MGSC14 MANAGEMENT ETHICS
SUMMER 2024
IN-PERSON DELIVERY – Subject to University Health Guidelines
Instructor Contact Information:
Name: Dr. Peter P. Constantinou
Office hours: Before or after class or by appointment (happy to arrange alternate dates/times)
Email: peter.constantinou@rogers.com
Telephone: 647-278-8790
Class day/time: Tuesday and Thursday 5:00pm-7:00pm
Room: IC212
Course website: Quercus
Course Description:
Increasingly, the marketplace has come to reward -- and government regulators have come to demand -- a sophisticated
managerial approach to the ethical problems that arise in all areas of management practice. The purpose of this course is to
provide students with a set of skills helpful in dealing with the ethical problems contemporary managers face.
The analytical and case material we discuss should enable you to formulate well-reasoned, theoretically and empiricallybased viewpoints on difficult and controversial managerial issues. There will, for the most part, be no right or wrong
answers to the questions raised in this course. There will, however, be such things as "good" or "bad" answers," depending
on the extent to which they are based on a thorough understanding of theories and concepts, well-constructed reasoning,
and accurate information.
Course Objectives
The course is intended to get students to:
• think about ethical issues related to management responsibility;
• understand implications of choices;
• discuss and consider the philosophical and practical dilemmas of choice/behaviour;
• debate issues of “right” and “wrong”;
• consider use/value of codes of conduct and conflict of interest guidelines; and,
• formulate and present arguments in consideration of both sides of an ethical debate.
Course-specific Accommodations:
•
•
•
A complete set of lecture slides are posted on Quercus prior to the start of class.
Classes are not recorded, but all efforts will be made to ensure students have all the materials that are relevant to
the session missed and are always welcome to meet with the instructor to clarify issues. Email to arrange a time to
discuss.
If students are seeking longer-term accommodations, they should be directed to AACC, AccessAbility Services,
and/or Health & Wellness for proper support.
Management, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
www.utsc.utoronto.ca/mgmt
Organization of the Course
Sessions are not recorded. Things move quickly and it is
imperative that you are able to participate in classes, keep up with material and readings so as to
maximize your potential for success.
Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite: [MGTA01H3/(MGTA03H3) and MGTA02H3/(MGTA04H3)] or MGTA05H3
Exclusion: (MGTC59H3), PHLB06H3
Textbook/Required Course Materials:
Business and Professional Ethics for Directors, Executives and Accountants (9th edition), Leonard J. Brooks and Paul
Dunn. South-Western CENGAGE Learning Poff, Pearson Education. You can use the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th or 9th edition.
Cases – Whether for students presentations or break out exercises, cases will be provided by the Instructor on Quercus.
Lecture Slides/Notes and other Announcements: All instructor slides and additional readings will be available on
Quercus (sessions are not recorded).
Evaluation and Grading:
Assignment
Class Presentations
Class Participation/Chat rooms
Mid-Term Exam
Final Exam
Value
Due date
20%
15%
30%
35%
TBD
Throughout
May 23
TBD -in exam period
NOTE: A minimum of 50% of the total grade for the exams will be deducted if a student fails to provide proper
citation/quotation/paraphrase in their work and the incident will be reported to the Academic Integrity Office.
Teaching Methodology
.
Classes will comprise various formats; lecture, class discussion and workshop both on-line (via Zoom) and in-person
(subject to University health guidelines). Lectures will provide the context for the readings, which should be completed
before the date listed. Discussions will build on the readings and lecture material and all students are encourages to actively
participate. In a number of instances, workshops/breakouts will be conducted where students will be charged with working
together in groups to produce results/answers to questions/challenges presented in class. These workshops/breakouts will
focus on how to conduct/prepare various analyses in support of the learning outcomes and graded assignments in the course.
Students are strongly encouraged to prepare for class by completing the readings, participate in the discussion and take an
active role in the workshops/breakouts.
I want you to do well and I am here to help. You have my personal mail and cell phone information- please let me know
how I can assist you. I am always happy to meet in person or via the phone or Zoom.
Case Presentation
The class will have the opportunity to divide itself into small groups, each of which will be responsible for "kicking off"
one of the case discussions beginning after the mid-term. Presentations can, in whole or in part, take the form of roleplaying and dialogue as well as a more straightforward discussion of the issues. They should be approximately 15 minutes
in length, with 15 minutes for questions and answers. I am available and more than happy to talk, in detail, with each group
as it plans its presentation. The case presentation is worth 15% of the course evaluation.
Class Participation
For this course to work, students must participate in class discussion. In a class of this size it is impossible for all students
to participate all the time. Students should, however, strive to attend class, demonstrate that they have read the assigned
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readings, thought about the material and the discussion at hand, and add value to the classroom discussion. A grade is
assigned for each class using the rubric below, The lowest two grades are eliminated when calculating an average
participation grade for the course.
