Business Ethics In Canada: Responsibility, Equity, And Sustainability

Building on the foundational work of Dr. Robert Sexty, the revised edition, now authored by Dr. Sophia Kusyk and Dr. Shelley Price, takes a novel approach by reorganizing the framework of the book based on principles drawn from Greek philosophy. Emphasizing the interconnectedness of businesses with society, the three conceptual pillars of a "good company" form the backbone of this edition: good management, good organizations, and good citizenship.

The first pillar, centered around good management, delves into essential concepts such as ethics, responsibility, stakeholders, and rights holders in the context of management. Chapters 1 to 5 explore legal business structures, ethical theories, the fundamental elements of the capitalistic system, collaborations with stakeholders, and organizational responsibility, including corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices.

The second pillar, focusing on good organizations, tackles the organizational aspects of ethical conduct, covering ownership, governance, leadership, and employee management in Chapters 6 to 10. This includes discussions on responsible capitalism, socialization's impact on sustainability strategies, managing ethics in organizations through leadership, and addressing employee-related issues.

The third pillar, emphasizing good citizenship, extends the discussion beyond organizational boundaries. Chapters 11 to 14 address issues related to value chain stakeholders, civil society, environmental ethics, and the complexities of the global marketplace. This holistic approach provides a comprehensive guide for understanding and fostering ethical business practices in the broader societal context.

A focus on Canadian content. The material in the book emphasizes Canadian content; it is Canadian from the ground up, rather than a conversion of an American or European text.

A student perspective. Materials, vignettes, example inserts, and cases are presented to which students can relate. Students are future business leaders and managers, and this book supports them in understanding the dynamic relationship between business and society and the ethics and responsibilities involved.

A focus on "good" companies. Chapters have been reorganized or merged to reflect the new framework of the three conceptual pillars that build a "good company."

Encourages critical thinking. Critical thinking is a higher-order intellectual, purposeful thought, and action process. It integrates inquiry, reflection, and deliberation to facilitate more thorough and meaningful learning. This book enables students to accomplish this in several ways: by introducing new ideas and concepts, linking ideas to illustrations, addressing issues from different perspectives, and exposing readers to new sources of information. The concepts, theories, and illustrations allow students to use their skills to clarify facts, assess information, formulate and defend their own intellectual positions, and develop appropriate courses of action.