This document outlines the topics to be covered in Week 10 of the course MGX5020: Business ethics in a global environment. The week will examine Confucianism and Christianity and their influence on business practices. It will discuss these religions' perspectives on previous cases of unethical business behavior and whether they can help identify issues and provide guidance to avoid problems. The influence of Christianity on the capitalist work ethic will also be explored through video links on Niall Ferguson and the Cadbury company. Students will consider the benefits and risks of embodying religious principles in organizational culture.

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
2

3. Previous Cases
1.
2.
3.
4.
The Ford Pinto
Enron
Sweatshop Labour
Shell in Nigeria
www.monash.edu.au
3

4. Confucianism
•
•
•
•
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?
www.monash.edu.au
4

5. Christianity
•
•
•
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?
www.monash.edu.au
5

6. Niall Ferguson: Civilisation
http://rutube.ru/video/686d0549c5d90524a628d7b270
292a6a/
•
What is the Christian influence on the capitalist work ethic
www.monash.edu.au
6

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?
www.monash.edu.au
7

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?
www.monash.edu.au
8