Module: Implementing an Effective Ethics Culture

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Implementing an Effective Ethics Culture
Module Code	AC583 (ITS) / PHE1003 (Banner)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
Module Co-ordinator	Brid Murphy
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

This module provides a self-reflective and systematic approach to the design and implementation of an effective ethics corporate culture, underpinned by appropriate codes, procedures, training and review. Participants will analyse their own specific contribution, as business leaders, and will consider the building of an ethics culture where there may be integral tensions among the leadership team, leading to a range of outcomes from cognitive dissonance to successful implementation. Specific cases will be reviewed. Stakeholder Theory, Shareholder Concept and Agency Theory will be examined and the role of the business professions and of whistleblowing will inform the discourse.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the principles that sustain the building of a sound corporate ethics culture, underpinned by tailored policies and procedures.
2. Understand the specific issues to be considered in a global market and/or in dealing with a multi-cultural workforce.
3. Apply the knowledge and competencies acquired in previous and co-terminous modules in developing an understanding of the tension between moral agency and externally generated codes and regulations.
4. Understand the issues surrounding corporate whistleblowing.
5. Apply reflective learning to an understanding of the learner’s own contribution to the building and implementation of good corporate ethical culture.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	113	No Description
Assignment Completion	113	No Description
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to the Module

Construction of an ethical culture – fundamental foundations

Understanding of the learner’s own framework
philosophical background, corporate culture, significant influencers, influence of culture, empathy, dissonance.

Regulation v. Behaviour – ethics integrative to Corporate Governance

Stakeholder v. Shareholder

Dealing in global business

Professionals in business – a different ethic?

Psychopathic behaviour

Whistleblowing

Specific ethics guidelines available

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Participation	Participation in class discussion	15%	n/a
Presentation	Understanding of influence of culture on corporate ethical decision making	20%	n/a
Project	Construction of Ethics Policy for learner’s own employing organisation – either ab initio or as modification of existing programme	25%	n/a
Essay	Analysis of ethical dilemma experienced by learner in the workplace	40%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

T. Donaldson, P. Werhane and M. Cording: 2002, Ethical Issues in Business. A Philosophical Approach, Prentice Hall,
Freeman, R.E., J.S. Harrison, A.C. Wicks, B.L. Parmar and S. de Colle: 2010, Stakeholder Theory: The State of the Art,, Cambridge University Press,

Other Resources

None