Introduction to Trust and Honesty in the Real World: A Joint Course for Lawyers, Business People and Regulators

Boston Univ. School of Law Working Paper No. 07-34

Tamar Frankel and Mark Fagan, TRUST AND HONESTY IN THE REAL WORLD, A JOINT COURSE FOR LAWYERS, BUSINESS PEOPLE AND REGULATORS, Fathom Publishing Company, 2007

4 Pages Posted: 16 Dec 2007 Last revised: 19 Dec 2007

See all articles by Tamar Frankel

Tamar Frankel

Boston University School of Law

Mark Fagan

Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)

Abstract

Open any newspaper and you are likely to find stories of financial scandals, frauds and questionable ethical behavior in the business and professional worlds. The latest and lasting scandals in corporate America touched the highest level of corporate management and professional firms raising the question of whether business leaders are being taught the value of trust and honesty. Yet the very fabric of our economic prosperity and social stability are woven with trust and honesty. Distrust and dishonesty are not new. However, we appear to be at a tipping point where we run the risk of a culture that accepts and justifies corporate abuse of trust and dishonesty. The consequences include higher costs, slower growth and less freedom.

The goal of these course materials is to help students and seasoned practitioners recognize the ease with which trust and honesty can be lost, understand the impact of the business environment and social culture on trust and honesty, and explore measures to reinforce and, if necessary, restore trust and honesty in the business world. These course materials are founded on Trust and Honesty, American's Business Culture at a Crossroad (Frankel, 2006). The centerpiece of each module in this book is a case study drawn from actual business experience. Assigned readings from Trust and Honesty provide context for each teaching module. The case study assessments and discussions are used to highlight and illustrate the issues in more specific and practical terms. They demonstrate the complexity and indeterminacy of the issues. Role plays are provided with each module to provide the students with opportunities to test their ideas, simulate real life situations, manage tradeoffs and build consensus with their peers.

Keywords: financial scandals, frauds, questionable ethical behavior, corporate abuse of trust, course materials on trust and honesty in American business

JEL Classification: K22, K29

Suggested Citation

Frankel, Tamar and Fagan, Mark, Introduction to Trust and Honesty in the Real World: A Joint Course for Lawyers, Business People and Regulators. Boston Univ. School of Law Working Paper No. 07-34, Tamar Frankel and Mark Fagan, TRUST AND HONESTY IN THE REAL WORLD, A JOINT COURSE FOR LAWYERS, BUSINESS PEOPLE AND REGULATORS, Fathom Publishing Company, 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1072822

Tamar Frankel (Contact Author)

Boston University School of Law ( email )

765 Commonwealth Avenue
1070G
Boston, MA 02215
United States
617-353-3773 (Phone)
617-353-3077 (Fax)

Mark Fagan

Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) ( email )

79 John F. Kennedy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

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