Peer Review

Business Ethics Introduction to the Ethics of Values

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Jul 30, 2021 by Business

Bookmark

Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

The purpose of this book is to serve as a compendium that contributes to a better understanding of major ethical terminology and basic ethical systems orientated towards business ethics.

The book is organized into two parts. Part 1 of the text provides a high-level overview of ethics and introduces popular theoretical approaches to understanding ethics. The author discusses the normative ethics school as a foundation to exploring key ethical values relevant to the business context. Part 2 takes the reader through a detailed application of the previously discussed business ethics to two ethical scenarios, framed as case studies.

Type of Material:

E-book: Open (Access) Textbook

*NOTE: Free for students. Others can read free for 30 days. Join for $5.99 per month.

Recommended Uses:

Individual reading to provide a high-level understanding of business ethics
Individual reading to learn how to apply ethical frameworks to analyzing a workplace ethical dilemma

Technical Requirements:

Download entire book as PDF from this site; Adobe Reader is required

Identify Major Learning Goals:

Understand the common theoretical approaches to studying ethics.
Understand the underlying schools of thought in normative ethics.
Develop awareness of business ethics from a normative perspective.
Apply the knowledge of normative ethics and business ethical values to ethical dilemmas encountered in the workplace
Better understand major ethical terminology;
Comprehend basic ethical systems orientated towards business ethics;
Analyze basic ethics-related case studies

Target Student Population:

College General Ed, College Lower Division, Advanced Secondary (High School)
Business courses, Management classes, Ethics classes

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

No prerequisite knowledge or skills are needed, other than a high-school reading level.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

Basic ethical concepts and models are appropriately provided and discussed;
The survey-based approach in gauging ethical terminology and teaching business ethics systems is learner/user friendly;
Case studies are related to a critical look at applied ethics in a given business context.
The author introduces concepts from a general focus on ethics to a specific focus on business ethics.
The book provides a good explanation of case studies and applying ethical values to analyze a workplace ethical dilemma.

Concerns:

A more comprehensive approach is needed in addressing business ethics in relation to culture-based value systems and dynamics;
In relation to the above, case studies need to integrate inter-cultural elements and influence on business ethics.
The author introduces concepts from a general focus on ethics to a specific focus on business ethics, which introduces several points where information is duplicated. It may have been more useful to frame the book in terms of business ethics and then explore the various schools and key values of ethics in the context of business.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

The learning objectives and application are in tandem with a basic understanding of business ethics;
The case study approach coupled with survey-centered garnering of information increases the potential for student learning.
Conceptual understanding of basic business ethics and its application are deliberately promoted through various segments.
The author does a good job of building on prior concepts and demonstrating relationships between concepts.

Concerns:

The application of business ethics as proposed by this e-book needs a practical post-assessment approach and follow up via online quizzes, situation feedback, reports, etc. between teacher and learner;
Culture-based tools are needed to address the ethnic-sensitive issues related to business ethics.
There are no learning objectives or prerequisite knowledge identified by the author. Reflection questions on material just introduced might help to measure student learning progression.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

The material layout is clear and consistent, supported by a user-friendly web portal.
The material is presented in a very clear and organized manner.

Concerns:

Cloud-based learning and follow-up exercises or feedback should be considered.
The advertisements spaced throughout the free book make it difficult to follow the author’s progression of ideas.

Other Issues and Comments:: The information presented is useful to understand business ethics from a high-level perspective. Additional material would be required to explore some of the more important business ethics topics in detail. An instructor would also need to develop activities to assess student understanding of the material.
Creative Commons: