Module: Business & Professional Ethics

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Business & Professional Ethics
Module Code	BAA1018 (ITS: AC402)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

What is ethics? Is it relevant for business? What are the new frontiers of business ethics in the future of work? This module is a journey through the main themes of ethics in our contemporary business context. For the first part of the semester, BAA1018 details the study of business ethics considering the main philosophical approaches to ethics, the study of cultural diversity, the international standards for business and technology, the issues related to personal and managerial responsibility, and the relationship between business and society. The second part of the semester focuses on ethics in finance, covering ethical issues in financial markets at both macro level and in applied contexts, including retail finance, institutional investment and financial investment.

Learning Outcomes

1. Define what is ethics and characterize the main ethical theories applicable to business. Reflect on cultural diversity and business ethics; reflect on the international standards for business.
2. Reflect on the concept of responsibility and identify the main misbehaviors in the context of business. Reflect on leadership, character, and organizational culture.
3. Describe the meaning of work and professional ethics.
4. Analyze ethical issues in financial markets, with attention to the roles and responsibilities of individuals, institutional investors, and financial managers.
5. Apply ethical theories and principles to real-world financial contexts, including retail finance, institutional investment, and financial investment decision-making.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Formal lectures and problem-based learning
Independent Study	103	Personal study
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20060	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Marta Rocchi	Module Teacher	Tongbin Xu

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
In Class Test	In-class test with a combination of MCQs and open questions. Details will be published on Loop in due course. The date for the 2025/2026 in-class test is already available on Loop.	50%	Week 8
Completion of online activity	Loop individual submission. Details will be published on Loop in due course. The deadline for the submission of this assessment is already published on Loop.	50%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Philosophical Frameworks for Business Ethics
Introduction to ethics and definition of business ethics. Introduction to the main ethical theories for business: Deontological Ethics, Utilitarianism, Virtue Ethics.

Globalization, Cultural Diversity, and Universal Principles for Business
Cultural diversity and business ethics (cultural relativism, cultural imperialism, pluralism, universalism). International standards for business.

Individual Ethics in Business
Individual behaviour in business; meaning of responsibility; kind of actions that individuals perform within an organization; main ethical issues that can arise in business.

Managerial Ethics in Business and Leadership Theories
Theories on the purpose of business; decision-making process in business; leadership theories; moral character and leadership.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Business
Relationship between business and society; corporate social responsibility theories; sustainability; United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and their relationship with business activity.

Professional Ethics
Definition of a profession; professions and ethics in the future of work.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Rocchi, Marta: 2021, Business Ethics. A Path to Excellence for Business Students, ebook,
John Boatright: 2014, Ethics in finance, 3rd, Wiley-Blackwell,
Crane, A., Matten, D., Glozer, S., & Spence, L. J.: 2019, Business Ethics: Managing Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability in the Age of Globalization., 5th, Oxford University Press,

Articles:

0: Articles and additional resources on Loop,

Other Resources

1: Articles and additional resources on Loop,