The impact of business ethics education on attitudes towards corporate ethics of B Com. Accounting students at the University of Zululand.
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Date
2011
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University of Zululand
Abstract
“We are conscious of the reality that corruption in many forms has deeply infected the fibre of our society. Precisely because we face the challenge of dealing with systematic corruption, we need a dispassionate and systematic approach to this question.” Nelson Mandela, at the opening of Parliament (February 17, 1995). It would appear that the integrity of leading organizations, and the ethical behavior of leaders in the workplace, can have a positive impact on the organization as a whole. Many such leaders are moulded and developed in our institutions of higher education. Is there then an onus on these institutions to attempt to instill such ethical values into tomorrow’s leaders?
Business ethics courses have in recent years become prevalent worldwide, and more recently here in South Africa. The question that begs asking however is: Does teaching an ethics course to students influence their moral judgment, competence, and attitudes toward corporate ethics? Many believe that integrity, and hence ethical behaviour, is not something that can be acquired as an adult, but is dependent on your upbringing, social status and perhaps religion. These aspects of life may form a foundation for thinking, but as we are constantly growing and developing, especially in the formative years, they too can be developed. Based on the undisputed need for ethical leaders the following hypothesis was developed. Higher education institutions using a well-designed Ethics instruction programme can positively influence the undergraduate student’s moral judgment competence and attitude toward corporate ethics. A literary review was conducted including both local and international studies. Based on this a survey instrument was prepared, tested, and distributed. Solomon’s four group design was chosen as the most appropriate method of research. Although this research showed no statistical or practical improvement in students’ attitude toward business ethics, I believe the teaching thereof at least provides the student with an awareness of the situations she/he may encounter on entering the business world.
It also provides methods for resolution of conflict both internal and external to which the student may later refer. In this study there were not found to be any significant demographics affecting students’ attitudes, however the sample did have demographic limitations. As significant resources are allocated to the teaching of ethics it would be prudent to conduct further research into the effectiveness of teaching business ethics. The purpose of further research would not be to justify no longer teaching ethics, but to develop a standard of best practice in this regard. We cannot change the world overnight and we possibly can not even change the views of an entire group, but if we can just create one ethical leader we have made a difference to the world.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law in filfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters in Commerce in the Department of Accounting at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2011.
Keywords
Business ethics courses, Business ethics education