain: Balancing profit and responsibility
• The role of ethics in decision-making: A comparison of different ethical frameworks

These are just a few examples of potential business ethics essay topics. As you can see, each topic covers a different aspect of business ethics and offers a unique perspective for exploration. Depending on your interests and the specific requirements of your assignment, you can choose a topic that aligns with your goals and expertise.

How to Choose the Right Business Ethics Essay Topic

When choosing a business ethics essay topic, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, you should consider your own interests and expertise. Choose a topic that you are passionate about and have some knowledge of, as this will make the writing process more enjoyable and the end result more compelling.

Secondly, consider the requirements of your assignment. Some topics may be too broad or too narrow for the scope of your essay. Make sure that the topic you choose aligns with the specific guidelines provided by your instructor or the assignment prompt.

Finally, consider the current relevance of the topic. Choose a topic that is current and has real-world implications. This will make your essay more engaging and relevant to your audience.

Choosing the right business ethics essay topic is crucial for the success of your essay. Consider your own interests, the requirements of your assignment, and the current relevance of the topic when making your decision. By choosing a topic that is focused, well-researched, and engaging, you can ensure that your essay will be informative and thought-provoking for your readers.

Thuggee Enterprises Case Study

Ethical issues that businesses face, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

Differences in Business Ethics Among East Asian Countries

What i learned in business ethics class, the importance of ethical standards, the business ethics surrounding the transportation company uber, let us write you an essay from scratch.

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

The Importance of Ethics in Financial Management

Critical analysis of seven ethical approaches, business ethics in different countries, and its importance, different aspects of business ethics, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

A Role of Business Ethics in The Workplace Field

The boeing company: the learning points, the importance of ethics in advertising, professional, ethical and privacy issues in the work environment, challenges in doing business across the border, workplace ethics and whistleblowing: lying about the conduct of a co-worker, how ethnic variances effect worldwide business, the six ethical dilemmas every professional faces, report on management and managerial ethics, business ethics in sports, faust and mccabe case: ethical issues, moral consideration on whether the corporate harvested the people’s personality, the importance of marketing & business management, bribery as a normal practice in contemporary business, the ethical practices in the business sector in modern economy, ford pinto case in terms of corporate ethics, ethics report on panasonic corporation, the case of ford pinto: corporate ethics issues, corporate ethics case analysis: ford pinto explosion, tone at the top, relevant topics.

• Time Management
• Comparative Analysis
• Decision Making
• Leadership and Management
• Project Management
• Change Management
• Supply Chain Management
• John D. Rockefeller

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Assessment Questions

Which of these concepts relates to utilitarianism?

• consequences

True or false? According to the Greek system of logic introduced by Socrates, normative ethical theories ultimately are grounded in reason.

Explain why ethical responsibilities go beyond legal compliance.

Describe the difference between normative and descriptive ethical theories.

Which of the following is not a stakeholder?

• corporate culture
• the environment

True or false? According to Milton Friedman, a company’s social responsibility consists solely of bettering the welfare of society.

What is corporate social responsibility (CSR)?

Describe a practical way to prioritize the claims of stakeholders.

Describe how a company’s ethical business practices affect its goodwill.

True or false? Family is generally a strong influence on our ethical standards.

Which normative ethical theory supports the idea of holding multiple ethical standards?

• utilitarianism
• virtue ethics
• none of the above

Describe the benefits of having a single ethical standard.

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/business-ethics/pages/1-introduction

• Authors: Stephen M. Byars, Kurt Stanberry
• Publisher/website: OpenStax
• Book title: Business Ethics
• Publication date: Sep 24, 2018
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/business-ethics/pages/1-introduction
• Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/business-ethics/pages/1-assessment-questions

© Feb 5, 2024 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.

Business Ethics - Essay Samples And Topic Ideas For Free

Business ethics discussion at walmart inc.

Ethics have been broadly defined as the set of rules, written or unwritten that govern our expectations of our own and others’ behavior. They seek in finding solutions on conceptualized morals such as like or dislike, fair or unfair, responsible or irresponsible, praiseworthy or blameworthy. Business ethics are regulations and procedures that govern members’ conduct relating to a given business field. In this century, international environmental businesses often encounter issues dealing with the code of ethics (Arnold, Beauchamp, & Bowie, […]

Business Ethics in Negotiations

What do ethics have to do with negotiation? Questions surrounding ethical behavior in negotiation have been explored and researched for many years. Questions like, “What are ethics, and why do they apply to negotiation?”, “What questions of ethical conduct are likely to arise in negotiation?”, “What motivates unethical behavior, and what are the consequences?”, and “How can negotiators deal with the other party’s use of deception?” The subject of Ethics in Negotiation was discussed in Chapter 5 in the textbook, […]

Managers and the Ethical Dilemmas

This essay will examine thoroughly whether the guidance of ethics theories is sufficient to enable managers to deal with the ethical dilemmas that occur daily in any workplace. Starting with the definition of ethics, along the way it will analyze the different theories such as consequentialist theories, deontological, virtue ethics and models that are available, how they have been formed and the way that these can help. Simultaneously it will mention other influences that exist there. In addition, reference will […]

We will write an essay sample crafted to your needs.

Business Ethics in the Business World

Ethics Ethics “focuses on morality and the way in which moral principles are derived and applied to one’s conduct in daily life” (Miller 184). From a very young age, we are taught the difference between what is wrong and what is right, and as we grow, we develop our own sense of morals. The law cannot make ethical decisions, but there is a moral minimum that assumes we have a basic sense of ethical behavior we should use in society. […]

The History of Business Ethics

Introduction This paper is intended to review the history of business ethics, look at what it means, review some current ethics issues and what the future holds for business ethics. History The phrase "business ethics" has been used in a number of different ways. And therefore, the history can differ depending on what information you are looking for. The most modern concept dates back to the rise of anti-big business protest groups in the United States in the 1970's. A […]

Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethical Behavior in Corporations

This research paper will compare and contrast the differences between corporate social responsibility and ethical behavior in corporations by considering the ethics that impact business decisions. In order for a clear contrast of the two there first must be a clear understanding of ethics and business ethics. Ethics comes from the Greek word ethos, which means moral character. When we think of ethics in terms of behavior we understand it to be an aspect concerning good and bad, the right […]

Business Ethics and TechFite

TechFite is a U.K-based company that has done well, even though their operations within a new multicultural environment, the United States, have been challenging. With their community and employee-focused organizational structure, the company has successfully empowered their members by including leadership development and facilitating strong coworker relationships. TechFite also maintains high standards by properly compensating employees for their contributions to the company as a whole. In addition, their highly respected environmental ethos is a major plus for the future direction […]

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

Introduction to Ethics Ethics is a system of moral principles. They affect how people makes decisions and lead their lives. It is concerned with what is good for individuals and society and also described as moral philosophy. Underinflated football issue in NFL, Turing increases drug price by 5000%, Uber’s billing policies are examples for ethics. Ethics is people feel “its just not right” like discuss seeing two movies for the price of one, disclosing your salary cut after the loan […]

On Teamwork in the Workplace

What started out as a routine assessment became a life or death situation for Elise Wilson, an emergency room nurse with over 36 years of experience. Her seemingly unaggressive patient quickly became violent as he punched her and yielded a knife, stabbing her 11 times. This left her fighting for her life, needing to be resuscitated and airlifted to a higher level trauma center. More than a year later, Elise is still recovering and has not yet been able to […]

Business Ethics in the Government

It’s not easy to narrow down the meaning of ethics and individuals have varying views and opinions concerning this. Ethics is often used to mean the scrutiny of morals, principles and social dilemmas. Recently, scholars have come up with new ways of looking into the subject and have come up with new principles and theories (Carroll et al., 2014). Ethics should not be confused with laws because they are two distinct subjects. When laws are passed, they consider ethical standard […]

Business Ethics: Creating an Atmosphere

I worked for a not-for-profit organization in the metroplex for 6 years. This not-for-profit organization dedicates time and effort to youth in the community by providing outreach services that include drug and alcohol awareness, youth leadership development, and academic support. This business has been in existing for many decades and empower the youth to be productive citizens. Throughout my time with the organization, I was noticing the need for a proper ethics program. The name of the organization will remain […]

Resolving Business Ethical Challenges

Companies ensure the wellbeing of their employees through following and applying established ethical regulations. For instance, the ethical code in a given firm may determine the working hours, sick leave, compensation, and the provision of protective equipment in working conditions that put the workers at risk. From the case study “Resolving Ethical Business Challenges,” Preet notes that the Amex Corporation's outsourced factory in China has developed issues that include late deliveries and increased accidents. After taking a trip to the […]

Stability of Business Ethics in Organizations

Business ethics differ from industry to industry. The nature of an organization's activities impacts the ethical issues with which it must contend. The significance of business ethics extends far beyond employee loyalty and morale, or the strength of a management team's bond. Like all organizational activities, the ethical operations of a company are directly related to profit in both the short-term and long-term. The reputation of a company in the surrounding community, other companies, and individual investors is paramount in […]

Adherence to Generally Accepted Concepts of Business Ethics

A set of ethical ideas that govern selections and moves. To act ethically is to act in methods which might be in line with positive values. It is thought that commercial enterprise ethics involves adhering to prison, expert, regulatory and organization standards, maintaining guarantees and commitments and abiding by using fashionable concepts like truth, equity, honesty and appreciate. The Institute of Global Ethics defines ethics as obedience to the unenforceable. This is a famous reality that Ethics is a complex […]

Legal Aspects of Business Ethics

Business Ethics - IT Takes the Lead in Enforcing Ethics Morals is characterized as the zone of study where one arrangement about what is acceptable conduct and terrible conduct. The article “It leads the pack in Enforcing Ethics” clarifies the morals in world business. The creator has expressed the moral inquiries which are best reasonable for the significance of morals. This article made me to consider the inquiries that the writer gave and furthermore made me consider the progression that […]

Opportunities for Teenagers at McDonalds

Amitai Etzioni’s essay does not have enough supporting evidence to prove that teenagers should not be working fast. A lot of his references date back to the 1980s and are not the most up-to-date information to rely upon. Currently, McDonald’s provides jobs for many young adults that need to make a living because they come from low-income families. McDonald’s is a great first job for teenagers, because it gives them structure, and education, and provides a stepping stone to job […]

Case Study – Lancaster Caramel Company

Introduction Hershey’s is one of the largest chocolate manufacturers that aims to continue expanding worldwide. The beginning of Hershey’s company was when Milton S. Hershey found Lancaster Caramel Company in the 19th century in Pennsylvania. He made his wealth by producing caramel pieces as the first product before turning into chocolate production. The idea of making chocolate came after he started covering the caramel pieces with chocolate, many people were impressed and attracted to the taste of the chocolate coat. […]

Is a Business a Profit?

Increasingly, corporations view business ethics as a bottom-line matter - not an optional one. This embrace of ethics, leading to collective operational gains or losses, means they are garnering renewed attention. This is because "acting ethically and responsibly" may be a timely decision, as doing the right thing may also prove to be the profitable thing. (Mitchell, 2003, p. 2) From this perspective, we realize that corporations didn't prioritize business ethics in the past. Some companies perceived it to be […]

Review on Businesses Without Values and Ethics

This review will study the impact of ethical leadership, of employees, performance in an organization. The progress of an organization's achievements is based on the employees. The employees are considered an important resource to achieve competitive advantages. An ethical leader who shares its authority with employees will improve their performance. So, if leaders set the precedence for upholding high ethical values then the employee will follow suit. On the other hand, if leaders do not have an ethical value and […]

Ethics and the Business Professional

Evaluate your own performance as a morally responsible group member. Which behaviors do you demonstrate? Which do you need to develop? What specific steps might you take to improve? The concept of moral responsibility implies that a person can be evaluated with praise or blame for actions based on a moral code. Moral responsibility suggests that the person is in control of her actions and no other element in the decision-making process interferes with the person's control of the situation. […]

Report of a Current Ethical And/or Sustainability Issue in Business

Introduction Business organizations need to be ethical so as to achieve the sustainability of the businesses in the industry. For a business to be ethical it must do what is right and avoid what is wrong towards its stakeholders. When a business organization is ethical to its stakeholders it enhances the organization to have a competitive advantage and customer satisfaction which leads to more sales hence growth and sustainability of the organization. Business can be ethical to its stakeholders. Some […]

Employer Brand and Ethical Behavior

Contents (a) Briefly discuss why the employee's overly narrow approach to applying to your company reveals current weaknesses in your Employer Branding. (b) Suggest preparations for establishing best practices that promote ethical behavior. (c) Discuss why the employee's overly narrow approach to applying to your company reveals current weaknesses in your Employer Branding. I am a Human Resource Manager working at Sky World Finance Co., Ltd. My company is of a middle-level size, focusing on Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) […]

Milton Friedman on Social Responsibility

Milton Friedman on Social ResponsibilityNameInstitutionProfessorCourseDateIntroduction There are many forms of handling the issue of business ethics and for instance, business men often frequently argue on several bases and based on different views and opinions in which they view these circumstances that affect business set ups. Many times you would normally hear business men talking of business ideas that ideally affect their performance in the business industry. They would eloquently talk of ideas that are made to improve their sales and […]

Business Ethic Analysis

No, I would not steal the $10,000. Stealing from the firm raises costs, which reduces supply, raises price, and cuts demand. Stealing affects the business and consumers. In a company, owners and managers are responsible for imposing and enforcing checks and balances within the environments to protect patients, staff, and assets from theft and manipulation. When you steal, it’s important to also consider the motives or intentions. For example if I stole the $10,000 to help my son’s failed ambulance […]

Industrial Revolution – the New Factory System

"During the Industrial Revolution the new factory system and mining created a need for more workers. These new types of jobs were unsafe because no safety measures existed. Also, children were put to work because they were cheaper to hire and the jobs didn’t require skills. Unions fought to change these unsafe conditions and that eventually led to action by the government. Women were the leading force in ending child labor. Eventually these problems ended, creating the conditions that exist […]

The Relevancy of Ethics for Business D’ecisions

Business ethics (also known as company ethics) is a form of applied ethics or professional ethics that examines moral principles and ethical or moral issues that arise in a business environment. It applies to all aspects of business conduct and is relevant to the behaviour of both individuals and entire organisations. Business ethics has both normative and descriptive dimensions. As a corporate practice and a career specialization, the field is primarily normative. Academics attempting to understand business behaviour use descriptive […]

Child Labor – Kids at the Ages of 6-14

"Kids at the ages of 6-14 and there getting very little pay and they do very hard work.There are millions of kids around the world being sold for child labor.Should kids under the age of 18 be working over time. There are very difficult working conditions. Children who work often experience very hard working conditions that last over 18 hours and causes them pain all over there body.Children get injured from machinery's they work with and and get health problems […]

Attracting Attention through Social Networks

 Introduction to Shoptiques and their Services Founded in 2012, Shoptiques has changed the way boutiques conduct their business and created a new way for people to shop the world’s most unique pieces from the comfort of their own home. Shoptiques serves two markets: online shoppers and small boutiques from around the world. Shoptiques grants boutiques both the opportunity to enter e-commerce and the tools crucial to their success online. Shoptiques' boutique partners have access to a plethora of tools such […]

Facebook is One of the Largest Corporations in the World

Making about $40 billion in profit with 2.23 billion monthly active users, Facebook is one of the biggest corporations today. Value of the company has a market capitalization of about 447.09B and a current stock price of around 154.78. Facebook has various ways of operating and making money. Facebook makes money through mobile advertisements, video ads, and target ads. Furthermore, Facebook also utilizes Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Oculus Rift as additional revenue streams. Lastly, Facebook partners with game makers like […]

Wal-Mart and the Protection Chance for Interpersonal Communication

In a profoundly questionable move, your favorite social network has recently agreed to allow Wal-Mart access to the posts, messages, and photos of its users. Wal-Mart will also access user names and email addresses, violating the network's security policy. Wal-Mart plans to mine this data to learn more about what its customers want and to create targeted direct mailings and emails promoting those items. You are vehemently opposed to this change in the privacy policy, compelling you to send a […]

Additional Example Essays

• Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics: Steering Society to a Responsible Digital Future
• End Of Life Ethical Issues
• Renaissance Humanism
• Two main strengths and weaknesses of international law
• Beowulf Good vs Evil
• Free will vs Determinism
• Leadership and the Army Profession
• Letter From Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis
• Why College Should Not Be Free
• Shakespeare's Hamlet Character Analysis
• A Raisin in the Sun Theme
• Why Abortion Should be Illegal

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

Custom Essay, Term Paper & Research paper writing services

• testimonials

Toll Free: +1 (888) 354-4744

Email: [email protected]

Writing custom essays & research papers since 2008

170+ fantastic business ethics research paper topics to try out.

Many students struggle to choose their business ethics research paper topics. That’s because this subject has controversial and fascinating issues. What’s more, this subject keeps widening because people engage in different businesses. And people can’t do business without ethics. Therefore, companies in various countries must adhere to an ethical code of conduct to ensure their credibility and reliability.

University professors and lecturers ask learners to write research papers to gauge their understanding of this subject. Students should select interesting and engaging topics for their essays to ensure that educators love their work and award them high grades. If struggling to decide what to write about, here’s a list of business ethics topics to consider.

Interesting Business Ethics Topics

These are interesting business ethics topics that learners can research and write about to earn superior grades. Nevertheless, students should prepare to research extensively and analyze information to develop quality papers.

• Should a company be honest with its customers?
• Should a corporation be responsible for environmental protection
• Moral principles and decision making in business
• Employee relationships as an ethical principle of an employer
• Ethical issues that surround corporation governance
• Social responsibility in business
• How to think, act, and compete ethically in business
• Business ethics and environmental policies
• How to teach business ethics
• Ethical conflicts- Ways to avoid arguments on cultural, religious, national, and political basis in business
• Cross-cultural and ethical concerns in business
• Business decision making- What are the ethical considerations?
• Psychological perspectives in corporate ethics
• Approaching business ethics from a psychological viewpoint
• How to approach business ethics from a philosophical viewpoint
• Business principles and ethical standards
• How to adhere to ethical rules in business
• Ethical codes for trade associations
• Ethical ways to prevent sexual harassment in business
• Ethical codes for multinational companies
• Can an ethical mistake cause bankruptcy?
• Ethical dilemmas facing business owners
• Organizing the structures that control ethical issues in business
• Ethical values that employers share with workers
• Are personnel and manager ethics different?
• Ethical values for industrial communities
• Corporate responsibility as an ethical concept
• How to balance pragmatics with ethics- Effective managerial methods
• How criminal behaviors can limit large corporations
• How necessary are ethical codes for a company?
• Types of corporate and white-collar crimes
• Who’s responsible for a company’s corporative ethics?
• Approaching ethics from a pragmatic perspective
• Ethical failures caused by leadership malfunctions
• To work ethics can facilitate making the right decisions
• Moral leadership role in business
• Business success and personal integrity
• Business ethics- What are their psychological roots?
• How to avoid being a victim of unethical actions at the workplace
• What causes unethical behavior in business?

Easy Business Ethics Paper Topics

Some college students need simple topics that they won’t struggle to research, write about, and impress their educators. Consequently, they prefer writing about simple but exciting business ethics topics. If that’s what you’re looking for, here are brilliant ideas to consider.

Most students can have a relatively easy time researching and writing about these business ethics paper topic ideas. Nevertheless, a learner should first examine any of these ideas to develop a paper that will earn them the top grade.

• What measures should a business organization implement to prevent sexual harassment?
• Can business ethics help in evaluating the capital amount that a company should spend on health benefits?
• Is being absolutely transparent with a target market ethical for a company?
• Is discouraging pregnancies among employees ethical for a company?
• How to evaluate illegal practices like bribery, corruption, and nepotism during the tendering process
• How illegal and unethical behavior affect a company and society
• Ethical evaluation of favoritism in a family-owned business
• How to examine ethics in business contracts
• Exploring privacy violation and social media as an infringement of business ethics
• Is authenticity a type of business ethics?
• How the management can stop the perception of women as sex symbols at the workplace
• A case study of business ethics- A brief review of privacy infringements and surveillance by Facebook
• How child labor amounts to business ethics’ violation
• Should a company that profits from others’ peril continue operating?- Investigating unhealthy products from alcohol and cigarette companies
• Privacy violation by social media as a business ethics’ breach
• Misinformation to shareholders and the board- Investigating negligence as an unethical practice in business.
• Ethics behind hazardous working conditions
• Subway business model and ethics
• How to promote a company’s ethical practices
• Should businesses be held accountable for claims and promises they make regarding their service or product purposes?
• Ethics behind the sale of a product before through testing and approval
• How to address the ethical problem of a country that leads in production and manufacturing by has poor working conditions, low wages, and remuneration schemes
• Ethical ways to achieve corporate social responsibility
• Ethics governing different marketing techniques
• Why do companies misinform their target customers about services and goods?
• Is marking fast foods as healthy yet they increase the risk of diseases like diabetes ethical?
• Examining the code of ethics in different economic sectors
• Is refusing a female football coach in a male team ethical?
• Is having an unsafe working environment unethical?
• Is it ethical for a company to monitor the online behavior of its employees?

Business Ethics Research Paper Topics about Social Media

It’s almost impossible for a company to ignore social media and succeed in the current digital era. Consequently, ethical conduct by businesses on different social media platforms is a prominent research area. Here are some of the best topics in this category.

These are brilliant topics for an essay or research paper. Learners should research any of these ideas extensively and take time to write top-notch pieces.

• Should a corporate organization fire a worker with social media details that could hurt its image?
• How corporate social responsibility initiatives on social media affect a business
• How enterprises manage negative social media responses
• Is controversial fit notion on social media ethical?
• The performance of product introductions on social media
• How social media can help in the achievement of responsible business
• Can social media cause a confidentiality breach in a company?
• Improper business activities and practices in social media
• How blogs have toned down most business ethics
• Ethical ways employees can use social media for non-company and personal purposes
• Ethical ways a business can use social media to answer customer questions
• Health company policies for guiding employees’ conduct on social media
• How a business can ethically post on social media
• Practical tips for using social media for corporate social responsibility
• How companies can manage brands and trust in social media
• Should a business turn off social media comments?
• Proper ethical conduct on social media
• How to apply Kantian Ethics when using social media for business purposes
• How employees can use social media ethically to achieve a company’s objectives
• How to enhance ethics when using social media for business

Business Ethics Essay Topics for College Students

Perhaps, you want to write an essay on an ethics topic in business. In that case, consider these ideas for your paper.

• How fair play can improve a company’s bottom line
• Corporate responsibility- What are the ethical underpinnings?
• Is ethics a required course in business?
• Ethical practices for modern businesses
• What causes unethical behavior by companies
• Is personal integrity a moral and a function for corporate success?
• Ethical decision-making rules in a corporate environment
• What are the qualities of an ethical business leader?
• Transparency and objectivity as business leadership traits
• How ethical leaders maintain their temper
• How ethical business leaders deal with anger
• Is using violence and strength a trait of ethical leaders?
• What is the role of corporate culture in business ethics?
• Methods of incorporating ethics in a company’s corporate culture
• How the management affects an organizational culture
• Factors determining people’s behavior in a corporate environment
• How to conduct a cultural audit in a company
• Lessons from organizational crises and corporate scandals
• Business ethics in mergers’ management
• How organizational culture can enhance a company’s performance
• How encoding business values can prevent destructive technologies
• Building a robust foundation for a company’s data to improve security
• Stakeholder privacy in information dissemination
• How to cultivate trust when dealing with dangerous technologies
• How to demonstrate transparency when using business technology
• How ethical is data surveillance?
• How to deploy technology’s power of all
• How to advise employees about the ethical use of technology
• How unethical use of technology can affect a business
• How to train technologists about ethical ways of eliminating product bias

This category also has hot topics in business ethics that educators and the audience will find interesting to read. Nevertheless, extensive research is necessary to come up with a brilliant essay on any of these ideas.

Dissertation Topics in Business Ethics

Perhaps, you’re pursuing an MBA or Ph.D., and you need a topic for your dissertation. In that case, this section has some of the best business ethics topics for presentation to your dissertation committee. Consider the following ideas for your paper.

These are ethics topics in business that most experts will find interesting. Yet, hese ideas still require extensive research to develop comprehensive papers.

• Business ethics in the publishing industry- Authorship collaboration and sponsorship
• How higher education institutions can teach business ethics- Comparing developing and developed countries
• How to define the aesthetics concept in business ethics
• Challenges facing ethical practices in the tourism sector
• Ethics in practice and theory- What is the difference?
• Business research ethics- An evaluation of incentives and more profound objectives in business
• Analyzing ethical decision-making when doing business online
• Historical countdown of ethical decision-making in business
• Exploration of ethic code in a company via the management perspective
• How to use the code of ethics to win trust among the employees
• Business ethics within the share market
• Motivations for business decisions by citizens- An ethical perspective
• Corporate egoism, bribery, and exploitation- What are the links?
• Business ethics practice and perceptions by students doing business while pursuing higher education
• Business contracts and corruption among the international society
• Investigating gift-giving, pharmaceutical representatives, and business ethics
• Analyzing the relationship between business organizations and civil society via an ethical perspective
• How corporate ethic code influences the employees’ sales behavior
• How to integrate business ethics in corporate social responsibility
• A critical analysis of a company’s management ethics

Business Ethics Debate Topics

Debates around business ethics aim to argue a position’s merit, differences between right and wrong, and common ethical boundaries. Here are controversial business ethics topics to consider for your project.

• Should companies ban workplace relationships?
• A comparison of genetically modified seeds versus pesticide use on seeds
• Should clearance pricing have controls?
• Is monopolizing all industry aspects ethical for a company?
• How antibacterial soap affects people
• Should countries that have legalized marijuana allow businesses to advertise it?
• How ethical and relevant is performance review in a company?
• Should companies compensate customers for delayed deliveries?
• How over criminalizing a company affects society
• The effectiveness of shareholder model in public company’s management
• Is native advertising ethical and appropriate?
• How large companies use their monopoly to influence consumers
• Are white-collar criminals corporate psychopaths?
• Should pharmaceutical companies sell their drugs at high prices?
• Is tracking customers’ phones an ethical practice for banks to reduce fraud?
• Is seeking opportunities that conflict with a government job ethical misconduct?
• Using predictive analytics in siphoning worker’s email for risk- Is it ethical?
• Why is reducing tax payment through inversion unethical?
• Is colonizing another planet ethical from a business perspective?
• Companies should give women more time to nurse their newborn babies
• Should companies buy products from a business that doesn’t practice business ethics?
• Should public institutions like schools hire the services of private companies?
• Should amusement parks have unique safety regulations, depending on their locations?
• Should business leaders and CEOs earn higher salaries than the other employees?
• Should a small business have similar recall rules with global corporations?
• Should US companies depend on the federal government’s bailout during financial trouble?
• Should businesses use healthcare programs to pay for employees’ yoga studios, health clubs, and fitness needs?
• Should companies share cancer research data with the general public?
• Should firms that manufacture dangerous or addictive products contribute resources to the research for their use?
• Why using workplace surveillance systems on employees is unethical
• Why internet censorship is unethical and ridiculous
• Businesses should ethically pay employees the minimum wage that the federal government mandates them
• Companies should pay equal wages to all employees regardless of their gender or sex identity
• Companies should prevent sexual harassment
• Businesses should be responsible for preventing workplace discrimination
• Companies should educate employees about ethical issues regarding their social media usage
• Every company should be responsible for the safety and health of employees at the workplace
• Every business should be held accountable for ethical issues surrounding its environmental responsibility

These are exciting topics about business ethics that learners can work on when writing academic papers and essays. However, learners can use a professional research paper writing service if unable to write academic papers . Several online companies offer custom writing help to learners at different study levels. Nevertheless, choose a company with ENL expert writers to get fast, cheap, and reliable assistance. That way, you’ll end up with a paper that will impress the professor to award you the top grade in your class.

• Table of Contents
• Random Entry
• Chronological
• Editorial Information
• About the SEP
• Editorial Board
• How to Cite the SEP
• Special Characters
• Advanced Tools
• Support the SEP
• PDFs for SEP Friends
• Make a Donation
• SEPIA for Libraries
• Entry Contents

Bibliography

Academic tools.

• Friends PDF Preview
• Author and Citation Info
• Back to Top

Business Ethics

Exchange is fundamental to business. ‘Business’ can mean an activity of exchange. One entity (e.g., a person, a firm) “does business” with another when it exchanges a good or service for valuable consideration, i.e., a benefit such as money. ‘Business’ can also mean an entity that offers goods and services for exchange, i.e., that sells things. Target is a business. Business ethics can thus be understood as the study of the ethical dimensions of the exchange of goods and services, and of the entities that offer goods and services for exchange. This includes related activities such as the production, distribution, marketing, sale, and consumption of goods and services (cf. Donaldson & Walsh 2015; Marcoux 2006b).

Questions in business ethics are important and relevant to everyone. Almost all of us “do business”, or engage in a commercial transaction, almost every day. Many of us spend a major portion of our lives engaged in, or preparing to engage in, exchange activities, on our own or as part of organizations. Business activity shapes the world we live in, sometimes for good and sometimes for ill.

Business ethics in its current incarnation is a relatively new field, growing out of research by moral philosophers in the 1970’s and 1980’s. But scholars have been thinking about the ethical dimensions of commerce at least since the Code of Hammurabi (c. 1750 BC).

This entry summarizes research on central questions in business ethics, including: What sorts of things can be sold? How can they be sold? In whose interests should firms be managed? Who should manage them? What do firms owe their workers, and what do workers owe their firms? Should firms try to solve social problems? Is it permissible for them to try to influence political outcomes? Given the vastness of the field, of necessity certain questions are not addressed.

1. Varieties of business ethics

2. corporate moral agency, 3.1 ends: shareholder primacy or stakeholder balance, 3.2 means: control by shareholders or others too, 4. important frameworks for business ethics, 5.1 the limits of markets, 5.2 product safety and liability, 5.3 advertising, 5.5 pricing, 6.1 hiring and firing, 6.2 compensation, 6.3 meaningful work, 6.4 whistleblowing, 7.1 corporate social responsibility, 7.2 corporate political activity, 7.3 international business, 8. the status of business ethics, other internet resources, related entries.

Many people engaged in business activity, including accountants and lawyers, are professionals. As such, they are bound by codes of conduct promulgated by professional societies. Many firms also have detailed codes of conduct, developed and enforced by teams of ethics and compliance personnel. Business ethics can thus be understood as the study of professional practices, i.e., as the study of the content, development, enforcement, and effectiveness of the codes of conduct designed to guide the actions of people engaged in business activity. This entry will not consider this form of business ethics. Instead, it considers business ethics as an academic discipline.

The academic field of business ethics is shared by social scientists and normative theorists. But they address different questions. Social scientists try to answer descriptive questions like: Does corporate social performance improve corporate financial performance, i.e., does ethics pay (Vogel 2005; Zhao & Murrell 2021)? Why do people engage in unethical behavior (Bazerman & Tenbrunsel 2011; Werhane et al. 2013). How can we make them stop (Warren, Gaspar, & Laufer 2014)? I will not consider such questions here. This entry focuses on questions in normative business ethics, most of which are variants on the question: What is ethical and unethical in business?

Normative business ethicists (hereafter the qualifier ‘normative’ will be assumed) tend to accept the basic elements of capitalism. That is, they assume that the means of production can be privately owned and that markets—featuring voluntary exchanges between buyers and sellers at mutually agreeable prices—should play an important role in the allocation of resources. Those who reject capitalism will see some debates in business ethics (e.g., about firm ownership and control) as misguided.

Some entities “do business” with the goal of making a profit, and some do not. Pfizer and Target are examples of the former; Rutgers University and the Metropolitan Museum of Art are examples of the latter. An organization identified as a ‘business’ is typically understood to be one that seeks profit, and for-profit organizations are the ones that business ethicists focus on. But many of the ethical issues described below arise also for non-profit organizations and individual economic agents.

One way to think about business ethics is in terms of the moral obligations of agents engaged in business activity. Who can be a moral agent? Individual persons, obviously. What about firms? This is treated as the issue of “corporate moral agency” or “corporate moral responsibility”. Here ‘corporate’ does not refer to the corporation as a legal entity, but to a collective or group of individuals. To be precise, the question is whether firms are moral agents and morally responsible considered as ( qua ) firms, not considered as aggregates of individual members of firms.

We often think and speak as if corporations are morally responsible. We say things like “Costco treats its employees well” or “BP harmed the environment in the Gulf of Mexico”, and in doing so we appear to assign agency and responsibility to firms themselves (Dempsey 2003). We may wish to praise Costco and blame BP for their behavior. But this may be just a metaphorical way of speaking, or a shorthand way of referring to certain individuals who work in these firms (Velasquez 1983, 2003). Corporations are different in many ways from paradigm moral agents, viz., people. They don’t have minds, for one thing, or bodies, for another. The question is whether corporations are similar enough to people to warrant ascriptions of moral agency and responsibility.

In the business ethics literature, French is a seminal thinker on this topic. In early work (1979, 1984), he argued that firms are morally responsible for what they do, and indeed should be seen as “full-fledged” moral persons. He bases this conclusion on his claim that firms have internal decision-making structures, through which they cause events to happen, and act intentionally. Some early responses to French’s work accepted the claim that firms are moral agents, but denied that they are moral persons. Donaldson (1982) claims that firms cannot be persons because they lack important human capacities, such as the ability to pursue their own happiness (see also Werhane 1985). Other responses went further and denied that firms are moral agents. Velasquez (1983, 2003) argues that, while corporations can act, they cannot be held responsible for their actions, because those actions are brought about by the actions of their members. In later work, French (1995) recanted his claim that firms are moral persons, though not his claim that they are moral agents.

Debate about corporate moral agency and moral responsibility rages on in important new work (Orts & Smith 2017; Sepinwall 2016). One issue that has received sustained attention is choice. Appealing to discursive dilemmas, List & Pettit (2011) argue that the decisions of corporations can be independent of the decisions of their members (see also Copp 2006). This makes the corporation an autonomous agent, and since it can choose in the light of values, a morally responsible one. Another issue is intention. A minimal condition of moral agency is the ability to form intentions. Some deny that corporations can form them (S. Miller 2006; Rönnegard 2015). If we regard an intention as a mental state, akin to a belief or desire, or a belief/desire complex, they may be right. But not if we regard an intention in functionalist terms (Copp 2006; Hess 2014), as a plan (Bratman 1993), or in terms of reasons-responsiveness (Silver forthcoming). A third issue is emotion. Sepinwall (2017) argues that being capable of emotion is a necessary condition of moral responsibility, and since corporations aren’t capable of emotion, they aren’t morally responsible. Again, much depends on what it means to be capable of emotion. If this capability can be given a functionalist reading, as Björnsson & Hess (2017) claim, perhaps corporations are capable of emotion (see also Gilbert 2000). Pursuit of these issues lands one in the robust and sophisticated literature on collective responsibility and intentionality, where firms feature as a type of collective. (See the entries on collective responsibility , collective intentionality , and shared agency .)

Another question asked about corporate moral agency is: Does it matter? Perhaps BP itself was morally responsible for polluting the Gulf of Mexico. Perhaps certain individuals at BP were. What hangs on this? Some say: a lot. In some cases there may be no individual who is morally responsible for the firm’s behavior (List & Pettit 2011; Phillips 1995), and we need someone to blame, and perhaps punish. Blame may be the fitting response, and blame (and punishment) incentivizes the firm to change its behavior. Hasnas (2012) says very little hangs on this question. Even if firms are not morally responsible for the harms they cause, we can still require them to pay restitution, condemn their culture, and subject them to regulation. Moreover, Hasnas says, we should not blame and punish firms, for our blame and punishment inevitably lands on the innocent.

