(in Polish) Etyka w biznesie 2600-MFBRdz1EB

The course "Ethics in Business" provides an interdisciplinary perspective on ethical issues in management, combining philosophical foundations with business practice. Its goal is to develop critical thinking and ethical analysis skills in business decision-making processes while emphasizing the importance of responsible and sustainable management approaches.
The course curriculum covers both the theoretical foundations of business ethics and their practical applications within organizations. Students will become familiar with concepts of descriptive and normative ethics, as well as various ethical approaches in business, including cognitivism and non-cognitivism, utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, and relativism. Special emphasis will be placed on the relationships between the free market and justice, profit-making and the ethics of capitalism, as well as ethical approaches to management.
The course also explores practical aspects of business ethics, such as ethical codes, anti-corruption programs, and ethical investing. Throughout the seven-lecture series, discussions will include environmental aspects of ethical management, examining the impact of sustainable development and ecology on business strategies and operations, as well as social aspects, focusing on ways to counteract issues such as corruption, workplace bullying (mobbing), and discrimination in the workplace.

Course Modules:
1. Introduction to Ethics in Business
The course begins with an overview of fundamental concepts related to business ethics and its role in management. Students will explore the relationship between ethics, philosophy, and business, as well as the distinction between descriptive and prescriptive ethics. This module also covers topics such as morality, moral judgment, and various moral theories, including cognitivism, non-cognitivism, consequentialism, and non-consequentialism. Additionally, discussions will address the connections between ethics and religion, along with key ethical frameworks such as utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, and ethical relativism.

2. The Market, Business, and Justice
This module focuses on the relationship between ethics and profit, as well as the ethical aspects of economic activity. Students will study John Rawls' theory of justice, Milton Friedman's approach, and R.E. Freeman's stakeholder theory. The module will also explore different ethical perspectives on capitalism, including unitary, separatist, and integrative views. Further topics include workers' rights, workplace bullying (mobbing), discrimination, and environmental protection as a component of responsible management.

3. Best Practices, Codes, and Ethical Programs
This module examines value systems within organizations and the role of ethical codes in shaping responsible business practices. Students will learn about different types of ethical codes, their structure and content, and the process of designing and implementing ethical programs within companies. Additional topics include corporate values, non-financial reporting, and business transparency and accountability.
4. Globalization and Sustainable Development in an Ethical Context
This module addresses the ethical implications of globalization and sustainable development. Topics include environmental ethics, covering concepts such as eco-ethics, deep ecology (Arne Næss), ecological humanism (Henryk Skolimowski), and social ecology (Florian Znaniecki). Students will analyse how globalization influences ethical challenges in business, the concept of sustainable development, the circular economy, and the importance of ecological and social awareness in business decision-making.

5. Financial Markets and Ethics
This module introduces students to the ethical aspects of investment and socially responsible investing (SRI). It covers Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, green investing, and faith-based investment strategies. Additionally, students will study the functioning of socially responsible stock market indices.

6. Corporate Social Irresponsibility and Whistleblowing
This module addresses the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its opposite - corporate social irresponsibility (CSIR). Students will analyse examples of unethical business practices, such as child labour, modern slavery, and labour rights violations. A key topic in this module is whistleblowing, exploring the role of whistleblowers in exposing misconduct and corruption within organizations.

7. Corruption and Value-Based Management
The final module focuses on corruption and financial fraud in business. Students will learn about corruption mechanisms, anti-corruption programs, and procurement fraud challenges. Topics also include Ponzi schemes, money laundering, and strategies for countering financial crimes, with a discussion on regulatory bodies such as the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The course concludes with an exploration of value-based management and the challenges of fostering an ethical corporate culture.