A634.2.4.RB - Shuck, Allison

A Tale of Two Theories

Consequentialism is a theory of reasoning that indicates how people make decisions. It employs that people are morally obligated to make a decision based on consequences. It assumes that people naturally choose an outcome that will produce the best consequence. However, when facing a moral decision, one must consider all those affected by the decision before making it. According to Lafollette (2007), consequentialism involves “considering the available actions, tracing the likely consequences of each for all affected, and then selecting the one with the best overall consequence”.  

Deontology is the theory of reasoning that helps us acquire and develop our moral beliefs. It involves evaluating the morality of a decision based its adaptation to the rules. It assumes that our moral obligations, whatever those may be, are defined by rules but are partly independent from consequences. Meaning that are decisions are based on guidelines but the consequences of our decision vary depending on the situation. Lets evaluate, as a child you learned the importance on not telling a lie; if you were caught telling a lie, there would be serious consequences. Well the theory of deontology implies that in certain situations one must do what is morally right even when the consequences are not in our favor. For example, when your wife asks you “does this dress make me look fat”, as her husband, you are morally obligated to tell her the truth, even if you know the consequences will be negative. According to Lafollette (2007), deontologist think rules or principles are important independently of consequences, they disagree about which actions are right (or wrong) and just how right (or wrong) they are. 

A634.1.6.RB - Shuck, Allison

The Buck Stops and Starts With You

So many people in the world believe that management education has contributed to the systematic failure of leadership, and I believe they are right! Why, you might ask, because business schools today fail to teach their students about values and ethics. According to Podolny (2009), “people have come to believe that business schools are harmful to society, fostering selfinterested, unethical, and even illegal behavior by their graduates”.

So how can we fix this problem? The first step in reducing the misconception of management education is for business schools to show society that they have the same values.  To do this, businesses schools must start by re-evaluate the courses required for management education. Although the concept management education involves looking at the big picture, business schools need to start teaching their students the ideology of ethics; defining how minor details fit within the big picture.

 In addition, business schools need to start hiring teachers with management experience. Teachers need to be able to give their students a holistic understanding of business problems and solutions. This will help business schools expand their current curriculum and encouraging qualitative research on leadership values and ethics.

Furthermore, business schools need to stop competing on rankings and communicate the real reason behind obtaining a degree in management.  Although a person with a degree in management may make a lot of money that should not be the reason for obtaining the degree. Business schools need to teach their students the value behind the degree and how it can be used to make a positive impact in the world.

Lastly business schools should implement a code of conduct, much like that of doctors and lawyers. The code of conduct would be used as a way to regulate unethical decisions made by graduate students. Thus, any graduate who breaks the code could potentially have his or her degree revoked.