3. The ends and means of corporate governance

There is significant debate about the ends and means of corporate governance, i.e., about who firms should be managed for, and who should (ultimately) manage them. Much of this debate is carried on with the large publicly-traded corporation in view.

There are two main views about the proper ends of corporate governance. According to one view, firms should be managed in the best interests of shareholders. It is typically assumed that managing firms in shareholders’ best interests requires maximizing their wealth (cf. Hart & Zingales 2017; Robson 2019). This view is called “shareholder primacy” (Stout 2012) or—in order to contrast it more directly with its main rival (to be discussed below) “shareholder theory”. Shareholder primacy is the dominant view about the ends of corporate governance in business schools and in the business world.

A few writers argue for shareholder primacy on deontological grounds, i.e., by appealing to rights and duties. On this argument, shareholders own the firm, and hire managers to run it for them on the condition that the firm is managed in their interests. Shareholder primacy is thus based on a promise that managers make to shareholders (Friedman 1970; Hasnas 1998). In response, some argue that shareholders do not own the firm. They own stock, a type of corporate security (Bainbridge 2008; Stout 2012); the firm itself may be unowned (Strudler 2017). Others argue that managers do not make, explicitly or implicitly, any promises to shareholders to manage the firm in a certain way (Boatright 1994). More writers argue for shareholder primacy on consequentialist grounds. On this argument, managing firms in the interests of shareholders is more efficient than managing them in any other way (Hansmann & Kraakman 2001; Jensen 2002). In support of this, some argue that, if managers are not given a single objective that is clear and measurable—viz., maximizing shareholder value—then they will have greater opportunity for self-dealing (Stout 2012). The consequentialist argument for shareholder primacy run into problems that afflict many versions of consequentialism: in requiring all firms to aim at a certain objective, it does not allow sufficient scope for personal choice (Hussain 2012). Most think that people should be able to pursue projects, including economic projects, that matter to them, even if those projects do not maximize shareholder value.

The second main view about the proper ends of corporate governance is given by stakeholder theory. This theory was first put forward by Freeman in the 1980s (Freeman 1984; Freeman & Reed 1983), and has been refined by Freeman and collaborators over the years (see, e.g., Freeman 1994; Freeman et al. 2010; Freeman, Harrison, & Zyglidopoulos 2018; Jones, Wicks, & Freeman 2002; Phillips, Freeman, & Wicks 2003). According to stakeholder theory—or at least, early formulations of it—instead of managing the firm in the best interests of shareholders only, managers should seek to “balance” the interests of all stakeholders, where a stakeholder is anyone who has a “stake”, or interest (including a financial interest), in the firm. Blair and Stout’s (1999) “team production” theory of corporate governance offers similar guidance.

To be clear, in a firm in which shareholders’ interests are prioritized, other stakeholders will benefit too. Employees will receive wages, customers will receive goods and services, and so on. The debate between shareholder and stakeholder theorists is about what to do with the residual revenues, i.e., what’s left over after firms meet their contractual obligations to employees, customers, and others. Shareholder theorists think they should be used to maximize shareholder wealth. Stakeholder theorists think they should be used to benefit all stakeholders.

To its critics, stakeholder theory has seemed both incompletely articulated and weakly defended. With respect to articulation, one question that has been pressed is: Who are the stakeholders (Orts & Strudler 2002, 2009)? The groups most commonly identified are shareholders, employees, the community, suppliers, and customers. But other groups have stakes in the firm, including creditors, the government, and competitors. It makes a great deal of difference where the line is drawn, but stakeholder theorists have not provided a clear rationale for drawing it in one place rather than another. Another question is: What does it mean to “balance” the interests of all stakeholders, other than not always giving precedence to shareholders’ interests (Orts & Strudler 2009)? With respect to defense, critics have wondered what the rationale is for managing firms in the interests of all stakeholders. In one place, Freeman (1984) offers an instrumental argument, claiming that balancing stakeholders’ interests is better for the firm strategically than maximizing shareholder wealth (see also Blair & Stout 1999; Freeman, Harrison, & Zyglidopoulos 2018). (Defenders of shareholder primacy say the same thing about their view.) In another, he gives an argument that appeals to Rawls’s justice as fairness (Evan & Freeman 1988; cf. Child & Marcoux 1999).

In recent years, questions have been raised about whether stakeholder theory is appropriately seen as a genuine competitor to shareholder primacy, or is even appropriately called a “theory”. In one article, Freeman and collaborators say that stakeholder theory is simply “the body of research … in which the idea of ‘stakeholders’ plays a crucial role” (Jones et al. 2002). In another, Freeman describes stakeholder theory as “a genre of stories about how we could live” (1994: 413). It may be, as Norman (2013) says, that stakeholder is now best regarded as “mindset”, i.e., a way of looking at the firm that emphasizes its embeddedness in a network of relationships. In this case, there may be no dispute between shareholder and stakeholder theorists.

Resolving the debate between shareholder and stakeholder theorists (assuming they are competitors) will not resolve all or even most of the ethical questions in business. This is because it is a debate about the ends of corporate governance. It cannot answer questions about the moral constraints that must be observed in pursuit of those ends (Goodpaster 1991; Norman 2013), including duties of beneficence (Mejia 2020). Neither shareholder theory nor stakeholder theory is plausibly interpreted as the view that corporate managers should do whatever is possible to maximize shareholder wealth and balance all stakeholders’ interests, respectively. Rather, these views should be interpreted as views that managers should do whatever is consistent with the requirements of morality to achieve these ends. A large part of business ethics is trying to determine what these requirements are.

Answers to questions about the means of corporate governance often mirror answers to question about the ends of corporate governance. Often the best way to ensure that a firm is managed in the interests of a certain party P is to give P control. Conversely, justifications for why the firm should be managed in the interests of P sometimes appeal P’s rights to control it.

Friedman (1970), for example, thinks that shareholders’ ownership of the firm gives them a right to control the firm (which they can use to ensure that the firm is run in their interests). We might see control rights for shareholders as following analytically from the concept of ownership. To own a thing is to have a bundle of rights with respect to that thing. One of the standard “incidents” of ownership is control. (See the entry on property and ownership .)

As noted, in recent years the idea that the firm is something that can be owned has been challenged (Bainbridge 2008; Stout 2012; Strudler 2017). If this is right, then the ownership argument collapses. But similar contractarian arguments for shareholder control of firms have been constructed which do not rely on the assumption of firm ownership. All that is assumed in these arguments is that some people own capital, and others own labor. Capital can “hire” labor (and other inputs of production) or labor can “hire” capital. It just so happens that, in most cases, capital hires labor. We know this because in most cases capital-providers are the ultimate decision-makers in the firm. In a publicly-traded corporation, they elect the board. These points are emphasized especially by those who regard the firm as a “nexus of contracts” among various parties (Easterbrook & Fischel 1996; Jensen & Meckling 1976).

Many writers find this result troubling. Even if the governance structure in most firms is in some sense agreed to, they say that it is unjust in other ways. Anderson (2017) characterizes standard corporate governance regimes as oppressive and unaccountable private dictatorships. To address this injustice, these writers call for various forms of worker participation in managerial decision-making, including the ability by workers to reject arbitrary directives by managers (Hsieh 2005), worker co-determination of firms’ policies and practices (Ferreras 2017; McMahon 1994), and exclusive control of productive enterprises by workers (Dahl 1985).

Arguments for these governance structures take various forms. One appeals to the value of protecting workers’ interests (González-Ricoy 2014; Hsieh 2005). Another appeals to the value of autonomy, or a right to freely determine one’s actions, including one’s actions at work (Malleson 2014; McCall 2001). A third argument for worker control is the “parallel case” argument. According to it, if states should be governed democratically, then so should firms, because firms are like states in the relevant respects (Dahl 1985; Landemore & Ferreras 2016; cf. Mayer 2000). A fourth argument sees worker participation in firm decision-making as valuable training for citizens in a democratic society (Pateman 1970).

Space considerations prevent detailed examinations of these arguments (for critical reviews see Frega, Herzog, & Neuhäuser 2019; Hsieh 2008). But criticisms generally fall into two categories. The first insists on the normative priority of agreements, of the sort described above. There are few legal restrictions on the types of governance structures that firms can have. And some firms are in fact controlled by workers (Dow 2003; Hansmann 1996). To insist that other firms should be governed this way is to say, according to this argument, that people should not be allowed to arrange their economic lives as they see fit. Another criticism of worker participation appeals to efficiency. Allowing workers to participate in managerial decision-making may decrease the pace of decision-making, since it requires giving many workers a chance to make their voices heard (Hansmann 1996). It may also raise the cost of capital for firms, as investors may demand more favorable terms if they are not given control of the enterprise in return (McMahon 1994). Both sources of inefficiency may put the firm at a significant disadvantage in a competitive market. It may not just be a matter of competitive disadvantage. If it were, the problem could be solved by making all firms worker-controlled. The problem may be one of diminished productivity more generally.

Business ethicists seek to understand the ethical contours of business activity. One way of advancing this project is by choosing a normative framework and teasing out its implications for business issues. In principle, it is possible to do this for any normative framework. Below are four that have received significant attention.

One influential approach to business ethics draws on virtue ethics. Moore (2017) develops and applies MacIntyre’s (1984) virtue ethics to business. For MacIntyre, there are goods internal to practices, and certain virtues are necessary to achieve those goods. Building on MacIntyre, Moore develops the idea that business is a practice (or contains practices), and thus has certain goods internal to it (or them), the attainment of which requires the cultivation of business virtues. Aristotelian approaches to virtue in business are found in Alzola (2012) and de Bruin (2015). Scholars have also been inspired by the Aristotelian idea that the good life is achieved in a community (Sison & Fontrodona 2012), and have considered how business communities must be structured to help their members flourish (Hartman 2015; Solomon 1993).

Another important approach to the study of business ethics comes from deontology, especially Kant’s version (Arnold & Bowie 2003; Bowie 2017; Scharding 2015; Hughes 2020). Kant’s claim that humanity should be treated always as an end, and never as a means only, has proved especially fruitful for analyzing the human interactions at the core of commercial transactions. In competitive markets, people may be tempted to deceive, cheat, use, exploit, or manipulate others to gain an edge. Kantian moral theory singles out these actions out as violations of human dignity (Hughes 2019; Smith & Dubbink 2011).

Ethical theory, including virtue theory and deontology, is useful for thinking about how individuals should relate to each other. But business ethics also comprehends the laws and regulations that structure markets and firms. Here political theory seems more relevant. A number of business ethicists have sought to identify the implications of Rawls’s (1971) justice as fairness for business. This is not an easy task, since while Rawls makes some suggestive remarks about markets and firms, he does not articulate specific conclusions or develop detailed arguments for them. But scholars have argued that justice as fairness: (1) is incompatible with significant inequalities of power and authority within firms (S. Arnold 2012); (2) requires people to have an opportunity to perform meaningful work (Moriarty 2009; cf. Hasan 2015); and requires alternative forms of (3) corporate governance (Berkey 2021; Blanc & Al-Amoudi 2013; Norman 2015; cf. Singer 2015) and (4) corporate ownership (M. O’Neill & Williamson 2012).

A fourth approach to business ethics is called the “market failures approach” (MFA). It originates with McMahon (1981), but it has been developed in most detail by Heath (2014) (for discussion see Moriarty 2020 and Singer 2018). According to Heath, the justification of the market is that it produces efficient—in the sense of Pareto-optimal— outcomes. But this only happens when the conditions of perfect competition obtain, such as perfect information, no market power, and no barriers to entry or exit. (When they don’t, markets fail—hence the market failures approach.) On the MFA, these conditions are the source of ethical rules for market actors. The MFA says that market actors, including sellers and buyers, should not create or take advantage of market imperfections. So, for example, firms should not deceive consumers (creating information asymmetries) or lobby governments to levy tariffs on foreign competitors (erecting barriers to entry).

Selecting a normative framework and applying it to a range of issues is an important way of doing business ethics. But it is not the only way. Indeed, the more common approach is to identify a business activity and then analyze it using “mid-level” principles or ideals common to many moral and political theories. Below I consider ethical issues that arise at the nexus of firms’ engagement with three important groups: consumers, employees, and society.

5. Firms and consumers

The main way that firms interact with consumers is by selling, or attempting to sell, products and services to them. Many ethical issues attend this interaction.

Many have argued that some things should not be for sale (Anderson 1993; MacDonald & Gavura 2016; Sandel 2012; Satz 2010). Among the things commonly said to be inappropriate for sale are sexual services, surrogacy services, and human organs. Some writers object to markets in these items for consequentialist reasons. They argue that markets in commodities like sex and kidneys will lead to the exploitation of vulnerable people (Satz 2010). Others object to the attitudes or values expressed in such markets. They claim that markets in surrogacy services express the attitude that women are mere vessels for the incubation of children (Anderson 1993); markets in kidneys suggest that human life can be bought and sold (Sandel 2012); and so on. (For a discussion of what it might mean for a market to “express” a value, see Jonker [2019].)

Other writers criticize these arguments, and in general, the attempt to “wall-off” certain goods and services from markets. Brennan and Jaworksi (2016) object to expressive or “semiotic” arguments against markets in contested commodities (cf. Brown & Maguire 2019). Whether selling a particular thing for money expresses disrespect, they note, is culturally contingent. They and others (e.g., Taylor 2005) also argue that the bad effects of markets in contested commodities can be eliminated or at least ameliorated through appropriate regulation, and that anyway, the good effects of such markets (e.g., a decrease in the number of people who die because they are waiting for a kidney) outweigh the bad.

Some things that firms may wish to sell, and that people may wish to buy, pose a significant risk of harm, to the user and others. When is a product too unsafe to be sold? This question is often answered by government agencies. In the U.S., a number of government agencies, including the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are responsible for assessing the safety of products for the consumer market. In some cases these standards are mandatory (e.g., medicines and medical devices); in other cases they are voluntary (e.g., trampolines and tents). The state identifies minimum standards and individual businesses can choose to adopt more stringent ones.

Questions about product safety are a matter of significant debate among economists, legal scholars, and public policy experts. Business ethicists have paid scant attention to these questions (but see Brenkert 1981). Existing treatments often combine discussions of safety with discussions of liability—the question of who should pay for harms that products cause—and tend to be found in business ethics textbooks. One of the most careful treatments is Velasquez’s (2012). He distinguishes three (compatible) views: (1) the “contract view”, according to which the manufacturer’s duty is only to accurately disclose all risks associated with the product; (2) the “due care view”, according to which the manufacturer should exercise due care to prevent buyers from being injured by the product; and (3) the “social costs view”, according to which the manufacturer should pay for any injuries the product causes, even if the manufacturer has accurately disclosed all risks associated with the product and has exercised due care to prevent injury (see also Boatright & Smith 2017). In the U.S. and elsewhere, the law has moved in the direction of the social costs view, where it is known as “strict liability”.

There is much room for philosophical exploration of these issues. One area that merits attention is the definitions of key terms, such as “safety” and “risk”. Drop side cribs pose risks to consumers; so do trampolines. On what basis should the former be prohibited but the latter not be (Hasnas 2010)? The answer must take into account the value of these products, how obvious the risks they pose are, and the availability of substitutes. With respect to liability, we may wonder whether it is fair to hold manufacturers responsible for harms their products cause, when the manufacturers are not morally at fault for those harms. On the other hand, it may be unfair to force consumers to bear the full costs of their injuries, when they too are not morally at fault. The question may be one for society as a whole: what is the most efficient or just way to distribute these costs?

Most advertising contains both an informational component and a persuasive component. Advertisements tell us something about a product, and try to persuade us to buy it. Both of these components can be subject to ethical evaluation.

Emphasizing its informational component, some writers stress the positive value of advertising. Markets function efficiently only when certain conditions are met. One of these conditions is perfect information. Minimally, consumers have to understand the features of the products for sale. While this condition will never be fully met, advertising can help to ensure that it is met to a greater degree (Heath 2014). Another value that can be promoted through advertising is autonomy. People have certain needs and desires—e.g., to eat healthy food, to drive a safe car—which their choices as consumers help them to satisfy. Their choices are more likely to satisfy their needs and desires if they have information about what is for sale, which advertising can provide (Goldman 1984).

These good effects depend, of course, on advertisements producing true beliefs, or at least not producing false beliefs, in consumers. Writers treat this as the issue of deception in advertising. The issue is not whether deceptive advertising is wrong (most would agree it is), but what counts as deceptive advertising, and what makes it wrong.

In the 1980s, Beech-Nut advertised as “100% apple juice” a drink that contained no juice of any kind. Beech-Nut was fined $2 million and two of its executives went to prison. As of this writing (in 2021), Red Bull is marketing its energy drinks with the slogan “Red Bull Gives You Wings,” but in fact Red Bull doesn’t give you wings. There is no problem with Red Bull’s marketing. What’s the difference? We might say that Red Bull’s slogan is not warranted as true (Carson 2010). It is an example of “puffery,” or over-the-top, exaggerated praise which no reasonable person takes seriously (Attas 1999). By contrast, Beech-Nut’s statement appeared to be a claim meant to be taken at face value, but in fact is false. As these examples illustrate, advertisements are deceptive not because of the truth-value of their claims, but what these claims cause reasonable consumers to believe. Questions can be raised, of course, about what it means to be reasonable (Scalet 2003); the answer may depend on who the consumers are.

Intention is usually taken to be irrelevant to deception in advertising. That is, an advertisement may be deemed deceptive even if the advertiser doesn’t intend to deceive anyone. Some philosophers would say that these advertisements are better described as misleading . (For discussion, see the entry on the definition of lying and deception .) Regulators of advertising blur this distinction, or perhaps they don’t care about it. Their goal is to protect consumers from acting on materially false beliefs, which may be caused either by deception or by blamelessly being misled.

Many reasons have been offered for why deceptive advertising is wrong. One is the Kantian claim that deceiving others is disrespectful to them, a use of them as a mere means. Deceptive advertising may also lead to harm, to consumers (who purchase suboptimal products, given their desires) and competitors (who lose out on sales). A final criticism of deceptive advertising is that it erodes trust in society (Attas 1999). When people do not trust each other, they will either not engage in economic transactions, or engage in them only with costly legal protections.

The persuasive component of advertising is also a fruitful subject of ethical inquiry. Galbraith (1958), an early critic, thinks that advertising, in general, does not inform people how to acquire what they want, but instead gives them new wants. He calls this the “dependence effect”: our desires depend on what is produced, not vice versa . Moreover, since we are inundated with advertising for consumer goods, we want too many of those goods and not enough public goods. Hayek (1961) rejects this claim, arguing that few if any of our desires are independent of our environment, and that anyway, desires produced in us through advertising are no less significant than desires produced in us in other ways.

Galbraith is concerned about the persuasive effects of advertisements. In contrast, recent writers focus on the techniques that advertisers use to persuade. Some of these are alleged to cross the line into manipulation (Aylsworth, 2020; Brenkert 2008; Sher 2011). It is difficult to define manipulation precisely, though attempts have been made (for extensive discussion, see the entry on the ethics of manipulation ). For our purposes, manipulative advertising can be understood as advertising that attempts to persuade consumers, often (but not necessarily) using non-rational means, to make irrational or suboptimal choices, given their own needs and desires.

Associative advertising is often identified as a type of manipulative advertising. In associative advertising, the advertiser tries to associate a product with a positive belief, feeling, attitude, ideal, or activity which usually has little to do with the product itself. Thus many television commercials for trucks in the U.S. associate trucks with manliness. Commercials for body fragrances associate those products with sex between beautiful people. The suggestion is that if you are a certain sort of person (e.g., a manly one), then you will have a certain sort of product (e.g., a truck). In an important article, Crisp (1987) argues that this sort of advertising attempts to create desires in people by circumventing their faculties of conscious choice, and in so doing subverts their autonomy (cf. Arrington 1982; Phillips 1994). Lippke (1989) argues that it makes people desire the wrong things, encouraging us to try to satisfy our non-market desires (e.g., to be more manly) through market means (e.g., buying a truck) (cf. Aylsworth 2020). How seriously we should take these criticisms may depend on how effective associative and other forms of persuasive advertising are. To the extent that advertisers are unsuccessful at “going around” our faculty of conscious choice, we may be less worried and more amused by their attempts to do so (Bishop 2000; Goldman 1984).

Our judgments on this issue should be context-sensitive. While most people may be able to see through advertisers’ attempts to persuade them, some may not be (at least some of the time). Paine (Paine et al. 1984) argues that advertising is justified because it helps consumers make wise decisions in the marketplace. But children, she argues, lack the capacity for making wise consumer choices (see also E.S. Moore 2004). Thus advertising directed at children constitutes a form of objectionable exploitation. Other populations who may be similarly vulnerable are the senile, the ignorant, and the bereaved. Ethics may require not a total ban on marketing to them but special care in how they are marketed to (Brenkert 2008; cf. Palmer & Hedberg 2013).

Sales are central to business. Perhaps surprisingly, business ethicists have said relatively little about sales.

An emerging set of issues concerns refusals to sell. Normally businesses want to sell their goods and services to everyone. But not always. In 2012, Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop declined to sell a wedding cake to a same-sex couple because he opposed same-sex marriage on religious grounds. In response, the couple filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Should Phillips have sold the wedding cake to the couple? We might say that a commercial transaction is a kind of association, and people—including business owners like Phillips—should be free to associate, or not, with whomever they choose. Or we might say, as Phillips did, that his actions were protected by freedom of religion, since they were an expression of his identity, which includes his religious commitments. Alternatively, we might claim that Phillips was discriminating against the couple, and his actions were wrong for the same reasons discrimination typically is, viz., it denies people opportunities and undermines their dignity (Corvino, Anderson, & Girgis 2017).

Questions can also be raised about the techniques advertisers use to sell. These questions are similar to the ones asked about advertising. Salespeople are, in a sense, the final advertisers of products to consumers. An early contribution to the ethics of sales is found in Holley (1986), who develops a set of obligations for salespeople derived from the point of market activity, which he says is to efficiently meet people’s needs and wants (cf. Heath 2014). In what is probably the most sophisticated treatment of the subject, Carson (2010) says salespeople have at least the following four pro tanto duties: (1) provide customers with safety warnings and precautions; (2) refrain from lying and deception; (3) fully answer customers’ questions about items; and (4) refrain from steering customers toward purchases that are unsuitable for them, given their stated needs and desires. Carson justifies (1)—(4) by appealing to the golden rule: treat others as you want to be treated. He identifies two other duties that salespeople might have (he is agnostic): (5) do not sell customers products that you (the salesperson) think are unsuitable for them, given their needs and desires, without telling customers why you think this; and (6) do not sell customers poor quality or defective products, without telling them why you think this. For the most part, (1)—(4) ask the salesperson not to harm the customer; (5) and (6) ask the salesperson to help the customer, in particular, help her not to make foolish mistakes. The broader issue is one of disclosure (Holley 1998). How much information we think salespeople are required to share with customers may depend on what kind of relationship we think they should have, e.g., to what extent it is adversarial.

For many products bought and sold in markets, sellers offer an item at a certain price, and buyers take or leave that price. But in some cases there is negotiation over price (and other aspects of the transaction). We see this in the sale of “big ticket” items such as cars and houses, and in salaries for jobs. While there are many ethical issues that arise in negotiation, one issue that has received special attention is “bluffing”, or deliberately misstating one’s bargaining position. The locus classicus for this discussion is Carr (1968). According to him, bluffing in negotiations is permissible because business has its own distinctive set of moral rules and bluffing is permissible according to those rules. Carson (2010) agrees that bluffing is permissible in business, though in a more limited range of cases. Carson’s argument appeals to self-defense. If you have good reason to believe that your adversary in a negotiation is misstating her bargaining position, then you are permitted to misstate yours. A requirement to tell the truth in these circumstances would put you at a significant disadvantage relative to your adversary, which you are not required to suffer. An implication of Carson’s view is that you are not permitted to misstate your bargaining position if you do not have good reason to believe that your adversary is misstating hers.

In simplified models of the market, individual buyers and sellers are “price-takers”, not “price-makers”. That is, the prices of goods and services are set by the aggregate forces of supply and demand; no individual buys or sells a good for anything other than the market price. In reality, things are different. Sellers of goods have some flexibility about how to price goods.

Most business ethicists would accept that, in most cases, the prices at which products should be sold is a matter for private individuals to decide. This view has been defended on grounds of property rights. Some claim that if I have a right to a thing, then I am free to transfer that thing to you on whatever terms that I propose and you accept (Boatright 2010). It has also been defended on grounds of welfare. Prices set by voluntary exchanges reveal valuable information about the relative demand for and supply of goods, allowing resources to flow to their most productive uses (Hayek 1945). Despite this, most business ethicists also recognize some limits on prices.

One issue that has received increasing attention is price discrimination. This is discrimination based on willingness to pay, or the practice of charging more to people who are willing to pay more. This might at first seem unfair or even exploitative, but in fact it is commonplace and usually unremarkable (Elegido 2011; Marcoux 2006a). Examples of price discrimination include senior and student discounts, bulk discounts, versioning, and the sort of bargaining one finds in car dealerships and flea markets. We might see price discrimination as an implication of freedom in pricing, and according to a familiar result in economics, price discrimination increases social welfare, provided that it enables producers to increase output (Varian 1985). But some instances of price discrimination have come in for criticism. Online retailers collect and purchase enormous amounts of information about consumers, and there is evidence that they are using this to personalize prices, or tailor prices to what they think are consumers’ reservation prices, i.e., the highest amounts they are willing to pay. Some believe that this practice is unfair (Steinberg 2020), though they problem may simply be that consumers don’t know what retailers are up to.

Another issue of pricing ethics is price gouging. Price gouging can be understood as a sharp increase in the price of a necessary good in the wake of an emergency which renders that good scarce (Hughes 2020; Zwolinski 2008). As the novel coronavirus spread around the world in early 2020, retailers began to charge extremely high prices for cleaning products and medical supplies. Many jurisdictions have laws against price gouging, and it is widely regarded as unethical (Snyder 2009). The reason is that it is a paradigm case of exploitation: A extracts an excessive benefit out of B in circumstances in which B cannot reasonably refuse A ’s offer (Valdman 2009). But some theorists defend price gouging. While granting that sales of items in circumstances like these are exploitative, they note that they are mutually beneficial. Both the seller and buyer prefer to engage in the transaction rather than not engage in it. Moreover, when items are sold at inflated prices, this both limits hoarding and attracts more sellers into the market. Permitting price gouging may thus be the fastest way of eliminating it (Zwolinski 2008). (For further discussion, see the entry on exploitation .)

Most contemporary scholars believe that sellers have wide, though not unlimited, discretion in how much they charge for goods and services. But there is an older tradition in business ethics, found in Aquinas and other medieval scholars, according to which there is one price that sellers should charge: the “just price”. There is debate about what exactly medieval scholars meant by “just price”. According to a historically common interpretation, the just price is determined by the seller’s cost of production, i.e., the price that compensates the seller for the value of her labor and expenses. More recent interpretations understand the medieval just price at something closer to the market price, which may be more or less than the cost of production (Koehn & Wilbratte 2012).

6. Firms and workers

Business ethicists have written much about the relationship between employers and employees. Below we consider four issues at the employer/employee interface: (1) hiring and firing, (2) pay, (3) meaningful work, and (4) whistleblowing. Another important topic at this interface is privacy. For space reasons it will not be discussed, but see the entries on privacy and privacy and information technology .

Ethical issues in hiring and firing tend to focus on the question: What criteria should employers use, or not use, in employment decisions? The question of what criteria employers should not use is addressed in discussions of discrimination.

While there is some debate about whether discrimination in employment should be legally prohibited (see Epstein 1992), almost everyone agrees that it is morally wrong (Hellman 2008; Lippert-Rasmussen 2014). Discussion has focused on two questions. First, when does the use of a certain criterion in an employment decision count as discriminatory? It would seem wrong if Walmart were to exclude white applicants for a job in their marketing department, but not wrong if the Hovey Players (a theater troupe) were to exclude white applicants for the role of Walter Younger in A Raisin in the Sun . We might say that whether a hiring practice is discriminatory depends on whether the criterion used is job-relevant. But the concept of job-relevance is contested, as the case of “reaction qualifications” reveals. Suppose that white diners prefer to be served by white waiters rather than black waiters. In this case race seems job-relevant, but it seems wrong for employers to take race into account (Mason 2017). Another question that has received considerable attention is: What makes discrimination wrong? Some argue that discrimination is wrong because of its effects on those who are discriminated against (Lippert-Rasmussen 2014); others think that it is wrong because of what it expresses to them (Hellman 2008). (For extensive discussion, see the entry on discrimination .)

Some writers believe that employers’ obligations are not satisfied simply by avoiding using certain criteria in hiring decisions. According to them, employers have a duty to hire the most qualified applicant. Some justify this duty by appealing to considerations of desert (D. Miller 1999; Mulligan 2018); others justify it by appealing to equal opportunity (Mason 2006). We might object to this view by appealing to property rights. A job offer typically implies a promise to pay the job-taker a sum of your money for performing certain tasks. While we might think that excluding some ways you can dispose of your property (e.g., rules against discrimination in hiring) can be justified, we might think that excluding all ways but one (viz., a requirement to hire the most qualified applicant) is unjustified. In support of this, we might think that a small business owner does nothing wrong when she hires her daughter for a part-time job as opposed to a more qualified stranger.

The question of when employees may be fired is a staple of business ethics texts and was the subject of considerable debate in the business ethics literature in the 1980’s and 1990’s. There are two main views: those who think that employment should be “at will”, so that an employer can terminate an employee for any reason (Epstein 1984; Maitland 1989), and those who think that employers should be able to terminate employees only for “just cause” (e.g., poor performance or excessive absenteeism) (McCall & Werhane 2010). In fact, few writers hold the “pure” version of the “at will” view. Most would say, and the law agrees, that it is wrong for an employer to terminate an employee for certain reasons, e.g., a discovery that he is Muslim or his refusal to commit a crime for the employer. Thus the debate is between those who think that employers should be able to terminate employees for any reason with some exceptions , and those who think that employers should be able to terminate employees only for certain reasons. In the U.S., most employees are at will, while in Europe, most employees are covered, after a probationary period, by something analogous to just cause. Arguments for just cause appeal to the effects that termination has on individual employees, especially those who have worked for an employer for many years (McCall & Werhane 2010). Arguments for at will employment appeal to freedom or macroeconomic effects. It is claimed, in the former case, that just cause is an unwarranted restriction on employers’ and employees’ freedom of contract (Epstein 1984), and in the latter case, that it raises the unemployment rate (Maitland 1989). The more difficult it is for an employer to fire an employee, the more reluctant she will be to hire one in the first place.

Businesses generate revenue, and some of this revenue is distributed to employees in the form of compensation, or pay. Since the demand for pay typically exceeds the supply, the question of how pay should be distributed is naturally analyzed as a problem of justice.

Two theories of justice in pay have attracted attention. One may be called the “agreement view”. According to it, a just wage is whatever wage the employer and the employee agree to without force or fraud (Boatright 2010). This view is sometimes justified in terms of property rights. Employees own their labor, and employers own their capital, and they are free, within broad limits, to dispose of it as they please. In addition, we might think that wages should be should determined by voluntary agreement for the same reason prices generally should be, viz., it allocates resources to their most productive uses, as determined by people’s wants (Heath 2018; Hayek 1945). A “wage”, after all, is just a special name for the price of labor.

A second view of wages may be called the “contribution view”. According to it, the just wage for a worker is the wage that reflects her contribution to the firm. This view comes in two versions. On the absolute version, workers should receive an amount of pay that equals the value of their contributions to the firm (D. Miller 1999). On the comparative version, workers should receive an amount of pay that reflects the relative value of their contributions to the firm, given what others in the firm contribute and are paid (Sternberg 2000). The contribution view strikes some as normatively basic, a view for which no further argument can be given (D. Miller 1999). An analogy may be drawn with punishment. Just as it seems intuitively right for the severity of a criminal’s punishment to reflect the seriousness of her crime, so it may seem intuitively right for the value of a persons’s pay to reflect the value of her work (Moriarty 2016). In this way, pay might be understood as a reward for work.

Some argue that compensation should be evaluated not only as a problem of justice but as an incentive. The question here is what pay encourages employees to do, and how it encourages them to do it. Poorly structured compensation packages for traders in the financial services industry are thought to have contributed to the financial crisis of 2007-2009 (Kolb 2012). Traders were incentivized to take excessively risky bets, and when those bets went bad, their firms could not cover the losses, putting the firms and ultimately the whole financial system in peril. Bad incentives may also help to explain the recent account fraud scandal at Wells Fargo.

The pay of any employee can be evaluated from a moral point of view. But business ethicists have paid particular attention to the pay of certain employees, viz., CEOs and workers in factories in developing countries, often called “sweatshops.”

There has been significant debate about whether CEOs are paid too much (Boatright, 2010; Moriarty 2005), with scholars falling into two camps. Those in the “managerial power” camp believe that CEOs wield power over boards of directors, and use this power to extract above-market rents from their firms (Bebchuk & Fried 2004). Those in the “efficient contracting” camp believe that pay negotiations between CEOs and boards are usually carried out at arm’s-length, and that CEOs’ large compensation packages reflect their rare and valuable skills. (For a recent survey of relevant empirical issues, see Edmans, Gabaix, & Jenter 2017).

There has also been a robust debate about whether workers in sweatshops are paid too little. Some say ‘no’ (Powell & Zwolinski 2012; Zwolinski 2007). They say that sweatshops wages, while low by standards in developed countries, are not low by the standards of the countries in which the sweatshops are located. This explains why people choose to work in a sweatshop; it is the best offer they have. Efforts to increase artificially the wages of sweatshop workers, according to these writers, is misguided on two counts. First, it is an interference with the autonomous choices of employers and workers. Second, it is likely to make workers worse off, since employers will respond by either moving operations to a new location or employing fewer workers in that location (cf. Kates 2015). These writers sometimes appeal to a principle of “nonworseness,” according to which a consensual, mutually beneficial interaction (of the sort sweatshop owners and workers engage in) cannot be worse than its absence. Other writers challenge these claims. While granting that workers choose to work in sweatshops, they deny that their choices are truly voluntary (Arnold & Bowie 2003; Kates 2015). Given their low wages, this suggests that sweatshop workers are wrongfully exploited (Faraci 2019). Moreover, some argue, firms can and should do more for sweatshop workers, on grounds on fairness or beneficence (Snyder 2010). These writers invoke a principle of “interaction,” according to which people involved in a certain relationship (of the sort sweatshop owners and workers are engaged in) must live up to certain standards of conduct (which exploitation is alleged to fall below). In response to the claim that firms put themselves at a competitive disadvantage if they do, writers have pointed to actual cases where firms have been able to secure better treatment for sweatshop workers without suffering serious financial penalties (Hartman, Arnold, & Wokutch 2003). (For further discussion, see the entry on exploitation .)

Smith (1776 [1976]) famously observed that a detailed division of labor greatly increases the productivity of manufacturing processes. To use his example: if one worker performs all of the tasks required to make a pin himself—18, we are told—he can make just a few pins per day. However, if the worker specializes in one or two of these tasks, and combines his efforts with other workers who specialize in one or two of the other tasks, then together they can make thousands of pins per day. But according to Smith, there is human cost to the detailed division of labor. Performing one or two simple tasks all day makes a worker “as stupid and ignorant as it is possible for a human creature to become” (Smith 1776 [1976]: V.1.178).

To avoid this result, some call for work to be made more “meaningful”. In this sense, a call for meaningful work is not a call for work to be more “important”, i.e., to contribute to the production of a good or service that is objectively valuable, or that workers believe is valuable (cf. Michaelson 2021; Veltman 2016). Instead, it is a call for labor processes to be arranged so that work is interesting, requires skill, and gives workers substantial decision-making power (Arneson 1987; Roessler 2012; Schwartz 1982).

