GRA 8139 Ethics and Corporate Accountability

APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2012/2013

GRA 8139 Ethics and Corporate Accountability Responsible for the course Heidi Høivik Department Department of Strategy and Logistics Term According to study plan ECTS Credits 2,5 Language of instruction English Introduction Given the increasing intensity of global competition, companies can no longer operate successfully without understanding the role of ethical values in management and the importance of both personal and corporate integrity and accountability..Business executives have to detect ethical issues in advance, be able to present morally and financially viable decisions, and lead others to understand that moral reasoning is essentially an integral part of the managerial process.The overall goal of the course is to strengthen participants’ ability to understand, to reflect, and to respond to a variety of ethical management challenges. Learning outcome The course objectives are realized using multipe components that are especially appropriate to application oriented and integrative learning such as case studies from different parts of the world, class discussions, readings and guest speakers. Acquired Knowledge: Students need to develop analytical skills for identifying and resolving ethical issues in business and must practice decision making about issues of ethics and corporate social responsibility. This can be achieved using an active integrated learning approach using well-written cases. Participants should not expect a moralizing approach telling them what is right or wrong in a specific situation. The course intends to make them more knowledgeable and comfortable with the central concepts, frameworks and theories of business ethics. Acquired Skills: The emphasis is on - understanding and actively using an ethical refletion process prior to making business decisions - evaluating consequences of ethically difficult dilemmas in business - learning how moral values in organizations can be developed and sustained ("best practice") - responding to new demands regarding sustainable business or “Corporate Social Responsibility”. The exchange and debate of ideas among peers with work experience is a crucial element of the learning process. Reflection: Strengthen participants' moral competence and enhance deeper understanding of ethical challenges in a global context Prerequisites The EMBA prerequisities in general Compulsory reading Books: Høivik, Heidi von Weltzien, ed.. 2002. Moral leadership in action : building and sustaining moral competence in European organizations. Edward Elgar Collection of articles: 2003. Harvard Business Review on Corporate Responsibility. Harvard Business School Publishing. 1, 2, 3,5,. Artikkelsamling , collection of articles Harvard Business Review on Corporate Ethics. 2003. Harvard Business School Publishing. 2, 3,5,6,7,8. Artikkelsamling , Collection of articles Recommended reading Course outline The main elements of the course are as follows - Fundamentals of ethics and economic rationality - The rise of “business ethics” and "Corporate Responsibility" - Case discussions using a model for ethical eflection and decision making - Presentation of research about implementing and sustaining moral competence in organizations - Linking values and integrity in management to corporate social responsibility and accountability - Presentation of a current topic by a guest speaker from the business community Computer-based tools Learning process and workload The course is designed as a combination of lectures, case discussions, team presentations and group work. Examination 20% class participation ( individual) 80% term paper (group of 2-3) Examination code(s) GRA 81391 - Process evaluation; counts 100% to pass GRA 8139, 2,5 ECTS. The course is a part of a full Executive Master of Business Administration Program and all evaluations must be passed to obtain a certificate for the degree. Examination support materials Re-sit examination Re-takes are only possible at the next time a course will be held. When course evaluation consists of class participation or process elements, the whole course must me re-evaluated when a student wants to retake a exam. Retake examinations entail an extra examination fee. Additional information

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