Business Ethics

Syllabus

Thematic Scope of Seminars: 1. Fundamental principles of ethical theory Theoretical Focus: The content primarily concentrates on the theoretical foundations of business ethics. Basics of ethics and its categories applicable to business ethics. 2. Basic ethical principles in the economic sphere Theoretical Focus: Core ethical principles in the economic domain. The company as part of the social system. Ethics and ESG. Case Study Focus: Projects and case studies centered on modern understandings of sustainable business practices and ESG, particularly real-world corporate practice. They present diverse manifestations of sustainable business, generating a typology of sustainable enterprises. 3. Legal Framework as the Ethical Minimum Theoretical focus: Topics are primarily oriented toward the attributes of the legislative framework for economic entities as the ethical minimum. The relationship between society, morality, and law in regulating corporate behavior. Business ethics require and generate compliance with the law. Defining the essence and dimensions of the ethical minimum in business ethics. Case study focus: Projects and case studies focused on the legal framework for economic entities as the ethical minimum. Key attributes of the legislative framework for businesses: the relationship between morality and law in regulating sustainable corporate behavior and actions. Sustainable business requires at least compliance with the law. Defining the essence of the ethical minimum in sustainable business. Typology of stakeholders and classification of corporate relationships with stakeholders. 4. Ethics in Economics and Stakeholder Theory Theoretical focus: Topics are primarily oriented toward defining and specifying the essence of stakeholders and their participation in the functioning of typologically diverse business entities. Classification and categorization of stakeholders. Characteristics of the ethical minimum according to stakeholder groups. The essence and systematization of ethical dilemmas based on stakeholder groups. Case study focus: Addressing ethical dilemmas according to stakeholder groups. Characterization of the ethical minimum for different stakeholder groups. 5. Institutionalization of ESG Management Theoretical focus: Topics primarily concentrate on the spectrum of relationships within the institutionalization of ethical management, ESG, and Corporate Governance. The central relationship between ESG and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). The connection between ESG and the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Existing alternative forms of responsible business. Functioning ESG management, including an ethical program linked to a compliance program. General principles of the ethical code. Types of ethical codes. Activities and responsibilities in implementing an ethical program. Controlling the institutionalization of a functioning ESG management system. Case study focus: Functioning ESG management with an ethical program system linked to a compliance program and controlling the institutionalization of ESG management. 6. Ethical/ESG Management According to CSRD Thematic focus of the theory: The topics are primarily dedicated to the implementation of ethical management in the form of ESG in: a) ESRS standards under CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) for the EU and b) non-European standards (SASB, GRI, etc.). Relationships of business ethics contained in CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) → NFDR (Non-Financial Reporting Directive) → SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation). The comprehensive impact of CSRD on corporate management and economics. The role and responsibility of management in ESG strategy. ESRS standards – fundamental principles of ESG strategy and ESG reporting. Business ethics in Double Materiality. Processes for implementing ESG strategy. Thematic focus of case studies: Projects and case studies focused on business ethics in Double Materiality and processes for implementing ESG strategy. 7. Ethical Business in Relation to Human Capital Thematic Focus of Theory: The topics primarily concentrate on ethical business practices in relation to human capital. Identification of the most frequent ethical dilemmas and issues concerning human capital within a company. Key principles of ethical conduct in sustainable employment and legal relationships. Typology, classification, and categorization of unethical behavior towards human capital in a company. Applicable legislation as an ethical minimum and a system of tools for positively addressing unethical behavior. Fundamental job security and employee rights under the Labor Code. Standardization through appropriate regulatory frameworks. Employee protection. Social inclusion and diversity. Conflict of interest. Thematic Focus of Case Studies: Projects and case studies focused on the ethical minimum and compliance programs for human capital. Ethical aspects of collective bargaining and collective agreements. Dimensions of solutions for the most frequent ethical dilemmas and issues concerning human capital in a company. 8. Ethical Business Practices in Relation to the Environment Thematic focus of theory: The topics are primarily oriented toward the ethical dimension of the relationship between ethical business practices and the environment. Content classification: ecology, environmental science, and environmental protection. Environmental stewardship. Strategic corporate initiatives in environmental protection. Compliance programs and ethical minimums in environmental matters in Slovakia and the EU. Standardization through appropriate regulatory frameworks. Environmental management systems. Pros and cons of implementing an environmental management system. Comparison of the attributes of ISO 14001 and EMAS standards. Application of the PDCA model in the implementation of an environmental management system. Thematic focus of case studies: Projects and case studies focused on the application of the PDCA model in implementing an environmental management system according to ISO 14001 or EMAS. Compliance programs and ethical minimums in environmental matters in Slovakia and the EU. Standardization through appropriate regulatory frameworks. 9. Ethical Business Practices in Relation to Consumer Protection and Responsible Procurement Thematic Focus of Theory: The topics are primarily concentrated on the fundamental economic and ethical aspects of contemporary consumerism and its relationship to sustainable development. Dimensions of a functional consumer protection system model. Sustainable consumption. Basic principles of consumer protection in Slovakia and the EU. Food safety in Slovakia and the EU. Corporate responsibility for applied marketing tools. Strategy for the responsible sale of addictive products. Corporate powers and responsibilities (obligations) towards suppliers, with a special emphasis on suppliers of natural products. Participatory consumer protection and food safety. Forms of ethical procurement. Standardization through appropriate norms. Socially responsible procurement. "Green" procurement. Thematic Focus of Case Studies: Projects and case studies focused on forms of ethical procurement and models of sustainable consumption. 10. Ethical Business in Relation to Local Communities and Partnership Relations with Competitors Thematic focus of theory: Topics are primarily oriented towards the basic characterization of the sociological structuring of society (community, association, and society). Socially beneficial corporate behavior within ethical business practices for the benefit of the community. Typology, classification, and categorization of ethical business activities benefiting the community: philanthropy, donations, volunteering, corporate community investments, and sponsorship. Specification of corporate philanthropy and its tools. Volunteer management. Partnership associations for the development of ethical business. Regulation of cooperative relationships based on ethics. Voluntary support for ethical business practices arising from mutual cooperation between members of associated partners in national and international associations, organizations, chambers, and societies: a) professional associations (e.g., employer organizations, trade unions, etc.) b) those focused on ethical business and sustainable development (e.g., Business Leaders Forum, UN Global Compact, etc.). Compliance programs and ethical minimums. Standardization through adequate norms. Thematic focus of case studies: Solving case studies and ethical dilemmas related to the economic parameterization of typology, classification, and categorization of ethical business activities benefiting the community and associations of partner and competitive relationships. Volunteer management. Compliance programs and ethical minimums. Standardization through adequate norms. 11. Ethical Business Practices of Freelance Professions Thematic Focus of Theory: The topics are primarily concentrated on the significance of freelance professions from economic, managerial, and ethical perspectives in Slovakia and the EU. A general characterization of freelance professions from the viewpoint of applied ethics according to various professions. Basic classification of freelance professions. Matrix regulation: the essence of legislative regulation and professional regulation. General principles of professional ethical codes. Formalization of ethical conduct (institutionalization of ethics) in freelance professions. Conditions for the competitiveness of enterprises in freelance professions and ethical business practices. Thematic Focus of Case Studies: Projects and case studies focused on matrix regulation, institutionalization of ethics in freelance professions, and models of ethical programs based on the basic classification of freelance professions. 12. Successful Model of Ethical Business Increasing Corporate Value Thematic Focus of Theory: Topics are primarily oriented toward the ethical dimension of the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of shareholders and investors. Socially responsible investments. Socially responsible investing. Impact investing. Models of ratings, rankings, and indices in the field of ethical business and their impact on corporate value. Innovation processes from the perspective of resource (investment) allocation. Social innovations as a tool for ethical/sustainable business. Thematic Focus of Case Studies: Solving case studies and ethical dilemmas related to socially responsible investments and socially responsible investing. The impact of indices in ethical/responsible business on corporate value. Innovation processes and social innovations. 13. Controlling of Forms of Ethical Business Thematic focus of theory: The topics are primarily concentrated on the essence of the relationship between a company's ethical conduct and the controlling of ethical business. Controlling tools and methods for ethical business. Managerial accounting in the field of ethical business. Reporting possibilities in ethical business and its holistic system. Differentiation of reporting in parent and subsidiary companies. General principles of ethical business reporting. Ethical business reporting standards. Attributes of the most widespread ethical business reporting systems: reporting in EU countries and non-European reporting. Thematic focus of case studies: Solving case studies and ethical dilemmas on the topics of controlling tools and methods for ethical business reporting in EU countries and non-European reporting.