Smith’s insight that labor processes are more efficient when they are divided into meaningless segments leads some writers to believe that, in a competitive economy, firms will not provide as much meaningful work as workers want (Werhane 1985). In response, it has been argued that there is a market for labor, and if workers want meaningful work, then employers have an incentive to provide it (Maitland 1989; Nozick 1974). According to this argument, insofar as we see “too little” meaningful work on offer, this is because workers prefer not to have it—or more precisely, because workers are willing to trade meaningfulness for other benefits, such as higher wages.

The above argument treats meaningful work as a matter of preference, as a job amenity that employers can decline to offer or that workers can trade away (cf. Yeoman 2014). Others resist this understanding. According to Schwartz (1982), employers are required to offer employees meaningful work, and employees are required to perform it, out of respect for autonomy (see also Bowie 2017). The idea is that the autonomous person makes choices for herself; she does not mindlessly follow others’ directions. A difficulty for this argument is that respect for autonomy does not seem to require that we make all choices for ourselves. A person might, it seems, autonomously choose to allow important decisions to be made for her in certain spheres of her life, e.g., by a coach, a family member, a medical professional, or a military commander.

A potential problem for this response brings us back to Smith, and to “formative” arguments for meaningful work. The problem, according to some writers, is that if most of a person’s day is given over to meaningless tasks, then her capacity for autonomous choice, and perhaps her other intellectual faculties, may deteriorate. A call for meaningful work may be understood as a call for workplaces to be arranged so that this deterioration does not occur (Arneson 2009; Arnold 2012; Yeoman 2014). In addition to Smith, Marx (1844 [2000]) was concerned about the effects of work on human flourishing.

Formative arguments face at least two difficulties, one empirical and one normative. The empirical difficulty is establishing the connection between meaningless work and autonomous choice (or another intellectual faculty). More evidence is needed. The normative difficulty is that formative arguments make certain assumptions about the nature of the good and the state’s role in promoting it. They assume that it is better for people to have fully developed faculties of autonomous choice (etc.) and that the state should help to develop them. These assumptions might be challenged, e.g., by liberal neutralists (Roessler 2012; Veltman 2016). Yeoman (2014) seeks to surmount this challenge—and make meaningful work safe for liberal political theory—by conceptualizing meaningful work as a fundamental human need, not a mere preference.

Suppose you discover, as Tyler Shultz did at Theranos in 2015, that your firm is deceiving regulators and investors about the efficacy of its products. To stop this, one thing you might do is “blow the whistle” by disclosing this information to a third party. While scholars give different definitions of whistleblowing (see, e.g., Brenkert 2010; Davis 2003; DeGeorge 2009; Delmas 2015), the following elements are usually present: (1) insider status, (2) non-public information, (3) illegal or immoral activity, (4) avoidance of the usual chain of command in the firm, (5) intention to solve the problem. In the above example, Shultz was a whistleblower because he was (1) a Theranos employee (2) who disclosed non-public information (3) about illegal activity in the firm (4) to a state regulator (5) in an effort to stop that activity.

Debate about whistleblowing tends to focus on the question of when whistleblowing is justified—in the sense of when it is permissible, or when it is required. This debate assumes that whistleblowing requires justification, or is wrong, other things equal. Many business ethicists make this assumption on the grounds that employees have a pro tanto duty of loyalty to their firms (Elegido 2013). Against this, some argue that the relationship between the firm and the employee is purely transactional—an exchange of money for labor (Duska 2000)—and so is not normatively robust enough to ground a duty of loyalty. (For a discussion of this issue, see the entry on loyalty .)

One prominent justification of whistleblowing is due to DeGeorge (2009). According to him, it is permissible for an employee to blow the whistle when his doing so will prevent harm to society. (In a similar account, Brenkert [2010] says that the duty to blow the whistle derives from a duty to prevent wrongdoing.) The duty to prevent harm can have more weight, if the harm is great enough, than the duty of loyalty. To determine whether whistleblowing is not simply permissible but required, DeGeorge says, we must take into account the likely success of the whistleblowing and its effects on the whistleblower himself. Humans are tribal creatures, and whistleblowers are often treated badly by their colleagues. (Shultz and his family were hounded by Theranos’s powerful and well-connected lawyers, at a cost to them of hundreds of thousands of dollars.) So if whistleblowing is unlikely to succeed, then it need not be attempted. The lack of a moral requirement to blow the whistle in these cases can be seen as a specific instance of the rule that individuals need not make huge personal sacrifices to promote others’ interests, even when those interests are important.

Another account of whistleblowing is given by Davis (2003). Like Brenkert (and unlike DeGeorge), Davis focuses on the wrongdoing that the firm engages in (not the harm it causes). According to Davis, however, the point of whistleblowing is not so much to prevent the wrongdoing but to avoid one’s own complicity in it. He says that an employee is required to blow the whistle on her firm when she believes that it is engaged in seriously wrongful behavior, and her work for the firm “will contribute … to the wrong if … [she] [does] not publicly reveal what [she knows]” (2003: 550). Davis’s account limits whistleblowers to people who are currently firm insiders. Many find this counterintuitive, since it implies that people often described as whistleblowers, like Jeffrey Wigand (Brown & Williamson) and Edward Snowden (NSA), are not actually whistleblowers.

7. The firm in society

Business activity and business entities have an enormous impact on society. One way that businesses impact society, of course, is by producing goods and services and by providing jobs. But businesses can also impact society by trying to solve social problems and by using their resources to influence governments’ laws and regulations.

“Corporate social responsibility”, or CSR, is typically understood as actions by businesses that are (i) not legally required, and (ii) intended to benefit parties other than the corporation (where benefits to the corporation are understood in terms of return on equity, return on assets, or some other measure of financial performance). The parties who benefit may be more or less closely associated with the firm itself; they may be the firm’s own employees or people in distant lands.

A famous example of CSR involves the pharmaceutical company Merck. In the late 1970s, Merck was developing a drug to treat parasites in livestock, and it was discovered that a version of the drug might be used treat Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, a disease that causes debilitating itching, pain, and eventually blindness in people. The problem was that the drug would cost hundreds of millions of dollars to develop, and would generate little or no revenue for Merck, since the people usually afflicted with river blindness were too poor to afford it. Ultimately Merck decided to develop the drug. As expected, it was effective in treating river blindness, but Merck made no money from it. As of this writing in 2021, Merck, now in concert with several nongovernmental organizations, continues to manufacture and distribute the drug throughout the developing world for free.

The scholarly literature on CSR is dominated by social scientists. Their question is typically whether, when, and how socially responsible actions benefit firms financially. The conventional wisdom is that there is a slight positive correlation between corporate social performance and corporate financial performance, but it is unclear which way the causality goes (Vogel 2005; Zhao & Murrell 2021). That is, it is not clear whether prosocial behavior by firms causes them to be rewarded financially (e.g., by consumers who value their behavior), or whether financial success allows firms to engage in more prosocial behaviors (e.g., by freeing up resources that would otherwise be spent on core business functions).

Many writers connect the debate about CSR with the debate about the ends of corporate governance. Thus Friedman (1970) objects to CSR, saying that managers should be maximizing shareholder wealth instead. (Friedman also thinks that CSR is a usurpation of the democratic process and often wasteful, since managers aren’t experts in solving social problems.) Stakeholder theory (Freeman et al. 2010) is thought to be more accommodating of prosocial activity by firms, since it permits firms to do things other than increase shareholder wealth.

We do not need, however, to see the debate about CSR a debate about the proper ends of corporate governance. We can see it as a debate about the nature and scope of firms’ moral duties, i.e., what obligations (e.g., of rescue or beneficence) they must discharge, whatever their goals are (Hsieh 2004; Mejia 2020).

Many writers give broadly consequentialist reasons for CSR. The arguments tend to go as follows: (1) there are serious problems in the world, such as poverty, conflict, environmental degradation, and so on; (2) any agent with the resources and knowledge necessary to ameliorate these problems has a moral responsibility to do so, assuming the costs they incur on themselves are not excessively high; (3) firms have the resources and knowledge necessary to ameliorate these problems without incurring excessively high costs; therefore, (4) firms should ameliorate these problems (Dunfee 2006a).

The view that someone should do something about the world’s problems seems true to many people. Not only is there an opportunity to increase social welfare by alleviating suffering, suffering people may also have a right to assistance. The controversial issue is who should do something to help, and how much they should do. Thus defenders of the above argument focus most of their attention on establishing that firms have these duties, against those who say that these duties are properly assigned to states or individuals. O. O’Neill (2001) and Wettstein (2009) argue that firms are “agents of justice”, much like states and individuals, and have duties to aid the needy (see also Young 2011). Strudler (2017) legitimates altruistic behavior by firms by undermining the claim that shareholders own them, and so are owed their surplus wealth. Hsieh (2004) says that, even if we concede that firms do not have social obligations, individuals have them, and the best way for many individuals to discharge them is through the activities of firms (see also McMahon 2013; Mejia 2020).

Debates about CSR are not just debates about whether specific social ills should be addressed by specific corporations. They are also debates about what sort of society we want to live in. While acknowledging that firms benefit society through CSR, Brenkert (1992) thinks it is a mistake for people to encourage firms to engage in CSR as a practice. When we do so, he says, we cede a portion of the public sphere to private actors. Instead of deciding together how we want to ameliorate social ills affecting our fellow community members, we leave it up to private organizations to decide what to do. Instead of sharpening our skills of democracy through deliberation and collective decision-making, and reaffirming social bonds through mutual aid, we allow our skills and bonds to atrophy through disuse.

Many businesses are active participants in the political arena. They support candidates for election, defend positions in public debate, lobby government officials, and more. What should be said about these activities?

Social scientists have produced a substantial literature on corporate political activity (CPA) (for a review, see Lawton, McGuire, & Rajwani 2013). This research focuses on such questions as: What forms does CPA take? What are the antecedents of CPA? What are its consequences? CPA raises many normative questions as well.

We might begin by asking why corporations should be allowed to engage in political activity at all. In a democratic society, freedom of expression is both a right and a value (Stark 2010). People have a right to participate in the political process by supporting candidates for public office, defending positions in public debate, and so on. It is generally a good thing when they exercise this right, since they can introduce new facts and arguments into public discourse. People can engage in political activity individually, but in a large society, they may find it useful to do so in groups. The firm might be seen as one of these groups. Indeed, we might think it is especially important that firms engage in (at least some forms of) political activity. Society has an interest in knowing how proposed economic policies will affect firms; firms themselves are a good source of information.

But political activity by corporations has come in for criticism. One concern focuses on what corporations’ goals are. Some worry that firms engage in CPA in order to advance their own interests at the expense of their competitors’ or the public’s. This activity is sometimes described, and condemned, as “rent-seeking” (Jaworski 2014; Tullock 1989). Questions have been raised about the nature and value of rent-seeking. According to a common definition, rent-seeking is socially wasteful economic activity intended to secure benefits from the state rather than the market. But there is disagreement about what counts as waste. Lobbying for subsidies, or tariffs on foreign competitors, are classic cases of rent-seeking. But subsidies for (e.g.) corn might help to secure a nation’s food supply, and tariffs on (e.g.) foreign steel manufacturers might help a nation to protect itself in a time of war (Boatright 2009; Hindmoor 1999). One person’s private rent-seeking is another’s public benefit.

A second concern about CPA is that it can undermine the ideal of equality at the heart of democracy (Christiano 2010). Some corporations have a lot of money, and this can be translated into a lot of power. In 2010, the state of Indiana passed a law—the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA)—that appeared to give employers the freedom to discriminate against LGBTQ people on religious grounds. In response, Salesforce and Angie’s List cancelled plans to expand in the state, and threatened to leave it altogether. Indiana quickly convened a special session of its legislature and announced that the new law did not in fact give employers this freedom. By contrast, if the average Indianan told the legislature that they might leave the state because of the RFRA, the legislature would not have cared. This objection to CPA is also an objection to political activity by powerful groups like the National Rifle Association (NRA) or the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and individuals like Charles Koch or Tom Steyer.

A third objection to CPA is more narrowly targeted. According to it, corporations are not the right type of entities to engage in political activity (Hussain & Moriarty 2018). The key issue is representation. Organizations like the NRA and ACLU are legitimate participants in the political arena because they represent their members in political debate, and people join or leave them based on political considerations. By contrast, business organizations have no recognized role to play in the political system, and people join or leave them for economic reasons, not political ones. On this criticism, corporate political activity should be conceptualized not as a collective effort by all of the corporation’s members to speak their minds about a shared concern, but as an effort by a small group of powerful owners or executives to use the corporation’s resources to advance their own personal ends.

Traditionally CPA goes “through” the formal political process, e.g., contributing to political campaigns or lobbying government officials. But increasingly firms are engaging in what appears to be political activity that goes “around” or “outside” of this process, especially in circumstances in which the state is weak, corrupt, or incompetent. They do this through the provision of public goods and infrastructure (Ruggie 2004) and the creation of systems of private regulation or “soft law” (Vogel 2010). For example, when the Rana Plaza collapsed in Bangladesh in 2013, killing more than 1100 garment industry workers, new building codes and systems of enforcement were put into place. But they were put into place by the multinational corporations that are supplied by factories in Bangladesh, not by the government of Bangladesh. This kind of activity is sometimes called “political CSR,” since it is a kind of CSR that produces a political outcome (Scherer & Palazzo 2011). We might call it CPA “on steroids”. Instead of influencing political outcomes, corporations bring them about almost single-handedly. This is a threat to democratic self-rule. Some writers have explored whether it can be ameliorated through multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs), or governance systems that bring together firms, non-governmental organizations, and members of local communities to deliberate and decide on policy matters. Prominent examples include the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) (Scherer & Palazzo 2011). Critics have charged that MSIs, while effective in producing dialog among stakeholders, are ineffective at holding firms to account (Hussain & Moriarty 2018; Moog, Spicer, & Böhm 2015).

There is another kind of corporate political activity. This is political activity whose target is corporations, known as “ethical consumerism” (for a review see Schwartz 2017). Consumers typically make choices based on quality and price. Ethical consumers (also) appeal to moral considerations. They may purchase, or choose not to purchase, goods from retailers who make their products in certain countries or who support certain political causes. These can be described as political activities because consumers are using their economic power to achieve political ends. It is difficult for consumer actions against, or in support of, firms to succeed, since they require coordinating the actions of many individuals. But consuming ethically may be important for personal integrity. You might say that you cannot in good conscience shop at a retailer who is working, in another arena, against your deeply-held values. One concern about ethical consumerism is that it may be a form of vigilantism (Hussain 2012; cf. Barry & MacDonald 2018), or mob justice. Another is that it is yet another way that people can self-segregate by moral and political orientation as opposed to finding common ground.

Many businesses operate across national boundaries. These are typically called “multinational” or “transnational” firms (MNCs or TNCs). Operating internationally heightens the salience of a number of the ethical issues discussed above, such as CSR, but it also raises new issues, such as relativism and divestment. Two issues often discussed in connection with international business are not treated in this section. One is wages and working conditions in sweatshops. This literature is briefly discussed in section 6.2 . The second issue is corruption, which is not discussed in this entry, for space reasons. But see the entry on corruption .

A number of business ethicists have developed ethical codes for MNCs, including DeGeorge (1993) and Donaldson (1989). International agencies have also created codes of ethics for business. Perhaps the most famous of these is the United Nations Global Compact, membership in which requires organizations to adhere to a variety of rules in the areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption. In his important work for that body, Ruggie (2004, 2013) developed a “protect, respect, and remedy” framework for MNCs and human rights, which assigns the state the primary duty to protect human rights and remedy abuses of them, and firms the duty to respect human rights (cf. Wettstein 2009). A striking fact about much of this research is that, while it is focused on international business, and sometimes promulgated by international agencies, the conclusions reached do not apply specifically to firms doing business across national boundaries. The duty to, e.g., respect human rights applies to firms doing business within national boundaries too. It is simply that the international context is the one in which this duty seems most important to discharge, and in which firms are some of the few agents who can do so.

There are issues, however, that arise specifically for firms doing business internationally. Every introductory ethics student learns that different cultures have different moral codes. This is typically an invitation to think about whether or not morality is relative to culture. For the businessperson, it presents a more immediate challenge: How should cultural differences in moral codes be managed? In particular, when operating in a “host” country, should the businessperson adopt host country standards, or should she apply her “home” country standards?

Donaldson is a leading voice on this question, in work done independently (1989, 1996) and with Dunfee (1999). Donaldson and Dunfee argue that there are certain “moral minima” that must be met in all contexts. These are given to us by “hypernorms”, or universal moral values and rules, which are themselves justified by a “convergence of religious, philosophical, and cultural” belief systems (1999: 57). Within the boundaries set by hypernorms, Donaldson and Dunfee say, firms have “free space” to select moral standards. They do not have the liberty to select any standards they want; rather, their choices must be guided by the host country’s traditions and its current level of economic development. Donaldson and Dunfee call their approach “integrative social contracts theory” (ISCT), since they seek to merge norms derived from hypothetical contracts with norms that people have actually agreed to in particular societies.

ISCT has attracted a great deal of attention and many critics. Much of this criticism has focused on hypernorms, the criteria for which are alleged to be ad hoc (Scherer 2015), ambiguous (Brenkert 2009), and incomplete (Mayer & Cava 1995). Dunfee (2006b) collects and analyzes a decade worth of critical commentary on ISCT. For a more recent elaboration and defense of the approach, see Scholz, de los Reyes, and Smith (2019).

A complication for the debate about whether to apply home country standards in host countries is that multinational corporations engage in business across national boundaries in different ways. Some MNCs directly employ workers in multiple countries, while others contract with suppliers. Nike, for example, does not directly employ workers to make shoes. Rather, Nike designs shoes, and hires firms in other countries to make them. Our views about whether an MNC should apply home country standards in a host country may depend on whether the MNC is applying them to its own workers or to those of other firms.

The same goes for responsibility. MNCs, especially in consumer-facing industries, are often held responsible for poor working conditions in their suppliers’ factories. Nike was subject to sharp criticism for the labor practices of its suppliers in the 1990s (Hartman et al. 2003). Initially Nike pushed back, saying that those weren’t their factories, and so wasn’t their problem. Under mounting pressure, it changed course and promulgated a set of labor standards that it required all of its suppliers to meet, and now spends significant resources ensuring that they meet them (Hsieh, Toffel, & Hull 2019; Wokutch 2001). This is increasingly the approach Western multinationals take. Here again the response to the Rana Plaza tragedy is illustrative. What lengths companies should go to ensure the safety of workers in their supply chains is a question meriting further study (see Young 2011).

A businessperson may find that a host country’s standards are not just different than her home country’s standards, but morally intolerable. She may decide that the right course of action is not to do business in the country at all, and if she is invested in the country, to divest from it. The issue of divestment received substantial attention in the 1980s as MNCs were deciding whether or not to divest from South Africa under its Apartheid regime. It may attract renewed attention in the coming years as firms and other organizations contemplate divesting from the fossil fuel industry. Common reasons to divest from a morally problematic society or industry are to avoid complicity in immoral practices, and to put pressure on the society or industry to change its practices. Critics of divestment worry about the effects of divestment on innocent third parties (Donaldson 1989) and about the efficacy of divestment in forcing social change (Hudson 2005). Some believe that it is better for firms to stay engaged with the society or industry and try to bring about change from within—a policy of “constructive engagement”.

It is not hard to see why philosophers might be interested in business. Business activity raises a host of interesting philosophical issues: of agency, responsibility, truth, manipulation, exploitation, justice, beneficence, and more. After a surge of activity 40 years ago, however, philosophers seem to be gradually retreating from the field.

One explanation appeals to demand. Many of the philosophers who developed the field were hired into business schools, but after they retired, they were not replaced with other philosophers. Business schools have hired psychologists to understand why people engage in unethical behavior and strategists to explore whether ethics pays. These scholars fit better into the business school environment, which is dominated by social scientists. What social scientists do to advance our understanding of descriptive ethics is important, to be sure, but it is no substitute for normative reflection on what is ethical or unethical in business.

Another explanation for the retreat of philosophers from business ethics appeals to supply. There are hardly any philosophy Ph.D. programs that have faculty specializing in business ethics and, as a result, few new Ph.D.’s are produced in this area. Those who work in the area are typically “converts” from mainstream ethical theory and political philosophy. Some good news on this front is the recent increase in the number of normative theorists working on issues at the intersection of philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE). Many of the topics these scholars address—the value and limits of markets, the nature of the employment relationship, and the role of government in regulating commerce—are issues business ethicists care about. But PPE-style philosophers hardly cover the whole field of business ethics. There remain many urgent issues to address.

I hope this entry helps to inform philosophers and others about the richness and value of business ethics, and in doing so, generate greater interest in the field.

• Alzola, M., 2012, “The Possibility of Virtue”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 22(2): 377–404.
• Anderson, E., 1993, Value in Ethics and Economics , Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
• –––, 2017, Private Government: How Employers Rule our Lives (and Why We Don ’ t Talk about It) , Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
• Arneson, R.J., 1987, “Meaningful Work and Market Socialism”, Ethics , 97(3): 517–545.
• –––, 2009, “Meaningful Work and Market Socialism Revisited”, Analyse & Kritik , 31(1): 139–151.
• Arnold, D.G. & N.E. Bowie, 2003, “Sweatshops and Respect for Persons”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 13(2): 221–242.
• Arnold, S., 2012, “The Difference Principle at Work”, Journal of Political Philosophy , 20(1): 94–118.
• Arrington, R.L., 1982, “Advertising and Behavior Control”, Journal of Business Ethics , 1(1): 3–12.
• Attas, D., 1999, “What’s Wrong with ‘Deceptive’ Advertising?”, Journal of Business Ethics , 21(1): 49–59.
• Aylsworth, T. 2020. “Autonomy and Manipulation: Refining the Argument Against Persuasive Advertising”, Journal of Business Ethics , first online 28 July 2020. doi:10.1007/s10551-020-04590-6
• Bainbridge, S.M., 2008, The New Corporate Governance in Theory and Practice , New York: Oxford University Press.
• Barry, C., & K. MacDonald, 2018, “Ethical Consumerism: A Defense of Market Vigilantism”, Philosophy & Public Affairs , 46(3): 293–322.
• Bazerman, M.H. & A.E. Tenbrunsel, 2011, Blind Spots: Why We Fail to Do What’s Right and What to Do about It , Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
• Bebchuk, L.A. & J.M. Fried, 2004, Pay Without Performance: The Unfulfilled Promise of Executive Compensation , Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
• Berkey, B., 2021. “Rawlsian Institutionalism and Business Ethics: Does it Matter Whether Corporations are Part of the Basic Structure of Society?”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 31(2): 179–209.
• Blanc, S. & I. Al-Amoudi, 2003, “Corporate Institutions in a Weakened Welfare State: A Rawlsian Perspective”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 23(4): 497–525.
• Bishop, J.D., 2000, “Is Self-Identity Image Advertising Ethical?”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 10(2): 371–398.
• Björnsson, G., & K. Hess, 2017, “Corporate Crocodile Tears? On the Reactive Attitudes of Corporate Agents”, Philosophy and Phenomenological Research , 94(2): 273–298.
• Blair, M.M., & L.A. Stout, 1999, “A Team Production Theory of Corporate Law”, Virginia Law Review , 85(2): 248–320
• Boatright, J.R., 1994, “Fiduciary Duties and the Shareholder-Management Relation: Or, What’s So Special about Shareholders?”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 4(4): 393–407.
• –––, 2009b, “Rent Seeking in a Market with Morality: Solving a Puzzle about Corporate Social Responsibility”, Journal of Business Ethics , 88(4): 541–552.
• –––, 2010, “Executive Compensation: Unjust or Just Right?”, in G.G. Brenkert & T. L. Beauchamp (eds.), Oxford Handbook of Business Ethics , New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 161–201.
• Boatright, J.R., & J.D. Smith, 2017, Ethics and the Conduct of Business , Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson, 8th edition.
• Bowie, N.E., 2017, Business Ethics: A Kantian Perspective , New York: Cambridge University Press, 2nd edition.
• Bratman, M.E., 1993, “Shared Intention”, Ethics , 104(1): 97–113.
• Brenkert, G.G., 1984. “Strict Products Liability and Compensatory Justice”, in W. Michael Hoffman and Jennifer Mills Moore (eds.), Business Ethics: Readings and Cases in Corporate Morality , New York: McGraw-Hill, 2nd edition, pp. 460–470.
• –––, 1992, “Private Corporations and Public Welfare”, Public Affairs Quarterly , 6(2): 155–168.
• –––, 2008, Marketing Ethics , Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
• –––, 2009, “ISCT, Hypernorms, and Business: A Reinterpretation”, Journal of Business Ethics , 88(S4): 645–658.
• –––, 2010, “Whistle-blowing, Moral Integrity, and Organizational Ethics”, in G.G. Brenkert & T.L. Beauchamp (eds.), Oxford Handbook of Business Ethics , New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 563–601.
• Brennan, J. & P.M. Jaworski, 2016, Markets Without Limits: Moral Virtues and Commercial Interests , New York: Routledge.
• Brown, B., & B. Maguire, 2019, “Markets, Interpersonal Practices, and Signal Distortion”, Philosophers ’ Imprint , 19(4): 1–15
• Carr, A.Z., 1968, “Is Business Bluffing Ethical?”, Harvard Business Review , 46(1): 143–153.
• Carson, T.L., 2010, Lying and Deception: Theory and Practice , New York: Oxford University Press.
• Child, J.W. & A.M. Marcoux, 1999, “Freeman and Evan: Stakeholder Theory in the Original Position”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 9(2): 207–223.
• Christiano, T., 2010, “The Uneasy Relationship Between Democracy and Capital”, Social Philosophy and Policy , 27(1): 195–217.
• Copp, D., 2006, “On the Agency of Certain Collective Entities: An Argument for ‘Normative Autonomy’”, Midwest Studies in Philosophy , 30(1): 194–221.
• Corvino, J., R.T. Anderson, & S. Girgis, 2017, Debating Religious Liberty and Discrimination , New York: Oxford University Press.
• Crisp, R., 1987, “Persuasive Advertising, Autonomy, and the Creation of Desire”, Journal of Business Ethics , 6(5): 413–418.
• Dahl, R.A., 1985, A Preface to Economic Democracy , Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
• Davis, M., 2003, “Whistleblowing”, in H. LaFollette (ed.), Oxford Handbook of Practical Ethics , New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 539–563.
• de Bruin, B., 2015, Ethics and the Global Financial Crisis , New York: Cambridge University Press.
• DeGeorge, R.T., 1993, Competing with Integrity in International Business , New York: Oxford University Press.
• –––, 2009, Business Ethics , Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson, 7th edition.
• Delmas, C., 2015, “The Ethics of Government Whistleblowing”, Social Theory and Practice , 41(1): 77–105.
• Dempsey, J., 2013, “Corporations and Non-Agential Moral Responsibility”, Journal of Applied Philosophy , 30(4): 334–350.
• Donaldson, T., 1982, Corporations and Morality , Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
• –––, 1989, The Ethics of International Business , New York: Oxford University Press.
• –––, 1996, “Values in Tension: Ethics Away from Home”, Harvard Business Review , 74(5): 48–62.
• Donaldson, T. & T.W. Dunfee, 1999, Ties that Bind: A Social Contracts Approach to Business Ethics , Cambridge, MA: Harvard Business Press.
• Donaldson, T. & J.P. Walsh, 2015, “Toward a Theory of Business”, Research in Organizational Behavior , 35: 181–207.
• Dow, G.K., 2003, Governing the Firm: Workers’ Control in Theory and Practice , New York: Cambridge University Press.
• Duska, R., 2000, “Whistleblowing and Employee Loyalty”, in J.R. Desjardins & J. J. McCall (eds.), Contemporary Issues in Business Ethics , Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 4th edition, pp. 167–172
• Dunfee, T.W., 2006a, “Do Firms with Unique Competencies for Rescuing Victims of Human Catastrophes Have Special Obligations? Corporate Responsibility and the Aids Catastrophe in Sub-Saharan Africa”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 16(2): 185–210.
• –––, 2006b, “A Critical Perspective of Integrative Social Contracts Theory: Recurring Criticisms and Next Generation Research Topics”, Journal of Business Ethics , 68(3): 303–328.
• Easterbrook, F.H. & D.R. Fischel, 1996, The Economic Structure of Corporate Law , Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
• Edmans, A., X. Gabaix, and D. Jenter., 2017, “Executive Compensation: A Survey of Theory and Evidence”, in B.E. Hermalin & M.S. Weisbach (eds)., The Handbook of the Economics of Corporate Governance (Volume 1), North-Holland: Elsevier, pp. 383–539.
• Elegido, J.M., 2011, “The Ethics of Price Discrimination”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 21(4): 633–660.
• –––, 2013, “Does it Make Sense to be a Loyal Employee?”, Journal of Business Ethics , 68(3): 495–511.
• Epstein, R.A., 1984, “In Defense of the Contract at Will”, University of Chicago Law Review , 51(4): 947–982.
• –––, 1992, Forbidden Grounds: The Case Against Employment Discrimination Laws , Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
• Evan, W.M. & R.E. Freeman, 1988, “A Stakeholder Theory of the Modern Corporation: Kantian Capitalism”, in T.L. Beauchamp & N.E. Bowie (eds.), Ethical Theory and Business , Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 3rd edition, pp. 97–106
• Faraci, D., 2019, “Wage Exploitation and the Nonworseness Claim”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 29(2): 169–188.
• Ferreras, I., 2017, Firms as Political Entities: Saving Democracy through Economic Bicameralism , New York: Cambridge University Press.
• Freeman, R.E., 1984, Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach , Boston, MA: Pitman.
• –––, 1994, “The Politics of Stakeholder Theory: Some Future Directions”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 4(4): 409–421.
• Freeman, R.E., J.S. Harrison, A.C. Wicks, B.L. Parmar, & S. De Colle, 2010, Stakeholder Theory: The State of the Art , Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Freeman, R.E., J.S. Harrison, & S. Zyglidopoulos, 2018, Stakeholder Theory: Concepts and Strategies , New York: Cambridge University Press.
• Freeman, R.E. & D.L. Reed, 1983, “Stockholder and Stakeholders: A New Perspective on Corporate Governance”, California Management Review , 25(3): 88–106.
• Frega, R., L. Herzog, & C. Neuhäuser, 2019, “Workplace Democracy—The Recent Debate”, Philosophy Compass , 14(4): e12574.
• French, P.A., 1979, “The Corporation as a Moral Person”, American Philosophical Quarterly , 16(3): 297–317.
• –––, 1984, Collective and Corporate Responsibility , New York: Columbia University Press.
• –––, 1995, Corporate Ethics , Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace.
• Friedman, M., 1970, “The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits”, New York Times Magazine (September 13): 32–33, 122–124.
• Galbraith, J.K., 1958, The Affluent Society , Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
• Gilbert, M., 2000, Sociality and Responsibility: New Essays in Plural Subject Theory , Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
• Goldman, A., 1984, “Ethical Issues in Advertising”, in T. Regan (ed.), Just Business , New York: Random House, pp. 235–270.
• González-Ricoy, I., 2014, “The Republican Case for Workplace Democracy”, Social Theory and Practice , 40(2): 232–254.
• Goodpaster, K.E., 1991., “Business Ethics and Stakeholder Analysis”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 1(1): 53–73.
• Hansmann, H., 1996, The Ownership of Enterprise , Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
• Hansmann, H. & R. Kraakman, 2001, “The End of History for Corporate Law”, Georgetown Law Journal , 89(2): 439–468.
• Hartman, E.M., 2015, Virtue in Business: Conversations with Aristotle , New York: Cambridge University Press.
• Hartman, L.P., D.G. Arnold, & R.E. Wokutch, 2003, Rising Above Sweatshops: Innovative Approaches to Global Labor Challenges , Westport, CT: Praeger.
• Hasan, R., 2015, “Rawls on Meaningful Work and Freedom”, Social Theory and Practice , 41(3): 477–504. doi:10.5840/soctheorpract201541325
• Hasnas, J., 1998, “The Normative Theories of Business Ethics: A Guide for the Perplexed”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 8(1): 19–42.
• –––, 2010, “The Mirage of Product Safety”, in G.G. Brenkert & T. L. Beauchamp (eds.), Oxford Handbook of Business Ethics, New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 677–697.
• –––, 2012, “Reflections on Corporate Moral Responsibility and the Problem Solving Technique of Alexander the Great”, Journal of Business Ethics , 107(2): 183–195.
• Hayek, F.A., 1945, “The Use of Knowledge in Society”, American Economic Review , 35(4): 519–530.
• –––, 1961, “The Non Sequitur of the ‘Dependence Effect’”, Southern Economic Journal , 27(4): 346–348.
• Heath, J., 2014, Morality, Competition, and the Firm: The Market Failures Approach to Business Ethics , New York: Oxford University Press.
• –––, 2018, “On the Very idea of a Just Wage”, Erasmus Journal for Philosophy and Economics , 11(2): 1–33.
• Hellman, D., 2008, When is Discrimination Wrong? Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
• Hess, K.M., 2014, “The Free Will of Corporations (and Other Collectives)”, Philosophical Studies , 168(1): 241–260.
• Hindmoor, A., 1999, “Rent Seeking Evaluated”, Journal of Political Philosophy , 7(4): 434–452.
• Holley, D.M., 1986, “A Moral Evaluation of Sales Practices”, Business & Professional Ethics Journal , 5(1): 3–21.
• –––, 1998, “Information Disclosure in Sales”, Journal of Business Ethics , 17(6): 631–641.
• Hsieh, N.-h, 2004, “The Obligations of Transnational Corporations: Rawlsian Justice and the Duty of Assistance”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 14(4): 643–661.
• –––, 2005, “Rawlsian Justice and Workplace Republicanism”, Social Theory & Practice , 31(1): 115–142.
• –––, 2008, “Justice in Production”, Journal of Political Philosophy , 16(1): 72–100.
• Hsieh, N.-h., M.W. Toffel, & O. Hull, 2019, “Global Sourcing at Nike”, revised June 2019, Harvard Business School Case Collection , Case 619-008.
• Hudson, R., 2005. “Ethical Investing: Ethical Investors and Managers”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 15(4): 641–657.
• Hughes, R.C., 2019, “Paying People to Risk Life or Limb”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 29(3): 295–316
• –––, 2020, “Pricing Medicine Fairly”, Philosophy of Management , 19(4): 369-385.
• Hussain, W., 2012, “Corporations, Profit Maximization, and the Personal Sphere”, Economics and Philosophy , 28(3): 311–331.
• –––, 2018, “Is Ethical Consumerism an Impermissible Form of Vigilantism?”, Philosophy & Public Affairs , 40(2): 111–143.
• Hussain, W. & J. Moriarty, 2018, “Accountable to Whom? Rethinking the Role of Corporations in Political CSR”, Journal of Business Ethics , 149(3): 519–534.
• Jaworski, P.M., 2014, “An Absurd Tax on our Fellow Citizens: The Ethics of Rent Seeking in the Market Failures (or Self-Regulation) Approach”, Journal of Business Ethics , 121(3): 467–476.
• Jensen, M.C., 2002, “Value Maximization, Stakeholder Theory, and the Corporate Objective Function”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 12(2): 235–256.
• Jensen, M.C. & W.H. Meckling, 1976, “Theory of the Firm: Managerial Behavior, Agency Costs, and Ownership Structure”, Journal of Financial Economics , 3(4): 305–360.
• Jones, T. M., A.C. Wicks, & R.E. Freeman, 2002, “Stakeholder Theory: The State of the Art”, in N.E. Bowie (ed.), The Blackwell Guide to Business Ethics , Malden, MA: Blackwell, pp. 19–37
• Jonker, J., 2019, “The Meaning of a Market and the Meaning of ‘Meaning’”, Journal of Ethics and Social Responsibility , 15(2): 186–195.
• Kates, M., 2015, “The Ethics of Sweatshops and the Limits of Choice”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 25(2): 191–212.
• Koehn, D. & B. Wilbratte, 2012, “A Defense of the Thomistic Concept of the Just Price”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 22(3): 501–526.
• Kolb, R.W., 2012, Too Much is Not Enough: Incentives in Executive Compensation , New York: Oxford University Press.
• Landemore, H., & I. Ferreras, 2016, “In Defense of Workplace Democracy: Towards a Justification of the Firm-State Analogy”, Political Theory , 44(1): 53–81.
• Lawton, T., S. McGuire, & T. Rajwani, 2013, “Corporate Political Activity: A Literature Review and Research Agenda”, International Journal of Management Reviews , 15(1): 86–105
• Lippert-Rasmussen, K., 2014, Born Free and Equal? A Philosophical Inquiry into the Nature of Discrimination , New York: Oxford University Press.
• Lippke, R.L., 1989, “Advertising and the Social Conditions of Autonomy”, Business & Professional Ethics Journal , 8(4): 35–58.
• List, C. & P. Pettit, 2011, Group Agency: The Possibility, Design, and Status of Corporate Agents , New York: Oxford University Press.
• MacDonald, C. & S. Gavura, 2016, “Alternative Medicine and the Ethics of Commerce”, Bioethics , 30(2): 77–84.
• MacIntyre, A.C., 1984, After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory , Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 2nd edition.
• Maitland, I., 1989, “Rights in the Workplace: A Nozickian Argument”, Journal of Business Ethics , 8(12): 951–954.
• Malleson, T., 2014, After Occupy: Economic Democracy for the 21st Century , New York: Oxford University Press.
• Marcoux, A.M., 2006a, “Much Ado about Price Discrimination”, Journal of Markets & Morality , 9(1): 57–69.
• –––, 2006b. “The Concept of Business in Business Ethics”, Journal of Private Enterprise , 21(2): 50–67.
• Marx, K., 1844 [2000], “Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts”, in D. McLellan (ed.), Karl Marx: Selected Writings , New York: Oxford University Press, 2nd edition.
• Mason, A., 2006, Levelling the Playing Field: The Idea of Equal Opportunity and its Place in Egalitarian Thought , New York: Oxford University Press.
• –––, 2017, “Appearance, Discrimination, and Reaction Qualifications”, Journal of Political Philosophy , 25(1): 48–71.
• Mayer, D. & A. Cava, 1995, “Social Contract Theory and Gender Discrimination: Some Reflections on the Donaldson/Dunfee model”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 5(2): 257–270.
• Mayer, R., 2000. “Is There a Moral Right to Workplace Democracy?”, Social Theory and Practice , 26(2): 301–325.
• McCall, J.J., 2001, “Employee Voice in Corporate Governance: A Defense of Strong Participation Rights”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 11(1): 195–213.
• McCall, J.J. & P.H. Werhane, 2010, “Employment at Will and Employee Rights”, in G.G. Brenkert & T. L. Beauchamp (eds.), Oxford Handbook of Business Ethics , New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 602–627.
• McMahon, C., 1981, “Morality and the Invisible Hand”, Philosophy and Public Affairs , 10(3): 247–277.
• –––, 1994, Authority and Democracy: A General Theory of Government and Management , Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
• –––, 2013, Public Capitalism: The Political Authority of Corporate Executives , Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press.
• Mejia, S., 2020, “Which Duties of Beneficence Should Agents Discharge on Behalf of Principals? A Reflection through Shareholder Primacy”, Business Ethics Quarterly , First View: 1–29.
• Michaelson, C., 2021, “A Normative Meaning of Meaningful Work”, Journal of Business Ethics , 170: 413–428.
• Miller, D., 1999, Principles of Social Justice , Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
• Miller, S., 2006, “Collective Moral Responsibility: An Individualist Account”, Midwest Studies in Philosophy , 30(1): 176–193.
• Moog, S., A. Spicer, & S. Böhm, 2015, “The Politics of Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives: The Crisis of the Forest Stewardship Council”, Journal of Business Ethics , 128(3): 469–493.
• Moore, E.S., 2004, “Children and the Changing World of Advertising”, Journal of Business Ethics , 52(2): 161–167.
• Moore, G., 2017, Virtue at Work: Ethics for Individuals, Managers, and Organizations , New York: Oxford University Press.
• Moriarty, J., 2005a, “Do CEOs Get Paid Too Much?”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 15(2): 257–281.
• –––, 2009, “Rawls, Self-Respect, and the Opportunity for Meaningful Work”, Social Theory & Practice , 35(3): 441–459.
• –––, 2016, “Is ‘Equal Pay for Equal Work’ Merely a Principle of Nondiscrimination?”, Economics and Philosophy , 32(3): 435–461.
• –––, 2020, “On the Origin, Content, and Relevance of the Market Failures Approach”, Journal of Business Ethics , 165(1): 113–124.
• Mulligan, T., 2018, Justice and the Meritocratic State , New York: Routledge.
• Norman, W., 2013, “Stakeholder Theory”, in H. LaFollette (ed.), International Encyclopedia of Ethics , Wiley-Blackwell [ Norman 2013 available online ].
• –––, 2015, “Rawls on Markets and Corporate Governance”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 25(1): 29–64.
• Nozick, R., 1974, Anarchy, State, and Utopia , New York: Basic Books.
• O’Neill, M. & T. Williamson, 2012, Property-Owning Democracy: Rawls and Beyond , Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
• O’Neill, O., 2001, “Agents of Justice”, Metaphilosophy , 32(1–2): 180–195.
• Orts, E.W. & A. Strudler, 2002, “The Ethical and Environmental Limits of Stakeholder Theory”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 12(2): 215–233.
• –––, 2009, “Putting a Stake in Stakeholder Theory”, Journal of Business Ethics , 88(4): 605–615.
• Orts, E.W., & N.C. Smith, 2017, The Moral Responsibility of Firms , New York: Oxford University Press.
• Paine, L.S., G.G. Brenkert, R. Weisskoff, & L.D. Kimmel, 1984, “Children as Consumers: An Ethical Evaluation of Children’s Television Advertising [with Commentaries]”, Business & Professional Ethics Journal , 3(3/4): 119–169.
• Palmer, D., & T. Hedberg, 2013, “The Ethics of Marketing to Vulnerable Populations”, Journal of Business Ethics , 116(2): 403–413.
• Pateman, C., 1970, Participation and Democratic Theory , New York: Cambridge University Press.
• Phillips, M.J., 1994, “The Inconclusive Ethical Case Against Manipulative Advertising”, Business & Professional Ethics Journal , 13(4): 31–64.
• –––, 1995, “Corporate Moral Responsibility: When it Might Matter”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 5(3): 555–576.
• Phillips, R., R.E. Freeman, & A.C. Wicks, 2003, “What Stakeholder Theory is Not”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 13(4): 479–502.
• Powell, B. & M. Zwolinski, 2012, “The Ethical and Economic Case Against Sweatshop Labor: A Critical Assessment”, Journal of Business Ethics , 107(4): 449–472.
• Rawls, J., 1971, A Theory of Justice , Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
• –––, 1993, Political Liberalism , New York: Columbia University Press.
• Robson, G., 2019, “To Profit Maximize, or Not to Profit Maximize: For Firms, This is a Valid Question”, Economics and Philosophy , 35(2): 307–320.
• Roessler, B., 2012, “Meaningful Work: Arguments from Autonomy”, Journal of Political Philosophy , 20(1): 71–93.
• Rönnegard, D., 2015, The Fallacy of Corporate Moral Agency , New York: Springer.
• Ruggie, J.G., 2004, “Reconstituting the Global Public Domain: Issues, Actors, and Practices”, European Journal of International Relations , 10(4): 499–531.
• –––, 2013, Just Business: Multinational Corporations and Human Rights , New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
• Sandel, M.J., 2012, What Money Can’ t Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets , New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• Satz, D., 2010, Why Some Things Should Not Be For Sale: The Moral Limits of Markets , New York: Oxford University Press.
• Scalet, S.P., 2003, “Fitting the People They Are Meant to Serve: Reasonable Persons in the American Legal System”, Law and Philosophy , 22(1): 75–110.
• Scharding, T.K., 2015, “Imprudence and Immorality: A Kantian Approach to the Ethics of Financial Risk”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 25(2): 243–265
• Scherer, A.G., 2015, “Can Hypernorms be Justified? Insights from a Discourse-Ethical Perspective”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 25(4): 489–516.
• Scherer, A.G. & G. Palazzo, 2011, “The New Political Role of Business in a Globalized World: A Review of a New Perspective on CSR and its Implications for the Firm, Governance, and Democracy”, Journal of Management Studies , 48(4): 899–931.
• Scholz, M., G. de los Reyes, & N.C. Smith, 2019, “The Enduring Potential of Justified Hypernorms”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 29(3): 317–342.
• Schwartz, A., 1982, “Meaningful Work”, Ethics , 92(4): 634–646.
• Schwartz, D.T., 2017, Consuming Choices , Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2nd edition.
• Sepinwall, A., 2016, “Corporate Moral Responsibility”, Philosophy Compass , 11(1): 3–13.
• –––, 2017, “Blame, Emotion, and the Corporation”, in E.W. Orts & N.C. Smith (eds.), The Moral Responsibility of Firms , New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 143–166.
• Sher, S., 2011, “A Framework for Assessing Immorally Manipulative Marketing Tactics”, Journal of Business Ethics , 102(1): 97–118.
• Silver, K., forthcoming, “Group Action Without Group Minds”, Philosophy and Phenomenological Research , first online 27 February 2021. doi:10.1111/phpr.12766
• Singer, A., 2015, “There is No Rawlsian Theory of Corporate Governance”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 25(1): 65–92.
• –––, 2019, The Form of the Firm: A Normative Political Theory of the Corporation , New York: Oxford University Press.
• Sison, A.J.G. & J. Fontrodona, 2012, “The Common Good of the Firm in the Aristotelian-Thomistic Tradition”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 22(2): 211–246.
• Smith, A. 1776 [1976], An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations , E. Cannon (ed.), Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
• Smith, J. & W. Dubbink, 2011, “Understanding the Role of Moral Principles in Business Ethics: A Kantian Perspective”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 21(2): 205–231.
• Snyder, J., 2009, “What’s the Matter with Price Gouging?”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 19(2): 275–293.
• –––, 2010, “Exploitation and Sweatshop Labor: Perspectives and Issues”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 20(2): 187–213.
• Solomon, R. C., 1993, Ethics and Excellence: Cooperation and Integrity in Business , New York: Oxford University Press.
• Stark, A., 2010. “Business in Politics: Lobbying and Corporate Campaign Contributions”, in G.G. Brenkert and T.L. Beauchamp (eds.), Oxford Handbook of Business Ethics , New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 501–532.
• Steinberg, E., 2020. “Big Data and Personalized Pricing”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 30(1): 97–117.
• Sternberg, E., 2000, Just Business: Business Ethics in Action , New York: Oxford University Press, 2nd edition.
• Stout, L.A., 2012, The Shareholder Value Myth: How Putting Shareholders First Harms Investors, Corporations, and the Public, San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
• Strudler, A., 2017, “What to Do with Corporate Wealth?”, Journal of Political Philosophy , (25)1: 108–126.
• Taylor, J.S., 2005, Stakes and Kidneys: Why Markets in Human Body Parts are Morally Imperative , Burlington, VT: Ashgate Publishing.
• Tullock, G., 1989, The Economics of Special Privilege and Rent Seeking , Boston, MA: Kluwer Academic.
• Valdman, M., 2009, “A Theory of Wrongful Exploitation”, The Philosophers’ Imprint , 9(6) (July) [ Valdman 2009 available online ].
• Varian, H.R., 1985, “Price Discrimination and Social Welfare”, American Economic Review , 75(4): 870–875.
• Velasquez, M., 1983, “Why Corporations are Not Morally Responsible for Anything They Do”, Business & Professional Ethics Journal , 2(3): 1–18.
• –––, 2003, “Debunking Corporate Moral Responsibility”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 13(04): 531–562.
• –––, 2012, Business Ethics: Concepts and Cases , New York: Pearson, 7th edition.
• Veltman, A., 2016, Meaningful Work . New York: Oxford University Press.
• Vogel, D., 2005, The Market for Virtue: The Potential and Limits of Corporate Social Responsibility , Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press.
• –––, 2010, “The Private Regulation of Global Corporate Conduct: Achievements and Limitations”, Business & Society , 49(1): 68–87.
• Warren, D.E., J.P. Gaspar, & W.S. Laufer, 2014, “Is Formal Ethics Training Merely Cosmetic? A Study of Ethics Training and Ethical Organizational Culture”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 24(1): 85–117.
• Werhane, P.H., 1985, Persons, Rights, and Corporations , Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
• Werhane, P.H., L.P. Hartman, C. Archer, E.E. Englehardt, & M.S. Pritchard, 2013, Obstacles to Ethical Decision-Making: Mental Models, Milgram and the Problem of Obedience , New York: Cambridge University Press.
• Wettstein, F., 2009, Multinational Corporations and Global Justice: Human Rights Obligations of a Quasi-Governmental Institution , Stanford, CA: Stanford Business Books.
• Wokutch, R.E., 2001, “Nike and its Critics: Beginning a Dialogue”, Organization & Environment , 14(2): 207–237.
• Yeoman, R., 2014, “Conceptualising Meaningful Work as a Fundamental Human Need”, Journal of Business Ethics 125(2): 235–251.
• Young, I.M. 2011, Responsibility for Justice , New York: Oxford University Press.
• Zhao, X., & A. Murrell, 2021, “Does a Virtuous Circle Really Exist? Revisiting the Causal Linkage between CSP and CFP”, Journal of Business Ethics , 23 February 2021. doi:10.1007/s10551-021-04769-5
• Zingales, L., & O. Hart, 2017, “Companies Should Maximize Shareholder Welfare not Market Value,” Journal of Law, Finance, and Accounting , 2(2): 247–275.
• Zwolinski, M., 2007, “Sweatshops, Choice, and Exploitation”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 17(4): 689–727.
• –––, 2008, “The Ethics of Price Gouging”, Business Ethics Quarterly , 18(3): 347–378.

