1. MGX5020: Business ethics in a global environment
Week 10:
Confucianism, Christianity
and Business Practices
www.monash.edu.au

2. Your Tutor (me)
Nathan Eva
– nathan.eva@monash.edu
– 9903 4065
– Building N Level 5 Room 14
– www.slideshare.net/nathaneva
www.monash.edu.au
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3. Previous Cases
1.
2.
3.
4.
The Ford Pinto
Enron
Sweatshop Labour
Shell in Nigeria
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4. Confucianism
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•
•
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Does a Confucian ethic help us identify the ethical issues in these
cases?
Does it offer us a method by which these problems might be
averted?
What are the benefits offered to business practices from a Confucian
perspective?
What are the costs?
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5. Christianity
•
•
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What is emphasised by a Christian ethic? What rules or principles
are followed?
Can a Christian ethic identify the problematic issues regarding this
case?
Does it offer guidance by which these sorts of problems might be
avoided?
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6. Niall Ferguson: Civilisation
http://rutube.ru/video/686d0549c5d90524a628d7b270
292a6a/
•
What is the Christian influence on the capitalist work ethic
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7. Cadbury and the Kraft Takeover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uREmBJiafHw
• Compare the Bournville story of the Christian influence on
business practices with Niall Ferguson’s story.
• What are the similarities?
• What about the differences?
• Do you think it is appropriate to embody religious principles in
organisational culture? What benefits might it offer? What are
some potential problems?
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8. Religion in Organisational Culture
• Do you think it is appropriate to embody religious principles in
organisational culture?
• What benefits might it offer?
• What are some potential problems?
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