Skip to Content
OpenStax Logo
Business Ethics

Index

Business EthicsIndex
  1. Preface
  2. 1 Why Ethics Matter
    1. Introduction
    2. 1.1 Being a Professional of Integrity
    3. 1.2 Ethics and Profitability
    4. 1.3 Multiple versus Single Ethical Standards
    5. Summary
    6. Key Terms
    7. Assessment Questions
    8. End Notes
  3. 2 Ethics from Antiquity to the Present
    1. Introduction
    2. 2.1 The Concept of Ethical Business in Ancient Athens
    3. 2.2 Ethical Advice for Nobles and Civil Servants in Ancient China
    4. 2.3 Comparing the Virtue Ethics of East and West
    5. 2.4 Utilitarianism: The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number
    6. 2.5 Deontology: Ethics as Duty
    7. 2.6 A Theory of Justice
    8. Summary
    9. Key Terms
    10. Assessment Questions
    11. End Notes
  4. 3 Defining and Prioritizing Stakeholders
    1. Introduction
    2. 3.1 Adopting a Stakeholder Orientation
    3. 3.2 Weighing Stakeholder Claims
    4. 3.3 Ethical Decision-Making and Prioritizing Stakeholders
    5. 3.4 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
    6. Summary
    7. Key Terms
    8. Assessment Questions
    9. End Notes
  5. 4 Three Special Stakeholders: Society, the Environment, and Government
    1. Introduction
    2. 4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
    3. 4.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment
    4. 4.3 Government and the Private Sector
    5. Summary
    6. Key Terms
    7. Assessment Questions
    8. End Notes
  6. 5 The Impact of Culture and Time on Business Ethics
    1. Introduction
    2. 5.1 The Relationship between Business Ethics and Culture
    3. 5.2 Business Ethics over Time
    4. 5.3 The Influence of Geography and Religion
    5. 5.4 Are the Values Central to Business Ethics Universal?
    6. Summary
    7. Key Terms
    8. Assessment Questions
    9. End Notes
  7. 6 What Employers Owe Employees
    1. Introduction
    2. 6.1 The Workplace Environment and Working Conditions
    3. 6.2 What Constitutes a Fair Wage?
    4. 6.3 An Organized Workforce
    5. 6.4 Privacy in the Workplace
    6. Summary
    7. Key Terms
    8. Assessment Questions
    9. End Notes
  8. 7 What Employees Owe Employers
    1. Introduction
    2. 7.1 Loyalty to the Company
    3. 7.2 Loyalty to the Brand and to Customers
    4. 7.3 Contributing to a Positive Work Atmosphere
    5. 7.4 Financial Integrity
    6. 7.5 Criticism of the Company and Whistleblowing
    7. Summary
    8. Key Terms
    9. Assessment Questions
    10. End Notes
  9. 8 Recognizing and Respecting the Rights of All
    1. Introduction
    2. 8.1 Diversity and Inclusion in the Workforce
    3. 8.2 Accommodating Different Abilities and Faiths
    4. 8.3 Sexual Identification and Orientation
    5. 8.4 Income Inequalities
    6. 8.5 Animal Rights and the Implications for Business
    7. Summary
    8. Key Terms
    9. Assessment Questions
    10. End Notes
  10. 9 Professions under the Microscope
    1. Introduction
    2. 9.1 Entrepreneurship and Start-Up Culture
    3. 9.2 The Influence of Advertising
    4. 9.3 The Insurance Industry
    5. 9.4 Ethical Issues in the Provision of Health Care
    6. Summary
    7. Key Terms
    8. Assessment Questions
    9. End Notes
  11. 10 Changing Work Environments and Future Trends
    1. Introduction
    2. 10.1 More Telecommuting or Less?