How to cite this entry . Preview the PDF version of this entry at the Friends of the SEP Society . Look up topics and thinkers related to this entry at the Internet Philosophy Ontology Project (InPhO). Enhanced bibliography for this entry at PhilPapers , with links to its database.

• Marcoux, Alexei, “Business Ethics”, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2016 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = < https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2016/entries/ethics-business/ >. [This was the previous entry on business ethics in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy — see the version history .]
• A History of Business Ethics , by Richard T. De George (University of Kansas), an important early contributor to the field.
• Society for Business Ethics , the main professional society for business ethicists, especially of the normative variety.

agency: shared | corruption | discrimination | economics [normative] and economic justice | ethics: virtue | exploitation | feminist philosophy, topics: perspectives on class and work | information technology: and privacy | intentionality: collective | justice: distributive | justice: global | Kant, Immanuel: moral philosophy | loyalty | lying and deception: definition of | manipulation, ethics of | markets | moral relativism | perfectionism, in moral and political philosophy | privacy | property and ownership | Rawls, John | responsibility: collective | rights | rights: human

Acknowledgments

For helpful suggestions on this entry (and the previous version), I thank Dorothea Baur, George Brenkert, Jason Brennan, Matt Caulfield, David Dick, Anca Gheaus, Keith Hankins, Edwin Hartman, Laura Hartman, Lisa Herzog, David Jacobs, Woon Hyuk Jay Jang, Peter Jaworski, Xavier Landes, Chris MacDonald, Emilio Marti, Dominic Martin, Pierre-Yves Néron, Eric Orts, Katinka Quintelier, Sareh Pouryousefi, Amy Sepinwall, Kenneth Silver, Abraham Singer, Alejo José G. Sison, Cindy Stark, Chris Surprenant, Kevin Vallier, and Hasko von Kriegstein.

Copyright © 2021 by Jeffrey Moriarty < jmoriarty @ bentley . edu >

• Accessibility

Support SEP

Mirror sites.

View this site from another server:

• Info about mirror sites

The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy is copyright © 2023 by The Metaphysics Research Lab , Department of Philosophy, Stanford University

Library of Congress Catalog Data: ISSN 1095-5054

Business Ethics News, Curated by Chris MacDonald & Alexei Marcoux

• Business Ethics Journal Review

Essay Topics: Business Ethics & CSR

• How Instructors Can Use Business Ethics Highlights
• How Students Can Use Business Ethics Highlights
• More Essay Ideas: Business Ethics & CSR
• The Concise Encyclopedia of Business Ethics

Follow us via Email!

Email Address:

1. Can one business make a difference to a global problem? (See, for example: Fast Food and Animal Rights )

2. If there’s no contract, does a promise matter? (See, for example: Unethical Recruitment Practices of College Football Teams )

3. Is raising the minimum wage a good idea? (See, for example: Stories about minimum wage ethics )

4. Is it ethically OK to violate private property in order to reduce suffering? (See, for example: Law Forbids Secret Videos of Factory Farms )

5. Is equal pay for equal work always necessary, ethically? (See, for example: stories about equal pay and ethics )

6. Are companies ethically to blame when customers misuse their products? (See, for example: Are Companies Responsible for Misuse of Products? )

7. Is it OK to sell a product when you can’t prove that it works? (See, for example: Ethics of Commerce in Alternative Medicine )

8. Are there some things that simply should not be bought or sold? (See, for example: Does Paying for a Baby Symbolize Disrespect, or Embody it? )

9. Is child labour always wrong? (See, for example: Nestlé Sued Over Child Labour and child labour in Bolivia )

10. Whistleblowers: heroes or disloyal employees? (See, for example: Whistleblowers: Alone vs the System )

11. Is Uber a good or bad thing, overall? (See, for example: stories about Uber and ethics .)

12. Is misleading advertising unethical? (See, for example: Misleading Headlines About Misleading Advertising: “Dog” Fur Pom Poms on Hats )

13. Do ethics classes make people more ethical? (See, for example: Does Teaching Ethics Improve Ethics? )

14. Is capitalism a force for good or evil? (See, for example: Don’t blame capitalism .)

15. Why is trust important in modern economies? (See, for example: the Value of Trust .)

Need more ideas? Check out “More Essay Ideas: Ethics and CSR”

Share this:

• December 2020
• November 2020
• October 2020
• February 2020
• November 2019
• October 2019
• September 2019
• August 2019
• February 2019
• January 2019
• December 2018
• November 2018
• October 2018
• September 2018
• August 2018
• February 2018
• January 2018
• December 2017
• November 2017
• October 2017
• September 2017
• August 2017
• February 2017
• January 2017
• December 2016
• November 2016
• October 2016
• September 2016
• August 2016
• February 2016
• January 2016
• December 2015
• November 2015
• October 2015
• September 2015
• August 2015

Business Ethics Highlights is curated by the editors of:

Business Ethics Highlights is published by:

Recent Comments

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

• Search Search Please fill out this field.

What Is Business Ethics?

Understanding business ethics, why is business ethics important, types of business ethics.

• Implementing Good Business Ethics
• Monitoring and Reporting

The Bottom Line

What is business ethics definition, principles, and importance.

Yarilet Perez is an experienced multimedia journalist and fact-checker with a Master of Science in Journalism. She has worked in multiple cities covering breaking news, politics, education, and more. Her expertise is in personal finance and investing, and real estate.

Business ethics is the moral principles, policies, and values that govern the way companies and individuals engage in business activity. It goes beyond legal requirements to establish a code of conduct that drives employee behavior at all levels and helps build trust between a business and its customers.

Key Takeaways

• Business ethics refers to implementing appropriate business policies and practices with regard to arguably controversial subjects.
• Some issues that come up in a discussion of ethics include corporate governance, insider trading, bribery, discrimination, social responsibility, and fiduciary responsibilities.
• The law usually sets the tone for business ethics, though doing the bare minimum is generally frowned upon.
• Developing ethical models and practices can boost a company's revenues, profits, and share price.

Investopedia / Katie Kerpel

Business ethics ensure that a certain basic level of trust exists between consumers and various forms of market participants with businesses. For example, a portfolio manager must give the same consideration to the portfolios of family members and small individual investors as they do to wealthier clients. These kinds of practices ensure the public receives fair treatment.

The concept of business ethics began in the 1960s as corporations became more aware of a rising consumer-based society that showed concerns regarding the environment, social causes, and corporate responsibility. The increased focus on "social issues" was a hallmark of the decade.

Since that time, the concept of business ethics has evolved. Business ethics goes beyond just a moral code of right and wrong; it attempts to reconcile what companies must do legally vs. maintaining a competitive advantage over other businesses. Firms display business ethics in several ways.

Business ethics ensure a certain level of trust between consumers and corporations, guaranteeing the public fair and equal treatment.

Principles of Business Ethics

There are generally 12 business ethics principles:

• Leadership : The conscious effort to adopt, integrate, and emulate the other 11 principles to guide decisions and behavior in all aspects of professional and personal life.
• Accountability : Holding yourself and others responsible for their actions. Commitment to following ethical practices and ensuring others follow ethics guidelines.
• Integrity : Incorporates other principles—honesty, trustworthiness, and reliability. Someone with integrity consistently does the right thing and strives to hold themselves to a higher standard.
• Respect for others : To foster ethical behavior and environments in the workplace, respecting others is a critical component. Everyone deserves dignity, privacy, equality, opportunity, compassion, and empathy.
• Honesty : Truth in all matters is key to fostering an ethical climate. Partial truths, omissions, and under or overstating don't help a business improve its performance. Bad news should be communicated and received in the same manner as good news so that solutions can be developed.
• Respect for laws : Ethical leadership should include enforcing all local, state, and federal laws. If there is a legal grey area, leaders should err on the side of legality rather than exploiting a gap.
• Responsibility : Promote ownership within an organization, allow employees to be responsible for their work, and be accountable for yours.
• Transparency : Stakeholders are people with an interest in a business, such as shareholders, employees, the community a firm operates in, and the family members of the employees. Without divulging trade secrets, companies should ensure information about their financials, price changes, hiring and firing practices, wages and salaries, and promotions are available to those interested in the business's success.
• Compassion : Employees, the community surrounding a business, business partners, and customers should all be treated with concern for their well-being.
• Fairness : Everyone should have the same opportunities and be treated the same. If a practice or behavior would make you feel uncomfortable or place personal or corporate benefit in front of equality, common courtesy, and respect, it is likely not fair.
• Loyalty : Leadership should demonstrate commitment to their employees and the company. Inspiring loyalty in employees and management ensures that they are committed to best practices.
• Environmental concern : In a world where resources are limited, ecosystems have been damaged by past practices, and the climate is changing, it is of utmost importance to be aware of and concerned about the environmental impacts a business has. All employees should be encouraged to discover and report solutions for practices that can add to damages already done.

There are several reasons business ethics are essential for success in modern business. Most importantly, defined ethics programs establish a code of conduct that drives employee behavior—from executives to middle management to the newest and youngest employees.

When all employees make ethical decisions, the company establishes a reputation for ethical behavior. Its reputation grows, and it begins to experience the benefits a moral establishment reaps, such as:

• Brand recognition and growth
• Increased ability to negotiate
• Increased trust in products and services
• Customer retention and growth
• Attracting talent
• Attracting investors

When combined, all these factors affect a business' revenues. Those who fail to set ethical standards and enforce them are doomed to eventually find themselves alongside Enron, Arthur Andersen, Wells Fargo, Lehman Brothers, Bernie Madoff, and many others.

There are various types of business ethics. What mainly makes a business stand out are its corporate social responsibility practices, transparency and trustworthiness, fairness, and technological practices.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the concept of meeting the needs of stakeholders while accounting for the impact meeting those needs has on employees, the environment, society, and the community in which the business operates. Finances and profits are important, but they should be secondary to the welfare of society, customers, and employees. In fact, studies have concluded that corporate governance and ethical practices increase financial performance.

A greater focus on business ethics is an expense that tends to pay off. Over time, it boosts revenues and limits damaging lawsuits.

Transparency and Trustworthiness

It's essential for companies to ensure they are reporting their financial performance in a way that is transparent. This not only applies to required financial reports but all reports in general.

Most of these reports outline not only the submitted reports to regulators, but how and why decisions were made, if goals were met, and factors that influenced performance. CEOs write summaries of the company's annual performance and give their outlooks.

Press releases are another way companies can be transparent. Events important to investors and customers should be published, regardless of whether it is good or bad news.

Technological Practices and Ethics

The growing use of technology of all forms in business operations inherently comes with a need to ensure the technology and information being gathered is used ethically. Additionally, it should ensure that the technology is secured to the utmost of its ability, especially as many businesses store customer information and collect data that those with nefarious intentions can use.

A workplace should be inclusive, diverse, and fair for all employees regardless of race, religion, beliefs, age, or identity. A fair work environment is where everyone can grow, be promoted, and become successful in their own way.

How to Implement Good Business Ethics

Fostering an environment of ethical behavior and decision-making takes time and effort and starts at the top. Most companies need to create a code of conduct/ethics, guiding principles, reporting procedures, and training programs to enforce and encourage ethical behavior.

Once conduct is defined and programs are implemented, continuous communication with employees becomes vital. Leaders should constantly encourage employees to report concerning behavior. Additionally, there should be assurances that whistle-blowers will not face adversarial actions.

A pipeline for anonymous reporting can help businesses identify questionable practices and reassure employees that they will not face any consequences for reporting an issue.

Monitoring and Reporting Unethical Behavior

To prevent unethical behavior and repair its adverse side effects, companies often look to managers and employees to report any unethical acts they observe or experience. However, barriers within the company culture (such as fear of retaliation for reporting misconduct) can prevent this from happening.

Published by the Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI), the annual Global Business Ethics Survey reaches out to thousands of employees in 42 countries about various ethics-related topics, including the strength of the ethics culture in their workplace, whether they have witnessed any misconduct where they work, and if their employer is making efforts to promote integrity.

In the 2023 survey, published in May 2024, 65% of the employees surveyed said they had observed at least one act deemed to be a violation of their organization’s standards or the law in the past 12 months and 72% of them said they had reported it. Worryingly, 46% of these employees then went on to admit that they had been retaliated against for raising concerns.

Indeed, fear of retaliation is one of the primary reasons employees cite for not reporting unethical behavior in the workplace. ECI says companies should work toward improving their corporate culture by reinforcing the idea that reporting suspected misconduct is beneficial to the company. Additionally, they should acknowledge and reward the employee's courage in making the report.

Business ethics concerns ethical dilemmas or controversial issues faced by a company. Often, business ethics involve a system of practices and procedures that help build trust with the consumer. On one level, some business ethics are embedded in the law, such as minimum wages, insider trading restrictions, and environmental regulations. On another, business ethics can be influenced by management behavior, with wide-ranging effects across the company.

What Are Business Ethics and Example?

Business ethics guide executives, managers, and employees in their daily actions and decision-making. For example, consider a company that has decided to dump chemical waste that it cannot afford to dispose of properly on a vacant lot it has purchased in the local community. This action has legal, environmental, and social repercussions that can damage a company beyond repair.

What Are the 12 Ethical Principles?

Business ethics is an evolving topic. Generally, there are about 12 ethical principles: honesty, fairness, leadership, accountability, integrity, compassion, respect, responsibility, loyalty, respect for the law, transparency, and environmental concerns.

Business ethics concerns employees, customers, society, the environment, shareholders, and stakeholders. Therefore, every business should develop ethical models and practices that guide employees in their actions and ensure they prioritize the interests and welfare of those the company serves.

Doing so creates a positive work environment and builds trust with consumers and business partners, which can all contribute to higher revenues and profits.

Ethics & Compliance Initiative. " Timeline of Business Ethics and Compliance ."

New York University Stern Center for Sustainable Business. " ESG and Financial Performance: Uncovering the Relationship By Aggregating Evidence From 1,000 Plus Studies Published Between 2015 – 2020 ."

Washington State University. " 3 Reasons an Ethical Business Leads to Profits ."

Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI). " The Global Business Ethics Survey ."

• Terms of Service
• Editorial Policy
• Privacy Policy

24/7 writing help on your phone

To install StudyMoose App tap and then “Add to Home Screen”

Business Ethics - Free Essay Examples and Topic Ideas

Business ethics comprises moral principles and standards that guide behavior of people associated with the business. Whether a specific behavior is right or wrong, ethical or unethical is often determined by the public as embodied in the mass media, interest groups and business organizations as well as through individuals, personal morals and values.

• 📘 Free essay examples for your ideas about Business Ethics
• 🏆 Best Essay Topics on Business Ethics
• ⚡ Simple & Business Ethics Easy Topics
• 🎓 Good Research Topics about Business Ethics
• 📖 Essay guide on Business Ethics
• ❓ Questions and Answers

Essay examples

Essay topic.

Save to my list

Remove from my list

• The Relevancy of Ethics for Business Decision
• Business Ethics Across Cultures
• Importance of Business Ethics in Managerial Accounting
• Need of risk management
• Code of Business Ethics
• An Introduction To Business Ethics Management
• Privacy and business ethics
• Businessman’s Myth About Business Ethics
• The Ethics of Business
• Ethical Values in Business
• Business Ethics and Ethical Issues
• Business Ethics and The Workplace
• Business ethics
• Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases
• Business Ethics and Profitability
• History of Business Ethics
• Business Law and Corporate Ethics
• Why it is important that people study business ethic?
• Literature Review on Business Ethics
• Meaning of Business Ethics
• Business Ethics Tyco International
• The Relationship Between Business Ethics and Customer Relations
• Evaluation of a business code of ethics
• Child Care Center Business Ethics Manual
• The Importance of Solid Waste Management Policies in the Modern World
• Business laws and business ethics
• Evaluating a Business Code of Ethics
• Importance of Business Ethics vs. Social Responsibility
• Proposal For Survey on Business Ethics
• Johnson and Johnson Business Ethics
• Thoughts On Paul Camenisch Business Ethics Essay
• Business Ethics in Big Corporations
• Bric: Culture, Values, and Business Ethics
• A Reflection of Business Ethics in Class
• Is Business Ethics an Oxymoron? Compare And Contrast Codes Of Ethics

Methodology

The purpose of the outcomes often was to find out relation between CSR and Business Ethics pertaining to Ethical trading. An in-depth examination of principles and a narrative review was conducted to summarise different primary studies from which conclusions were drawn into a holistic interpretation contributed by existing theories and models on CSR and ethics in business practice. The focuses was thus on a central element which was taken under consideration from different point of views and sought to discover needed approaches, to CSR application in business, providing a range of different inputs. This is a type of explorative study approach to corporate social responsibility and ethics in Business trading.

Business Ethics — Its Significance in Management

The success of any company was also measured by its involvement in societal issues and tangible and measurable outcomes should be in place relating to the economic worth of a company. CSR reflects the social necessities and social consequences of business achievement. Carroll and Buchholtz20state that CSR incorporates the economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic expectations placed on organizations by society. CSR is thus, increasingly viewed as a vital strategic tool for corporations and smaller enterprises. Within this context, stakeholders of businesses progressively want to know more about what such entities are doing in the area of CSR and how they are morally driven to operate and they thus seek

Business ethics comprises moral principles and standards that guide behavior of people associated with the business. Whether a specific behavior is right or wrong, ethical or unethical is often determined by the public as embodied in the mass media, interest groups and business organizations as well as through individuals, personal morals and values. Thus, ethics in business is directly related to social values, norms and global business trends and is negatively related to corruption in society. In this research, evidence of social discontent with business conduct is sought through a review of significant business issues reported publicly as unethical practice. A society, which deprives its most productive citizens of resources despite their proven integrity in the use of such resources, is likely to perpetuate poverty as well as underdevelopment and will in the process erode the foundations of a democratic society. Business environment reveals that unethical business conduct has risen to the point where trust in our businesses and institutions, as well as the very systems that make our society work, are in a position of significant risk. One could make the case that at no time during the last 20 or 30 years have business ethics been of such paramount importance to the well-being of our business and government entities and our way of life in this country.

Ethical trade is about the purchasing practices of your business — and the steps you take to ensure that you and your supplier companies respect workers’ rights.

The term ethical trading often implies socially responsible sourcing, which focuses on:

• worker welfare
• agricultural practice
• natural resource conservation
• sustainability

Ethical Trade and Suppliers

Choosing your suppliers carefully can be an important part of your approach to CSR. For example, you might try to use local suppliers as much as possible. This helps you to support your local community and reduces the environmental impact of your sourcing, logistics and distribution practices.

When choosing suppliers, you should also examine their:

• employment practices
• health and safety procedures
• environmental policies

Customers are increasingly concerned about the wider impact of supply chains, for example on the local workforce and environment. Being associated with businesses that abuse the rights of their workers or their local environment can significantly harm your reputation. Larger organisations often audit their suppliers to ensure that they follow responsible working practices. You could do something similar — simply asking them about their attitudes to CSR might be revealing.

You should also treat your supplier’s fairly, particularly smaller businesses that rely on you. For example, on-time payments can make a big difference to them.

Ethical Trade and Customers

Your customers will want to know that you don’t exploit the people who make and sell your products. To reassure them, you could:

• Create brochures in plain English and frankly disclose any ’small print’ limitations.
• Be open and honest about your products and services. Tell customers what they want to know, including what steps you take to be socially responsible.
• If something goes wrong, acknowledge the problem and deal with it.

In return, you can expect customers to reward you with their loyalty. Listening to your consumers can also help you improve the products and services you offer them.

Common Types of Business Ethics and Values

Below listed are some of the common important types of ethics in business. It is clear that ethical business behavior is not the panacea for all problems, and leads one hundred percent to the growth and prosperity, but when following unethical behavior it can cause problems to a company, both internally and externally. Impact of ethics on business directly reflects into earnings and profits of the company or an organization.

• Solidarity.

That an organization must take responsibility for their actions is not new. In developed countries, there is legislation detailed in civil, criminal, labour, administrative, commercial, which specifies responsibilities of individuals and corporations. In developed countries, there are also sufficiently reliable court systems seeking to impose legal responsibilities when necessary. What is new is the social conscience of corporate responsibilities that should be effective even when the law fails to impose it. For example, when concerning acts performed outside the borders of the country of nationality of the corporation, when no law protects the affected property or when the procedure of judicial service is so slow it is useless. In these cases, and many bulls, external and internal agents pressure directly to the organization, to extend their responsive actions, to the margin of whether they have or not a legal obligation to do so. These pressures, which in anyway imply recognition of the powerless state against the organizations, can lead, when they accumulate, which we can call moral bankruptcy of these same organizations. At one point, an organization that has neglected their responsibilities can be found before a bankruptcy of this kind, which leads to an accounting bankruptcy and ending by eroding the confidence of consumers, governments, and financial markets. Organizations with a strong ethical culture are characterized by anticipating these demands assuming their responsibilities until they are raised as complaints, or before the damage is done. This is what we can call a proactive attitude, to distinguish it.

FAQ about Business Ethics

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

• Family Research Topics Topics: 625
• Evolution Essay Topics Topics: 209
• Nursing Topics Topics: 633
• Health Paper Topics Topics: 596
• Healthcare Paper Topics Topics: 623
• Hypertension Essay Topics Topics: 155
• Alibaba Topics Topics: 60
• Heart Attack Topics Topics: 54
• Dorothea Orem’s Theory Research Topics Topics: 85
• Asthma Topics Topics: 155
• Hepatitis Essay Topics Topics: 57
• Growth Strategy Paper Topics Topics: 54
• Competitive Strategy Research Topics Topics: 55
• BMW Paper Topics Topics: 51
• Dell Topics Topics: 76

617 Ethics Essay Topics & Examples

If you’re searching for engaging ethics essay topics for your assignments, StudyCorgi is here to help you. On this page, you’ll find plenty of medical, engineering, and business ethics research paper topics and questions for your presentation, research proposal, or essay. Read on to get inspired!

