1. Practical Tools for Business Ethics

Ethical Dilemmas and Decision-Making Frameworks

Decison-Making Frameworks

These are some tests to guide decision-making in business situations.

IBE Framework

Transparency: Do I mind others knowing what I have decided?

Effect: Who does my decision affect or hurt?

Fairness: Would my decision be considered fair by those affected? (www.ibe.org.uk/tests.html - can be deleted?)

Trevino and Nelson (2007)

1. Gather the facts
2. Define the ethical issues
3. Identify the affected parties
4. Identify the consequences
5. Identify the obligations
6. Consider your character and integrity
7. Think creatively about potential actions
8. Check your gut

(from: Managing Business Ethics: Straight Talk About How to Do It Right; L Trevino, K. Nelson; Wiley; 2006, 4th ed.)

Decision Making Frameworks – compiled by SME Financial Systems www.sme.ie/articles/business_ethics/decision_making_frameworks.pdf

Ethical Decision-making Frameworks – compiled by ICAEW www.icaew.com/index.cfm?route=149596

Center for Ethics and Business, Loyola Marymount University /www.ethicsandbusiness.org/strategy.htm

Complete Guide To Ethics Management, McNamara C, 1999

Resolving Ethical Dilemmas www.managementhelp.org/ethics/ethxgde.htm#anchor53723

Better Business Game (BT) Experience what it can be like to manage social and environmental issues in a business. The game's contents are drawn from general business dilemmas across all industries, and are not solely based on BT experience or policies. www.btplc.com/Societyandenvironment/Businessgame/index.htm

Ethical Dilemmas/Scenarios

Institute for Global Ethics A collection of ‘real life’ business dilemmas, provided without resolutions. www.globalethics.org/resources/dilemmas.htm

Markkula Center for Applied Ethics A collection of mini vignettes www.scu.edu/ethics/dialogue/candc/cases/business-scenarios.html and some longer case studies www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/focusareas/cases.cfm?fam=BUSI

Businessethics.ca Three mini cases and links to case databases www.businessethics.ca/cases/index.html

Small Business Notes Example of a dilemma frequently encountered in a small business setting www.smallbusinessnotes.com/operating/leadership/ethics.html

Business Ethics - Sharon Stoerger MLS, MBA Collection of case studies
http://web-miner.com/busethics.htm