Author Archives: The Editors
Mediocre Business Ethics is Good Enough
How good is good enough? And is “good enough,” well, enough? The article below points to comments by Prof Hugh McLachlan, expressing a sentiment that deserves more attention. It’s important to realize that “basically decent” (rather than ethically-outstanding) businesses have
Mediocre Business Ethics is Good Enough
How good is good enough? And is “good enough,” well, enough? The article below points to comments by Prof Hugh McLachlan, expressing a sentiment that deserves more attention. It’s important to realize that “basically decent” (rather than ethically-outstanding) businesses have
Are Home Depot’s ‘Do-It-Herself’ Workshops a Good or a Bad Thing?
Consumerist relates the complaints of a reader irate about Home Depot’s ‘Do-It-Herself’ workshops: women-only sessions on home repair and home improvement topics. Home Depot is far from alone in offering sessions of this kind. Urban bicycle co-ops, for example, frequently
Are Home Depot’s ‘Do-It-Herself’ Workshops a Good or a Bad Thing?
Consumerist relates the complaints of a reader irate about Home Depot’s ‘Do-It-Herself’ workshops: women-only sessions on home repair and home improvement topics. Home Depot is far from alone in offering sessions of this kind. Urban bicycle co-ops, for example, frequently
Is Uber Making Taxi Drivers Nicer?
The research cited below suggests that when Uber enters a city’s taxi market, other taxi drivers started being nicer, presumably in response to the additional competition. This is important, both for taxi users and for students of business ethics, who
Is Uber Making Taxi Drivers Nicer?
The research cited below suggests that when Uber enters a city’s taxi market, other taxi drivers started being nicer, presumably in response to the additional competition. This is important, both for taxi users and for students of business ethics, who
Does Loyalty Cause Ethical or Unethical Behaviour? (Answer: Yes!)
Loyalty is a double-edged sword. Loyalty to a “team” is often cited as a source of bad behaviour. But evidence shows that loyalty can also inspire more ethical behaviour (beyond simply being faithful to your group). The Harvard research explained
Does Loyalty Cause Ethical or Unethical Behaviour? (Answer: Yes!)
Loyalty is a double-edged sword. Loyalty to a “team” is often cited as a source of bad behaviour. But evidence shows that loyalty can also inspire more ethical behaviour (beyond simply being faithful to your group). The Harvard research explained
Intel Goes Conflict-Free. Or Does It?
We are skeptical about zero-tolerance policies. “Zero tolerance” generally implies “zero discretion” and “zero use of judgment.” We are also wary of unintended consequences. Banning ‘conflict minerals’ can have such unintended consequences. If you “cleanse” your supply chain by refusing
Intel Goes Conflict-Free. Or Does It?
We are skeptical about zero-tolerance policies. “Zero tolerance” generally implies “zero discretion” and “zero use of judgment.” We are also wary of unintended consequences. Banning ‘conflict minerals’ can have such unintended consequences. If you “cleanse” your supply chain by refusing
DuPont’s Decades-Long Deception
The long article below tells the story of one lawyer’s 16-year battle against protracted, unrepentant wrongdoing at chemical giant DuPont. It’s an amazing tale, one that literally affects every one of us, since studies have indicated that every one of
DuPont’s Decades-Long Deception
The long article below tells the story of one lawyer’s 16-year battle against protracted, unrepentant wrongdoing at chemical giant DuPont. It’s an amazing tale, one that literally affects every one of us, since studies have indicated that every one of
Luminosity’s Deceptive Trade Practices
Luminosity makes apps that it says will help make your brain stronger. The Federal Trade Commission begs to differ. It is instructive to compare this case to other products backed by shoddy science (or no science) but that are allowed
Luminosity’s Deceptive Trade Practices
Luminosity makes apps that it says will help make your brain stronger. The Federal Trade Commission begs to differ. It is instructive to compare this case to other products backed by shoddy science (or no science) but that are allowed
Year in Review: The Top 10 Business Ethics Stories of 2015
It has been a busy year in business ethics and corporate social responsibility. From the cheating carmaker to the price-gouging pharma-bro, to the coffee company that wanted us to have a casual chat about race with the barista, the year
Year in Review: The Top 10 Business Ethics Stories of 2015
It has been a busy year in business ethics and corporate social responsibility. From the cheating carmaker to the price-gouging pharma-bro, to the coffee company that wanted us to have a casual chat about race with the barista, the year
Mast Bros. Chocolate Origin Story: Fraud or Puffery?
Controversy surrounds Mast Brothers, an artisanal, “bean-to-bar” chocolate maker in Brooklyn. Although Mast Brothers is today (and has been since 2009) a bean-to-bar chocolate maker, it didn’t exactly start that way: in its first two years, most or all Mast
Mast Bros. Chocolate Origin Story: Fraud or Puffery?
Controversy surrounds Mast Brothers, an artisanal, “bean-to-bar” chocolate maker in Brooklyn. Although Mast Brothers is today (and has been since 2009) a bean-to-bar chocolate maker, it didn’t exactly start that way: in its first two years, most or all Mast
Child Labour in Bolivia
The 7-minute NYT video below discusses the role of child labour in Bolivian society and in its economy. Bolivian law explicitly allows children as young as 10 to work. According to the video, child labour has been a tradition in
Child Labour in Bolivia
The 7-minute NYT video below discusses the role of child labour in Bolivian society and in its economy. Bolivian law explicitly allows children as young as 10 to work. According to the video, child labour has been a tradition in
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