Social Responsibility of Business
Management 419
Spring 2015
Prof Richard L (Rick) Smith
3107 Gerdin Business Building
641-294-3865
rlsmith@iastate.edu
Office Hours: MWF; 8:00-9:30 and arranged
http://bus.iastate.edu/rlsmith/
No lap-top computers/tablets nor smart devices/phones will be allowed to be used
during class. No exceptions.
Disability Accommodation: If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing
accommodations in this course, please make arrangements to meet with me soon. Please
request that the Disability Resources staff send an SAAR form verifying your disability
and specifying the accommodation you will need. Please don’t procrastinate.
Prerequisite: None
Text: Business Ethics, Ethical Decision Making and Cases, 10E, O.C. Ferrell, John
Fraedrich, Linda Ferrell; 2015. Please note: If Southwestern, Cengage Learning (text
publisher) or a Memorial Union Bookstore representative suggests that you purchase
ancillary materials, disregard such overtures. You can do just fine in 419 without spending
more money.
In addition to a traditional text material, we’ll be using case studies to fine tune your
critical thinking skills. We’ll use cases from your textbook (identified in your syllabus).
Course Objectives: The purpose of this course is to support students who wish to
develop their abilities to identify, analyze, and make ethical decisions in their
business careers and personal lives by providing them with a framework that they
can use in professional as well as personal situations.
The Criticality of Business Ethics: Ethical conduct has achieved……CRITICAL
MASS ! Highly visible business ethics issues influence the public’s attitudes
toward business and can create or destroy trust. The media thrives on ethical
dilemmas. Ethical decisions are part of everyday life for those who work in
organizations. Ethics is a component of decision making at all levels of
organizational culture. Ethics are not just isolated personal issues. Policies and
informal communications for responsible conduct are embedded in an organization’s
operations. This means that both ethical and unethical conduct are the province of
everyone who works within an organizational context and/or environment.
Course Description and Objectives: The current University Catalog describes
Management 419 as “a consideration of the role of business in society which
encompasses a critical analysis of ethical, managerial, and public issues as they
affect the corporation.”
Outcomes: Successful completion of Management 419 will equip students to
develop an awareness of individual values and ethics are prerequisites in this
endeavor. We’re going to focus on responsibilities and ethics. By studying business
ethics, students begin to recognize and develop coping skills to cope with conflicts
between their personal values and those of an organization.
Grading: There will be three exams during the semester plus a final
examination. All exams will be essay-exams with the student’s score depending on
how well he/she applies course material to “relevant” points. There is a definite
“application” spin to Mgmt 419. Scores will also be impacted by how well students
write (grammar, structure, and organization). Responses to exam questions should
demonstrate solid critical thinking. The final exam will be comprehensive.
Available point summary:
Exam I
Exam II
Exam III
Final Exam
Total
60 pts
60 pts
60 pts
100 pts
280 pts
February 3
February 24
March 31
May 9, 9:45 AM
In order to encourage students to come to class prepared to discuss assigned
materials, your instructor will utilize unannounced short-answer quizzes.
The class format includes extensive open discussion opportunities of cases,
articles, and lecture topics. Students will also be expected to do an individual
classroom presentation (adequate notice will be given). Note that this is “an
individual” task; not as part of a team effort.
Your instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus or any courserelated document/schedule he deems necessary to correct or update for whatever
reason.
There will be neither make-up exams nor extra-credit available.
Grading (+/- grading will be used. Percentages will be rounded to a whole
number. No decimals):
A
AB+
B
BC+
>92%
>90% - <92%
>88% - <90%
>82% - <88%
>80% - <82%
>78% - <80%
C
CD+
D
DF
>72% - <78%
>70% - <72%
>68% - <70%
>62% - <68%
>60% - <62%
<60%
The following is a tentative schedule and is subject to change. It is rigorous but doable.
Week of:
January 12
Chapter 1
Topic(s):
The Benefits of Business Ethics
A Guide to Case Analysis
Web-Page
January 19
Stakeholders Relationships & Responsibility and
Corporate Governance
Chapter 2
Case 10: Home Depot Implements Stakeholder Orientation
January 26
Chapter 2
Corporate Governance Provides Responsibility
February 2
Exam I; February 2
Emerging Business Ethics Issues
Chapter 3
Case 14: Apple’s Ethical Success and Challenges
February 9
Chapter 3
Emerging Business Ethics Issues (Cont)
Case 4: Sustainability Challenges in the Oil Industry…..
RLS
February 16
The Institutional of Business Ethics
February 23
Exam II; February 23
Ethical Decision Making
Chapter 5
March 2
Chapter 5
Ethical Decision Making (Cont)
March 9
Chapter 6
Individual Factors: Moral Philosophies and Values
March 16
Spring Break
March 23
Chapter 7
The Role of Corporate Culture in Ethical Decision Making
Case 15; PepsiCo’s Journey Toward an Ethical Culture
March 30
Exam III; March 30
Developing an Effective Ethics Program
Chapter 8
April 6
Developing an Effective Ethics Program (Cont)
Chapter 8
April 13
Chapter 9
April 20
Chapter 10
Managing and Controlling Ethics Programs
Globalization of Ethical Decision Making
April 27
(Dead Week) Sustainability: Ethical and Social Responsibilities
Chapter 12
Loose Ends
May 6
Final Exam, 2:15 PM
Chapter 4