⚖️ TOP 7 Ethics Project Topics

🏆 best essay topics on ethics, 👍 good ethics research topics & essay examples, 🌶️ hot ethical topics for essays, 🎓 most interesting ethics essay examples, 💡 simple ethical essay topics, 🗣️ ethics paper topics for speech, ⭐ ethics presentation topics, 🔎 ethics research paper topics, 📌 easy ethics essay topics, ✍️ ethical topics to write about, 📝 trending ethics topics for research paper, 📍 ethical paper topics for debate, ❓ ethical research questions.

• Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
• Ethics and Morality: Similarities and Differences
• Ethical Problems in Amazon
• Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs
• Ethics in Information and Communications Technology
• Workplace Ethics and the Code of Conduct
• The Importance of Ethics in Personal and Professional Life
• Teleological Ethics Examples in Business This paper discusses three forms of teleological ethics, namely utilitarianism, ethical egoism and virtue ethics, and how they can be applied to business situations.
• Lego Company’s Core Values and Ethical Dilemmas The main ethical dilemma that is a challenge for the Lego company is the fact that its products do not biodegrade rapidly, which has a negative environmental impact.
• Gordon Graham’s “Eight Theories of Ethics” This paper summarizes Chapter 9 of Graham’s book “Eight theories of Ethics”, which examines the religious perspectives, knowledge of good and evil, and the purpose of life.
• The Lifeboat Case as an Ethical Dilemma The Lifeboat case describes an incident where four sailors were stranded in the middle of the Atlantic. This case provides an ethical dilemma that must be examined in detail.
• Medical Law, Ethics and Professional Practice This article discusses ethical, legal, and professional considerations based on a briefcase study of a 67-year-old man with colorectal cancer awaiting surgery.
• “My Sister’s Keeper” Ethics Essay The paper outlines the plot and themes of the “My Sister’s Keeper” film and explores the key ethical issue presented in it from the standpoint of 10 different ethical theories.
• Kant’s Deontological Ethics in a Real-Life Example According to the principles of Kant’s deontological ethics, for actions to be morally acceptable, they need to be caused by motivations that do not contradict the moral standards.
• Barriers to Ethical Managerial Decision-Making This essay describes the hurdles like social and cultural system, whistle blowing, corruption, groupthink, that are being faced by the managers while making ethical-managerial decisions.
• Instagram: Ethical and Legal Issues in The Content Production and Distribution Instagram’s moderators rule the process by deciding which images and videos have a right to be publicly seen, and it is unfair in terms of equity.
• Ethical Vignette Assignment: The Case of Helpful Receptionist The case of a helpful receptionist addresses the question of whether privacy was violated when a receptionist revealed to a husband that his wife came to the counselor.
• Is Animal Testing Ethical: Essay Example This paper will explore the issue of experimentation on animals and a conclusion will be arrived at in the concluding part of the paper.
• Body Modifications: Reasons, Consequences, Ethical Issues This paper describes possible reasons why people decide to transform their bodies, the consequences of such changes, as well as underlying ethical and other issues that affect this problem.
• Ethical Issues in Liebeck vs. McDonald’s Case This essay discusses the ethical issues regarding negligence and product liability that make the Ms. Liebeck vs. McDonald’s case a serious legal claim.
• Gay Marriage and Ethical Theories Despite being supported by some ethical theories, gay marriages are not good for the marriage institution and should not be supported.
• Walmart Company’s Ethical Issues Health care policy in Wal Mart is an ethical issue because it has been experiencing challenges in this sector.
• Deontological Ethics of Christianity Deontology is derived from two Greek words, “Deon”, and “logos”. It is an ethical term that applies the laid down rules to determine whether a thing is right or wrong.
• Marks & Spencer Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility This paper discusses the corporate social responsibilities as adopted at Marks and Spence; the order will focus on two main strategic issues as far as CSR is concerned
• Apple Company’s Business Ethics This paper reviews Apple Corporation with regard to the way it handles its ethics and social responsibilities. It also looks at the role of suppliers and their effects on Apple Corporation.
• Ethical Theories in a Work Environment This paper examines a scenario of unethical acts using the theory of act utilitarianism, deontological ethics, virtue ethics, and social contract.
• For and Against Euthanasia: An Ethical Perspective The current essay discusses the argument for and against euthanasia from an ethical point of view; this medical practice is immensely contradictory.
• Nestlé Animal Testing and Business Ethics Business organizations should embrace the best ethical practices. The essay gives a detailed analysis of the ethical issues arising from Nestle’s animal testing practices.
• Steve Jobs and Ethical Philosophical Explanations Several philosophical theories have been created to explain the whole concept of ethics. This paper discusses some of these models and how they reflected on Steve Job’s life.
• Chernobyl Disaster and Engineering Ethics The disaster of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was the largest nuclear power accident in world history. This paper examines ethical Issues in its engineering.
• Ethical and Legal Considerations in Psychological Assessment Psychological assessment of people in the workplace allows employers to increase productivity and income. Personality testing helps employees choose a career path.
• Wiki Entry: Ethics and Social Media This paper discusses applying ethics in social media and aims to explain why there is a need for people to apply ethical principles and ideas.
• Ethical Egoist and Social Contract Ethicist: On Abortion An ethical egoist would support abortion because it allows the woman to decide based on self-interest as they dim best.
• The Five R’s Approach to Ethical Nursing Practice Personal and professional values influence the choices in life and nursing practice because principles are correlated with beliefs and knowledge.
• Warren Buffet and Bernie Madoff Ethics Case Analysis The major aspect of financial relationships is trust, yet Madoff’s case demonstrates that even an investor with a solid reputation can deceive their clients and betray their faith.
• Aristotle Theory About Euthanasia – Ethics The paper explains the virtue theory from an Aristotelian perspective and demonstrates how virtuous doctors can use the theory to judge euthanasia patients.
• Thalidomide and Its History as an Ethical Issue Not only did thalidomide change the life of people, but it enforced strict regulations for approving new drugs that have remained in effect today.
• Ethics, Metaphysics, and Epistemology in Philosophy Philosophy is the knowledge and understanding of the primary causes and beginnings of all things. It aims to create a picture of the world by rational means of mental activity.
• Apple Inc.: The Ethical Dilemmas Unfortunately, Apple falls short of effective ethical principles since there are some areas that need immediate attention.
• Bart’s “Ethics: The Key To Organizational Culture” Bart’s recommendation on ethics is that leadership in every organization has to define its organizational orientation that details acceptable and unacceptable behavior terms.
• How Can Business Ethics Be Improved?
• What Is the Importance of Ethics in the Law Enforcement Organization?
• Can Having Nuclear Weapons Be Ethical in a Global Community?
• How Does Artificial Intelligence Relate to Ethics?
• What Is Aristotle’s Concept of Ethics?
• Are Classical Ethical Theories Still Relevant Today in the Works of Locke and Hume?
• Why Is It Important for Police Officers to Have Ethics?
• How Can Law and Ethics Conflict?
• Does the Ethical Leadership of Supervisors Generate Internal Social Capital?
• Are You Free and Responsible for Your Ethical Actions?
• What Are the Two Most Important Principles in AI Ethics?
• Is There a Relationship Between Justice Ethics and Morality?
• What Is the Relationship Between Law and Ethics in Healthcare?
• Can Business Ethics Exist in Today’s Business?
• Who Created the 4 Principles of Biomedical Ethics?
• Are Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia Ethical?
• Can Ethical Business Strategy Influence Consumers’ Buying Behavior and Loyalty?
• Why Is Business Ethics Important in Decision Making?
• Is a Code of Ethics Important in the Profession?
• How Will You Apply Ethics in Your Daily Life?
• Can Ethical Leadership Improve Employees’ Well-Being at Work?
• Are Socially Responsible Managers Really Ethical?
• Why Is the Ethics of Care Branded as a Feminine Morality?
• Can Scientific Progress Destroy the Moral and Ethical Fiber of Society?
• Does Artificial Human Cloning Challenge Ethical Boundaries?
• Nursing Ethics in “Invisible Patients” Documentary Invisible Patients is a documentary that describes the work of a nurse practitioner who helps the most vulnerable patients to live and struggle with their illnesses.
• Business Ethics and Dilemmas in the Film ‘Michael Clayton’ The movie “Michael Clayton” addresses a wide range of ethical issues faced by corporations and advocates. One of the ethical issues addressed entails the impacts of capitalism on morality.
• Ethics, Truth, and Reason in Eight Theories of Ethics by Graham The concept of morality has always been considered subjective, as there are no specific rules regarding truth or falsehood in ethical considerations.
• Ethics of Hacking and Cracking Hacking is a technical term that refers to an attempt to successfully gain unauthorized access to a computer website.
• Nike’s Example of Business Ethics Good and admirable business ethics should be observed in every business, some businesses have been fined for not following their intended business ethics.
• Ethical Decision-Making Process Three frameworks have been developed to guide people whenever engaging in the ethical decision-making processes.
• Samsung and Child Labor: Business Ethics Case To make sure that no factory exploits child labor, Samsung claims to have compelled all the factories to install a hi-tech facial detection device.
• Ethical Considerations of Coca-Cola Company The paper discusses why Coca-Cola has had multiple ethical problems over the last decade and what the company can do to recover its reputation.
• School Uniform and Ethical Issues This paper discusses one of the ethical issues that are particularly relevant to young people all around the world today is the presence of uniforms in schools.
• Ethical and Legal Challenges at Activision Blizzard The paper analyzes Activision Blizzard. It is a notable video game company that has encountered ethical and legal challenges that undermine its reputation.
• Ethical and Legal Issues of Cyberbullying This essay aims to study ethical and legal issues of cyberbullying and analyze articles devoted to the problem of the activity of criminals on the Internet.
• Applying Ethical Principles in Healthcare Modern medical field requires new, high-quality ways of treating patients, considering the objective moral code.practice and help them in ethical decision-making process.
• Ethics. “The Responsible Administrator” by Cooper The paper focuses on the integration of the four components of responsible conduct to fully integrate and implement both the internal and the external controls.
• Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work Practice The society being the centerpiece of a civilization must have its own regulations and standards that create order and stability, governed by morals and obligations.
• Ethical Behavior: Human Strengths and Weaknesses Good people could do mischievous things for several reasons. For instance, when in dilemma and a person in authority asks them to do otherwise.
• Cicero’s Views on Citizenship and Ethics Cicero argued that political action is the only way of putting virtue to use. However, if politics was devoid of virtue, people could not engage in analysis of the world.
• Aristotle and Virtue Ethics Aristotle holds that virtues originate from actions that human beings perform because one can either be a good or bad person based on actions.
• Examples of Ethical and Unethical Leadership in History One of the most relevant areas in modern social sciences has become theoretical and practical research into the phenomenon of leadership.
• “Stanford Prison Experiment Ethics” by Philip Zimbardo The primary purpose of Zimbardo’s work was to explore how quickly individuals would identify with corrections officers and prisoner roles during the prison simulation.
• The Poverty as an Ethical Issue Looking at poverty as an ethical issue, we have to consider the fact that there are people who control resource distribution, which then leads to wealth or poverty in a community.
• Comparison of Three Codes of Ethics The process of designing the professional codes of ethics is being increasing affected by a number of clearly pragmatist considerations, on the part of those entrusted with the task.
• Wirecard Ethical Case: Summary and Analysis The Wirecard ethical case involved the arrest of the company’s former CEO, who embezzled more than two billion dollars from the German company.
• Martha Stewart: The Ethical and Legal Challenges With Respect to ImClone Shares The case of Martha Stewart heated different talks about corporate ethics and ethical decisions made by a CEO and his/her responsibility before stockholders.
• Online Counseling: Ethical and Legal Issues This paper discusses the ethical and legal issues associated with online or technology-assisted counseling and advises how to address the issues of online counseling.
• The Boeing-737 Ethical Problems and Solutions The key focus of the given paper will be the Boeing – 737 MAX-8 Jet death crashes. Shortcomings in the company’s internal policies and lessons learned are illustrated.
• Ethical Frameworks and Their Main Categories The most important ethical frameworks, together with the philosophers who have contributed to their development, will be the subject of discussion in this paper.
• Ethical Relativism Regarding Queer (LGBTQ+) Community Ethical relativism does not always support tolerance toward minorities, such as the LGBTQ+ community, since it depends on the either personal or societal approach.
• Police Professionalism and Ethics of Policing Accountability must persist given the discriminatory patterns among officers, who should be allowed room to improve as long as their good faith can be observed.
• Ethical Theories for Decision-Making There are several ethical theories that provide guidelines that should be followed in the process of decision-making, such as utilitarianism, casuist, right, and deontology.
• Honda Company’s Defective Airbags and Ethical Issues In 2015, Honda Company was fined for failing to respond to safety issues that affected its cars, which were fitted with defective airbags.
• The Trolley Problem and Ethical Theories Moral dilemmas and questions are something that individuals face daily. In cases with a clear answer, most people will follow their code of ethics without giving it much thought.
• BCBA Interview: Ethical Dilemmas and Cultural Challenges Identifying one’s biases towards other cultures and receiving training about handling a diverse client base may assist an ABA expert in becoming more culturally competent.
• Ethical and Policy Factors in Care Coordination This paper explores ethics in practicing health care in nursing homes and policy issues that affect care coordination in these facilities.
• Computer Ethics and Data Protection The article provides a definition of computer ethics, as well as evaluates its importance for protecting data from malicious acts.
• Ethical Analysis of the Bakun Dam Project The ethical analysis of the Bakun Dam Project, which began to mitigate the rising electricity demand, measures its advantages against disadvantages.
• Hospitality Industry: The Role of Ethics Ethics and ethical behavior are important in the hospitality industry. The industry involves interactions of people from different backgrounds and varied intentions.
• Ethics vs. The Law: Main Conflicts Ethics is a philosophical branch that defines what is right and what is wrong concerning the actions of people, as well as the decisions they make.
• Computer Ethics and Privacy Computer ethics involves ways upon which ethical traditions as well as customs are tested. Computers brought about enhanced power of communication together with data manipulation.
• Human Trafficking and Ethical Behavior Breaches Ethical theories such as deontology and utilitarianism guide human beings to condone specific actions such as human trafficking because they are unacceptable.
• Philosopher Values & Ethics Template Adam Smith believed in the responsibility of each person to contribute to society, which could be achieved through the universal education of as many people as possible.
• Deontological Ethics and Principles for Parenting Deontology is an ethical science based on the teaching of moral issues. The focus of deontological ethics is on duties and obligations to be followed.
• Personal Ethical Dilemma: Adidas Case Study Business ethics considers ethical and moral principles in the context of the business environment and governs the actions and behavior of individuals in an organization.
• Ethics in Nursing Overview and Analysis Nursing ethics are truly essential in making the right, responsible and literate decisions, and professional development.
• Grimshaw vs. Ford Motor Company: Ethical Analysis Grimshaw’s case is an eye-opener to all the manufacturers who want to disregard their ethical responsibilities as regards defects in the design of their product.
• Theories of Ethics: Consequentialism and Ethical Relativism The ethical relativism and consequentialism schools of thought highlight the basis upon which decisions can be made when face with ethical dilemmas that require moral solutions.
• Kant’s Deontological Ethical Theory Immanuel Kant’ deontological ethics perceives morality as an inherent attribute of an action, which contrasts with teleological ethics that perceivethe morality from the consequences of actions.
• Ethical, Political and Social Issues in Business in “The Corporation” Movie “The Corporation” is a documentary film released in 2003 that raises the public’s attention to significant problems in the corporate sphere.
• Sears Auto Centers Case on Ethical Issues This paper aims to discuss the Sears Auto Case, define the ethical issues, and recommend changes to be made to regain customer trust.
• The Importance of Medical Ethics Medical ethics are important because they allow them to choose their preferred treatment methods and guarantee their privacy and safety during treatment.
• Bidco Oil Refinery Ltd.’s Performance and Ethics The paper analyzes Bidco Oil Refinery Limited, its mission and vision, financial performance, potential acquisition, employees’ motivation, and ethical behavior.
• Political, Legal, and Ethical Issues in Business Businesses, politics, legality, and ethics are interconnected phenomena. The existing political, legal, and ethical issues impact companies’ business operations differently.
• The Amazon Company’s Ethics in Advertising This paper discusses Amazon’s approach to customer data collection, the lack of transparency in data management, and the controversies surrounding Amazon’s use of monetization.
• Similarities and Differences Between HIPAA, APA, and Ethics There are various similarities and differences between the HIPAA privacy rule, the codes of ethics of APA, and personal ethics, as illustrated in the paper.
• Ethical Responsibilities of Scientists Undoubtedly, scientists are responsible for their inventions, and they should understand that their achievements may be both beneficial and harmful to humanity.
• Ethical Lens Inventory: Personal Ethical Principles and Values Eligion probably instilled in me the tendency to overemphasize right and wrong and this may have made me too over-reliant on such an ethical system.
• Ethics and Globalization in Business A business will only manage to keep up its reputation if it recognizes the established business ethics in its environment. Every firm must follow to the letter the code of conduct.
• McDonald’s Company: Business Ethics Case McDonald’s provides exhaustive information about the amount of nutrients in every product. The company washes its hands of any accusations in failing to perform its obligations to customers.
• History of Assessment and Ethical Issues – Psychology Personality assessment involves the study of the characteristics which constitute the social, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive functioning.
• The Effect of Business Ethics on the Customer Service Sector The prevalence of globalization and the evolution of technology have altered the business environment, mandating the efficient utilization of resources.
• Ethical Issues Affecting Factory Farming The paper discusses factory farming. It is the large-scale production of animals and their produce through industrialization and profit orientation.
• Journalistic Ethics in the Digital Age Journalism ethics is gaining importance in the new media environment, which is characterized by the absence of national borders.
• Ethical Issues in the Criminal Justice System Criminal justice practitioners and organizations face various ethical issues in the contemporary world, for example, excessive force.
• Ethical Issues Involved in Software Project Management Ethical issues in IT have been found to greatly differ from ethics in other areas. Ethical issues in IT are mostly characterized by little.
• Human Trafficking: Ethical Issues Human trafficking is mainly regarded as a crime when deontological perspective or social contract and utilitarian theories are applied.
• Virtue Ethics and Education: Can We Teach Character? The ethics of virtue today is one of the three main approaches. It can be characterized as an approach that attaches particular importance to virtues and moral character.
• Courage vs. Recklessness: Morality and Ethics This paper addresses the commonalities and opposite features of courage and recklessness, analyzing them in the context of morality and ethics.
• Netflix: The Ethical Standards Netflix is ​​ideally suited to the requirements of modern society, meeting moral and ethical expectations. One of the main advantages is maintaining an impeccable reputation.
• An Ethical Dilemma of a Pregnant 16-Year-Old Girl The current ethical dilemma concerns a pregnant sixteen-year-old girl who is hesitant to tell her parents about her condition.
• The “Lifeboat Ethics” Article by Garret Hardin Hardin’s article “Lifeboat Ethics” involves several exciting ideas, including resource distribution, the issue of overpopulation in poor states, and the problem of starvation.
• Ethics of Removal of Children From Their Home This paper investigates the causes behind the ethical issue of removing children from their homes and ongoing protocols.
• Examples of Legal and Ethical Conduct Legal behavior refers to actions and decisions that conform to the general laws or regulations prescribed by the government.
• Medication Errors: Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing The nursing profession should underscore the impact of medication errors and train all stakeholders as a means of eliminating the frailty.
• Business Ethics Concerns: State Farm Insurance Company The purpose of this research paper will be to discuss an ethical issues and how they affect business relations.
• Ethical and Legal Issues in Healthcare Services The article is an analysis of a number of situations that a patient may face and contains a detailed analysis of each of them from a legal and ethical point of view.
• Business Ethics: Abercrombie & Fitch Company Case Abercrombie & Fitch strived to maintain the image of the white American authenticity. This forced the company to employ most whites in positions of the public service and influence.
• Ethics in the Modern Society Ethics was never exhaustively defined, the philosophers in all the times tried to give a clear definition to this concept and no one managed to give the universal wording.
• Aristotle’s Teleological Understanding of Ethics as Virtue in Modern Society The described reasoning concerning Aristotle’s teleological understanding of ethics can be seen as a sensible platform for decision-making in the modern context.
• Issues of Biomedical Ethics in the Christian Narrative and Christian Vision The given case study describes rather a controversial situation, in which Christian vision comes into conflict with common sense, ethics, and medical science.
• Data Security Enhancement and Business Ethics Data security is one of the key points of business success regardless of the company’s size and scope of activities.
• The Christian Leadership, Stewardship, and Ethics Christian leaders realize that they have a great responsibility to lead people where God directs, and therefore they make every effort to follow Him in the first place.
• Using Smartphones in Healthcare: Ethical Issues The common use of smartphones to share healthcare data is associated with several security and privacy issues.
• Globalization and Its Ethical Implications The paper states that the negative implications of globalization result in ethical dilemmas as people with diverse backgrounds participate in world development.
• The Trolley Problem Scenarios & Ethical Dilemmas When faced with trolley problem scenarios, one’s decision will be significantly influenced by the ethical theory of utilitarianism.
• The Boeing Firm’s Ethical Dilemma Regarding the Airbus-Neo The Boeing 737-MAX airplane model was revealed nine months after the Airbus-NEO design. After the sales of the new model, two planes crashed in 2018 and 2019.
• Ethical Leadership Virtues Questionnaire The Leadership Virtues Questionnaire promotes ethical leadership by measuring the four virtues to ensure leaders develop the required behavior.
• Ethical Challenges for the Finance Manager: Case Study The case is illustrative of the fact that one should be willing to lose one’s job and fail to save an organization in order to continue upholding ethical codes.
• Selflessness and Motivation for Ethical Behavior The paper examines how selflessness can be the solution to unethical behavior. Selflessness and motivation for ethical behavior are the key themes discussed.
• Theories in Ethics and Criminal Justice The distinction between superior cognitive and lower physiological sensations is the first defining aspect of Mill’s utilitarianism.
• Ethical Decision Making in Nursing Nursing practice is associated with the need to make evidence-based ethical decisions that may have diverse effects on patients, nurses’ colleagues, and their healthcare facilities
• Common Law Method and Ethical Rules This article examines the ethical side of a lawyer’s work, as well as the existing rules that a lawyer should be guided by.
• Applying Ethical Principles: Ethical Problems in Nursing Management Analyzing ethical issues that healthcare professionals face requires adhering to relevant approaches and models to find adequate solutions.
• Review of the Essay “Lifeboat Ethics” by Garrett Hardin The article is a review of the “Lifeboat Ethics” essay by Garrett Hardin in which he sets out his ideas on the global distribution of resources and inequality among countries.
• Morality and Ethics Concepts Normative morality refers to a code of conduct that given specific conditions, would be put forward by all rational persons.
• Artificial Intelligence: Ethical, Social, Legal Issues The field of artificial intelligence indeed brings numerous ethical, social, professional and legal issues; but are those so disturbing as some people claim?
• Euthanasia Through an Egoism Ethical Theory Lens The paper states that it is possible to justify the factors contributing to the desire for euthanasia through the ethical theory of selfishness.
• Professional Platform for Ethics and Leadership Professionals working in the healthcare industry, including clinicians, nurses, and managers, must implement a certain set of personal skills to ensure positive patient outcomes.
• Kant’s Deontological Ethical Theory and Policing Ethical Practices This paper aims to critically evaluate how Kant’s deontological ethics may apply to modern policing ethical practices.
• Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care This paper clarifies several instances of legal and ethical issues in health care: organ donation, online psychotherapy, and artificial intelligence use.
• Ethical Issues in Medical Social Work The dilemma described in this paper lies in avoiding negative social consequences, withholding the client’s parents’ information that is important for life.
• Traditional Kantianism and Its Relation to Software Engineering Ethics The first and second principles of software engineering ethics represent the first formulation of the ethical theory of Kantianism as they call to act in the best interests.
• Reflective Journal. Nursing Ethics Reflective practices are crucial as they enable the healthcare personnel to identify their strengths and weaknesses.
• Case Study of Biomedical Ethics in the Christian Narrative The principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence are the core of medical practice. God mentors his followers to put the well-being of others first and love one’s neighbor.
• Ethical Dilemmas in Education Ethical dilemmas in education occur in many cases; one of the most common reasons for their generation is injustice.
• Protestant Work Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism The content concept covers economics, sociology and history and is based on the notion that hard work is a necessary requisite for fulfillment of an individual’s personal calling on earth.
• Social, Legal, And Ethical Issues in the Modern Database Era In the past two decades, database-relevant issues have become intense, considering the all-penetrating nature of the data collection.
• Corporate Social Responsibility & Business Ethics Ethical and legal compliance of organizations are inseparable, and they provide significant advantages for businesses.
• New Leadership Theories: Servant, Spiritual, Authentic and Ethical Leaderships Swanson, Territo, and Taylor are geared towards a more ethics-based approach to leadership and emphasize the importance of moral decision-making.
• Apple Inc.’s Corporate Strategy and Global Ethics Apple Inc. is one of the leaders in the sphere of personal computers and other electronic devices globally. The company was established in California in 1977.
• Case of the Killer Robot: Ethical and Legal Issues This paper is to assess the stakeholders’ points of view, facts, ethical and legal norms related to the Case of the Killer Robot, and the possible options for its resolution.
• Nurse Educator’s Legal and Ethical Implications This paper will examine the due process for students and new nurses concerning any practice deemed unsafe in the clinical setting.
• Informatics Ethical Principles: Nursing Organizations This paper seeks to carry out an assessment of the various ethical principles applicable to nursing and non-nursing organizations before identifying the advantages and disadvantages in each case.
• Personal Values, Moral, and Ethics Human beings are complex creatures whose thinking processes and behavior depend on their values, morals, and ethics.
• Organizational Ethical Dilemmas, as Portrayed in “Snowden” Edward Snowden is portrayed in the 2016 film Snowden as a victim of multiple ethical issues. The problem of the whistleblower is the ethical difficulty.
• The Ethical Considerations of the Rana Plaza Collapse The current paper investigates the ethical considerations, implications, and possible prevention strategies of the Rana Plaza collapse.
• Ethics, Morals, and Values in Healthcare In healthcare, ethics, morals, and values play a rather crucial role. It is important to be able to differentiate between the concepts and understand their influence on the field.
• Ethical Analysis of the Awakenings Film The Awakenings movie focuses on Dr. Oliver Sacks’ work treating people with catatonia, a disorder marked by excessive stiffness and a lack of responsiveness to stimuli.
• Aspects of Pepsico and Utilitarian Ethics PepsiCo has included various ethical principles in its business strategy. Its ethical methods assist the local areas, personnel, as well as its consumers.
• “A Fall from Grace”: Christian Ethics in the Motivations of the Characters Interpreting the characters’ motivations and detailed analysis of their cues demonstrates that faith and trust are the main issues the film focuses on.
• Social Media Influence, Ethics, and Privacy Issues Social media remains one of the dominant internet services, which offers a new interactive opportunity: for political support, humanitarian aid, group activities, etc.
• Ethical Use of Power, Influence, and Politics to Get a Promotion In the competitive job market, most view politics, influence, and power a negative but people have to learn how to apply the concepts ethically in our workplaces to achieve goals.
• Happiness in Aristotle’s “Nicomachean Ethics”
• Contract Managers’ Code of Ethics in Acquisition
• Christian’s Role in Ethical Research
• Ethical Issues in CCTV and Biometrics Technologies
• Common-Law Method and Ethics
• Ethical Self-Assessment
• Comparison of Utilitarianism and Christian Ethics
• Informative Speech: Importance of Ethical Awareness
• MG Rover Group’s Car Production and Business Ethics
• Alcohol Drinking and Ethical Decision-Making
• Ethical Philosophy: Right and Wrong’s Distinction
• Employee Monitoring, Its Legal and Ethical Issues
• Understanding Ethics and How We Approach Ethical Decisions
• Technical Writing Ethics
• Personal Values in Ethically Ambiguous Situations
• Medical Ethics: The Four Topics Model
• Ethical Reasoning in the Boeing 737 Max Fraud
• Social Media: The Role of Cyber-Ethics
• Ethical and Professional Issues in Psychological Testing
• Ethical Issues in Health and Wellness Coaching
• Ethical Dilemmas in Healthcare
• Ethical and Bioethical Issues in Medicine
• Is Lying to Patients Against Medical Ethics?
• Ethical Aspects of Digital Privacy
• DNR Orders and Ethics in Medical Decision-Making
• Teleological and Deontological Ethical Models
• A Discussion Board Post on Nursing Values and Ethics
• Nursing Ethics: Reflection on the Survey
• Wells Fargo Applies Ethical Decision-Making Model
• The Ethics of Organ Donation
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Engineering Ethics
• TOK Exhibition: The Ethical Responsibilities
• Honesty and Trust in Business Ethics
• Environmental Issues and Ethics: The Questions
• “Ethics of Emergencies” by Ayn Rand
• Plato’s and Aristotle’s Ideas of Ethics
• Ethics in Target Marketing
• Ethical Trade in the UK Garment Industry
• Artificial Technology’s Ethical, Social, Legal Issues
• Ethical and Legal Issues in Nursing
• Ethical Approaches in Career Choice
• Terri Schiavo Medical Ethics Case
• Nightingale Pledge: Medical Ethics Perspectives
• The Amazon and Facebook Firms’ Business Ethics
• Kantian Ethics Case Application
• Ethical Issues in Organizations
• Ethical and Legal Issues in Older Adults Counselling
• Ethics and Social Justice in Mental Health System
• Public Administration and Ethics
• Climate Change as an Ethical Issue
• Leadership and Associated Ethical Challenges
• Ethics and the Right to Abortion
• Nike Inc.’s Structure, Performance, and Ethics
• The Yoga Ethics in a Student-Teacher Relationship
• Ethics in The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald
• Ethical Issues of Geographic Information Systems
• Ethical Implications of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
• The Role of Ethical Decision-Making in Business
• Kant’s Ethical Philosophy and Milgram’s Experiments
• Advertising Ethics and Truth: The Biblical Perspective
• Fraud and Ethics in Managerial Accounting
• Ethical Decision Problem: What Ought I to Do?
• Ethics: What Is It, Why Do We Study It, Specific Codes of Ethics
• Emerging Technologies (ET) in Education: Ethical and Legal Implications
• Ethics: Dual Relationships
• Personal Reflection on Christian Ethics and Spirituality
• Ethical Issue in the Workplace: Case Study
• Ethical Values in Artifacts: Hacksaw Ridge
• The Ethics of Government Involvement in Business
• Primark Company Supplying Consumers with Ethically Sourced Garments
• Ethical Issues of Conducting a Program Evaluation
• Art Conservation and Restoration as Ethical Issue
• Moral, Ethical and Legal Conduct in Nursing
• Ethical Decision-Making: Case Studies
• Nursing and Health Care Informatics Ethics and the Law
• The Ethical Principles in Nursing Research
• Walmart Ethics and Compliance Challenges
• The Teaching and Learning of Ethics
• Is There a Place for Ethics in IT?
• Ethical Standards in the Westboro Baptist Church Case
• Aspects Related to Business Ethics
• The Ethical Standards of Auditing
• Ethical Issues: Decision-Making Process in Medical Setting
• Biomedical Ethics: Pfizer’s Legal Trouble in Nigeria
• The Issue of Ethics in Healthcare
• Pre- and Post-Operative Nursing and Ethics
• Nursing Code of Ethics in the Human Trafficking Victim Treatment
• Stem Cell Research: Ethical Nursing Principle
• “The Land Ethic” by Aldo Leopold
• Virtues, Utilitarianism, and Deontological Ethics
• Law Policy and Ethical Setting in Children’s Social Work
• Ethical Consideration in Group Counseling
• Definition and Development of Marketing Ethics
• Personal and Organizational Ethics
• Cloning Moral and Ethical Issues
• Moral Theories: Utilitarianism, Duty-Based Ethics and Virtue-Based Ethics
• Ethical Issue in Global and Local Marketing
• Energy Saving Light Bulb Manufactures Ethical Issue
• U.S. v. Microsoft Corporation: An Ethical Analysis
• Personal Values and Ethical Standards
• Advertising Ethics: Truth in Commercials
• Pre-Natal Sex Determination and Ethical Issues
• Ethics and Morality as Philosophical Concepts: Definitions According to Aristotle, Dante, and Kant
• Ethical Theories and Principles
• Deontological and Consequential Ethical Conflict
• The Ethical Policies of TechFite
• Corporate Governance and Business Ethics
• Manager’s Changing Environment and Ethical Duties
• Personal Ethics Statement, Goals and Moral Principles
• Christian Teachings vs. Biomedical Ethics: Illogical Decisions and Treatment Issues
• Ethics in Winkler County Nurse Whistleblower Case
• Machinery Accident from an Ethical Standpoint
• Deontology and Ethical Relativism in “The Founder” Film
• Doctors’ Ethics of ‘Cherry-Picking’ Patients
• Virtue Ethics in Stanford and Milgram’s Experiments
• Enron’s Corporate Culture and Ethics Failure
• Microsoft Company’s Marketing Ethics
• Apple Corporation Ethical and Social Responsibility
• Exploring Moral and Ethical Themes in “Hills Like White Elephants” by Hemingway
• The Aircraft Brake Ethical Scandal
• Discussion: Ethics in Healthcare Research
• Personal and Professional Ethics in Psychology
• Ethical Dilemmas: Key Aspects of Decision Making
• Environmental Ethics in Oryx and Crake by Atwood
• The Ethical Principles of Conducting Research
• Emotional, Ethical, and Logical Arguments
• Ethical Considerations and Counseling Skills in Therapy
• Ethical Theories Applied to the Euthanasia Issue
• Ethical Decision-Making in a Historical Context
• Global Warming and Business Ethics
• Globalization and Technology Impacts on Ethics
• Pharmaceutical Companies and Utilitarian Ethics
• New Ethical Concerns in Online Privacy and Data Security
• Kant and Mill: The Ethics of Lying
• Accusations of Breach of Code of Ethics: Memo
• Understanding General Medical Ethics Principles
• Mass Media Ethics in News Coverage
• Basic Ethics and Bioethics Principles in Health Care
• Ethical Theories: Divine Command Theory
• The Professional Codes of Ethics
• The Fast Fashion and Related Ethical Problems
• Counselor’s Professional and Ethical Responsibilities
• Seeking Promotion: The Ethical Use of Power, Influence, and Politics
• Weber’s Protestant Ethic and Marxist Critique
• Personal Ethical Framework – Decision-Making
• Ethics as a Social Science Field
• Rawls’ Social Contract Theory and Software Engineering Ethics
• Ethical Considerations in Business
• Euthanasia: The Legal and Ethical Perspectives
• Personal and Professional Ethics
• Discourse Ethics and the Disadvantages of Fair Argumentation
• The Golden Rule and Business Ethics
• Ethics in the American National Red Cross
• Ethics of Affirmative Action Plan
• Codes of Ethics, Nursing, and Professional Skills Development
• Dentistry: Code of Ethics and Professionalism
• Rendering Ethical Judgement in Sports
• Ethical Issues in Biomedical Research
• Information Technology: Code of Ethics
• Ethics in the Business World Based on Dilbert TV Series
• Accounting Ethics and the Code of Conduct
• Ethical Theories: Virtue Ethics, Deontology and Consequentialism
• Nursing Code and Ethical Practices
• Case Study of Columbia: HCA Hospital Business Ethics
• Annotated Bibliography: Law Ethics
• The Application of Ethical Principles in Nursing
• Ethical Issues in “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”
• Earthquake Resistant Building Technology & Ethics
• Computer Ethics: Ethics, Laws, Definition & Privacy
• The Link Between Corporate Culture and Ethical Leadership
• Ethical Theory: Moral Course of Action
• Homicide Detectives: Ethical and Cultural Analysis
• The Code of Ethics: Standards & Values Within the Organization
• Social Work Ethics: Issues and Critical Debates
• Nonconsequential Theory of Ethics: Case Analysis
• Childhood Vaccination: Ethical Case Study
• Federal Express Corporation’s Ethical Perspective
• Social Worker’s Ethical Dilemma of Confidentiality
• Management Challenges: Managerial Ethics and Unethical Tactics
• Ethical Issues in Information Technology
• Uber Company’s Ethical Business Practices
• Nursing Malpractice: Legal and Ethical Implications
• Research Ethics Specifics: Biomedical Research
• Nursing Shared Governance and Ethics
• Revenge and Its Historical and Ethical Consequences
• Health Promotion and Ethical Considerations
• Medical Treatment in Religious Beliefs and Ethics
• Ethical, Legal, Multicultural Challenges in Crisis
• Nursing Legal and Ethical Principles
• Ethics and Issues of Male and Female Circumcision
• 1st and 4th Tenets in the Nursing Code of Ethics
• Health Care Fraud, Abuse and Ethics
• Ethical and Cultural Issues in Group Work
• Chevron Company Ethical Analysis
• British Petroleum: Corruption Involving Ethics
• The End-of-Life Decision Making and Ethical Issues
• Maintaining Confidentiality and Ethical Decision-Making in Counseling
• Navigating Ethical Considerations in Research
• Ethical Issues in Qualitative Research
• Ethical Principles in Psychology
• The Views of Ethical Theorists: Immanuel Kant and Peter Singer
• Human Resource Function and Ethical Decision-Making
• Medical Ethics: The Importance of Autonomy
• Perception of Ethics in Individual and Group Practices
• American Apparel: The Ethical Conflicts
• Ethical Leadership and Social Learning Theory
• Elections an the Role of Ethical Behavior
• The Belmont Report: Ethical Principles
• The J&J Firm’s Ethical and Socially Responsible Behavior
• Code of Ethics in Food Tracks Business
• Anand Vaidya on Ethical Theory in Business
• Comparison of Christian Ethics and Metaethical Theory
• Ethical Issues in Hitler’s Leadership
• E-Bay Code of Ethics and Its Main Points
• Workplace Ethics: How Restaurants Design Menus
• Ethical Responsibilities to Children
• Rule of Law and Ethics and International Marketing
• Aspects of Computer Ethics
• Regulation, Accreditation, and Ethics in Health Care
• Cultural Anthropology: Methods and Ethics
• Can Consumers Make Ethical Clothing Purchases?
• Ethics of Interrogation
• Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Ethical Risks
• Research Ethics and Informed Consent
• Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability: Schwartz Values Survey
• Professional Ethics in Logistics
• Comfortability and Productivity at Work: Ethical Management
• The Ethical Issues in Business
• Integration and Synthesis of Relevant Ethical Theory and Conceptual Principles in Health Care
• Gender Discrimination as an Ethical Issue
• Morals and Ethics in New Jersey Dental School
• Ethics and Its Place in Educational Research
• Ethical Considerations in Medical Imaging
• Ethics and Morals in Quran
• Oncology Nurses’ Ethical and Legal Issues
• Ethics of Nursing Informatics
• Ethical Issues and Research Participation
• Ethics and Popular Opinion in Socrates’ Philosophy
• Deontological Ethics in Criminal Justice
• Ethical Professional Codes of Healthcare
• The Rule of the Golden Mean and the Virtue Ethics
• National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Ethics Program and Sexual Abuse Scandals
• Ethical Analysis of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiments
• The Ethical Use of Surrounding Biometrics
• Ethical Decision-Making Model Dilemma and Determination
• Ethical Issues in Hiring Process
• The Ethics of Performance Evaluation in Organizations
• Coca-Cola Company: Code of Ethics
• Apple’s Reputation Regarding Ethical and Social Responsibility
• Business Code Evaluation of Ethics by Shell Company
• Commercial Fishing: Environmental Ethics Case Study
• Managing Ethics: Methods and Results
• Truth in Mathematics, Ethics and Arts
• Obscenity and Computer Ethics
• Environmental Ethical Issues: History, Current Events, and Significance
• The Significance of the Ethical Pillars of Jainism
• Business Ethics in Real Estate
• Dynamics of Ethics, Ethical Principles and the Technology of Ethics
• Ethics and Audit Risks of Auditing Fraudulent Financial Statements
• Pressure Ulcers Elimination: Ethical Issues
• Profit Maximization Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
• The Coca-Cola Company’s Ethical Communication Plan
• Ethics in Evidence-Based Practice
• Ethical Challenges in Advanced Heart Failure
• Nursing: Formation & Everyday Ethical Comportment
• Information Technology, Its Impacts on the Family, and the Ethical Issues of Using Social Media
• Ethical and Legal Issues in Education
• Ethics in Project Management
• Artificial Intelligence and Ethical Implications
• Social Work Profession: Principles and Ethics
• Edward Snowden and the Ethics of Whistleblowing
• Ethical Issues: Edward and Susan’s Case
• Personal Responsibility, Ethics, and Values
• Ethics, Values, and Morals in Institutions
• Professional Ethics in Nursing Practice
• The Agility EVM Project: Ethical Issues
• “Good Life” From an Ethical Perspective
• Linbarger Company: Ethics in Accounting
• Glacéau Company: Vitamin Water Ethics
• The Space Shuttle Challenger Engineering Ethics
• Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal and Ethical Theories
• Kant’s and Mill’s Ethical Philosophies
• Virtue Ethics as an Army Officer’s Moral Code
• Counseling, Its Ethical Standards and Principles
• American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics
• Nursing Legal and Ethical Issues Case
• Cryonics and Its Ethical Side
• International Legal and Ethical Issues in Business
• Financial Reform Ethics: Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform
• Stem Cell Research Essay: Research Ethics, Pros and Cons, and Benefits
• Ethics and Civics of the American Patriots
• Executive Compensation Ethical Controversy
• Childhood Vaccination Dilemma and Kant’s Ethics
• Legal and Ethical Issues in Physical Therapy
• Interconnected Ethics: Human Responsibility to Nature and Society
• The Business Ethics Workshop: Advertisement and Consumer Protection
• The Business Ethics Workshop: Sex and Drugs at Work
• To What Extent Is Truth Different in Mathematics, Ethics and Arts
• Medical Practitioner’s Work Environment and Ethical Dilemma
• The Business Ethics Workshop: Employee’s Ethics
• The Real Estate Development Company: Code of Ethics
• TOMS Shoes: The Ethical Work Standards
• Ethical Business: How Important Is It?
• Ethics in Group Psychotherapy
• Ad It Up Marketing Firm Seeks Ethical Entry-Level Marketing Employees
• Ethical Principles in Accounting in Small Business
• Knowledge and Ignorance: Ethical Issues in Modern Medicine
• The Police Department’s Ethical Challenges
• Abortion: Ethical and Moral Issues
• Ethical Leadership and Employee Satisfaction
• Anti-Vaccination as an Ethical Problem
• Leadership and Ethical Behaviors in the Workplace
• Ethical Analysis of End-of-Life Decisions From a Christian Worldview
• A Code of Ethical Conduct at a Probation Agency
• Ethics of Gratitude in Law Enforcement
• Importance of Ethics for Human Services Professionals
• Health Care Ethics and Reform: High Cost of Healthcare
• Global Financial Management and Ethics in Governance
• The Ethical Dilemma: Biblical Narratives & Secular Worldviews
• Manufacturing Ethics of iPhones
• Ethical Leadership and Employee Job Satisfaction
• Ethical Principles in Social Research
• Ethical Analysis of End-of-Life Decisions
• Research, Ethics, and Faith: A Comprehensive Exploration
• Ethical and Legal Dilemmas in the Healthcare Case
• Academic Integrity Dilemma: Utilitarianism vs. Virtue Ethics
• Analysis of Ethical Problems in Research
• Euthanasia as an Ethical Issue
• Stance on Ethical Dilemma and Patent Waiver for COVID-19 Discussions
• Ethical Considerations in Lobbying
• Framework for Ethical Decision-Making
• Ethical Duties of Public Officials in a Democracy
• Abortion: The Ethically Appropriate Procedure
• Ethical Issues and Racial Disparities in Workplaces
• Ethical Issues in Participatory Action Research
• Morality and Ethics: Philosophical Theories
• Kidney Markets: The Ethical Issues
• Abortion in Christian and Non-Christian Ethics
• A Case in Point of an Ethical Conundrum
• Importance to Business Law & Ethical Implications
• Is Ethics of Care Paternalistic?
• Ethics Behind Research With Human Participants
• The Burson-Marsteller Firm’s Business Ethics
• Pillars of Trust in Leadership Ethics and Governance
• Ethical Audits and Management System
• Ethics of Vioxx Withdrawal From the Market
• The Connection of Argumentation and Ethics
• Formulating a Research Question and Thinking About Ethics
• Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethical Leadership
• Kantian Perspective on Lying: View of Ethics
• The Ethical Principle of Dual Relationships
• Ethical Objectivism and Ethical Relativism
• Ethical Behavior During Research Process
• Alzheimer’s Disease: Genetic Risk and Ethical Considerations
• Ethical Theories: Privileges and Disadvantages
• Operations Management and Related Ethical Issues
• Ethical Behaviors and Challenges in International Business
• Ethical Issues: The Adherence to the Mission and Value Statements
• Ethics Program for Green Company Employees
• Workplace Ethical Standards Violations
• Organ Transplant Allocation Ethics
• Nursing Teaching About Legal and Ethical Issues
• Scientific Authorship: The Ethical Issues
• The Ethical Use of Animals in Research
• Amish Midwives: The Ethical Theory of Utilitarianism
• Nursing Advocacy: The Ethical Issues
• Qualified Candidates and Poor Credit Checks: The Ethical Theory of Utilitarianism
• Ethical Norms and Responsibilities in the Government: FBI Tenure of James Comey
• Ethical and Legal Issues With CCTV and Video Analytics
• Managing Ethics Challenges in Social Work Organizations
• A Civil Commitment and Ethical Issues Journal
• Ethical Considerations of the Registered Nurses
• Tesla Inc.’s Ethical Use of Customer Data
• The Belmont Report on Ethics of Research
• A New Model for Ethical Leadership by Bazerman
• The Regulations of Ethical Research
• Security Goals, Threats, Safeguards, and Ethical Use
• Hospice Care and Nursing Ethics Provisions
• Ethical Awareness in American Public Administration
• Ethics: Definition and Application
• Exploring Peter Singer’s Ethical Concepts in “Famine, Affluence, and Morality”
• Eliot Spitzer and a Code of Ethics
• Is Physician-Assisted Suicide Ever Ethical
• Ethical Issues in Human Cloning: Response
• Ethical Aspects of Abortion: A Moral Dilemma
• Medical Gatekeeping and Related Ethical Dilemmas
• American Patriots: Ethical Concerns and Civic Engagement
• A Care Ethics Position: Doctor-Patient Relationships
• Ethics and Technology: Bots in Social Media
• Utilitarianism Theory: Principles and Ethical Forms
• Ethics of Targeting the Children of Leaders
• Ethical Decision-Making for Public Administrators at Abu Ghraib Prison
• Ethical Dilemma of Client Privacy Breach
• Ethics of Organ Allocation and Distribution
• DIscussion of Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic
• Virtue Ethics Versus Utilitarianism
• The Ethical Repercussions Inflation Has Had on Businesses
• Business Ethics in The Wall Street Journal Article
• Paid Patriotism as an Ethical Issue
• “The Nicomachean Ethics” Book by Aristotle
• Ethical, Moral, and Christian Views on Climate Change Strategies
• A Pig Heart Transplant for a Person: An Ethical Dilemma
• The “Short History of Ethics” Book by MacIntyre
• Interconnection of Ethics and Murder
• Aspects of Normative Virtue Ethics
• “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism” by Max Weber
• Ethical Behavior at the Workplace
• Service Learning Project: Ethics in A.I.
• Aspects of Ethics, Religion, and Diversity
• Medical Confidentiality: Ethics, Medicine and Public Health
• The Tuskegee Syphilis Research: Violation of Principles of the Ethics Code
• Confucianism as Ethical-Philosophical Doctrine
• Ethical Decision-Making Rules at Work
• Difference Between Ethical Conduct in Public and Private Sectors
• The Role of Education as the Foundation of Ethics
• Moroccan Central Bank’s Ethics and Systems
• Death Penalty: The Utilitarianism Ethical Theory
• Advertising: Ethical Theory and Business
• Human Subject Protection in Research Ethics
• Henrietta Lacks’ Impact on Medical Ethics
• The Issue of Ethical Violations
• Virtue Ethics: The Moral Ideology
• Aspects of Ethics of Duty and Justice
• Gamestop and Tesla: Ethical Analysis of Rearrangements
• Consequentialist Approaches to Ethics
• Ethical Issues in Apple’s Suppliers’ Plants
• The Company Code Violation and Ethical Issues
• Ethical Concerns Surrounding the Use of Big Data
• Ethics of Ending Life Support After Brain Death
• Ethical Issues of Informed Consent in Intoxicated Patients
• Environmental Ethics in Genetically Modified Organisms
• Ethics and Civics of Patriots: The American Revolution

