Course coordinator
Dr Marissa Edwards
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
This course offers students an opportunity to develop a working command of ethical management.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the ethical issues, dilemmas and challenges faced by managers and employees in the contemporary workplace. In the course, we will discuss multiple issues that are relevant to managers working in contemporary organisations, including the nature of ethics and different approaches to ethical decision-making, the role of ethics in corporate settings, stakeholder management, advertising ethics, discrimination, and the codes of ethics at work. We will also discuss the notion of individual morality and how we can increase the likelihood that we will act in line with our values when faced with an ethical dilemma. There will be a strong focus on current ethical issues and also ethical challenges that managers are likely to face in future.
To fully benefit from the course, students will need to complete required readings in addition to an online module each week before class. Each module along with the required readings will be made available at Blackboard.
In response to student feedback, team-based case assessments will occur in several seminars throughout the semester. Cases will be posted at Blackboard each week along with other relevant articles and additional material as required. Students must come fully prepared to seminars having read the material and completed the relevant online module before class. As much of the seminars will involve class and group discussions, simply listening to recordings will not provide you with sufficient engagement with the course material. If you cannot attend class each week and participate in the team-based case assessments, you should not undertake this course.
Course requirements
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
MGTS7030
Restrictions
Quota: Minimum of 15 enrolments
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Marissa Edwards
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full name
- Student ID
- Course Code
Aims and outcomes
The major aim of this course is to prepare you personally and professionally for the ethical challenges you may face as an employee and as a manager in an organisational setting. You will be encouraged to reflect on your decision-making processes and behavioural responses to ethical dilemmas and value conflicts in the workplace, and to gain a deeper understanding of your personal values and motivations. Another key aim of this course is to help you identify the links between management theory and practice through the use of critical reasoning and the analysis of case studies and practical examples. You will be encouraged to draw on evidence from the scholarly literature to support your arguments and in doing so gain a comprehensive understanding of contemporary business ethics.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Analyse common ethical dilemmas facing employees and managers in the contemporary business environment, both individually and as part of a team.
LO2.
Demonstrate a comprehensive awareness and understanding of major business ethics theories, paradigms and approaches.
LO3.
Analyse the factors that influence employee and managerial ethical decision-making.
LO4.
Demonstrate knowledge of the practical challenges of managing ethical dilemmas and deviance in the workplace.
LO5.
Critically reflect on your own values and behaviours and your role as an agent of positive ethical change.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Case Study Response
|
40% |
The assessments will occur in class during the following weeks: Week 5, Week 7, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, and Week 12. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Case Analysis | 40% |
9/05/2025 2:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Managing Ethical Issues in Future | 20% |
10/06/2025 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
Case Study Response
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
The assessments will occur in class during the following weeks: Week 5, Week 7, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, and Week 12.
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Peer assessed.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Each seminar topic will have a case (and additional material, as required) assigned as a required reading. Students will need to complete the required readings prior to class and attend the seminar to learn additional content (e.g., concepts, theories, models).
Students are only permitted to use the approved materials (provided at Blackboard and/or in class) to answer the questions.
This assessment will involve an individual component and a team component in class:
First, students will complete a series of questions individually then submit their answers.
Following this, student teams will receive additional questions and will need to discuss and formulate their answers. Each team must submit their responses within the allocated time.
Marking
Each case study response (comprised of individual and team components) will be marked out of 8. The best five of six marks will count towards students' final grade.
Team Formation
Preliminary teams will be formed in class in Weeks 1 and 2 and finalised in Week 4. Students will only be allowed to change teams in exceptional circumstances and with written permission of the course coordinator.
Each student will complete a peer assessment of their team members' contributions, and these will be used to adjust marks as needed.
Note: Students must attend class during the first four weeks of the semester to join a team. Week 4 is the final opportunity to join a team. Students who do not attend class and do not provide an adequate reason for their absence accompanied by documentation (e.g., medical certificate) will not be allocated to a team and will receive 0 for the team component of this assessment task.
AI Statement:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) must not be used when preparing for or completing the case responses.
Any generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The answers must be submitted in class via the Blackboard Assessment link.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
If a student is unable to attend class for a valid reason, they must email the course coordinator with appropriate documentation (e.g., medical certificate) within three days of the scheduled class and they will be allowed the opportunity to complete an additional case study in class in Week 13.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Answers must be submitted in class at the specified time. Late responses will not be marked.
Case Analysis
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
9/05/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04
Task description
In this report, students are required to analyse the factors that can influence unethical behaviour in a work setting and consider how managers can prevent or reduce such behaviours. Specifically, students must choose an example of an organisation in which an episode (or multiple episodes) of unethical behaviour occurred. Students are free to draw on their own experience but they are also welcome to discuss an organisation featured in the media. Students must provide a brief description of the context, key individuals, etc. and the unethical behaviour(s) that occurred.
