90595 - ETICA E SOSTENIBILITA' NELLE DECISIONI AZIENDALI

Learning outcomes

The course aims to develop ethical awareness in business contexts, providing students with the tools to recognize moral issues, address ethical dilemmas, and guide decisions toward social responsibility.

Key concepts and major theories of business ethics will be introduced, including an innovative approach based on Amartya Sen’s capabilities framework, which helps understand the impact of corporate decisions on stakeholders’ well-being.

The course will also explore the evolution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), its link with sustainability, and the role of corporate governance and accountability in balancing different interests. New business models designed to tackle the three dimensions of sustainability (social, environmental, and economic) will be analyzed.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Understand theoretical and practical aspects of major ethical issues in business;

• Identify stakeholders, their legitimate interests, and expectations;

• Comprehend the role of corporate governance and accountability in balancing stakeholder interests;

• Distinguish between the main approaches to CSR implementation in companies;

• Recognize, understand, and address the ethical implications of business decisions, including in international contexts.

Course contents

• Introduction to Business Ethics – What business ethics is, what ethical dilemmas are, and why ethics matters in business (examples and cases discussed in class).

• The Current Context and the Role of Business – Globalization and sustainability, social impact, and the debate on the role of firms (examples and cases).

• Responsible Management Competencies – With a guest speaker from industry.

• Main Normative Ethical Theories – Practical cases with ethical dilemmas and class discussion.

• Amartya Sen’s Capabilities Approach Applied to Business – Practical case and in-class exercise.

• New Business Models – Governance and ethics of Benefit Corporations (Società Benefit) – participation in the conference.

• The Evolution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – Group work and discussion of Patagonia and PepsiCo case studies.

Note:
The information in this syllabus may be subject to minor changes. The instructor will communicate any updates to students.

Readings/Bibliography

Slides and links provided during the course

Crane & Matten (eds.). (2010). Making Decisions in Business Ethics: Descriptive Ethical Theories, in Business Ethics (5th ed.), Ch. 2–3, Oxford University Press, pp. 85–125.

Fia, M., & Sacconi, L. (2019). Justice and Corporate Governance: New Insights from Rawlsian Social Contract and Sen’s Capabilities Approach. Journal of Business Ethics, 160(4), 937–960.

Freeman, R. E. (2017). “The New Story of Business: Towards a More Responsible Capitalism.” Business and Society Review, 122(3), 449–465.

Matten, D., & Crane, A. (2005). “Corporate Citizenship: Toward an Extended Theoretical Conceptualization.” Academy of Management Review, 30(1), 166–179.

Porter, M. E., & Kramer, M. R. (2006). “The Link Between Competitive Advantage and Corporate Social Responsibility.” Harvard Business Review, 84(12), 78–92.

Zadek, S. (2004). “The Path to Corporate Responsibility.” In Corporate Ethics and Corporate Governance (pp. 159–172). Harvard Business Review.

Teaching methods

The course combines lectures with interactive activities, including:

• Case discussions;

• Group work;

• Guest speakers;

• Participation in an online or in-person workshop/conference (20 November).

Assessment methods

Assessment will cover all topics discussed in class and use various formats:

• Written Exam (open-ended, short, and multiple-choice questions): 60%

• Case Study Analysis and Discussion (Patagonia and PepsiCo) and in-class exercises: 30%

• Active Participation in Discussions: 10%

Grading Scale:

• 18–20: Sufficient preparation

• 21–24: More than sufficient, with some gaps

• 25–27: Good preparation

• 28–30: Excellent knowledge, interactive participation, independent thinking

• 30L: Outstanding mastery, high interactivity, and autonomy of thought

 

Office hours

See the website of Magalì Fia