Cite this post

• Chicago (N-B)
• Chicago (A-D)

StudyCorgi. (2021, September 9). 617 Ethics Essay Topics & Examples. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/ethics-essay-topics/

"617 Ethics Essay Topics & Examples." StudyCorgi , 9 Sept. 2021, studycorgi.com/ideas/ethics-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . (2021) '617 Ethics Essay Topics & Examples'. 9 September.

1. StudyCorgi . "617 Ethics Essay Topics & Examples." September 9, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/ethics-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "617 Ethics Essay Topics & Examples." September 9, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/ethics-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . 2021. "617 Ethics Essay Topics & Examples." September 9, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/ethics-essay-topics/.

These essay examples and topics on Ethics were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on June 22, 2024 .

A Level Philosophy & Religious Studies

Business Ethics

Introduction.

This topic is about the relationship between capitalism and ethics. It is about whether businesses should be required to follow ethical principles in their dealings, or whether ethics even has or should have any relevance to business at all.

The idea that good ethics is good business is the view that good business decisions are good ethical decisions.

Proponents of CSR argue that good ethics is good business, because it’s profitable to have a good public image and avoid government regulation.

Utilitarians and Kantians believe there should be some restrictions on business. Not all good business decisions which maximise profit will be ethically good. Not if they go against the general happiness or violate duty.

Libertarians economists like Milton Friedman think business and ethics have nothing to do with each other. Businesses only responsibility is to maximise profit which is ethically good because it is the result of freedom and enables economic growth.

This topic includes three sub-issues:

• Corporate social responsibility: the idea that a business has responsibility to the environment and its community.
• Globalisation: the issue that businesses are now global entities, giving them tremendous power.
• Whistleblowing: the ethics around going public to reveal secret unethical business practices.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR)

CSR is the theory that a business has ethical responsibilities to towards the environment and the communities it is part of or affects. There are two main types of CSR.

Environmental CSR. The responsibility a business has towards the environment.

• Reducing negative impact on the environment such as pollution and non-recycled products.
• Increasing the reliance on ‘green’ renewable and sustainable energy and products.
• Offsetting negative impact done to the environment for example by donating to pro-environment groups that will make conservation efforts. E.g. a business aiming to be ‘carbon neutral’ might release some carbon dioxide through industry but donate for trees to be planted that might absorb the same amount of carbon their industry released.

Community CSR. The responsibility a business has to its social community, respecting human rights and avoid exploitation.

• Respecting human rights and avoiding exploitation.
• Avoiding being supplied by any business which involves exploitation, sweatshops or child labour.
• Responsible treatment of employees e.g. minimum wage, health and safety provisions.
• Philanthropy. Donating money to charitable causes.

A more contemporary version of CSR is ESG, Environmental, social and governance. The ‘governance’ term adds the requirement of avoiding political corruption such as bribery.

CSR and ESG is often promoted as a way of linking good business and good ethics. If a business is discovered to have illegal environmental harm human rights violations in its supply chain then that can cause governments to step in and regulate it. That can be very bad for profit. Committing to CSR/ESG can allow a business to maximise its profits by minimising those risks and thus do well by doing good.

It is also an opportunity for improved public relations (PR). The company appears better in the eyes of the public for the good that it does. It can essentially be used as a selling point for advertising, which can also increase profits.

Utilitarianism on CSR

Free market capitalism is the idea that the only responsibility of a business is to maximise profit for its shareholders. Bentham and Mill think that the free market is generally the best way to maximise happiness. They would likely accept environmental CSR because of how damaging climate change can be to happiness. However, regarding community CSR, they would probably reject philanthropy as a responsibility of business. Bentham did favour some regulations for employees like minimum wage. Ultimately, Mill and Bentham think the free market generally works for producing human flourishing and happiness. They would generally be against restrictions and responsibilities laid on business which would interfere with that.

Kantian ethics on CSR

The second formulation would require that market interactions do not involve the treatment of people as mere means. Labour should not be treated merely as a commodity. A basic level of respect must be given to employees and all stakeholders.

• Avoiding exploitation (community CSR). This includes paying workers enough, perhaps a minimum or even living wage.
• Providing a safe work environment (community CSR).
• Avoiding fraud or deceptive advertising (community CSR).
• Avoiding polluting the environment or having a net negative impact on the environment (environmental CSR).

Examples of CSR and critique of CSR as hypocritical window-dressing

Innocent smoothie advertises on every bottle that they give 10% of all their profits to charity. Pret-a-manger gave away their left over food away to charities at the end of the day. On the label of each sandwich they sell, they advertised this fact and stated ‘it’s the right thing to do’.

CSR is typically a centrist or centre-left position. Those further left often regard CSR as hypocritical window dressing, meaning making something appear good while overall it is bad. A business which engages in CSR for public relations purposes might be doing so to distract from their unethical practices.

This can apply to capitalism in general, because by encouraging a slightly healthier version of capitalism, people might feel less motivation to address the problems of capitalism or they might even be deceived that capitalism is not the cause of the problems to begin with.

Anand Giridharadas summed up this self-serving hypocrisy well in this article title: “Jeff Bezos wants to start a school for kids whose families are underpaid by people like Jeff Bezos.” The subtitle was “A free crash course in why generosity is no substitute for justice”.

Anand’s point is that businesses like Amazon, who don’t pay taxes and bust unions, are the actual cause of the problem that they then give a tiny amount of their profits to ‘address’. Corporate social responsibility is a sham. It’s not businesses giving away their profits for the good of society, it is a cold calculation that it would be more profitable for them to give away a fraction of their profits in order to give a good impression of themselves to the public, purely in order to avoid the greater loss to their profits if the public became more focused on their inequality, tax avoidance and union busting. That ‘class consciousness’ might cause the public to vote for more left-wing political parties which would institute policies that would cause businesses to give far more than they do for corporate social responsibility.

“We don’t need you to do more good. We need you to do less harm.”

It’s not simply gaining PR, it is an attempt to disguise the fact that businesses are part of the cause of economic problems like inequality, by giving the impression that businesses can be part of the solution. The amount ‘given back’ through CSR is nothing compared to the profits gained through avoiding taxes and busting unions.

This hypocritical window-dressing can also simply done for public relations (PR) purposes, to make the business look good, regardless of whether the overall impact of the business is negative.

For example, Tim Cook the CEO of Apple made a speech where he talked about how his platform would be against white supremacy, yet Apple continues to exploit people in third world countries.

This brings into question whether CSR even has a good ethical outcome. However even in cases where it does, some would be sceptical and suggest these businesses only do this so they can advertise themselves attractively to customers. The question is whether those intentions matter ethically.

Globalisation

Globalisation is the phenomenon where businesses are now global entities spanning multiple countries and continents and its impact on stakeholders. Globally, economies, industries, markets, cultures and policymaking are integrated (connected).

The problem with globalisation is that it can cause the violation of corporate social responsibilities and even undermine the free market itself.

Becoming global entities has given businesses an unprecedented level of money, and money is power. A business will do whatever it can to increase profit. If its new levels of power allow it to pressure peoples, cultures and governments, then it will do that. Businesses may be less likely to violate CSR in western countries, but globalisation certainly allows them to violate CSR in developing countries instead.

Offshore outsourcing – where businesses build products in factories in third world countries. This moves jobs from western countries to those countries which has made many industry workers unemployed.

The issue of monopolies. If a business gains enough power over a market, they can essentially fix or rig the system, altering the way the market functions, to reduce or eliminate competition and ultimately benefit themselves. This is called a monopoly, when a business has such dominance or power over a market that the market ceases to have competition. Without competition, a market no longer creates innovation and economic progress.

Even Freidman accepted that “It’s always been true that a business is not a friend of a free market”.

Corporations, power, globalisation and monopolies. Since money = power, and some businesses can be so large thanks to globalisation, perhaps they are becoming more powerful than governments, which could be problematic since they aren’t accountable to anyone as they aren’t democratically elected. This gives corporations the power to affect laws by financing the election campaigns of politicians. They can also make offers or threats to a government or state to change regulations and laws in ways that would favour their business. Example of amazon and new York.

This allows businesses to manipulate a market for its own benefit, turning it into a monopoly. Adam Smith may have been right that free market competition is generally good for the progress and prosperity of society. However, a particular corporation would rather not have to compete and if it can use its massive profits to simply buy other companies or affect laws that would give it an unfair advantage, then it will do so. E.g. Facebook acquiring Instagram. Amazon copying products that do well. Uber temporarily lowering its prices, running at a loss in cities it wants to expand into, in order to put other cab companies out of business at which point it can increase its prices and not face competition.

Utilitarianism on globalisation

Utilitarianism would be against the aspects of globalisation which undermine free markets, such as the power it has given business over policy making.

However, Utilitarianins might accept off-shore outsourcing so long as happiness is maximised.

Kant on globalisation

Globalisation seems problematic for Kant in that it can cause all of the corporate social responsibilities to be violated.

Whistleblowing

Whistleblowing is when someone, usually an employee, leaks information about the wrongdoings of a company. This could be bad business practices regarding employees, customers, society or the environment.

Facebook case study. Frances Haugen worked for Facebook (which owns Instagram) and leaked internal documents which came to be known as ‘The Facebook Files’. One quote from the files in the leak acknowledged that “we make body issues worse for one in three teenage girls”. The leak also shows that the Facebook algorithm promoted posts that caused anger or outrage.

The upside to whistleblowing is that the negative business practice is brought to light which gives it a better chance of being brought to an end.

The downside is that the company might suffer financial losses or even go bankrupt, causing some of or all of its staff to lose their job. In cases where the company was doing good, that could also be stopped.

Utilitarianism on Whistleblowing

Act utilitarianism holds that whistleblowing is morally right depending on the situation. If whistleblowing causes more happiness than not whistleblowing, then it is morally good; if it causes less happiness then it is morally wrong. For example, if the business is causing a lot of happiness, then whistleblowing about some suffering it is causing, e.g. through exploitation, might be wrong.

Kant on Whistleblowing

Kant thinks lying cannot be universalised and is therefore always wrong. So, he would certainly also be against lying to cover up negative business practises, even if that truth being brought to light resulted in the failure of the businesses and employees who may have done nothing wrong nonetheless losing their jobs. It is your duty never to lie.

Kant would also regard the treatment of people as mere means to be wrong due to the second formulation of the categorical imperative. Most if not all cases of whistleblowing seem to involve exploitative or deceptive business practices that treat people as a mere means. This would be another reason that Kant would be in favour of whistleblowing.

Sweatshops are an issue which is relevant to CSR, globalisation and whistleblowing.

A sweatshop is a shop or factory which employs workers, sometimes children, for very low pay, long hours in unsafe conditions. They are seen as a classic case of exploitation . This is because they exploit the lack of choice and opportunity many people have, giving them little choice but to accept terrible working conditions.

Sweatshops & CSR. It is typically considered the responsibility of a business to ensure that none of the products or services in its supply chain are sourced from or make use of sweatshops (community CSR).

Sweatshops & whistleblowing. If a company is discovered to source products from sweatshops without that being public information, it might be thought to be a valid reason to whistle blow.

Sweatshops & globalisation. Sweatshops are often a result of offshore outsourcing which is a consequence of globalisation.

The Utilitarian defence of sweatshops as having good consequences. William MacAskill argues that although sweatshops are ‘horrific’, thinking that boycotting western companies which sell products produced in sweatshops will help the workers there assumes that they have a better opportunity to make a living elsewhere, but “sadly that’s just not the case”. If you boycott sweatshop produced goods “all you are doing is taking away the best working opportunity that these people in very poor countries have”.

The argument is that many people in third world countries are in danger of starvation. If a sweatshop opens then they will at least earn some money. Even though the working conditions are terrible and dangerous, it is still better than nothing. It is a step up on the economic ladder.

If we demanded that businesses sacrifice profit to treat their sweatshop employees non-exploitatively, then businesses will lose their profit incentive to open a sweatshop and will simply stop opening them in third world countries. Then, people in the third world will lose a potential step up the economic ladder. The only reason a business opens a sweatshop in a third world country is because it is cheaper than opening a properly regulated factory in a developed country. In many cases a Utilitarian would therefore be in favour of globalisation, against CSR and against whistleblowing.

Primark case study. Primark were found to be supplied by exploitative factories in the third world that used child labour and paying people very little for extremely long hours. In response to this, Primark cut ties with those suppliers.

In some cases, sweatshops provided a better quality of life to its workers than they previously had and made those in developed countries happy at having products for a lower price. In those cases , a Utilitarian would therefore be in favour of this effect of globalisation, against CSR and against whistleblowing.

Critical comparison of Utilitarianism with Kant: Utilitarianism justifies bad actions (e.g. exploitation). Utilitarianism is incompatible with the basis for human rights which are deontological. This is because a ‘right’ is something which must be respected regardless of the consequences.

The idea of human rights was strongly influenced by Kant’s formula of humanity. Kantian ethics would be against sweatshops regardless of their positive consequences, because they treat workers as a mere means.

Mill’s harm principle seems to solve this problem because it suggests that society will be happiest if the rule of not harming others is followed. The question then is whether exploitation counts as harm. So long as the workers are free to leave any time, technically they accept the risk of harm in the sweatshop because their risk of harm from starvation without the sweatshop is greater. Arguably sweatshops, except in particular circumstances, do not count as harm, therefore. So, sweatshops are permissible

Perhaps it’s not permissible for children to work in them though. The Bangladesh factory case study might be something Mill would prohibit too, since it threatened to withhold pay if people didn’t work, which is borderline forced-labour.

A factory in Bangladesh evacuated because of health and safety concerns, however it then said it would not pay its employees for a month if they didn’t return the next day. So the employees returned, and the next day the factory collapsed on them killing over a thousand of them.

This seems like a better approach than Kant, who famously said he would not value consequences even when life was at stake – claiming that lying even to save a life is wrong. Similarly, Kant would not allow exploitation even if it is generally life-saving when compared to not allowing the exploitation (since without sweatshops there would be more starvation than there would be work-related deaths with sweatshops).

The issue of calculation: Util vs Kant

Utilitarianism faces the issue of calculation, but Kant does not.

Utilitarianism seems to require:

• That we know can the future consequences of all the possible actions we could take
• That we can make incredibly complex calculations about the range of possible actions, sometimes under time-constraints.
• That these calculations include the objective measuring of subjective mental states like pleasure and pain.

All three of these conditions are plagued with difficulty, and yet each seems absolutely necessary if we are act on the principle of utility.

Application of this issue to Business ethics:

CSR: The effects of CSR are difficult to predict, both in terms of how much they might negatively cost a business and how much it might positively affect society or the environment.

Globalisation: the effects of globalisation are very difficult to predict. It’s hard to say how much poverty it might prevent through off-shore outsourcing, or conversely how much it might corrupt markets due to creating monopolies and buying off politicians.

Whistleblowing: It’s possible that whistleblowing might cause a company to go bankrupt, causing unhappiness for its employees, or the business might not. It’s very hard to predict that, but then it’s very hard to know whether whistleblowing would maximise happiness.

Critical comparison with Kant: Kant does not have this issue. In fact, Kant makes this criticism himself when defending himself against the murderer at the door scenario, claiming that we cannot predict or control consequences and therefore cannot be responsible for them. All we are morally responsible for is doing our duty, therefore.

Arguably Kant’s blanket ban on all actions which treat people as a mere means is the better approach than Utilitarianism’s seemingly futile suggestion that we try and calculate which cases will have good or bad consequences.

Bentham’s response to issues with calculation. Bentham claims that an action is right regarding “the tendency which it appears to have” to maximise happiness. So, we actually only need to have a reasonable expectation of what the consequences will be based on how similar actions have tended to turn out in the past.

Mill’s response to issues with calculation. Mill’s version of Utilitarianism seems to avoid these issues regarding calculation. We do not need to know the future, nor make incredibly complex calculations, nor measure subjective feelings. We only need to know the secondary principles that our civilisation has, through its collective efforts and experience, judged to be those best conducive to happiness. We then need to simply follow those principles as best we can. For Mill, the moral rightness of an action depends on maximise happiness, but because of the immense complexity of that, our only moral obligation is to just do our best to follow the principles geared towards producing happiness of our society, which are themselves only the best current principle that our current stage of civilisation and culture has managed to develop.

In cases of a conflict of rules, Mill adopts the same approach as Bentham and says we must judge the individual action by the principle of utility, though Mill adds that we should consider the quality not only quantity of the pleasure it could produce. He agrees with Bentham’s point that when judging individual actions, we can base our calculations on what we know of the ‘tendencies’ actions have. We do not need to exactly predict their consequences.

The issue of the value of consequences: Util vs Kant

Kant and the issue of failing to appreciate the value of consequences. Kant faces this issue, but Utilitarianism does not. Sometimes actions have very good or bad consequences and Kant seems wrong for not thinking that morally relevant.

The murderer at the door example attempts to show the downside of Kant’s rejection of consequences having moral significance.  

Whistleblowing – some cases of whistleblowing have very bad consequences – at least resulting in misery but sometimes even resulting in death (if the workers lose their job and starve). Just like with lying, Kant would say we must always tell the truth, even if it ends up killing people.

Imagine that a business employed a genius but sadistic scientist who was likely to cure some terrible disease that affected millions. However, they were treating their workforce in some horrible way, but there was no way to gain the valuable research without allowing the exploitation. A Utilitarian might reason that we should allow the exploitation because the happiness gained would far outweigh the suffering, just like lying to the murderer at the door is justified for its good consequences.

Globalisation & CSR can each have very good consequences, even when allowing exploitation. First world countries get very cheap products and third world countries get jobs.

Kant’s response: we cannot predict/control consequences.

However: we can to some degree and therefore to that degree we are morally responsible for consequences and they do matter ethically to the rightness or wrongness of an action.

The issue of intentions: Util vs Kant

Utilitarianism faces the issue of intentions and character, but Kant does not.

Utilitarianism only views the consequences of actions as good, not the intention or character (integrity) of the person who performs them. This goes against the intuition that a person can be a good person and can have good/bad intentions. Consequentialist theories seem unable to accept that because for them, it is only consequences which are good or bad, not intentions/character.

It is part of Kant’s theory that your moral intention is relevant to the goodness of your action, so he does not face this issue.

Application of this issue to business ethics:

CSR: Applying this to business ethics, it looks like Utilitarianism would not care about a business merely engaging in CSR for PR out of greed for profit or even for deception to distract from their other unethical practices. So long as the business and its CSR activities overall have good consequences, Utilitarian reasoning seems to be committed to it being morally good.

Globalisation: Globalisation could

Whistleblowing: A person whistleblowing might only do it in order to bring down a rival company

Kantian ethics would not have this issue because for Kant good intention is essential. We must act out of duty (“ duty for duty’s sake” ) in order for our action to be morally good.

Mill responds firstly that a person’s character does matter because it will determine their future actions. The stabber should be condemned for his motive because that will prevent them stabbing others in future. The priest should be forgiven because he’s not likely to do anything bad in the future as his character is good. Secondly, Mill argues that having a good character helps you become happy. Motives and character therefore do matter ethically, though not intrinsically but only insofar as they result in good consequences, in line with consequentialism.

So, Mill might argue that if the intention behind CSR involved greed or deception then that might have bad consequences overall or in the future and therefore can be thought of as morally wrong.

Kant would not be satisfied by this response, however, as he would maintain that it was the greed and deceptiveness itself that should be regarded as morally deficient.

Leads to the critique of Kant – that it is impractical to think humans can act without emotion. Utilitarianism does not have this issue – in fact it accepts that avoiding negative feelings and achieving positive feelings is our ultimate desire/end.

Adam Smith, the ‘father’ of capitalism

Adam Smith was an economist and philosopher sometimes called the father of capitalism. Smith’s argument is that when people follow their rational self-interest competing in a free market, the result is economic prosperity which benefits society and general happiness. In a free market, people gain money by providing a product or service that others are willing to pay for. Competition encourages productivity and innovation resulting in economic growth. Free market capitalism harnesses self-interest for societal gain, as if guided by an ‘invisible hand’. This is the origin of the view that good business decisions have positive social results and is thus linked to good ethics.

Utilitarianism on capitalism & business ethics

Bentham was influenced by Adam Smith. Bentham and Mill mostly agreed with Smith’s reasoning, accepting that in general happiness is maximised by leaving markets free. However, they both thought that restrictions needed to be placed on the market in some cases to direct it towards maximising happiness where it failed to. Bentham thought the government should guarantee employment and impose a minimum wage. Mill thought that the government should step in to aid in cases of market failure by providing their own products or service, such as education, to encourage competition if the market failed to. Mill even thought that worker-owned co-ops were long-term the best model for ownership structure.

The Utilitarian view then is that CSR is generally good and if globalisation detracts from CSR then it is generally bad.

Kant on capitalism & business ethics

Kant was influenced by Adam Smith and agreed that the division of labour was important for progress. Capitalism is based on autonomous market interactions and contracts between employers and employees. It involves individuals pursuing their rational self-interest. Kant’s ethics accords with this as it depicts the rational individual as the centre of moral responsibility. When contractual arrangements and market interactions involve the treatment of people by each other as ends, they are good.

However, when either business practices or the macro effects of capitalism result in people being treated as mere means or otherwise violate duty, it seems that Kant would think that immoral, even if it was good for the profit of the business.

The Kantian view then is that CSR is our duty and globalisation which undermines CSR is wrong.

M. Friedman vs Kant & Utilitarianism on CSR and globalisation. Milton Friedman (libertarian) claims that the only responsibility of a business is to “make as much money for their stockholders as possible”.

Friedman therefore rejects the approach of both Kant and Utilitarianism. He would not accept that restricting markets or businesses is acceptable, whether to maximise the general happiness or to ensure the treatment of stakeholders as ends.

Free market capitalism is the result of freedom, voluntary co-operation. Any attempt to control markets, even with the best of intentions, requires force and power. Friedman argues that no one is angel-like enough to wield that power without becoming corrupted.

The only escape from extreme poverty is capitalism and largely free trade. Societies which depart from that are worse off. Evidence which supports Freidman’s case is that the percentage of the world in extreme poverty dropped from 70% in 1960 to 17% in 2012.

Freidman further argues that free market capitalism is best for economic growth. Reducing profits only reduces the incentive to innovate.

Evidence for Friedman’s point is that northern Europe might be more equal than the USA, but it is less innovative. There’s a reason silicon valley is in America.

The problem for Freidman is that he thinks freedom is good, yet freedom leads to monopolies, especially under globalisation. Monopolies actually end up undermining innovation and freedom. The only way to ensure that the market remains free is government intervention and control. Friedman accepted this, but in that case, he has to accept giving the government power.