    3. 10.2 Workplace Campuses
    4. 10.3 Alternatives to Traditional Patterns of Work
    5. 10.4 Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and the Workplace of the Future
    6. Summary
    7. Key Terms
    8. Assessment Questions
    9. End Notes
  12. 11 Epilogue: Why Ethics Still Matter
    1. Introduction
    2. 11.1 Business Ethics in an Evolving Environment
    3. 11.2 Committing to an Ethical View
    4. 11.3 Becoming an Ethical Professional
    5. 11.4 Making a Difference in the Business World
    6. End Notes
  13. A | The Lives of Ethical Philosophers
  14. B | Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
  15. C | A Succinct Theory of Business Ethics
  16. Answer Key
    1. Chapter 1
    2. Chapter 2
    3. Chapter 3
    4. Chapter 4
    5. Chapter 5
    6. Chapter 6
    7. Chapter 7
    8. Chapter 8
    9. Chapter 9
    10. Chapter 10
    11. Chapter 11
  17. Index
A
access economy10.3 Alternatives to Traditional Patterns of Work
acculturation5.1 The Relationship between Business Ethics and Culture
advertising9.2 The Influence of Advertising
Affordable Care Act (ACA)9.4 Ethical Issues in the Provision of Health Care
agribusiness8.5 Animal Rights and the Implications for Business
amenities3.1 Adopting a Stakeholder Orientation
Americans with Disabilities Act8.2 Accommodating Different Abilities and Faiths
animal rights4.3 Government and the Private Sector, 8.5 Animal Rights and the Implications for Business
Aquinas2.1 The Concept of Ethical Business in Ancient Athens
Aristotle1.1 Being a Professional of Integrity, 2.1 The Concept of Ethical Business in Ancient Athens, 2.1 The Concept of Ethical Business in Ancient Athens, 2.3 Comparing the Virtue Ethics of East and West, Appendix A The Lives of Ethical Philosophers
artificial intelligence10.4 Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and the Workplace of the Future
artificial intelligence (AI)10.4 Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and the Workplace of the Future
Athens2.1 The Concept of Ethical Business in Ancient Athens
automation10.4 Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and the Workplace of the Future, 10.4 Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and the Workplace of the Future
awareness2.3 Comparing the Virtue Ethics of East and West
B
BaneAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
BarraAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
Ben & Jerry’sAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
benefits6.1 The Workplace Environment and Working Conditions
BenioffAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
Bentham2.4 Utilitarianism: The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number, Appendix A The Lives of Ethical Philosophers
bias5.4 Are the Values Central to Business Ethics Universal?
BogleAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
brand7.2 Loyalty to the Brand and to Customers
branding7.2 Loyalty to the Brand and to Customers
bribe7.4 Financial Integrity
Buffet1.2 Ethics and Profitability
Burwell v. Hobby Lobby4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
business5.1 The Relationship between Business Ethics and Culture
business ethics1.1 Being a Professional of Integrity, 11.1 Business Ethics in an Evolving Environment
business judgment rule4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
business purpose exception6.4 Privacy in the Workplace
C
cap and trade4.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment
carbon footprint4.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment
carbon tax4.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment
categorical imperative2.5 Deontology: Ethics as Duty
ChouinardAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
Citizens United4.3 Government and the Private Sector
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission4.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment
Civil Rights Act8.1 Diversity and Inclusion in the Workforce
claim9.3 The Insurance Industry
Clean Air Act4.3 Government and the Private Sector
closed shop6.3 An Organized Workforce
code of conduct7.3 Contributing to a Positive Work Atmosphere
Codetermination6.3 An Organized Workforce
collective bargaining6.3 An Organized Workforce
Commerce Clause4.3 Government and the Private Sector
comparable worth6.2 What Constitutes a Fair Wage?
compliance1.1 Being a Professional of Integrity
confidentiality7.1 Loyalty to the Company
Confucius2.2 Ethical Advice for Nobles and Civil Servants in Ancient China, 2.3 Comparing the Virtue Ethics of East and West
consent exception6.4 Privacy in the Workplace
consequentialism2.4 Utilitarianism: The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number
consumerism5.1 The Relationship between Business Ethics and Culture
control2.3 Comparing the Virtue Ethics of East and West
copayment9.4 Ethical Issues in the Provision of Health Care
corporate culture1.2 Ethics and Profitability
Corporate Equality Index8.3 Sexual Identification and Orientation
corporate personhood4.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment
corporate social responsibility3.4 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), 4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility, 4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
corporate social responsibility (CSR)1.2 Ethics and Profitability
corporate status4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
cosmetic testing8.5 Animal Rights and the Implications for Business
CSR3.4 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
culture5.1 The Relationship between Business Ethics and Culture
cybersecurity7.3 Contributing to a Positive Work Atmosphere
D
deductible9.4 Ethical Issues in the Provision of Health Care
Deepwater Horizon4.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment, 4.3 Government and the Private Sector
defined-contribution retirement plans7.1 Loyalty to the Company
DeGeorge5.4 Are the Values Central to Business Ethics Universal?
deontology1.1 Being a Professional of Integrity, 2.5 Deontology: Ethics as Duty
descriptive approach3.2 Weighing Stakeholder Claims
diffused stakeholder3.2 Weighing Stakeholder Claims
diversity dividend8.1 Diversity and Inclusion in the Workforce
Dodge v. Ford Motor Company4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
drug testing6.4 Privacy in the Workplace
duty of confidentiality7.1 Loyalty to the Company
duty of loyalty7.1 Loyalty to the Company, 7.1 Loyalty to the Company
E
eBay Domestic Holdings Inc. v. Newmark4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
EEOC6.1 The Workplace Environment and Working Conditions
Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 19866.4 Privacy in the Workplace
employment at will6.4 Privacy in the Workplace
enabling stakeholder3.2 Weighing Stakeholder Claims
enculturation5.1 The Relationship between Business Ethics and Culture, 5.1 The Relationship between Business Ethics and Culture
entrepreneur9.1 Entrepreneurship and Start-Up Culture
entrepreneurial culture9.1 Entrepreneurship and Start-Up Culture
environment4.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment, 4.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission6.1 The Workplace Environment and Working Conditions, 8.1 Diversity and Inclusion in the Workforce
Equal Pay Act6.2 What Constitutes a Fair Wage?
ethical maximum3.1 Adopting a Stakeholder Orientation
ethical minimum3.1 Adopting a Stakeholder Orientation
ethical relativism1.3 Multiple versus Single Ethical Standards
ethics1.1 Being a Professional of Integrity
eudaimonia2.1 The Concept of Ethical Business in Ancient Athens
exigency3.3 Ethical Decision-Making and Prioritizing Stakeholders
F
fair wage6.2 What Constitutes a Fair Wage?
fiduciary duty4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
flextime10.3 Alternatives to Traditional Patterns of Work
Ford4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
Ford Motor Company4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act7.4 Financial Integrity
Friedman1.2 Ethics and Profitability, 4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
functional stakeholder3.2 Weighing Stakeholder Claims
G
gender diversity8.1 Diversity and Inclusion in the Workforce
gender wage gap8.4 Income Inequalities
general index funds4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
General MotorsAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
gig economy10.3 Alternatives to Traditional Patterns of Work
Global 1004.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment
globalization5.1 The Relationship between Business Ethics and Culture, 5.1 The Relationship between Business Ethics and Culture, 5.1 The Relationship between Business Ethics and Culture
golden mean2.1 The Concept of Ethical Business in Ancient Athens
goodwill1.2 Ethics and Profitability
greenwashing3.4 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
H
harassment7.3 Contributing to a Positive Work Atmosphere
harm principle2.4 Utilitarianism: The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number
Hippocratic Oath1.1 Being a Professional of Integrity
honor2.1 The Concept of Ethical Business in Ancient Athens
HsiehAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
humanistic business model5.4 Are the Values Central to Business Ethics Universal?
Hume2.5 Deontology: Ethics as Duty
I
inclusion8.1 Diversity and Inclusion in the Workforce
income inequality8.4 Income Inequalities
insider trading7.4 Financial Integrity
instrumental approach3.2 Weighing Stakeholder Claims
insurance9.3 The Insurance Industry
integrity1.1 Being a Professional of Integrity
intellectual property7.1 Loyalty to the Company
internal marketing7.2 Loyalty to the Brand and to Customers
internships10.3 Alternatives to Traditional Patterns of Work
ISO 140004.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment
J
job sharing10.3 Alternatives to Traditional Patterns of Work
JordanAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
junzi2.2 Ethical Advice for Nobles and Civil Servants in Ancient China
justice as fairness2.6 A Theory of Justice
justice theory2.6 A Theory of Justice
K
Kant1.1 Being a Professional of Integrity, 2.5 Deontology: Ethics as Duty, Appendix A The Lives of Ethical Philosophers
Keystone XL pipeline4.3 Government and the Private Sector
L
labor union6.3 An Organized Workforce
LEED certification4.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment
li2.2 Ethical Advice for Nobles and Civil Servants in Ancient China
limited liability4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
limited liability companies4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
localization5.3 The Influence of Geography and Religion
long-term perspective1.2 Ethics and Profitability
loyalty7.1 Loyalty to the Company
M
managerial ethics2.3 Comparing the Virtue Ethics of East and West
Manhattan5.1 The Relationship between Business Ethics and Culture
medical research8.5 Animal Rights and the Implications for Business
mercantilism5.2 Business Ethics over Time
middle class8.4 Income Inequalities
Mill2.4 Utilitarianism: The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number, Appendix A The Lives of Ethical Philosophers
minimum wage6.2 What Constitutes a Fair Wage?, 8.4 Income Inequalities
mission5.1 The Relationship between Business Ethics and Culture
monitoring6.4 Privacy in the Workplace, 6.4 Privacy in the Workplace
moral agency5.4 Are the Values Central to Business Ethics Universal?
moral minimum4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
motive2.3 Comparing the Virtue Ethics of East and West
multipayer health care system9.4 Ethical Issues in the Provision of Health Care
N
New Belgium BrewingAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
non-compete agreement7.1 Loyalty to the Company
nondisclosure agreement7.1 Loyalty to the Company
nonsolicitation clause7.1 Loyalty to the Company
NooyiAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
normative approach3.2 Weighing Stakeholder Claims
normative ethical theories1.1 Being a Professional of Integrity
Normative stakeholders3.2 Weighing Stakeholder Claims
O
Obamacare9.4 Ethical Issues in the Provision of Health Care
Occupational Safety and Health Act6.1 The Workplace Environment and Working Conditions
organizational culture5.4 Are the Values Central to Business Ethics Universal?
original position2.6 A Theory of Justice
OSHA6.1 The Workplace Environment and Working Conditions
P
PatagoniaAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
pay ratio6.3 An Organized Workforce
pay secrecy7.5 Criticism of the Company and Whistleblowing
PepsiCoAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
Phronesis1.1 Being a Professional of Integrity
phrónēsis2.1 The Concept of Ethical Business in Ancient Athens
premiums9.3 The Insurance Industry
productivity6.3 An Organized Workforce
Project Shakti4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
psychological appeal9.2 The Influence of Advertising
public health4.3 Government and the Private Sector
purpose5.1 The Relationship between Business Ethics and Culture
Q
quan2.2 Ethical Advice for Nobles and Civil Servants in Ancient China
qui tam provision7.5 Criticism of the Company and Whistleblowing
quid pro quo4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
R
Rawls2.6 A Theory of Justice, Appendix A The Lives of Ethical Philosophers
reasonable accommodation8.2 Accommodating Different Abilities and Faiths
redlining9.3 The Insurance Industry
religion5.3 The Influence of Geography and Religion, 5.4 Are the Values Central to Business Ethics Universal?