Participation Rubric – Expectations
Activity/Expectation
• Good attendance/punctual
• Awake/attentive most of the time
• Above, plus:
• Regularly participates – demonstrating a contribution to the
discussion
• Does not necessarily demonstrate a preparedness or command of
the reading
• Perhaps a cursory understanding of the topic
• Above, plus:
• Regularly and clearly prepared by reading the material
• Actively seeking to be engaged in the discussion
• Does not over participate or dominate the conversation
• Respectful of other opinions
• Does not participate just for the sake of participating, but to make a
contribution to the collective understanding of the issue/topic
• Above, plus:
• Fully engaged at a superior level
• Not only demonstrated a command of the material, but brings
reflections/thoughts to the conversation
• Takes a leadership role in the presentation of ideas
• Contribution is thoughtful, does not take the classroom discussion
off track
• Brings questions to class that are provocative
• Successfully brings in personal/work experiences that
enhance/enrich the discussion
Grade/Value
1
2
3
4
Individual student participation is worth 15% of the final grade. Students are strongly encouraged to prepare for class by
completing the readings, and participate in the discussion.
Mid-Term Exam
The mid-term exam will be held in class time and is a short answer/essay style exam. The mid-term will include all
materials (readings, discussions and handouts) covered to that date. Details on the format of the exam will be presented in
class well in advance of the exam date. The mid-term exam is on-line (downloadable via Quercus) during class time and
worth 30% of the final grade.
Final Exam
The final exam is a short answer/essay style exam and will include all materials (readings, discussions and handouts)
covered in the course, with a particular emphasis on the readings/cases/lectures since the mid-term exam. Details on the
format of the exam will be presented in class well in advance of the exam date. The final exam will be held and scheduled
during the official exam period.
All evaluation weightings are set – they cannot be changed. As well, there will be no make-up exams given, regardless of
the reason for missing exam – the value of the missed exam will be added to the next evaluation. If the final exam is
missed, students must petition pursuant to the University’s exam policies.
Policy on Missed Assignments/Examinations:
Students are expected to declare their absence on ACORN during the pandemic.
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Academic Support
Policy on Missed Assignments/Examinations:
Note: Students are expected to declare their absence on ACORN during the pandemic and we are not supposed to ask for
documentation.
Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
The University of Toronto is committed to equity, human rights and respect for diversity. All members of the learning
environment in this course should strive to create an atmosphere of mutual respect where all members of our community
can express themselves, engage with each other, and respect one another’s differences. U of T does not condone
discrimination or harassment against any persons or communities.
If you have questions or concerns on issues related to EDI, please contact the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office:
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/edio/
Academic Support
UTSC Library:
Management students can access library services at The BRIDGE, located in IC 108. The BRIDGE offers programs and
services to support students, staff, and faculty in their studies, research projects, and experiential learning initiatives.
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/thebridge/
Visit The BRIDGE to:
•
Access the finance & data lab, including specialized software and Bloomberg terminals
•
Participate in events and competitions
•
Get research and data analytics help
•
Access data and academic research tools and tutorials
•
Get support in entrepreneurship and the New Venture Program
•
Learn more about Work Integrated Learning
To find out more about the UTSC Library’s support for students visit: https://utsc.library.utoronto.ca/
For all other inquiries, please email thebridge@utsc.utoronto.ca or email your Liaison Librarian, Mariana Jardim
mariana.jardim@utoronto.ca
Health & Wellness Centre:
The Health & Wellness Centre provides professional and confidential medical, nursing, counselling, health promotion, and
education services to all UTSC students. These services are offered in a safe, caring, respectful, and empowering
environment that is directed toward optimizing your personal, academic, and overall wellbeing.. To access these services,
please use the following url: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/hwc/health-wellness-centre and when visiting the Health &
Wellness Centre, please bring a valid T-card and Health card.
Academic Advising and Career Centre:
The Academic Advising and Career Centre (AA&CC) at UTSC integrates developmental advising, learning/study skills,
career counselling, and employment coaching. To reach out to them please use the following url:
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/
AccessAbility Services
The University provides academic accommodations for students with disabilities in accordance with the terms of the
Ontario Human Rights Code. This occurs through a collaborative process that acknowledges a collective obligation to
develop an accessible learning environment that both meets the needs of students and preserves the essential academic
requirements of the University’s courses and programs.
Students with diverse learning styles and needs are welcome in this course. If you have a disability that may require
accommodations, please feel free to approach me and/or the Accessibility Services office.
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ability/welcome-accessability-services
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English Language Development Centre:
The English Language Development Centre (ELDC) helps students develop the critical thinking, vocabulary and academic
communication skills essential for achieving academic and professional success. Personalized support includes: RWE (for
academic writing); Communication Cafés (oral); Discussion Skill-Building Cafés; Vocabulary Cafés; seminars/workshops;
personal ELD consultations; drop-in sessions. http://ctl.utsc.utoronto.ca/eld/
The Writing Centre:
The Writing Centre (TWC) offers invaluable services to students (learn to become a better writer!) and offers many
different kinds of help: drop-in sessions, individual consultations, workshops, clinics, and online writing handouts.
http://ctl.utsc.utoronto.ca/twc/
Academic Misconduct
Academic integrity is essential to the pursuit of learning and scholarship in a university. The University treats cases of
cheating and plagiarism very seriously. The University of Toronto’s Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters
(http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/Assets/Governing+Council+Digital+Assets/Policies/PDF/ppjun011995.pdf)
outlines the behaviours that constitute academic dishonesty and the processes for addressing academic offences. Any
student caught engaging in such activities will be subject to academic discipline ranging from a mark of zero on the
assignment, test or examination to dismissal from the university as outlined in the Code of Behavior on Academic Matters.
Any student abetting or otherwise assisting in such misconduct will also be subject to academic penalties. If you like to
find out more information regarding university advice for ‘How not to plagiarize’, please use the following url:
https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize/
More generally, the link below includes a lot of useful advice for students on academic writing:
https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/
For information and resources on Academic Integrity, visit: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/vpdean/faq-0
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Detailed Course Outline:
DATE
May 7
TOPIC
Introduction
N/A
N/A
8th Edition
N/A
9th Edition
N/A
5th Edition
6th Edition
7th Edition
Review of objectives
of the course
Review of timetable
and expectations
May 9
Ethics and Ethical
Behaviour
Text: pp. 2-24 and
142-167
Text: 2-28 and 131154
Text 1-27 and
127-150
Text 1-24 and
145-173
Chapters 1 &3
May 14
Ethical Decision
Making
Managing Ethical Risk
and Opportunities
Case: Ashley Madison
(presented by
instructor)
Text: pp. 180-206
Text: 170-209
Text: 161-189
Text: 82-212
Chapter 4
Text: pp. 462-491
Text: 487-525
Text: 459-507
Text: 496-552
Chapter 2
Text: pp. 240-275
Text: 237-277
Text: 216-262
May 16
Corporate Ethical
Governance and
Accountability
May 21
Student groups begin
to present their case
discussions
Sing’s Chinese
Restaurant
(provided by
instructor)
Meet me at
Starbucks
(provided by
instructor)
Banning Burkas
(provided by
instructor)
May 23
Mid-Term Exam
During class time –
via Quercus
May 28
Ethics Case
Presentations
Siemens’ Bribery
Scandal (Text: pp.
290-291)
During class time – via
Quercus
Siemens’ Bribery
Scandal Text: pp.
284-285
Siemens:267
Siemens: 295-297
Acres in Oakville
(provide by
instructor)
SNC-Lavalin and the
Corruption of Public
Discourse
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May 30
Ethics Case
Presentations
Enron Text: pp. 102114
Enron Text: 636-660
Enron: 68/93
Bhopal-Union
Carbide (Text: pp. 4143)
Bhopal-Union Carbide
(Text: pp. 44)
Ford/Firestone Tire
Recall (Text: pp.
312-321)
Ford/Firestone Tire
Recall (Text: pp. 312321)
Ford/Firestone (Text
pp. 332)
Pinto Fires (provided
by instructor)
Pinto Fires (provided
by instructor)
Martha Stewart’s
Lost Reputation
(Text: pp. 34-37)
Martha Stewart’s
Lost Reputation
(Text: pp. 34-37)
Arctic Offshore
Drilling
(provided by
instructor)
Enron: 76-79
Bhopal-Union
Carbide (Text: pp.
38-39)
June 4
Ethics Case
Presentations
The Good Business
Reference”
(provided by
instructor)
Honesty and
Deception in
Business: Fudging
the Travel Claim”
(provided by
instructor)
Roger Boisjoly and
the Challenger
Disaster (provided
by instructor)
Advertising
Headaches
(provided by
instructor)
June 6
Listerine and
Corrective
Advertising
(provided by
instructor)
Gillette’s Close
Shave with Toxic
Masculinity
(provided by
instructor)
June 11
Ethics Case
Presentations
Martha Stewart’s Lost
Reputation (Text: pp.
36)
Ford/Firestone
(Text: pp. 366377)
Consult
appendix
Martha Stewart’s
Lost Reputation:
(Text: 41-45)
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June 13
Guest Speaker
Material provided
by Guest Speaker
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