Ateneo - UPO

The course explores the ethical foundations of business management, integrating classical and contemporary moral philosophy with the challenges of modern global business. Drawing on the theories of key thinkers in the history of philosophy —including Aristotle, Confucius, Bentham, Mill, Kant, and Rawls—the course aims to identify business models that not only foster virtuous conduct toward all stakeholders but also serve as a driving force for the prosperity and flourishing (eudaimonia) of both the organization and the people who are part of it.

BYARS, S.M. and STANBERRY, K. (eds), Business Ethics, OpenStax. The text is available online, and is also free to access via open access: https://openstax.org/details/books/business-ethicsOthe texts will be made available

By the end of the course, students will have acquired a deep ethical and professional awareness and will be able to:Understand and apply key normative ethical theories: Recognise, distinguish, and apply main theoretical ethical models (in particular utilitarianism, universalism, and virtue ethics) to guide complex decision-making processes in business management.Move beyond a short-term perspective focused solely on maximising shareholder (stockholder) profit to embrace a long-term vision capable of mapping, prioritising, and assessing the impact of corporate decisions on all stakeholders (employees, customers, communities, suppliers, and the environment).Connect theoretical and normative models to the critical analysis of real-world case studies and complex business scenarios, developing skills in ethical problem-solving, financial integrity, and managing conflicts of honour or interest in the workplace.Critically evaluate the impact of digital transformation and new working environments: Understand and examine the effects that digital transformation, automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, and hybrid/remote working dynamics project onto leadership, team well-being, privacy, and fairness within future organisations.Develop and promote an organisational ethical culture: Collaborate effectively in working groups to design and implement formal compliance and ethical governance tools, such as safeguarding policies, codes of conduct, whistleblowing guidelines, and corporate value charters, to generate intangible value (goodwill).Practise responsible and inclusive management: Demonstrate professional awareness by valuing diversity and inclusion in business processes, protecting individual vulnerabilities, applying correct behavioural strategies (including the critical use of nudging), and ensuring a fair working environment.Recognise the influence of culture, geography, and time on business ethics: Develop a global perspective sensitive to cultural differences, understanding how corporate ethical values evolve over time and space in order to operate with respect and flexibility in international and multicultural market contexts.

Linguistic skills acquired during studies completed in second-level secondary education institutions.

The course adopts a blended learning approach, designed to seamlessly integrate asynchronous online activities with synchronous remote sessions, alongside 20 hours of face-to-face instruction.Asynchronous activities are primarily dedicated to introducing and systematising the core theoretical concepts of organisational behaviour, offering interpretative models, analytical frameworks and tools to understand individual, group and organisational dynamics.Face-to-face sessions focus instead on soft skills development and the practical application of theoretical content through case studies, simulations, role-plays and group work. During these sessions, students are encouraged to reflect critically on organisational behaviours, engage with different perspectives and experiment with effective ways of communicating, collaborating and decision-making.The learning journey includes practical exercises and collaborative projects aimed at strengthening transferable skills such as teamwork, leadership, conflict management and self-awareness of one's own behaviour in organisational contexts. The use of digital platforms fosters continuous interaction, collaborative learning and the integration of individual and group activities.

Registration on the module's DIR page is recommended, in order to receive communications from the teachers. Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning- disabilities.Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the course’s teaching staff to define the examination modalities and teaching aspects. 

Student performance will be assessed through a combination of continuous assessment and a final examination.A mid-term group project will represent the continuous assessment component. Students will work in teams to analyse a real or simulated organisational case, applying the theoretical concepts and frameworks discussed during the course. The project will be evaluated based on analytical rigour, application of theory, teamwork effectiveness, and clarity of presentation.The final exam will consist of one open-ended question and ten multiple-choice questions covering the main topics of the course. The multiple-choice section will test factual knowledge and conceptual understanding, while the open question will assess the student’s ability to integrate, interpret, and critically discuss the theoretical contents.The final grade will combine the outcomes of both components, rewarding (up to 2 points) continuous engagement, teamwork, and the ability to apply theory to practice.The exam will be assessed according to the following criteria:Not Successful: important deficiencies and/or inaccuracies in the knowledge and understanding of the topics; limited ability to analyse and synthesise, frequent generalisations and limited critical and judgemental skills, the topics are set out inconsistently and with inappropriate language;18-20: Barely sufficient knowledge and understanding of the topics with possible generalisations and imperfections; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgement, topics are frequently exposed in an incoherent way and with inappropriate/technical language;21-23: Routine knowledge and understanding of topics; ability to analyse and synthesise correctly with sufficiently coherent logical argumentation and appropriate/technical language;24-26: Fair knowledge and understanding of the topics; Good analytical and synthetic skills with arguments expressed in a rigorous manner but with language that is not always appropriate/technical;27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the topics; considerable capacity for analysis and synthesis. Good autonomy of judgement. Arguments presented in a rigorous manner and with appropriate/technical language;30-30L: Excellent level of knowledge and thorough understanding of topics. Excellent analytical and synthetic skills and independent judgement. Arguments expressed in an original manner and with appropriate technical language.