religious beliefs8.2 Accommodating Different Abilities and Faiths
responsible employer6.1 The Workplace Environment and Working Conditions
Right-to-work laws6.3 An Organized Workforce
robotics10.4 Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and the Workplace of the Future, 10.4 Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and the Workplace of the Future
Rockefeller5.2 Business Ethics over Time, 5.3 The Influence of Geography and Religion
S
SalesforceAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
Sarbanes-Oxley4.3 Government and the Private Sector
sexual harassment6.1 The Workplace Environment and Working Conditions
sexual identification8.3 Sexual Identification and Orientation
sexual orientation8.3 Sexual Identification and Orientation
shareholder1.2 Ethics and Profitability
shareholder primacy4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
Shlensky v. Wrigley4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
short-term perspective1.2 Ethics and Profitability
single-payer health care system9.4 Ethical Issues in the Provision of Health Care
social contract1.2 Ethics and Profitability
social contract theory2.6 A Theory of Justice
social index funds4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
social media9.2 The Influence of Advertising
social responsibility of business3.1 Adopting a Stakeholder Orientation
SolheimAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
stakeholder3.1 Adopting a Stakeholder Orientation, 3.2 Weighing Stakeholder Claims, 3.2 Weighing Stakeholder Claims, 3.3 Ethical Decision-Making and Prioritizing Stakeholders
stakeholder claim3.2 Weighing Stakeholder Claims
stakeholder management3.3 Ethical Decision-Making and Prioritizing Stakeholders
stakeholder prioritization3.3 Ethical Decision-Making and Prioritizing Stakeholders
stakeholders1.1 Being a Professional of Integrity
states’ rights4.3 Government and the Private Sector
stockholder1.2 Ethics and Profitability
subliminal advertising9.2 The Influence of Advertising
sustainability4.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment, 4.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment, 4.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment, 4.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment, 4.3 Government and the Private Sector
T
Tarbell5.2 Business Ethics over Time
telecommuting10.1 More Telecommuting or Less?
telework10.1 More Telecommuting or Less?
The Vanguard GroupAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
trade secret7.1 Loyalty to the Company
Trader Joe’sAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
tragedy of the commons4.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment
transparency6.1 The Workplace Environment and Working Conditions
triple bottom line (TBL)3.4 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
U
UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights5.4 Are the Values Central to Business Ethics Universal?
unanimity of acceptance2.6 A Theory of Justice
undue hardship8.2 Accommodating Different Abilities and Faiths
Union of Concerned Scientists4.2 Sustainability: Business and the Environment
United Nations (UN) Global Compact5.2 Business Ethics over Time
universal health care system9.4 Ethical Issues in the Provision of Health Care
universal values5.4 Are the Values Central to Business Ethics Universal?
utilitarianism1.1 Being a Professional of Integrity, 2.4 Utilitarianism: The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number, 2.4 Utilitarianism: The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number, 2.4 Utilitarianism: The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number, 2.4 Utilitarianism: The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number
utility function2.4 Utilitarianism: The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number
V
veil of ignorance2.6 A Theory of Justice, 2.6 A Theory of Justice
virtue ethics2.1 The Concept of Ethical Business in Ancient Athens
virtue theory1.1 Being a Professional of Integrity
W
Weber9.1 Entrepreneurship and Start-Up Culture
wellness programs9.4 Ethical Issues in the Provision of Health Care
whistleblowing7.5 Criticism of the Company and Whistleblowing
work style7.3 Contributing to a Positive Work Atmosphere
work-life balance10.2 Workplace Campuses
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act6.1 The Workplace Environment and Working Conditions
workplace campus10.2 Workplace Campuses
workplace discrimination6.1 The Workplace Environment and Working Conditions
workplace diversity8.1 Diversity and Inclusion in the Workforce
workplace personalities7.3 Contributing to a Positive Work Atmosphere
workplace violence7.3 Contributing to a Positive Work Atmosphere
Wrigley Company4.1 Corporate Law and Corporate Responsibility
Z
ZapposAppendix B Profiles in Business Ethics: Contemporary Thought Leaders
Previous
Order a print copy
Citation/Attribution

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book is Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 and you must attribute OpenStax.

Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/business-ethics/pages/1-introduction
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a digital format, then you must include on every digital page view the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/business-ethics/pages/1-introduction
Citation information

© Sep 1, 2020 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 license. The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.