Following this, students must identify the key factors that contributed to the unethical behaviour, drawing on the content discussed in the course. It is essential that students draw on evidence from the theoretical and empirical literature to build a convincing argument for the role of their chosen factors. Finally, students must evaluate how the organisation responded and consider how the organisation could have responded more effectively; recommendations (based on scholarly literature) should be included here. Students must include a minimum of 12 peer-reviewed journal articles as evidence that they are able to draw on appropriate scholarly literature. The report should be 2500 words in length (+/- 10%).
AI Statement:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The report must be submitted through Turnitin located in the Blackboard Assessment link.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Managing Ethical Issues in Future
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
10/06/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L05
Task description
The purpose of this task is for students to consider how contemporary ethical issues may affect them in their current OR future role in the workplace. In this essay, students should discuss their current or future work position and identify one major ethical issue that they have faced, or will likely face, in their role. Students are free to choose an issue related to those discussed in the course (e.g., discrimination, sexual harassment, advertising ethics, cross-cultural ethical decision-making, corporate social responsibility, whistle-blowing, etc.) or choose one from the scholarly literature. In the essay, students should provide:
- A summary of the ethical issue, with a focus on recent research and examples
- A justification for why the issue is relevant to their work position
- The challenges or difficulties associated with managing the issue
- An action plan for the future, based on learnings from the course and academic research
Evidence from the academic literature will be required. The essay should be approximately 1300 words in length (+/- 10%).
AI Statement:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The essay must be submitted through Turnitin located in the Blackboard Assessment link.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Case readings and other materials will be posted at Blackboard in the weekly Learning Resources folder.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Seminar |
Introduction to Business Ethics In this seminar we will discuss the structure and content of the course and the learning objectives. We will also consider the nature of ethics; approaches to ethical decision-making; and define business ethics. We will also further consider the importance of identifying one's personal values and how to create an individual ethical code. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05 |
Week 2 |
Seminar |
Contemporary Business Ethics In this seminar we will discuss the contemporary landscape of business ethics and students will have the opportunity to form teams for the case-based assessments. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05 |
Week 4 |
Seminar |
Unethical Behaviour at Work Managers and subordinates frequently encounter unethical behaviour in work settings, which in turn can have negative implications for stakeholders. In this seminar, we will consider the types of unethical behaviour that can occur in organisations; why employees sometimes choose to engage in these behaviours; and how to manage and prevent unethical behaviour. We will also work through the case study. This week is the final opportunity to join a team for the case study response assessment task. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 5 |
Seminar |
Responses to Unethical Behaviour at Work When employees encounter unethical behaviour in their organisation, they can respond in a variety of ways. In this seminar, we will discuss the nature, determinants and consequences of these responses, including silence, disclosure to others, confrontation, informal and formal whistle-blowing, and exiting the organisation. We will also work through the case study. As this is an assessment week, students must submit their case study responses in class. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05 |
Week 6 |
Seminar |
Giving Voice to Values Giving Voice to Values (GVV) is a post-decision-making approach to ethical dilemmas and asks the question: "Once I know how I want to respond, what is the best way to act on my values and try to achieve an effective outcome?" In this seminar we will discuss core tenets of the GVV approach and students will apply major concepts by working through reflection questions and scenarios in teams. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 7 |
Seminar |
Equal Opportunity and Discrimination In this seminar we will discuss the importance of equal opportunity and discrimination in organisations. We will also work through the case study. As this is an assessment week, students must submit their case study responses in class. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 8 |
Seminar |
Stakeholders and Professional Ethics In this seminar we will discuss the importance of stakeholders and professional ethics. We will also work through the case study. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Mid-sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break |
Week 9 |
Seminar |
CSR and The Environment In this seminar we will discuss the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and especially protection of the natural environment as part of business practices in the 21st century. We will also work through the case study. As this is an assessment week, students must submit their case study responses in class. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 10 |
Seminar |
Advertising Ethics In this seminar we will discuss the role of ethics and ethical decision-making in advertising, especially protection of consumer rights. We will also work through the case study. As this is an assessment week, students must submit their case study responses in class. This class will be rescheduled due to the Labour Day public holiday. Please see Blackboard for details. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 11 |
Seminar |
Leadership and Corporate Culture In this seminar we will discuss the importance of ethical leadership and creating an ethical organisational culture. We will also work through the case study. As this is an assessment week, students must submit their case study responses in class. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 12 |
Seminar |
International Business Ethics In this seminar we will discuss what it means to operate as an ethical professional in the global business environment. We will also work through the case study. As this is an assessment week, students must submit their case study responses in class. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 13 |
Seminar |
Course Review and Future Challenges The final seminar will include a discussion of major learnings from the course and some of the major ethical issues facing managers in future. We will also work through the case study. This seminar is the final opportunity for deferred case study response submission. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.