LUBS3003 – Business Ethics

University of Leeds | Leeds University Business School

🎯 Course Overview

This module explores the ethical challenges faced by businesses in a globalized world. Students will critically evaluate key ethical concepts, corporate responsibility practices, and the role of ethical leadership in business. Through philosophical analysis and case studies, students will develop the ability to articulate and defend their own ethical positions on contemporary business issues, from supply chain fairness to environmental responsibility.

📅 Weekly Lecture Themes & Content Focus

• Week 1: Ethical Foundations in Business
  • Distinction between legal compliance and ethical responsibility
  • Normative vs. descriptive approaches to business ethics
  • Historical development of business ethics as a discipline
• Week 2: Corporate Purpose and Moral Responsibility
  • Shareholder vs. stakeholder theory debates
  • Ethical implications of profit maximization
  • Case study: Patagonia’s mission-driven business model
• Week 3: Justice in Global Supply Chains
  • Exploitation in outsourcing: Marxist vs. liberal perspectives
  • Consumer responsibility for worker welfare in developing countries
  • Fast fashion case study: Bangladesh garment industry
• Week 4: Environmental Ethics in Business
  • Corporate responsibility for carbon emissions
  • Ethical frameworks for sustainable business practices
  • Circular economy vs. traditional linear models
• Week 5: Ethical Human Resource Management
  • Meaningful work as an ethical obligation
  • Discrimination based on attraction in hiring
  • Social media screening of job candidates
• Week 6: Workplace Democracy
  • Arguments for and against democratic business structures
  • Employee participation in decision-making
  • Worker cooperative models
• Week 7: The Ethics of Advertising
  • Appealing to envy in marketing campaigns
  • Truthfulness and manipulation in advertising
  • Case study: Subliminal messaging controversies
• Week 8: Big Data and Privacy
  • Ethical use of consumer data for targeted advertising
  • Informed consent in the digital age
  • Algorithmic bias and discrimination
• Week 9: Cross-Cultural Business Ethics
  • Cultural relativism vs. universal ethical standards
  • Respecting local norms vs. maintaining corporate values
  • Case study: Gender discrimination in international management
• Week 10: Ethical Leadership and Whistleblowing
  • Moral courage in organizational settings
  • Institutional responses to ethical violations
  • Case study: Financial sector whistleblowers

📚 Key Readings

• Core Textbook: Crane, A. (2019). Business Ethics: Managing Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability in the Age of Globalization (5th ed.)
• Theoretical Foundations:
  • MacAskill, W. (2014). “Replaceability, Career Choice, and Making a Difference”
  • Cholbi, M. (2020). “The Ethics of Choosing Careers and Jobs”
• Contemporary Applications:
  • Case studies on Patagonia, fast fashion industry, and financial sector ethics
  • Readings on AI ethics in business decision-making

📝 Assessment

The module is assessed through two coursework assignments:

• Business Report (1500 words, 35%):
  1. Analyze ethical issues in a chosen industry sector
  2. Evaluate corporate responses to these issues
  3. Propose recommendations for ethical improvement
• Ethics Essay (2500 words, 65%):
  • Philosophical analysis of a selected business ethics question
  • Clear argumentation with supporting evidence
  • Critical engagement with opposing viewpoints

Evaluation Criteria: Depth of analysis, philosophical rigor, argument coherence, and engagement with literature.

🔍 Assignment Preparation Guide

Key Approaches for Ethics Essay

• Philosophical Argument Structure: Clear thesis statement, supporting arguments, objection handling, and conclusion
• Charitable Interpretation: Present opposing views in their strongest form before critiquing
• Conceptual Clarity: Define key terms like “exploitation” or “responsibility” precisely

Essay Structure Tips

1. Introduction: Clearly state your position and outline your argument
2. Descriptive Section: Briefly explain relevant theories or concepts
3. Evaluation: Critical analysis of arguments, including objections and responses
4. Conclusion: Summarize your argument and its implications

📝 Mock Assignment Brief