This document discusses ethical issues in business research. It introduces the importance of respecting research participants. The objective of research ethics is to ensure no harm comes to participants. Some unethical practices are described such as violating confidentiality agreements or misrepresenting results. The document defines ethics, morals, and ethical dilemmas. It examines philosophical questions, social norms, and codes of behavior regarding ethics. Key ethical issues involve the rights and obligations of respondents, researchers, and research sponsors. Rights like privacy, informed consent, and truthfulness are discussed.

1. Ethical Issues in Business
Research

2. Introduction
An important aspect of research is the respect and consideration we show
to the people who participate in the study with us. These people are our
colleagues and our subject. Research may involve unethical practices.
Any business activity should practice or conform to ethical behaviour and
BR is no exception. Ethics refers to a code of conduct or norms or
standard of behaviour which guide people’s behaviour in society and
their interpersonal relationship.
The objective of ethics in research is to ensure that no one is harmed or
suffers adverse consequences from research activities.
Some ethical research activity and practices are common, like violating
non-disclosure agreements, breaking promises given to respondents on
confidentiality, misrepresenting results deception etc…..

3. Ethics
Meaning of Ethics
The application of morals to behavior related to the
exchange environment.
Meaning of Moral Standards
Principles that reflect beliefs about what is ethical and
what is unethical.
Meaning of Ethical Dilemma
A situation in which one chooses from alternative courses
of actions, each with different ethical implication.

4. Ethical Issues
 Philosophical questions - can’t be answered just
discussed endlessly in pointless debates
 Social norms - an expected form of behaviour in a
given situation
 Codes of behaviour - particular groups members

5. Ethical Issues in Business Research
Issues of ethics arise primarily out of
researcher’s relations with.
 Rights and obligation of the Respondent
 Rights and obligation of the Researcher
 Rights and obligation of the Sponsor

6. Rights and obligation of the Respondent
The obligation to be truthful
Privacy
Deception
The right to be informed

7. Rights and obligation of the Researcher
 The purpose of research is research
 Objectivity
 Don’t Misrepresenting research
 Protect the right to confidentiality of both subjects
and clients
 Dissemination of faulty

8. Rights and obligation of the Sponsor
 Ethics between buyer and seller
 An open relationship with research suppliers
 An open relationship with interested parties
 Privacy
 Commitment to research
 Pseudo – pilot studies

9. Sponsors of the Research
Research may be founded through research promotional bodies
like
 Research foundation-DRDO
 UGC-JRF, SRF, PhD
 Research users-planning commission, central and state govt.
 Financial institutions- IIFL, Banks and RBI
 Business undertakings- Companies
 Government departments – Railway, HRD
 Indian council and social science research

10. Reference
Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research methodology:
Methods and techniques. New Age International.