Teaching Business Ethics Through Strategically Integrated Micro-Insertions

Posted: 21 Sep 2013 Last revised: 30 Oct 2013

See all articles by Alesia Slocum

Alesia Slocum

St Louis University, Madrid; Saint Louis University - Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business; Shenandoah University - Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business

Sylvia Rohlfer

Colegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros (CUNEF) - Complutense Madrid

Cesar González-Cantón

Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) - Colegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros (CUNEF); Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) - Colegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros (CUNEF); Humanistic Management Network

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

Slocum, Alesia and Slocum, Alesia and Rohlfer, Sylvia and González-Cantón, Cesar and González-Cantón, Cesar, Teaching Business Ethics Through Strategically Integrated Micro-Insertions (September 20, 2013). Journal of Business Ethics, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2328582

Alesia Slocum

Saint Louis University - Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business ( email )

3674 Lindell Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63108-3397
United States

St Louis University, Madrid ( email )

Avenida del Valle 34
Madrid, 28003
Spain

HOME PAGE: http://www.slu.edu

Shenandoah University - Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business ( email )

1460 University Drive
Winchester, VA 22601
United States

Sylvia Rohlfer

Colegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros (CUNEF) - Complutense Madrid ( email )

Serrano Anguita 9
Madrid, Madrid 28004
Spain

Cesar González-Cantón (Contact Author)

Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) - Colegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros (CUNEF) ( email )

Serrano Anguita 9
Madrid, Madrid 28004
Spain

Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) - Colegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros (CUNEF) ( email )

Serrano Anguita 9
Madrid, Madrid 28004
Spain

Humanistic Management Network ( email )

St. Gallen
Switzerland

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