The course develops through a constant dialogue between the great philosophical traditions and the practical challenges of modern management. The starting point of the curriculum is a critical analysis of the role of business in contemporary society, contrasting the classic model of short-term profit maximisation (the shareholder perspective) with modern stakeholder theory. In this initial phase, the objective is to understand how corporate decisions must map and balance the interests of employees, customers, suppliers, local communities, and the environment, thereby turning ethical action into a driver for corporate reputation and intangible value (goodwill).Subsequently, the course introduces the key frameworks of Western and Eastern moral philosophy to provide students with a robust conceptual toolkit. Students will explore Bentham and Mill’s utilitarianism, focusing on the calculation of consequences and cost-benefit analysis, alongside Kant’s deontological approach, which is centred on duty and the absolute respect for individuals as ends in themselves and never as mere means. These models will be complemented by universal rights theory and John Rawls’s theory of justice and fairness, which is essential for addressing issues of distributive justice and wage equity within organisations.The core of the programme is dedicated to applying Virtue Ethics—from both Aristotelian and Confucian perspectives—to the business environment. Through the concept of eudaimonia (human flourishing), the firm is reimagined not as a bureaucratic machine, but as a moral community. From this viewpoint, the course will analyse how organisations can shape their structures to promote integrity, character development, and spontaneous virtuous behavior, moving beyond the logic of mere compliance with rules.The focus then shifts towards internal governance and workplace dynamics. Topics will include workers' rights, the protection of individual vulnerabilities, and strategies to foster diversity and inclusion. On a practical level, students will examine the design of formal governance tools, such as Codes of Conduct, Corporate Value Charters, and compliance systems linked to whistleblowing guidelines.Finally, the course expands its horizon to global markets and future scenarios. It will analyse the influence of space, time, and culture on business ethics, tackling the complexities of cultural relativism and the management of conflicts of interest and financial integrity on an international scale. Special attention will be paid to the impact of digital transformation and new working environments; students will examine the ethical dilemmas surrounding data privacy, automation, the use of Artificial Intelligence and robotics, and fairness within hybrid or remote working contexts. Additionally, the course will delve into the critical use of behavioural strategies, such as nudging (the "gentle push"), applied to management and consumer behaviour.The entire curriculum is supported by a highly interactive approach: theoretical frameworks will be constantly applied to the critical analysis of real-world case studies and practical dilemmas ("What Would You Do?"). Students will also engage in group work and simulations designed to develop ethical problem-solving skills and professional collaboration.

Knowledge and understanding - Students will acquire foundational knowledge of the main theoretical models of moral philosophy and business ethics, encompassing both classic normative frameworks and contemporary management and governance perspectives. They will also develop an awareness of how corporate social responsibility (CSR), stakeholder centrality, innovation, and digital transformation are redefining applied ethics within work systems and global business models.Applying knowledge and understanding - Students will be able to connect theoretical and normative models to the critical analysis of real-world corporate situations and complex ethical dilemmas ("What Would You Do?"). They will develop a deep understanding of how ethical values, codes of conduct, and compliance systems influence decision-making processes, financial integrity, responsible leadership, and the management of conflicts of interest in the workplace.Making judgements - Students will be able to critically evaluate the impact of corporate decisions on all stakeholders, balancing long-term sustainability with organisational goals. Through the analysis of case studies, simulations, and project work, they will develop the ability to formulate independent, well-considered judgements when faced with value conflicts, integrating sensitivity to cultural and geographical differences with the mindful use of correct behavioural strategies.Communication skills - Students will improve their ability to effectively argue and communicate analyses, dilemmas, and ethical governance recommendations, both orally and in writing, using the appropriate technical terminology. They will also develop collaboration skills within working groups and hybrid communication contexts, sharpening their ability to critically interpret complex texts and scenarios, identify moral fallacies, and promote an inclusive organisational culture.Learning skills - Students will enhance their capacity for autonomous, reflective, and self-evaluative learning, integrating theoretical-philosophical study with the observation of real managerial practices. This will foster the development of continuous professional conscience and the ethical flexibility essential to operate with integrity and guide organisational flourishing (eudaimonia) within complex, constantly changing global market environments