A free market is an inherently unstable thing. Money is power. Successful corporations will use their money to rig the market in their favour. The only way to prevent governments from being corrupted is by preventing businesses from having the power to corrupt governments.

Adam Smith’s arguments made much more sense in his time when capitalism was just starting out. The macro-effects of globalised capitalism are disastrous for the environment and for the free market itself.

So, it looks like Kant and Utilitarianism are right that some restrictions should be placed on markets.

Possible exam questions for Business ethics

Easy How useful is utilitarianism in dealing with issues in business ethics? Assess whether Kantian ethics applies successfully to business ethics What does it take for business to be ethical?

Medium Does the principle of utility lead to ethical business? ‘the categorical imperative leads to ethical business’ – Discuss. Is Corporate social responsibility just ‘hypocritical window-dressing covering the greedy profit motive of business. Can human beings flourish in the context of capitalism and consumerism? Assess whether corporate social responsibility makes business ethical To what extent is whistle-blowing ethical? How successful is Kantian ethics at dealing with the issue of (CSR/Whistleblowing/Globalisation)? How helpful is Utilitarianism at dealing with the issue of (CSR/Whistleblowing/Globalisation)?

Hard Assess whether globalisation encourages or discourages the pursuit of good ethics as the foundation of good business. Is good ethics good business? Should whistle-blowing be considered good ethical business practice?

Quick links

Year 12 ethics topics: Natural Law. Situation ethics. Kantian ethics. Utilitarianism. Euthanasia. Business ethics. 

Year 13 ethics topics: Meta-ethics. Conscience. Sexual ethics. 

OCR Philosophy OCR Christianity OCR essay structure OCR list of possible exam questions

Business Essay Topics

A Comprehensive List of Unique Business Essay Topics

15 min read

Published on: May 1, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 30, 2024

Share this article

Are you a student struggling to come up with a good topic for your business essay?

Choosing the right topic is crucial to the success of your essay. A well-chosen topic can make your paper stand out, while a poor choice can make it fall flat. It can be challenging to narrow down the options and find a topic that is interesting and relevant.

But worry not, we've got you covered! 

In this blog, we'll provide you with a comprehensive list of business essay topics that are sure to impress your professors. We'll cover everything from business ethics to trending topics. Whether you're an undergraduate, or graduate student, we have topics that will suit your level of study.

So, if you're ready to take your business essay to the next level, let's dive in!

On This Page On This Page -->

Business Management Essay Topics

If you're studying business management, you may be tasked with business essay writing. Here are some topics to help you get started:

• The role of effective communication in business management
• How to develop and implement successful business strategies
• The impact of leadership styles on organizational culture and productivity
• The benefits and challenges of global expansion for businesses
• The importance of ethical behavior in business management
• How to effectively manage workplace diversity and inclusivity
• The role of technology in modern business management
• The impact of environmental factors on business management decisions
• The benefits and drawbacks of decentralized decision-making in business management
• How to effectively manage change in the business environment

Human Resources Essay Topics

Human resources is a critical function in any organization, responsible for managing the recruitment, training, and retention of employees.  Check out the following HR essay topics for inspiration: 

• The importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace
• Strategies for effective employee recruitment and retention
• The role of human resources in ensuring workplace safety
• How to manage conflict in the workplace
• The impact of technology on human resources management
• The importance of employee engagement and motivation
• The impact of employee benefits on job satisfaction and retention
• How to effectively manage remote employees
• The role of human resources in managing employee performance and development
• The impact of globalization on human resources management practices

Organizational Behavior Essay Topics

Organizational behavior is the study of how people interact within organizations. It covers topics such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and motivation. 

Here are some topics to inspire your writing: 

• The impact of leadership styles on organizational culture and employee behavior
• How to effectively manage conflict in teams and organizations
• The role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership
• The impact of diversity on organizational behavior and performance
• The importance of employee motivation and engagement in achieving organizational goals
• The impact of organizational structure on employee behavior and job satisfaction
• The role of communication in creating a positive organizational culture
• How to develop and implement successful change management strategies
• The impact of employee empowerment on organizational behavior and performance
• The importance of ethics and social responsibility in organizational behavior

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

Business Ethics Essay Topics

Business ethics refers to the moral principles and values that guide behavior in the world of business. It covers topics such as corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and fair trade.  Let’s take a look at business ethics essay topics to get you started:

• The importance of corporate social responsibility in modern business
• The ethics of business practices in developing countries
• The impact of globalization on business ethics
• The role of ethical leadership in creating a culture of integrity in organizations
• The ethics of outsourcing and offshoring
• The impact of environmental regulations on business ethics
• The ethics of marketing practices and advertising
• The role of ethics in supply chain management
• The ethics of executive compensation and corporate governance
• The ethics of data privacy and cybersecurity in business

Supply and Demand Essay Topics

The law of supply and demand is a fundamental concept in economics. It explains how the availability of goods and services and the desire for them determine prices in the market.

If you're studying economics, you may be asked to write an essay on a topic related to supply and demand.  

Here are supply/demand business essay ideas to consider for your next assignment.

• The impact of supply and demand on price stability in markets
• The role of elasticity in supply and demand analysis
• The impact of technology on supply and demand in modern markets
• The effects of government policies on supply and demand
• The role of advertising in shaping consumer demand
• The impact of income inequality on consumer demand and market outcomes
• The effects of globalization on supply and demand in different industries
• The role of consumer behavior in shaping supply and demand
• The impact of shortages and surpluses on market outcomes
• The role of the labor market in shaping supply and demand in the economy

Business Law Essay Topics

Business law covers the legal regulations and requirements that apply to business activities and operations. It is an important field for business students, and here are some topics for help: 

• The role of contract law in business transactions
• The legal requirements for forming a business entity
• The impact of intellectual property laws on businesses and innovation
• The legal requirements for protecting consumer privacy in business operations
• The role of antitrust laws in regulating competition and market power
• The legal requirements for workplace safety and health
• The impact of employment laws on hiring and termination practices
• The legal requirements for protecting the environment in business operations
• The role of international trade laws in shaping business practices and outcomes
• The impact of bankruptcy laws on business operations and reorganization

Entrepreneurship Paper Topics

Entrepreneurship is the process of starting and growing a new business venture. It requires a combination of innovation, risk-taking, and business acumen. Check out the following topics related to entrepreneurship: 

• The role of creativity and innovation in entrepreneurship
• The challenges and opportunities of social entrepreneurship
• The impact of government policies on entrepreneurial activity
• The role of entrepreneurial ecosystems in supporting new business ventures
• The importance of market research in developing successful business ideas
• The challenges and opportunities of international entrepreneurship
• The impact of technology on the entrepreneurship landscape
• The role of mentorship and networking in supporting new entrepreneurs
• The importance of financial management in entrepreneurship
• The challenges and opportunities of female entrepreneurship

International Business Essay Topics

International business is a complex and dynamic field that encompasses a wide range of issues related to global commerce and trade.

Let’s take a look at some potential essay topics: 

• The role of cultural differences in international business negotiations
• The impact of globalization on the international business landscape
• The challenges and opportunities of cross-border mergers and acquisitions
• The impact of international trade agreements on global business practices
• The role of international finance in supporting global business ventures
• The challenges and opportunities of international marketing and branding
• The impact of geopolitical factors on international business operations
• The role of corporate social responsibility in global business practices
• The challenges and opportunities of emerging markets in international business
• The impact of digital transformation on international business models

Value Essay Topics

Values are the guiding principles that shape our beliefs, actions, and attitudes towards life. In business, values play an essential role in defining a company's culture, ethics, and identity. 

If you're looking for value essay topics, here are some ideas to inspire your research and writing:

• The importance of ethical values in business decision-making
• The role of values in shaping company culture and employee behavior
• The impact of shared values on team collaboration and productivity
• The relationship between personal values and career success
• The role of social and environmental values in sustainable business practices
• The importance of values-based leadership in creating a positive organizational culture
• The influence of cultural values on international business operations
• The role of values in shaping consumer behavior and brand loyalty
• The impact of technological advancements on traditional values and ethical frameworks
• The intersection of religious and secular values in the workplace

Argumentative Business Essay Topics

Let's take a look at some argumentative essay topics for business students:

• The pros and cons of remote work for businesses and employees
• The ethical implications of using artificial intelligence in business decision-making
• The impact of social media on consumer behavior and brand reputation
• The effectiveness of traditional marketing vs. digital marketing strategies
• The role of government regulation in business operations and profitability
• The benefits and drawbacks of globalization for businesses and economies
• The impact of minimum wage laws on small businesses and their employees
• The ethics of corporate social responsibility and philanthropy
• The effectiveness of diversity and inclusion initiatives in the workplace
• The role of unions in protecting the rights and interests of employees

Persuasive Business Essay Topics

Here are 10 persuasive business essay topics to inspire your business essay writing:

• Should companies be required to disclose their carbon emissions and environmental impact?
• Should employers offer unlimited paid time off for their employees?
• Should businesses be allowed to pay employees less than a living wage?
• Should companies be required to offer equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender or race?
• Should corporations be held responsible for the social and environmental impact of their supply chains?
• Should businesses be required to prioritize sustainability in their operations and products?
• Should employers be allowed to monitor employees' social media activity outside of work?
• Should businesses be required to offer mental health services to employees?
• Should companies be allowed to patent and profit from genetic engineering and biotechnology?
• Should businesses be required to disclose the diversity of their leadership and staff?

Business Extended Essay Topics

Let's explore some extended essay topics for business students:

• An analysis of the impact of corporate social responsibility on shareholder value
• The effectiveness of leadership development programs in improving business performance
• An investigation of the relationship between workplace diversity and organizational performance
• A case study of a successful corporate turnaround strategy
• An analysis of the impact of technology on the future of work
• An investigation of the factors that contribute to successful mergers and acquisitions
• A comparative study of the marketing strategies of two competing companies in the same industry
• An examination of the role of corporate governance in preventing corporate scandals and failures
• A study of the relationship between employee engagement and customer satisfaction in service industries
• An analysis of the effectiveness of performance management systems in improving employee performance and motivation

Business Essay Topics For College Students

Here are some business essay topics for college students:

• The impact of social media marketing on consumer behavior
• The challenges and opportunities of e-commerce in developing countries
• The effect of workplace diversity on organizational performance
• The ethics of corporate social responsibility
• The impact of globalization on small businesses
• The importance of supply chain management in business operations
• The use of big data in business decision making
• The challenges and benefits of implementing sustainable business practices
• The role of innovation in driving business growth and success

Essay Topics For BBA Students

If you're a BBA student struggling to select a topic for your assignment, we have some inspiring topic ideas for you.

• Exploring ways to make the workplace more inclusive for people with disabilities.
• Strategies for reducing psychological pressure in the workplace.
• Developing effective short and long-term goals for business success.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of a thesis statement in a business essay.
• Discussing a business concept that does not work and exploring alternative solutions.
• The group training and cons of ai based technology in job analysis: A comparative study.
• Examining the impact of massive changes in an unethical business environment on employee morale and company reputation
• An analysis of the business strategies used to select a higher demand for products aimed at children in the toy industry
• How can companies create a supportive work environment for people with disabilities and reduce psychological pressure in the workplace?
• Storage and cons of AI-based technology in job analysis: A critical analysis of its impact on job roles and responsibilities.

Business Essay Topics IELTS

Here are business essay topics for IELTS:

• How has globalization affected the way businesses operate?
• Discuss the impact of social media on modern businesses.
• Should companies prioritize profit over social responsibility?
• In what ways can small businesses compete with large corporations?
• Evaluate the effectiveness of different leadership styles in business.
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of remote work for businesses.
• Should businesses be allowed to collect and use personal data for marketing purposes?
• Evaluate the impact of e-commerce on traditional brick-and-mortar stores.
• Discuss the role of government regulation in promoting ethical business practices.
• Should businesses prioritize sustainability over economic growth?

Interesting Business Essay Topics 

• The impact of social media on consumer behavior: A case study of Instagram.
• Exploring the role of emotional intelligence in leadership effectiveness.
• The ethics of corporate social responsibility: A critical analysis.
• An investigation into the challenges of managing virtual teams in the 21st century.
• The impact of globalization on small businesses: Opportunities and challenges.
• The role of corporate culture in driving business success: A case study of Google.
• How to effectively manage workplace diversity: Strategies for creating an inclusive workplace.
• An analysis of the factors contributing to successful entrepreneurship in the tech industry.
• The impact of e-commerce on traditional brick-and-mortar businesses.
• The role of innovation in driving sustainable business growth: A case study of Tesla.

Trending Business Essay Topics for Exam- 2024

With the business landscape constantly evolving, it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends. Here are some trending business essay topics to help you ace your upcoming exam.

• The impact of COVID-19 on small business management and entrepreneurship
• The role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership and management
• The importance of effective communication in business organizations
• The impact of e-commerce on traditional retail business models
• The role of innovation and creativity in business success
• The impact of organizational culture on employee motivation and performance
• The challenges and opportunities of managing a diverse workforce
• The impact of corporate governance on business ethics and social responsibility
• The role of supply chain management in achieving competitive advantage
• The challenges and benefits of implementing a sustainability strategy in business operations

Trending Business Essay Topics for Assignments

Take a look at thelatest business assignment topics for your next asdsignment: 

• The top reasons why outsourcing is obligatory in the fashion industry: An analysis.
• Addressing the racial bias factor in the field of supply and demand: Challenges and solutions.
• The importance of having a correct perception of job objectives.
• The benefits of free online promotion for video games.
• The impact of work environment on employee productivity and job satisfaction.
• Top reasons why outsourcing is becoming obligatory in the fashion industry.
• The impact of remote work on productivity and work-life balance
• Analyzing the strategies of successful startup companies in today's market
• The role of social media marketing in the growth of small businesses
• Examining the ethical concerns of data privacy in the digital age

Small Business Essay Topics

• The impact of technology on small business growth and success.
• The role of entrepreneurship in small business development.
• Analyzing the challenges faced by small businesses in accessing funding and financing.
• How to effectively market a small business on a tight budget.
• The importance of creating a strong brand identity for small businesses.
• The benefits and drawbacks of small business franchising.
• The role of social media in the success of small businesses.
• The impact of government regulations on small businesses.
• The importance of customer service in small business success.
• The role of small businesses in economic growth and development.

How to Pick a Business Essay Topic That Stands Out

Follow these steps to choose an ideal topic for your business essay:

Step 1: Understand the Assignment Requirements Before selecting a topic, make sure you understand the assignment requirements. Consider the length, format, and scope of the essay to help guide your topic selection.

Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas Think about your own experiences, interests, and knowledge in the field of business. Brainstorm a list of potential topics that align with the assignment requirements.

Step 3: Research Current Business Trends Research current events, news articles, and emerging trends in the business world. Consider how these trends relate to the assignment requirements and incorporate them into your topic ideas.

Step 4: Narrow Down Your List Review your list of potential topics and identify the ones that stand out the most. Consider which topics you have the most knowledge and passion for, as well as which ones are the most unique.

Step 5: Conduct a Preliminary Search Before finalizing your topic, conduct a primary search to ensure there is enough information available to support your essay. Look for scholarly articles, books, and other sources that can help you develop your argument.

Step 6: Finalize Your Topic Based on your research and evaluation, select the topic that you are most confident and passionate about. Make sure your topic is specific, manageable, and aligns with the assignment requirements.

By following these steps, you can pick a business essay topic that showcases your knowledge and expertise in the field.

The Bottom Line!

Writing a business essay can be a tiring task, but it can also be a rewarding one. By choosing the right topic you can create an insightful essay that impresses your professor and earns you a top grade. 

However, if you are short on time or need additional assistance, our Essay Writer AI is here to help!

Our essay writing service online can provide you with expert guidance and support to help you achieve academic success. 

So, don't hesitate - order from our business essay writing service now and get started on your journey to becoming a successful business student!

Cathy A. (Literature)

For more than five years now, Cathy has been one of our most hardworking authors on the platform. With a Masters degree in mass communication, she knows the ins and outs of professional writing. Clients often leave her glowing reviews for being an amazing writer who takes her work very seriously.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Legal & Policies

• Privacy Policy
• Cookies Policy
• Terms of Use
• Refunds & Cancellations
• Our Writers
• Success Stories
• Our Guarantees
• Affiliate Program
• Referral Program
• AI Essay Writer

Disclaimer: All client orders are completed by our team of highly qualified human writers. The essays and papers provided by us are not to be used for submission but rather as learning models only.

627 Ethics Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

📃 10 tips for writing essays on ethics, 🏆 best ethics topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 good essay topics on ethics, 🎓 simple & easy ethics essay titles, 📌 writing prompts for ethics, 🥇 most interesting ethics topics to write about, ✍️ ethics essay topics for college, ❓ ethics essay questions.

People make ethical choices every day, even when they do not realize it. Ethics is a debatable topic that covers many aspects of our daily life.

Ethics essays can help students to understand ethical dilemmas and problems better. Although writing an ethics essay can be challenging, we are always here to help!

Start with choosing an issue you want to discuss in the paper. Some good ethics essay topics and examples we can suggest are:

• The aspects of utilitarianism as an ethical theory
• Ethical dilemmas in the field of healthcare
• Theories that explain human behavior
• The significance of the personal code of ethics
• Should euthanasia/abortion/personal use of drugs be legal?
• Is morality related to society or culture?
• Are there moral obligations all individuals should follow?

Remember that you can discuss other ethics essay questions and topics too. Choose one of the titles that seem most relevant to you. Now you are ready to start working on your paper. Here are ten tips that will help you to write an outstanding essay:

• Research the issue you have selected thoroughly. You should gain an excellent understanding of its aspects, causes, and consequences. Try to rely on credible sources (such as peer-reviewed articles) only.
• If you are not sure that the selected problem is relevant, find an ethics essay example online. This step can also help you to analyze your ethics essay structure and see whether you should make some changes.
• Develop a good outline for your essay. Include an introductory section, several body paragraphs (at least three, if possible), and a summary or a conclusion. Note that an argumentative essay should include a refutation section too.
• Introduce your thesis statement clearly. Your reader should understand the main argument of your essay.
• Discuss all significant aspects related to ethics. Provide a definition of this term and examples of ethical dilemmas that may arise. It can make your paper more engaging to your audience.
• Avoid overly complex sentences. Your essay should look professional but be easy-to-read. Remember that in general, sentences should not be longer than 35 words.
• Discuss your perspectives on ethical issues you are presenting. State your opinion and include the recommendations you would provide. If you have relevant experiences or know people who have faced ethical dilemmas, discuss them in your paper.
• Remember that the last paragraph of the essay is important. You need to present your thesis statement once again, along with the main arguments of your work. Discuss the findings of your study and make a conclusion.
• Support your claims with evidence. Include in-text citations whenever you are referring to someone else’s work. At the same time, your paper should not include information from outside sources only. Add comments to each of the facts you are presenting.
• Check the paper several times before sending it to your professor. You need to make sure that there are no grammatical mistakes. Pay attention to the sentence structure too. An important tip would be to put your essay away for several days and revise your ideas later with “fresh” eyes. Do not hesitate to ask your peers for help in revising your essay too.

Remember to check out essay samples on our website. They are free!

