Module: Ethics for Business & Technology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Ethics for Business & Technology
Module Code	BAA1029 (ITS: MT430)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

What is ethics? Is it relevant for business and technology? 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 and technological context. BAA1029 details the study of ethics for business and technology according to different areas. Students will be first introduced to what ethics is, and what are the main ethical theories which can be applied to business and technology. This module helps students reflect on cultural diversity in the global and technologically advanced business environment. A special focus is dedicated to the existence and implementation of universal standards for business and technology, with a special focus on the EU AI Act. The module also characterizes the meaning of responsibility and the main ethical issues in business, with specific reference to ethical issues related to the use of technology in the workplace. In addition, it studies the interaction between leadership, character, and organizational culture. Finally, it touches on the fascinating relationship between business, technology and society, opening the reflection on meaningful work and the future of work scenario

Learning Outcomes

1. Define what is ethics and what are the main ethical theories applicable to business and technology.
2. Reflect on cultural diversity and business ethics in a global and technologically advanced scenario; reflect on the international standards for business and technology, with special emphasis on the EU AI Act.
3. Reflect on the concept of responsibility and identify the main ethical issues in the context of business and in the use of technology in organizations.
4. Analyze the role of individuals and managers in the use of technology in organizations. Characterize the relationship between leadership, character, and organizational culture.
5. Apply ethical theories to the relationship between business, technology, and society. Reflect on meaningful work and the future of work.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Formal lectures and problem-based learning
Assignment Completion	40	Preparation for continuous assessment
Independent Study	63	Personal study and readings
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20067	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

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
In Class Test	20 Multiple Choice Questions on the EU AI Act and on the Guest Lecture by Dr. Fearghas O' Beara on the EU's Human-Centric Approach to Law-Making	15%	Week 8
Oral Examination	Interactive oral assessment testing knowledge and critical thinking across the module's learning outcomes.	85%	Week 12

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

PART 1 – LO1 Philosophical frameworks for business ethics
What is ethics? What is Business Ethics? Ethical theories for business. Sadhu Case Study on ethical theories.

PART 2 – LO2, LO5 Future of work, cultural diversity, and principles for business and technology
Future of work; Design of jobs and workplaces in the Fourth Industrial Revolution world; Ethical implication of AI-base technologies adoption in organizations. Cultural diversity and business ethics; International standards for business and technology.

PART 3 – LO3, LO5 Moral responsibility in business and technology
Moral responsibility; Moral judgment in decision-making; Individual ethics: common ethical issues. Boeing Case Study on moral responsibility.

PART 4 – LO3, LO5 Leadership, character, and organizational culture
Leadership and moral character. Erika Cheung Case Study on whistleblowing and the virtue of courage.

PART 5 – LO4, LO5 Business, technology, and society
The social responsibilities of business and technology. Interaction between business, technology and society. Anthropic Case Study.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Marta Rocchi: 2023, Business Ethics: A Path to Excellence for Business Students, 2nd, Ebook, DCU Business School, Dublin,
Mark Coeckelbergh: 2020, AI Ethics, 5, MIT Press,
Davenport, T. H., & Miller, S. M: 2022, Working with AI: Real Stories of Human-Machine Collaboration, Introduction, I-1, and I-3, MIT Press,

Articles:

Rocchi, M., & Bernacchio, C: 2023, Digital Technologies and the Future of Work: An Agent-Centred Ethical Perspective Based on Goods, Norms, and Virtues, In E. Conway, T. Lynn, P. Rosati, & L. van der Werff (Eds.), The Future of Work. Challenges and Prospects for Organisations, Jobs and Workers, (pp. 151–163), 524884
2022: The Virtues of Covid-19 Pandemic: How Working from Home Can Make Us the Best (or the Worst) Version of Ourselves, Business and Society Review, 127(3), 685–7,

Other Resources

None