This second foundation course of the specialization explores the interface between ethical theories and research in business and management studies. Drawing on the literature of business ethics and related fields of inquiry (such as CSR, sustainability, ESG etc.) this course will contextualize ethics in management and focus on the specific challenges for moral action in organizational settings and responsible leadership (“ethics in the wild”). This will also include the discussion of challenges that derive for the application of advanced digital technology (AI) in organizational contexts. Descriptive and normative theories will be discussed to develop students’ ability to understand and assess ethics in and of business. The module will focus on complementarities and tensions between empirical and normative approaches to ethics. Finally, the module will highlight the applicability and the impact of ethical theories in and for practice.    

By engaging with the course, students will:

• Understand and discuss theories of ethics in organizational contexts
• Critically analyse ethical challenges and dilemmas for ethics in management and leadership
• Focus on possibilities of ethical action and decision making in organizations
• Evaluate specific ethical challenges of ethics related to digitalization and related technologies
• Discuss, develop and design concrete possibilities for building ethical organizations    
• Develop analytical, social and communication skills through group case work and presentation

Presence during the sessions is mandatory. For reasons listed in the Prüfungsordnung der WU a maximum of 20% of the time may be missed. Possible reasons include illness, accidents etc.

Building on the foundations course this module will include theories from management and organization studies that discuss and propose practical tools for managing ethically. Participants will work with case studies and discuss in groups how to translate learnings into organizational contexts. Thinking out loud (text-based reflection, discussion etc) will alternate with working out loud (case work, presentation etc) with the aim to design an intellectually challenging and practically useful learning experience. Practice inputs will offer opportunities to discuss with and learn from experienced decision makers.

1. Individual mid-term essay (40%)
2. Group case assignment (40%) 
3. Individual reflection paper (20%)

Grading scale

• 90-100 points: Very good (1)
• 80-89 points: Good (2)
• 70-79 points: Satisfactory (3)
• 60-69 points: Sufficient (4)
• 0-59 points: Failed (5)

Successful admission to SBWL-EMOS through admission procedure (see EiM Website: https://www.wu.ac.at/eim/)

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