• Is Business Ethics an Oxymoron Business and ethics are incompatible and that is why business ethics is an oxymoron. Business ethics is an oxymoron because business and ethics are incompatible.
• Importance of Ethics in Communication Essay The issue that arises is whether employees make the right decision that would benefit the company or they make the wrong choices that call for the downfall of the company.
• McDonald’s Ethical Issues: Examples of Unethical Marketing Practices It is a case study of McDonalds and how the international company disregards the ethical considerations of business in the fast food industry. To this end, the ethical practices include the accurate representation of a […]
• Ethics and Artificial Intelligence The various AI systems utilize patients’ data without their consent and expose their private information. Many AI systems in the healthcare environment utilize patients’ data and information without their full consent.
• An Ethical Dilemma Faced by Nestle: Case Analysis International staffing and development help Nestle to organize human resources in accordance with the needs of the company and its strategic goals.
• Ethics and Morality Relationship Ethics is a term used to refer to the body of doctrines that guide individuals to behave in a way that is ideologically right, fine, and appropriate.
• Justice Theory: Business Ethics, Utilitarianism, Rights, Caring, and Virtue The foremost portion of business ethics understands the theory of rights as one of the core principles in the five-item ethical positions that deem essential in the understanding of moral business practices.
• BP Oil Company Ethical Dilemma The damages caused by the spill originated from the effects of the oil on the environment and the damaging effects of the cleanup activities.
• Walmart Company’s Global Ethics and Compliance Challenges According to the theory, it may be viewed as a set of guidelines that help to determine the level of appropriateness of corporate norms, policies, and activities.
• Importance of Ethics in Business The manager of the North American company has a difficult task because in as much as the decision taken by the company depends on him, he wants to please both parties, that is, the client […]
• Ethics of Divorce: Deontology and Utilitarianism Before analyzing the ethics of divorce, the paper first introduces the subject of ethics followed by the theme of divorce in the contemporary societal settings.
• Ethics as a Theme in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley From the novel, it is evident that humans drove the monster into a state of madness when they subjected it to hatred and rejection, and thus the monster’s madness emerged due to the treatment it […]
• Moral and Ethical Issues of Recombinant DNA Technology In my opinion that debate is of the greatest importance and my hope is that these six lectures may have contributed to it.
• Ethics in Tourism and Hospitality Industry Report The ability to effectively articulate high levels of ethics in tourism and hospitality industry is a key determinant of the capacity for the aforementioned sector to trace its missions, achieve the set goals, objectives and […]
• Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster and Ethical Issues It manifested in the management’s decision to launch the shuttle despite insufficient testing and the faults in the design of the O-rings.
• PepsiCo Ethical Issues & Achievements The firm has established a global code of conduct that generally identifies the main objective of conducting business in the right way as a part of its corporate mechanism aimed at ensuring that customers of […]
• Business Ethics and Social Responsibility Essay In this light, this paper discusses the importance of ethics and social responsibility and various practices and theories employed in different organizations. In future, ethics and social responsibility will have a new meaning in the […]
• Psychological Testing: Ethical and Legal Issues Two of the cases that have had a major impact on the institution of psychological testing are ‘Larry P.v Riles and Crawford v.
• Social Media Ethics Essay: Examples & Definition In the initial stages of social media, it was easy fro companies to brush aside the idea of social media and have nothing to do with it, hence, risk being victims of the two risks.
• Legal-Ethical Issues Affecting Patient Rights for the Elderly The kind of relationship that healthcare professionals can have with their elderly clients can have legal and moral implications in relation to patient rights for the elderly.
• Moral and Ethical Issues in Science and Technology The aspects that pose moral and ethical issues in technology today need to be outlined and controlled with consideration of all the parties involved.
• “Wit” by Margaret Edson: Ethical and Legal Issues The decisions included the type of treatments to give her, the frequency of the treatments, and the decision to resuscitate or not to resuscitate.
• Merck Company and River Blindness Case Study Ethics According to the report, any country that requested for the drug would receive the drugs in coordination with the World Health Organization.
• Anthropocentric and Non-Anthropocentric Environmental Ethics In the current reality, non-anthropocentric environmental ethics are impractical in fields of international development, and poverty reduction as the primary focus is on improvements for the human population.
• Ethical Issues of Targeting Uninformed Consumers The rationale behind this statement is that uninformed consumers do not have psychological maturity, meaning that target marketing can force them to make unreasonable decisions and purchases.
• Chernobyl Disaster: Ethical Aspects and Effects The cause of the disaster was a faulty design that caused a nuclear reactor to overheat and explode. The constructors of the plant violated the construction technology and there were plenty of design deviations.
• Ethical Issues at the Radiology Department Since the radiographer was not concerned with the fact that the patient could not speak English properly, the former broke the principles of radiography ethics by conducting a procedure that could harm the patient in […]
• Relationship Between Ethics and Religion Essay While a believer will pose that the two function as a couple, a non-believer, on the other hand will hold that morality is independent of religion.
• Toyota Ethical Issues and Social Responsibility Another set of the company’s stakeholders that affect the ethical code of business in the company is the external environment like customers and the society; there is a level of quality that customers expect from […]
• Ethical Dilemmas in Criminal Justice If one is to discuss the issue with the senior management of the organization in which the crime occurred, there is a high chance that the issue will not be taken as seriously due to […]
• Ethical and Legal Issues in Nursing Informatics One of the basic underpinnings is the fact that confidentiality violations can result in various issues for the patient whose well-being can be threatened, which is unacceptable for the nurse whose job is to ensure […]
• Ethical Relativism: Advantages and Disadvantages It is necessary to acknowledge this difference to understand that the world is diverse and unequal. The most significant weakness refers to the fact that it is possible to rely on ethical relativism to justify […]
• Comparison of Codes of Ethics: The American Counseling Association and the American Psychological Association Both the Psychologist and the counselor abide to the same codes of conduct with regard to terminating their services to a client.
• The Link Between Professionalism and Ethics In a sum up professionalism is the equality of being honest and faithful to the profession. Successful engineers are as a result of the moral behaviors and work ethics they endorse in their day to […]
• Unethical and Ethical Issues in Prisons (Corrections) This is one of the unethical practices that are evident in the prison systems. In this case, prison warders and authorities are usually noted to be actively involved in the business.
• Virtue Theory, Utilitarianism and Deontological Ethics The foundation of utilitarianism theory is in the principle of utility. On the other hand, the theory of deontology embraces the concept of duty.
• Teleological vs. Deontological Ethics They are meta-ethics, deontological ethics, hedonism, normative ethics, teleological ethics, and many others The present paper is aimed at describing teleological and deontological ethics as well as the differences between them.
• Ethical Analysis of the Sermon on the Mount – Matthew Chapters 5-7 The Sermon on the Mount refers to a portion of the Bible that contains some of the things that Jesus said and the lessons that He taught to his disciples.
• The Ethical Issues of the Mattel Toy Scandal The reasons for the considerable recalls of products were that the toys manufactured on the facilities based in China were dangerous for children’s health due to the lead paint discovered in the toys and the […]
• Business Ethics of the H&M Company Additionally, all employees should have a written contract in their local language provided to them by H&M, and they should be aware of the terms and conditions.
• Ford Pinto’s Fuel System Redesign and Ethics However, the core of the decisions that the head management of Ford Motor Company had to make to resolve the key issues go far beyond the concept of cost-benefit analysis.
• Apple’s Ethical Challenges Regarding Labor Practices Despite the fact that this aspect violates Apple’s principles of ethical supply chains, which prohibit the use of child labor, the company continued to cooperate with the supplier for another three years.
• Ethical Dilemma of Child Abuse In the above example, a nurse has to apply rational judgment to analyze the extent and threats when making decisions in the best interest of the victim of child abuse.
• Media Ethics and Principles of Media Companies The ethics of the media becomes necessary in order to address the above issues. The issue of “media ethics” seeks to promote the best standards in the industry.
• Ethical Dilemma as Witnessed in the Cassavetes’ Film “My Sister’s Keeper” Organ transplants require the voluntary participation of donors and the society at large in donating the vital organs from living or deceased members of the society.
• Ethical Analysis of the Movie “Liar, Liar” The story described in the movie is one of egoism and a self centered person who will resort to anything just to win the case.
• The Philosophical Approaches to Ethics The main point of the argument is that philosophical approaches to business ethics provide guidelines for making ethical business decisions, but some of these approaches are controversial and have no support from most moral scholars.
• Adelphia Communications Scandal and Ethical Issues This is because of the huge sums of money involved, and the suspicious arrangement the Rigas family made with the company that required the company and the Rigas family to be guarantors of each other.
• “Ethical Dilemmas and Decisions in Criminal Justice” by Pollock If hunting is the primary means of survival of a particular society, the euthanasia of the elderly and the sick can be deemed acceptable.
• The Ford Pinto Case and Ethical Dilemma Lee Iacocca, the Ford company’s president, was accused of disregarding the need to improve the safety of Pinto cars due to the increased cost.
• Musk and Tesla: A Strong Code of Corporate Ethics? These guidelines consider the ideas, norms, laws, and business regulations that govern how individuals act within the institution and how the firm operates in the community.
• Three Ethical Lenses on Human Trafficking As a result of the issue’s illegality, a deontologist will always observe the law and, as a result, will avoid or work to eradicate human trafficking.
• The Mechanical Engineering Ethics Understanding Ethics refers to a set of values and principles that guide the conduct of members of a profession. Shared responsibility is a quality that enables one to work in a manner that promotes cooperation.
• Max Weber – The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism Max Weber in his book the protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism sought to explain the emergence of the modern capitalism and the origin of the modern secular and industrial society.
• Laws and ethics Since the law must be obeyed, it becomes enforceable and that is why institutions such as the police and the judiciary have a duty of enforcing the law.
• My Sister’s Keeper: Ethical and Legal Issues When Sara is informed by Campbell that her daughter had the right to reject the kidney donation surgery, Sara argues that Anna was too young to decide for herself and that she was going to […]
• Analysis of the Differences Between Laws and Ethics Ethics tells people what they ought to do and in what ways. In conclusion, law and ethics are similar because they aim to promote order and cohesion in society.
• What is an ethical choice? Once all these steps are followed and one is still uncertain if they will be making an ethical choice, then one would rather opt for the alternative that will turn out the majority good for […]
• Public Administration Ethical Dilemma and Theories Smith should take the responsibility of ensuring that the needs of the majority are upheld since the welfare of the community, and the organization is of importance.
• Family Therapy: Ethical Dilemmas One of the ethical dilemmas in the case is that of deciding whether or not to disclose the information about Breen’s relationship with her boyfriend to her parents.
• Ethical Leadership: Martin Luther King All individuals were expected to consider his actions and embrace the idea of morality. Through the use of a positive community culture and empowerment tactics, King managed to model such desirable behaviors.
• Ethical Dilemma: Example, Problem, and Solution Secondly, I was supposed to show other employees that no one is above the policies of this company and if anyone commits a mistake the individual must be punished.
• Ethics and Safety in Nursing Informatics It is suggested that, first of all, nurses need to inform patients about the type of the accumulated data that may be disclosed and with whom it can be shared prior the beginning of the […]
• Early Childhood Education Center’s Ethical Dilemma Therefore, it is necessary to involve different people in the discussion of this case because there are several ethical responsibilities applied to a new child, the children of the class, the staff, parents, and the […]
• Ethics in Social Research: Peculiarities of the Genie Case and the Milgram Experiment The main idea of the experiment consists in the physical and even moral injury of the object. The consent of the experiment was not informed.
• Ethical Dilemmas in Counselling and Treatment Methods The case of Brett has become an ethical issue based on the following; questions are revolving around what information can be released to the parents and parents request to review the diagnosis since no procedure […]
• Legal and Ethical Responsibilities of Physical Therapists In the recent past, as a result of the increased autonomy of physical therapists in executing their duties, there has been an increase in the number of ethical and legal responsibilities of individuals in this […]
• The Concept of Ethics in Groups Understanding group dynamics plays a crucial role in increasing the level of success in a group. Second, group members should conduct themselves in a manner that promotes the values and interests of their group.
• Tesco Company Business Ethics: Deontology and Teleology However, it is the policy of the company to consider the effect that the product will have on the people or customers rather than considering the financial gain that the company will derive from such […]
• Workplace Ethical Issues Essay Harassment of the co-workers or clients is one of the major workplace ethical issues that involve violation of the employers’ workplace ethics policy.
• Dealing With Ethical Issues in the Workplace In the second case, the initial perception of the manager as to the applicant’s personality is that of a qualified, mature and sociable person.
• Smartphone-Related Cognitive and Ethical Issues The remarkable rise of smartphones and the rapid adoption of mobile computing are two of the most important developments in contemporary information and communication technology.
• The Concept of Environmental Ethics Environmental ethics is concerned with the ethical relationship of human beings with the environment. Human beings must relate ethically with all other living organisms.
• Business & Legal Issues: Ford Pinto To be more precise, the Ford Pinto case will be evaluated from the legal point of view to establish which laws were violated in the process of corporate decision-making that led to the production of […]
• What is the Importance of Ethics When it Comes to Governance? This form of governance depends on curtailing the freedom of the ruled in order to maximize the power of the rulers.
• Ethical Considerations in Decision-Making This means that the leader should listen to the other team members and more so give them more power in decision making.
• Ethics Types, Differences, Applications To be more particular about the two types above of ethics, virtue ethics can be defined as the type of ethics that “focuses on the character traits and nonobligatory ideas that facilitate the development of […]
• Nestlé’s Ethical Issues in Developing Countries In this case, the ethical elements of the operations pose questions about the motives of such corporations, which results in displeasure to the greatest majority.
• Ethical issues in the Digital Age Since the music is copyrighted, it is also against the law to download and distribute it. This leads to the question regarding the inherent value of using the social networking sites when the repercussions are […]
• Key Ethical Issues in Retailing and Distribution As Barnett et al.observed empirically, there are several self-evident dimensions to ethical consumerism which players in retail and distribution function should comprehensively be aware of, for these dimensions may act in an organized and collective […]
• Ethical Issues Surrounding Intellectual Property Rights The owner of the copyright in spite of the absence of necessity to provide the copyright notice on the work is the only person who can determine the ways of possible usage of the work.
• Samsung Company’s Quality Issue and Kantian Ethics Focusing on the distribution of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, it can be stated that the company wanted to sell its product and to obtain profit, failing to ensure that its phone had already been […]
• Role of Ethics in Advertising When proper ethics are applied in advertising, there is a certainty that public morality and the progress socially will not be gravely endangered in any way through the misuse of the media services.
• The Volkswagen Scandal: Ethical & Unethical Choices Indeed, seeing that Volkswagen has jeopardized both the safety and the health of the global community by allowing the production and purchase of air-polluting cars, it is expected that the levels of trust between the […]
• Volkswagen Company’s Emissions Fraud: Ethical Issues The scandal, otherwise known as the VW emissions fraud, occurred when the EPA carried out a series of tests on VW vehicles and discovered that the cars were not in compliance with emission regulations established […]
• Sex Shop Opening in Germany: Legal and Ethical Issues The government in Germany intervened in the prostitution and drug sector immediately after the increasing number of cases of women trafficking and kidnapping in different parts of Germany.
• Pornography: Breaching Ethical Standards However, before delving into the details surrounding this argument, it is important to understand the ethical issues and breaches of pornography.
• Wal-Mart’s Ethical Issues This paper forms an analysis of the ethical issues raised against or for Wal-Mart Corporation and the potential outcomes of some of the negative or conflicting views about the firm.
• Ethical Subjectivism and Emotivism in Society The challenge is that they are unable to account for the use of moral reason as a driver behind an emotive statement.
• Immanuel Kant Ethics Kant argues that, “a person is good or bad depending on the motivation of their actions and not on the goodness of the consequences of those actions”.
• Ethics of Politics of Social Research This is followed by describing the political aspects focusing on the possible deviations in the procedure of the research due to the influence of personal and political beliefs of the researcher.
• Ethical Issues With the Stanford Prison Experiment – Essay Nowadays, modern psychologists are expected to adhere to a strict and rigid code of ethical principles in order to ensure the validity of their practices and the safety of the patients and participants.
• Apple Corporation Social and Ethical Responsibility The paper will further discuss the methods Apple can utilize to make sure its standards on wage and benefits are adhered to, determine the impacts of increased prices of goods on customer purchasing behavior, and […]
• Ethics in the Business Research It is, therefore, extremely essential for the researcher to assess the weight of every research issue in order to determine how best to approach the whole research process without causing harm to any one.
• Kant’s Ethical Theory of Deontology in Nursing Kant advanced two approaches of categorical imperative; first, the maxim of an individual’s action should be universal; and second, a person should treat another with dignity, not as means to reach personal objectives. Also, section […]
• Public Administration: The Ethical Challenges This case study of craftsmanship inspects the ethical implication of integrating the same principles of cultivating virtue and embracing collective values.
• Ethical Theories and Nepotism Relationships Relating to the ethical theory of ethics of justice to nepotism, it should be mentioned that justice is considered to be fair on the basis of various human considerations.
• Pornography and Ethics This paper is going to assess the extent to what extent is the definition of pornography qualified to be used, and if pornography is ethical in modern society.
• Differential Aptitude Test and Ethical Principles According to the representatives of the psychological organizations and committees, “the psychometric qualities of the DAT are rated highest” among all the tests invented for the evaluation of the cognitive abilities in both children and […]
• Does Possession of Knowledge Carry an Ethical Responsibility? Ethical responsibility imposed on the power authorities is ignored and, therefore, people are unaware of the consequences of their reforms and actions.
• Wall Street (1987): Ethics Analysis As anticipated, Gekko takes Bud in and offers him a big opportunity to make good money; however, Bud has to play the game according to rules.
• Ethical and Legal Considerations in Quantitative Research The proposed research question is appropriate to be used in the study the aim of which is to find out how the students’ interest in playing computer and video games can predict their achievement at […]
• Ethical Dilemmas in Social Workers’ Practice In order to resolve the emerging dilemma, it is necessary to identify the involved stakeholders, model two possible courses of events, evaluate the implications of each and come to a conclusion regarding the preferential option […]
• Cultural Clash in the Board Room: An Ethical Dilemma Among Top Management in Almond China The first option he has is to resign from the company because he says that one of the reasons that motivated him to join the company is the values and standards the company up holds.
• The Ethics of Critique Thus, the philosophers’ concept of human freedom and equality as the highest value is the ground for to struggle for human rights. As a result, showing care and concern contributes to the spread of moral […]
• Benefits and Dangers of Ethical Hacking The advantages of ethical hacking The following are some of the advantages associated with the use of ethical hacking in an organization.
• Legal and Ethical Issues in Sports It is also important to take into account the health problems of athletes caused by doping and address them on a case-by-case basis.
• Ethical Issues in the Novel “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley The paper looks at the ethical issues that the author highlights in her paper, such as the promotion of artificial life to help in the development of the discussions of this paper. Victor Frankenstein is […]
• Business Ethics: Is It Profitable? Business ethics is a set of professional ethics that tries to inspect ethical problem or the principles of ethics that can emerge in a business organization. Implementation of ethics in a business organization increases costs […]
• Ethics in Advertising and Its Importance Therefore, the following essay describes why ethics in advertising is an issue that requires increased attention, the types of advertising, and the benefits of advertising.
• Nestlé Ethics and Social Responsibility The research in the sphere of Nestle’s ethics shows that the company has lots of low-rated ethical criteria to be accused of.
• ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors Second, school counselors should ensure and conform to the standards of confidentiality, including appropriate disclosure of information. The fifth aspect is counselors’ mandate to ensure they do not have relationships that are likely to compromise […]
• Ethical Dilemma in Nursing Case Study Today, being a nurse is associated with a number of complexities due to the need to comply with diverse obligations in social, political, and healthcare segments.
• Scientists’ Moral Responsibility and Ethics Decades ago, it was the duty of policymakers, scholars, and the general public to deal with the effects of new knowledge while the scientists primarily conducted research. Therefore, the scientists have a responsibility to their […]
• Reflection of Ethical Self-Assessment I am good at managing my efforts on the way of ethical improvement and ethical conduct, I strive to achieve compliance with the accepted ethical model and I am already able to move further from […]
• NSPE Code of Ethics vs. Other Engineering Codes Essay Similarities between NSPE code of ethics and AiChE Engineers should use their skills to ensure health, welfare and safety of the public as provided by the first principle. The goal is to enhance health and […]
• Consequentialist, Deontological, and Virtue Ethics: Ethical Theories Ethical principles are rooted in the ethical theories, and ethicists, when trying to explain a particular action, usually refer to the principles, rather than theories.
• Law Ethics: Something Rotten in Hondo Lastly, the most morally right thing to do is to provide a scenario where employees are not exposed to health hazards and risks by virtue of their engagement with Adnak.
• Conservation and Preservation Ethics Therefore, man is a manager of the environment in conservation while the environment itself is its manager in preservation ethics. The challenge with preservation and conservation ethics is that these points of view tend to […]
• Ethics and corporate governance Likewise, corporate governance is the process in which corporate boards administer the operation of an organization by its managers, and the way the board members are held answerable to the organization and shareholders.
• Richard Angelo: A Serial Killer and His Ethical Dilemma The convicted claimed he made the injections to cause crises to be able to revive patients and become a hero in front of his colleagues.
• Jaguar Land Rover Business Strategy and Ethics This study evaluates the internal and external environments using different tools and techniques, including the PEST and four corners models to study the impact of CSR in line with the Jaguar Land Rover business strategy.
• Key Issues Concerning Computer Security, Ethics, and Privacy The issues facing computer use such as defense, ethics, and privacy continue to rise with the advent of extra ways of information exchange.
• Ethical Dilemma: Counselors Engaging in Relations with Clients They should keep a boundary in the way they relate to the clients to ensure that their relationship with the client does no harm or pose potential harm to the clients.
• Ethical Issues in the “Unthinkable” Film However, the crescendo of the interrogation is reached when the nuclear explosions are about to occur, and the interrogator threatens the victim’s family in a bid to stop the explosion by locating the bombs; the […]
• Invention of Light Bulbs by Davy: Ethical Issues This was a pivotal moment when Humphrey picked up an interest in the field of electrochemistry in the year 1808 because it led to discovery of the most famous invention in his life which was […]
• Ethical Implications of Implementing Religion or Spirituality Into Therapy The third consideration related to the ethics of therapy provided for Christian people is the need to include their religious values in the process of planning their treatment.
• Ethics in Cyber Age Therefore, ethics in cyber age is the breakdown of the environment and social impact of cyber space or computer technology along with the resultant development and validation of policies regarding ethical use of the information […]
• Code of Ethics in the Hospitality Industry The culture of hotel employees’ behavior includes all the aspects of personal external and internal culture, namely, the rules of behavior and the ability to express oneself correctly and to observe speech etiquette.
• Ethical Issues in Mass Communication and Advertising The following are some of the primary ethical issues that mass communication and advertising need to observe in modern society where media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion.
• Ethics in Financial Management It should however, be noted that despite the benefits, a number of companies have failed in the past simply because of ethics related issues.
• Ethics and Abortion In weighing the options concerning whether to perform an abortion and how to care for the patient, a healthcare entity must consider the legal implications, the patient’s and provider’s beliefs as well as the health […]
• Ethics and Civics of the Patriots in the 18th Century The statement mentioned in the Declaration of Independence about the necessity for people to dissolve their political bands and be equal within the frames of the Laws of Nature proved the grievance of the patriots.
• Samsung’s Ethical Dilemma of Child Labor The paper will critically analyze the ethical dimensions of the dilemma from the perspective of the utilitarian ethical theory. It will be argued that according to the fundamental principles of the theory, the company’s behavior […]
• Lockheed Corporation’s Ethical Decision-Making During the same period, Lockheed recorded numerous losses due to the changes experienced in the market. The leaders in the firm also continued to pay bribes to different government officials.
• Nursing Code of Ethics The nurses in all the aforementioned positions and context, performs with respect and compassion for the innate distinctness, worth, and dignity of each person, without any regard for his or her social or financial status, […]
• Ethical Issues Associated With Psychological Testing The second case along the line of psychological testing includes the case of Brown V. Reason The above case was used to examine the validity of psychological testing.
• Ethical Approaches in the Retail Clothing Industry Clothing industries have adopted ethical and sustainable fashion, which maximizes the benefits to industry and society and minimizes the negative impact on the environment.
• Corey’s Ethical Decision-Making Model Application The goal is to determine if the company has violated human rights and evaluate the possibility for the client to fight for his rights with the organization. One of the courses of action is to […]
• Christian Ethics Issues and Abortion As for the rights and interests of the mother, when comparing them with the rights and interests of the child, there is a possibility of an axiological preference for the goods of the latter.
• Engineering Ethics of Chernobyl and the Three Mile Island Despite the significant efforts of the responders to the Chernobyl accident, its consequences included the creation of the exclusion zone, people’s deaths, and worsening of the population’s health.
• Dante’s Ethical System in His Divine Comedy Dante uses the perception of God on sin to depict his personal perception of punishment and the structures he envisions hell to have.
• Medical Ethics in Radiography The engineering and paternal model is not applicable in modern medicine since the patient must consent to any procedure. It shows the guidelines and principles that radiographers must stick to in order to provide quality […]
• Ethical Dilemma: The Missing Needle Protector Health care professionals and patients have to develop a level of trust to support the recovery process for patients and the status of the hospital.
• Clinical Laboratories’ Legal and Ethical Issues The clinical laboratory operations within a given country are driven by a set of ethical conduct, which the researchers and laboratory technicians are expected to observe. In managing the laboratory activities, there is a need […]
• Seven-Step Process for Ethical Decision-Making However, based on the decision I made I was required to discuss the matter with other stakeholders who could have accused me of being biased in the selection and decision-making process.
• Ethical and Social Responsibility Toward Environment The environment is exposed to many types of issues due to human activity that harm it, this paper identifies these issues, the ethical and social responsibility that man has towards the environment and highlights the […]
• Business Ethics Differences Around the World As such, its developments will be used to explain parts of the analysis and to put the different cultures discussed in this essay into the same framework.
• Microsoft Corporation’s Ethical Perspectives A global organization like Microsoft has both ethical and social responsibility issues it has to deal with in the course of its operations. According to Microsoft, employee diversity is a good indication of the company’s […]
• Roles of Ethics in Psychological Research Risk analysis on the intended research activity is necessary to weigh the total benefits and risks of the proposed study to the subjects in terms of privacy and nurturing the reputation psychology as a profession.
• Information Technology Code of Ethics & Responsibilities According to the social contract theory, the government has the obligation of ensuring the security of individual and organizational information by instituting laws on the protection of their privacy.
• Surrogacy and Its Ethical Implications on Nursing In simpler terms, it is the carrying of a pregnancy by a woman who is not the biological mother of the child.
• Journalism: Media Law and Ethics Exploring the dynamics of media, journalists are the link between the legal authorities and the greater society. And this is against the dynamics of journalism.
• Integrity in Organizational Culture and Ethical Theories To create a value-driven culture of integrity, it would be useful to consider Kantian ethics and virtue ethics as the two primary ethical theories.
• Ethics of Airlines’ Extra Charge for Obese People In this regard, he would not have supported the imposition of an extra charge for obese people. This proposal aligns with the principle of equality because it would be unfair to other passengers if obese […]
• Cooper’s Ethical Decision-Making Model: Corcoran State Prison According to Rigg and Caruso, the actions of the fellow prison guards were unwarranted and amounts to unethical behavior as well as contrary to the mission and values of the California Department of Corrections and […]
• Facing Ethical Issues as a Software Engineer Applying the Kantian theory of ethics the software engineer will have to inform the stakeholders including the investors of the company and the clients that there will be a delay in the launching of the […]
• Death Penalty and Ethics The arguments for the capital punishment as explained earlier are also extremely weak and the practice of death penalty is morally wrong.
• Ethics of Informed Consent in DNA Research The ethical issue that is the focus of the current study is the use of patient DNA for research by a company without their knowledge and consent.
• Ethical Responsibilities in Social Work It leaves a negative mark on the reputation of the company in which the fraud was committed and, in the long term, on the social sphere as a whole.
• Fifteen Ethical Principles of the Universal Declaration on Bioethics
• Selling Pets and Pets’ Products: The Ethical Considerations Raised.
• Personal Values and Beliefs in Ethical Issues
• Ford Motor Company Ethical Strategies and Policies
• Ethics in Group Counseling
• Ethical Dilemmas Facing Teachers
• The Ethical Decision-Making (EDM) Model Principles
• Bayview University’s College: Ethical Behavior of Business Students
• Cardillo Travel Systems Inc.’s Ethical Practice
• Ethical Issues in Interior Design
• Ethics of Digital Manipulation
• Ethical Issues Faced By Multi-National Companies Operating In Less Developed Countries
• Business Ethics and Child Labour
• Ethics of Data Misuse in Urban Planning
• Ethics: Should Batman Kill the Joker?
• Eastern Ethics and Natural Law
• Perioperative Practitioners: Ethical, Professional, and Legal Issues
• “The Devil Wears Prada”: Morality and Ethics
• The Unilever Global Company’s Business Ethics
• Corporate Social Responsibility at the Tesco PLC
• The Role of Ethics in “Gone Baby Gone”
• Abortion: An Ethical Dilemma and Legal Position
• Ethics in Nursing: The Most Important Ethical Principles
• The Ethics of Using Old Examination to Study
• Google and Ethics
• Ethical Decision Making and Sustainable Development
• The Coca-Cola Company Struggles With Ethical Crisis
• Ethical and Unethical Leadership in Healthcare
• Business Ethics: Reflective Essay
• Digital Communication Laws and Ethics
• Violation of Basic Ethical Principles in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study
• Nonmaleficence as Ethical Principle in Healthcare
• Ethics in Mass Media Regarding Pepsi’s Commercial
• Ethics of Nepotism in Business
• History of Ethical Principles in Psychology
• Ethical Systems in the “Sophie’s Choice” Movie
• Accounting Ethical Issues in New Zealand
• Nursing Ethical Principles Application
• Ethical Dilemmas in Healthcare Institutions
• Quebec Bridge Collapse and Ethical Issues
• Abortion and Virtue Ethics
• Ethics in Computer Technology: Cybercrimes
• Cooper’s Ethical Decision-Making Model
• Ethical and Illegal Computer Hacking
• Ethical Organization: Starbucks Case
• Ethical Issues in Road Construction
• Ethics of Decision-Making in Social Work
• Ethics Unwrapped: Apple Suppliers & Labor Practices
• Leah Curtin’s Classic Model in Nursing Ethics
• Ethical Issues in Terri Schiavo Case
• Ethical Dilemma With the Bank Teller
• Code of Ethics in Education
• Professionalism and Ethics in Public Administration
• Coke and Pepsi in India: Issues, Ethics, and Management
• Patients’ Spiritual Needs and Ethical Principles
• Engineering Ethics and Legal Standards
• Ethics and Professional Behavior in Criminal Justice
• Enron Management Practices’ Ethical Principles
• Cultural Differences and Ethics of International Trading
• Ethical Theories and Ethical Business Practices
• Nike From an Ethical Perspective
• Examining “The Golden Rule” and Virtue Ethics
• Child Labour: Ethical Aspects of Employment
• Ethical and Social Responsibility Issues in IHRM
• Kitsch – under the Title of Taste and Ethics
• Value and Ethics in Organizations
• Ethical Hedonism: The Principles of Morals and Legislation
• Apple Inc.’s Mission, Vision, and Code of Ethics
• Ethics in Product Safety of Takata Corporation
• Medication Errors: Ethical & Legal Implications
• Ethical Failure in the Pulpit: Impact on the Church, Congregation, and Community
• Fast Fashion and Ethical Consumption
• Business Law and Ethics: Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball
• Ethics in Public Administration
• Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment and Ethical Principles
• Zodiac Movie: Crime, Media Reporting and Ethics
• Nestle Company’s Child Labor and Business Ethics
• H&M Company Ethical Culture Analysis
• Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Ethical Consideration
• Business Ethics Theories From a Practical Perspective
• Power and Ethics in Organizations
• Vodafone Company and Ethical Principles
• Ethical Principles in the Movie The Firm
• Virtue and Stoic Ethics in Criminal Justice
• Ethics of Group vs. Individual Practice Compared
• Ethics of Discovery in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”
• Ethics of Unproven Drugs and Issues
• Analysis of Ethical Issues in Accounting
• Action-Based Ethics Criticism
• Ethical Issues in Criminology and Criminal Justice Research
• KPMG Corporation’s Auditing & Ethical Issues
• The Four Steps Leading to Ethical Behavior
• King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud’s Responsible Leadership and Ethics
• The Acme Title Pawn Employee’s Ethical Dilemma
• Volkswagen Emissions Scandal From Ethical Viewpoint
• Ethics and Whistleblowing: Moral Quandaries
• Business Ethics Theories and Values
• Arranged Marriage and Its Ethical Dilemma
• Facebook: Web Page’ Ethical Statement
• Economy and Ethics in the Inside a Job Documentary
• Yahoo Company’s Ethical Issues in China
• Legal and Ethical Implications for Classroom Management
• Ethical Implications of Data Mining by Government Institutions
• Ethical Issue: Whistleblowing
• Starbuck’s Ethical Relationship with Stakeholders
• Ethical Dimensions into Tourism Policy and Management
• Can Advertising to Children be Ethical?
• Organizational Culture and Business Ethics
• The Ethical Issues in Financial Management
• Resolving Ethical Issues in the Workplace: Utilitarianism and Kantian Ethics
• The Ethics of the Union Carbide Disaster in India
• Medical Ethics – The Four Pillars Explained
• The Wells Fargo Firm’s Ethical Case Analysis
• Utilitarianism: Ethical Theory in Healthcare
• Spirituality and Ethics: Christian Perspective and Postmodern Relativism
• Act Utilitarianism and Virtue Ethics: Pros and Cons
• Ethical Dilemmas: An Analysis of Two Cases
• The American College of Healthcare Executives Code of Ethics
• “Eight Theories of Ethics: Egoism” by Graham
• Ethical Dilemmas Surrounding Self-Driving Cars
• Ethics and Morality in Health Profession
• Using Food Preservatives Ethical
• The Ethical Issues in the Sports Medicine
• Ethical Dilemma in Journalism
• Ethical Obligations of System Administrators
• Business Ethics: Can a Corporation Have a Conscience?
• Ethical Issues Surrounding Terri Schiavo
• Egoism and Altruism as Ethical Theories
• Ethics of Online Education
• The Ethical Issues of Genetic Engineering
• Immanuel Kant’s – Duty Theory of Ethics
• Ethical Issues in Psychology
• Consumer Behaviour in Relation to Ethical Marketing
• Ethical Concept in “Blood Diamonds” Film by Edward Zwick
• Ethics by Linda Pasten
• Ethical Issues With Performance Enhancing Drugs in Professional Sports
• Kant’s Ethics: Objection to Lying
• The Connections between the MEAA Code of Ethics and Three Philosophical Traditions
• Environmental Ethics: Land Ethic and the Platform of Deep Ecology
• Sexual Abuse in the Workplace as an Ethical Issue
• Business Ethics: Triple Bottom Line
• New Belgium Brewing: Ethical and Environmental Responsibility
• Ethical Principles in Photojournalism
• Ethical Committee in Healthcare Presentation
• Ethical Dilemma of Patient Care Delivery
• Kant’s Duty-Based Ethics at the Workplace
• Ethical Issue: Public Corruption
• The Theory of Ethical Egoism and Utilitarianism
• Ethical Issues of the Information Age
• Ethical Principles in Case of Belmont Report
• Counseling Intervention Ethical Concerns
• The Blue Nile Company’s Ethical Issue
• Ethical Philosophy: The Case Studies
• Theories of Ethics: Virtue, Teleological and Deontological Theory
• Four Principles of Medical Ethics
• Ethical Reasoning: Dominant and Alternative Approaches
• The Ethical Obligation for Nurses in Making a DNR Decision
• Ethical Issues and Values in Accounting
• Criminal Justice Ethics of Traffic Police Officers
• Pros, Cons and Ethics of “Stop and Frisk” Law
• An Ethical Dilemma – Religious Belief Versus Medical Practice
• Engineering Ethics in the Organizations
• McDonald’s Ethics in Super-Size Me Documentary
• Biodiversity Hotspots and Environmental Ethics
• Wells Fargo Banking Scandal: Ethical Analysis
• ANA Code of Ethics and Care Management and Coordination in Nursing
• Joe Smith and Bill Bateman: Ethical Dilemma Analysis
• Ethics and Decision-Making in Public Safety
• “The Ethics of Belief” by William K. Clifford
• Ethical Issues: Occidental Engineering Company
• Business Ethics in John Q. and Wall Street Movies
• Ethical Dilemma & Glyphosate: Post Foods Company
• Counseling Ethics in Tarasoff vs. Regents Case
• Ethical Behavior as to Returned Food and Beverages
• Ethics in “The Clockwork Orange” Film by Kubrick
• Social and Ethical Responsibility: Martin Shkreli Scandal
• Ergonomics in Job and Workplace Design
• Normative Methods in Healthcare Ethics
• The Ethics of Science in the Film “Jurassic Park”
• Ethics of Emergencies: Ayn Rand’s View
• Employee Selection Method: Ethical and Legal Issues
• The Ethics of Harvesting Eggs from Dead Women
• Military Professional Ethics
• Ethical Issues in Supply Chain
• Pragmatic ethics
• Ethics in Entertainment Journalism
• Engineering Practice Ethical Considerations
• Food Ethics
• An Ethical Analysis of Animal Rights
• Factors Influencing Individuals’ Ethical Behaviour
• The Problem of Codes of Ethics
• Christian Doctrines and Environmental Degradation
• W. K. Clifford, ‘The Ethics of Belief’
• Ethical Manager
• Business Ethics Strengths and Weaknesses
• An Ethics Program for a Small Business Venture
• Ethics and Human Resource Management
• The Ethical Dilemma: Siemens
• Sainsbury’s and Nokia: Political, Ethical, Economic, and Legal Issues
• Nike Business Code of Ethics
• Luxury Fashion Market and Ethics
• Reflection on Professional Ethics of Counselors
• An Ethical Dilemma and Lapse in Business
• The Milgram Experiment and Ethical Issues
• Natural Law Theory and Virtue Ethics Theory
• Zoom Technology and Its Ethical Issues
• “The Ethics of Belief” by Clifford and “The Will to Believe” by James
• Ethics and the Internet
• The APA Code of Ethics
• The Ethical Issues Associated With Organ Transplantation
• Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing
• Ethical Police Problems
• Deontological Ethics and Morality
• Business Ethics and Ethical Decision Making
• Politics and Ethics in Plato’s Republic
• Mill’s vs. Kant’s Ethical Theories on Lie
• Starbucks: Ethics and Compliance
• Business Ethics, Globalization and Sustainability
• Ethical Considerations in Research
• The Code of Ethics: Royal Caribbean Cruise Case
• Volkswagen Group’s Corporate Governance and Ethics
• Ethical Corporations in the Business Environment
• Public Speaking: Ethics and Critical Thinking
• Confucian Ethics
• “Ethics for the Real World” by Ronald Howard and Clinton Korver
• An Ethical System of Deontology: Erin Brockovich (2000)
• Ethics of Animals Use in Psychological Research
• Ethical Behavior of the Organization’s Employees
• Concept of Bioethics in Society
• Ethical Controversies Surrounding John Watson and Little Albert
• Crane & Matten’s Business Ethics
• Business Objectives, Ethics and Reputation
• Feminist Ethics Concept
• Data Ethics in Business
• Ethics and Evidence-Based Research
• The Lego Company’s High Ethical Standards
• Facial Recognition Technology and Ethical Concerns
• Ethical Questions and Promotion Assignment
• The Unocal Firm’s Ethical Dilemma in Burma
• Nursing Ethics Regarding Abortion
• The Ethical Approach to the Premature Twins Case
• Academic Ghostwriting: Ethical Issues
• Core Values of Social Work: Code of Ethics
• Truth vs. Loyalty: Tinkov’s Ethical Dilemma
• Global Poverty: The Ethical Dilemma
• “Gone Baby Gone” by Ben Affleck: Film’s Ethical Framework
• Purdue Pharma’s Marketing and Ethical Implications
• Apple Inc.’s Business Ethics Strategies
• Legal and Ethical Implications in Healthcare
• Importance of Ethics in Journalism
• Mental Health Nursing Practice and Ethical Issues
• Business Ethics and Stakeholder Management
• Pressure Ulcers Prevention and Its Ethical Factors
• Ethical Issues and Nonmaleficence in Healthcare
• Professional and Ethical Obligation of Architecture
• Leadership, Trustworthiness, and Ethical Stewardship
• Ethical Issues Raised by Edward Snowden’s Whistleblowing
• The Significant Facts and Ethical Issues Surrounding Coca-Cola India
• The Aims of Philosophy of Law: Ethical Issues
• Ethical Dilemmas in Workplace Analysis
• The Ethical Dilemma in Nursing
• Conflicts Between Ethics and the Law in Healthcare
• Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice
• Surrogacy as the Contemporary Issue in Nursing Ethics: Ethical and Legal Aspects
• Ethical Standards for Tax Professionals
• Legal and Ethical Implications of Uninsured in the US
• How Ethics Influence Nursing
• Renewable Energy Ethical Question
• Is The Phrase “Business Ethics” A Contradiction?
• Work Ethics: The Role in Contemporary Society
• Plastic Surgery In Pets. Case Studies in Ethical Choice
• The Responsibility To Protect (R2P) Concept: Ethics and Moral Values Introduction
• American International Group Coping with Financial and Ethical Risks
• Ethics and Morality Theories: Explanation and Comparison
• Ethical Issue Facing Health Care: Healthcare Insurance Issues
• Infanticide: Discussion of the Question and Related Ethical Issues
• Kant’s Ethical Theory: Rational and Free Choices
• Care Ethics: Role of Feelings and Reason
• Ethics of Emergency Care and Patient Consent
• Ethical Dilemmas in the Nursing Field
• Adopting a Shelter Pet as an Ethical Decision
• Ethical Dilemma in “The Reader” Film by S. Daldry
• Starbucks’ Ethical Accusations
• “Virtue Ethics and Adultery” by Raja Halwani
• Rolling Stone Magazine’s Ethical and Legal Issues
• Profile in Ethical Leadership: Bernard Madoff
• Chick-fil-A Restaurant Chain Ethical Case
• Moral Issues and Ethical Subjectivism
• Business Ethics and Law Relationships in Examples
• Hyundai Dispatch Workers and Ethical Dilemma
• Ethics in “The Corporation” Documentary
• Ethical Dilemma: Swimming Pool Building
• Ethical Decision Making: Restorative Justice
• Affordable Care Act in Ethical Theories
• Photography Ethics, Reliability, and Principles
• Counseling Ethical Codes and Diversity Issues
• Ethics and Gender: Empowering Societies
• Alcohol Industry and Business Ethics
• Jehovah’s Witness Refusal of Care: Ethical Issues
• Milgram’s Experiment on Obedience: Ethical Issues
• H. B. Fuller and His Resistol Products Ethical Case
• Ethical Issues in Apple Inc.
• Peer Review of Authorship Ethics
• Relationship between Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
• Contemporary Ethical Issues in Wal-Mart
• Enron’s (USA) and Parmalat’s (Italy) ‘Scandals’ of 2003/2004: Ethical Issues and Criticisms
• Morality and Ethics: Religion Effect on Human Behavior
• Ethical Hacking: Bad in a Good Way
• Application of ethical theory
• Ethics and Computer Security
• Towards Understanding Baudrillard’s Seduction Ethics and how It Assists to Understand Modern Media
• Ethical analysis of illegal downloading and the effects of it
• Ethics in Health Administration: Four Principles of Autonomy
• Ethics: Moral Issues in Business
• Ethical Standards in Scientific Research
• Counselor and Ethical Boundaries
• Teleological and Deontological Theories of Ethics Definition
• Business Ethics in South African Enterprises
• Louis Pojman’s Ethical Theory
• Ethical issues in heath care
• Ethical theories
• Code of Conduct and Ethics in School
• Medical Ethics: Withholding Information From Patients
• Human Service Professionals: The Ethical Standards
• Domestic Violence Ethical Dilemmas in Criminal Justice
• Ethical Relativism in Business
• Ethical Codes and Their Importance
• Ethics in Engineering: Goodrich A7D Brake Case
• Medical Ethics of Westwood Imaging Centers
• The International Olympic Committee’s Ethical Issues
• College Student’s Ethical Problem
• Personal Code of Ethics and Interpersonal Relationships
• Alternative Dispute Resolution: Legal, Social-Ethical, and Biblical Aspects
• Business Ethics in Leadership & Management Development
• The American Counseling Association: Code of Ethics
• Aristotle’s Philosophy and Views on Ethics
• Moral Responsibility: Ethics and Human Relationships
• Case Study: Tanya’s Case on Ethical Decision
• “Ethical Dilemmas in MNCs’ International Staffing Policies” by Banai and Sama
• Ethics of Profession Overview
• Homeland Security. The Ethics of Intelligence Collection
• Media Law and Ethics: Integrity in Media Broadcasting
• AICPA: The Ethics in the Organization
• Ethical Virtues and Vices
• Blood Transfusion Code of Ethics
• Ethics and Educational Requirement
• NASW Code of Ethics: Sexual Contact with Clients
• The Ethical Issues Facing the Nutriset Company
• Personal Christian Ethics Statement
• Kobe Bryant and His Work Ethic
• Justice and Ethical Responsibility in Society
• Possible Solutions to the Ethical Dilemmas
• Criminal Justice Ethics Definition
• Professional Ethics. Employment of Spouses
• Ethical Nursing Care and Patient Autonomy
• Ethics in the Modern World
• Social Worker’s Personal and Professional Ethics
• Moral Principles and Personal Ethics
• Ethical and Social Implications of Testing
• Ethical Issues of Death and Dying
• Trust in Business Ethics and Customer Relationship
• Home Care and Nurse’s Ethical and Legal Concerns
• Engineering Ethics and Conflict of Interests
• Benetton’s Shocking Advertising and Its Ethics
• Snow White Company’s Legal and Ethical Issues
• Ethics in School Leadership
• Academic Dishonesty in Psychologist’s Ethics
• Counseling Ethics in 5-Step Decision-Making Model
• Costco Company’s Business Diversity, Ethics, Leadership
• Animal Testing and Ethics
• Lockheed Martin’s Corporate Ethics
• Technology Use among Children: Ethical Issues
• Ethical Behaviour in the Engineering Workplace
• General Motors Company Ethical Issues
• Moral Theology and Ethics Principles
• Muhammad’s Personality and Character Ethics Inspired Muslim’s Way of Life
• Ethical Issues in “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad
• Business Ethics: Enron
• McDonald’s Ethical and Moral Dilemma
• Resolving Issues with Ethical Decision Making Process
• A Case for Global Ethics
• Ethics in the Film “A Time to Kill”
• Counselor ethical boundaries and practices assignment
• Ethical Issues on HIV/AIDS
• Code of Ethics: Shell Oil
• Ethical Issues in Staffing Measurement
• Moral Development and Ethical Concepts
• Ethical Leader Characteristics
• British Airways Ethical System
• Business Ethics in Multinational Corporations
• FedEx: Implementing Business Ethics
• Media Ethics: Towards Employing Utilitarianism and Kantian Theory in Examining Practical Ethical Issues
• Corporate Governance and Its Relation to Business Ethics in Case of BHP Billiton and Australian Corporate Governance
• “Eat Drink Man Woman”: Confucian Ethics and Traditional Chinese Family Life
• The Investigation of Ethical Issues in The Tell-Tale Heart and The Pond
• Moral and Ethical Issues and the Foundation of Special Education
• Ethical Culture Audit: Corporate Policies and Norms
• Aristotle’s Ethical Theory
• Business Ethics in Totalitarian Countries
• Corporate Responsibility at Walmart
• Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
• Ethics and Practical Advantage to Believe in God
• Ethical Behavior in Criminal Justice
• Catholic vs. Principle-Based Ethics
• Abortion-Related Ethical Considerations
• Ethical Dilemma in Law Enforcement: Confidentiality and Misuse of Information
• Ethics and Validity in the Research Process
• Approaches to the Environmental Ethics
• The Atlanta Police Department’s Code of Ethics
• Abortion in Australia: Legal and Ethical Issues
• Culture, Ethics, and Law: Ethical Theory and Moral Practice
• The Ethical Use of Technology in Healthcare
• Moral Dilemmas in Business Ethics
• Ethical Dilemma of Stopping City Authority
• Ethical Issue: Toxic Workplace Culture
• Urban Planning Code of Ethics
• Ethics and Morals: Ambiguous Decisions on Imposing a Penalty
• Ethical Issues with Fetal Anomalies
• The Worth of Biomedical Ethics in Nursing Practice
• Police Culture: Criminal Justice Ethics
• Impact of Increased Depreciation on American Movieplex Earnings and Ethics
• Case Study on Ethical Issues: Cyberbullying
• Religion and Spirituality as an Ethical Issue in Healthcare
• The Ethics of Abortion in Nursing
• Relation Between Leadership and Police Ethics
• Ethical Issues in the Affordable Care Act
• Navigating Ethical Concerns in Voluntourism
• Ethical Reasoning and Conformity
• Ethical and Legal Problems in Health Care Organizations
• Ethical Standards: Institution’s Corporate Values
• Global Ethics: The Babel Drama by Iñárritu
• Ethics of Cancelling Students’ Debt
• Homeland Security Goals, Legal and Ethical Issues
• Legal and Ethical Practices Against Fraud and Abuse
• Ethics in Public Administration: Duncan Hunter’s Case
• Business Ethics: “Can Ad Copy Be False…?” Article
• World Religions, Morality, and Ethical Issues
• Are Our Business and Ethics Compatible?
• Are Confucianism and Islamic Ethics Applicable in the Contemporary World?
• Are Some Bribes More Harmful Than Others?
• Are There Gender Differences in Ethics in Public?
• Does the Ethics Committee Indian Scenario Adequately safeguard Trial Participants?
• Can Technologies Determine Modern Social Customs and Ethics?
• Can Technology Affect Ethics and Culture?
• Did Thomas Jefferson Abandon His Ethics for the Lousiana?
• Does Business Ethics Make Economic Sense?
• Does Business Ethics Matter?
• Does Collectivism Affect Environmental Ethics?
• Does East Meet West in Business Ethics?
• Does Ethics Improve Stock Market Resilience in Times of Instability?
• Does Ethics Training Neutralize the Incentives of the Prisoner’s Dilemma?
• Does Studying Ethics Affect Moral Views?
• Does the United States Government Have Environmental Ethics?
• Does Virtue Ethics Give Adequate Action Guidance?
• Does Virtue Ethics Make a Significant Contribution to Moral Theory?
• How Are Diversity and Ethics Interrelated?
• How Are Ethics and Politics Related to Aristotle’s Philosophy?
• How Are Ethics Different From Moral?
• How Are Knowledge and Doubt Linked in Mathematics and Ethics?
• How Are Personal Ethics Developed?
• How Did Aristotle Understands the Human Being Through Virtue Ethics?
• How Does Attitude Affect Work Ethics?
• How Can Business Ethics Help Companies?
• How Can Ethics Help to Achieve Happiness?
• Why Death and Ethics Are Inextricably Linked?
• Why Are Environmental Ethics Important in the Preservation of the Natural Environment?
• Why Ethics and Virtue Are Important in Leadership?
• Nicomachean Ethics Essay Topics
• Social Justice Essay Ideas
• Moral Dilemma Paper Topics
• Social Security Paper Topics
• Social Problems Essay Ideas
• Cultural Relativism Questions
• Social Responsibility Topics
• Social Norms Essay Ideas
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, October 26). 627 Ethics Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/ethics-essay-examples/

"627 Ethics Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 26 Oct. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/ethics-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '627 Ethics Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 26 October.

IvyPanda . 2023. "627 Ethics Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." October 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/ethics-essay-examples/.

1. IvyPanda . "627 Ethics Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." October 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/ethics-essay-examples/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "627 Ethics Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." October 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/ethics-essay-examples/.

Pardon Our Interruption

As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot. There are a few reasons this might happen:

• You've disabled JavaScript in your web browser.
• You're a power user moving through this website with super-human speed.
• You've disabled cookies in your web browser.
• A third-party browser plugin, such as Ghostery or NoScript, is preventing JavaScript from running. Additional information is available in this support article .

To regain access, please make sure that cookies and JavaScript are enabled before reloading the page.