Shades of Grey: Applying Professional Codes of Ethics to Workplace Dilemmas

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2009

Abstract

This paper offers five real-life case studies for exploring ethics in the management classroom. They come from the fields of international business/strategy, human resources management, accounting, finance, and marketing. To spark critical thinking and provide additional information, students are presented with reflection questions and professional codes of practice that relate to the issues and actions described in each case. After the major piece of experiential learning activity has been completed, students are exposed to viewpoints from experts in the field, specifically how those experts would have handled the case situation themselves. Referenced ethical codes of practice are taken from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), the Society of Financial Services Professionals (FSP), the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), the American Marketing Association (AMA), and the Global Business Standards Codes (GBS). The business cases explore the extent to which the professional codes give guidance to practitioners and highlight the nature of ethical dilemmas and challenges that occur in these professions.

DOI

10.1057/omj.2009.22

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