Teaching Business Ethics Through Strategically Integrated Micro-Insertions
Posted: 21 Sep 2013 Last revised: 30 Oct 2013
Date Written: September 20, 2013
Abstract
This paper identifies an integrated teaching strategy that was originally developed for engineers, the so-called ‘micro-insertion’ approach, as a practical and effective means to teach ethics at business schools. It is argued that instructors can incorporate not only generic or thematic learning objectives for students into this method (i.e., the intended content of what is being taught: in our case, an underlying ethical base for doing business) but also do so via a strategically integrated approach regarding the appropriate mix and timing of these micro-insertions. With this in mind, we propose a qualitative and example-based approach that endeavors to provide a versatile way for business teachers to incorporate ethics into their general business classes. We also present a conceptual and theoretical framework that underpins this method, and we further provide a set of specific examples and a practical table that show how business instructors might integrate ethics-oriented micro-insertions into their teaching.
Keywords: business ethics, integrated approach, micro-insertions, virtue ethics, teaching
JEL Classification: M14
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation