Author Archives: The Editors

Creativity & Ethical Corporate Cultures

What role does creativity play in ethics, and how can you build the former in pursuit of the latter? The title of the piece below suggests that the focus is on building creativity, but the short article linked is actually

Creativity & Ethical Corporate Cultures

What role does creativity play in ethics, and how can you build the former in pursuit of the latter? The title of the piece below suggests that the focus is on building creativity, but the short article linked is actually

Brookings Economist: $15/hr Minimum Wage Could Hurt Poorest Workers

If you think only Koch-funded ideologues worry about the effects of a large minimum wage increase on poorer workers, have a look at what Brookings Institution-affiliated labor economist Harry Holzer has to say about the consequences of a large minimum

Brookings Economist: $15/hr Minimum Wage Could Hurt Poorest Workers

If you think only Koch-funded ideologues worry about the effects of a large minimum wage increase on poorer workers, have a look at what Brookings Institution-affiliated labor economist Harry Holzer has to say about the consequences of a large minimum

Indian Rapper Slams Unilever for 2001 Wrongs

Unilever CEO Paul Polman gets lots of positive press for what are seen as his progressive views on corporate governance and the “true” purpose of corporations. But not all has always been rosy at Unilever, from an ethics point of

Indian Rapper Slams Unilever for 2001 Wrongs

Unilever CEO Paul Polman gets lots of positive press for what are seen as his progressive views on corporate governance and the “true” purpose of corporations. But not all has always been rosy at Unilever, from an ethics point of

Should Business Leaders Speak Out?

The discussion below is interesting. A full discussion of the topic probably needs to distinguish between private or closely-held companies, on one hand, and widely-held companies on the other. In the latter case, the CEO most clearly isn’t the embodiment

Should Business Leaders Speak Out?

The discussion below is interesting. A full discussion of the topic probably needs to distinguish between private or closely-held companies, on one hand, and widely-held companies on the other. In the latter case, the CEO most clearly isn’t the embodiment

Viagra in Chinese Booze?

This is not exactly a subtle case, but for precisely that reason it might be a useful one for courses in business ethics and social responsibility. What’s the wrong here? Does it lie primarily in the deception? In the potential

Viagra in Chinese Booze?

This is not exactly a subtle case, but for precisely that reason it might be a useful one for courses in business ethics and social responsibility. What’s the wrong here? Does it lie primarily in the deception? In the potential

Obama Admin vs Occupational Licensing

Adopted always in the name of public protection, most schemes of occupational licensing are little more than barriers to market entry by competitors—raising prices and decreasing choices for consumers. The Obama Administration has seen through the ruse and issued a

Obama Admin vs Occupational Licensing

Adopted always in the name of public protection, most schemes of occupational licensing are little more than barriers to market entry by competitors—raising prices and decreasing choices for consumers. The Obama Administration has seen through the ruse and issued a

Update: the Company With the $70k Minimum Wage

Back in April, a story broke about a company called Gravity that had decided to institute a minimum salary of $70,000 for all employees. Some people thought it a revolutionary move towards economic equality. Others scoffed. The update below is

Update: the Company With the $70k Minimum Wage

Back in April, a story broke about a company called Gravity that had decided to institute a minimum salary of $70,000 for all employees. Some people thought it a revolutionary move towards economic equality. Others scoffed. The update below is

Farmers Feed Cities (and so on, and so on)

There’s an online meme that points out that “Farmers Feed Cities.” And that claim of course is, strictly speaking, true. But it leaves out the massive interdependency of the modern economy. If it is aimed (as it seems to be)

Farmers Feed Cities (and so on, and so on)

There’s an online meme that points out that “Farmers Feed Cities.” And that claim of course is, strictly speaking, true. But it leaves out the massive interdependency of the modern economy. If it is aimed (as it seems to be)

Finding the “Right” Level of Corporate Crime

In the blog entry below, Canadian philosopher Joseph Heath discusses the theory, proposed by 19th century theorist Emile Durkheim, that society works to sustain a “normal” rate of crime. The crime rate, on this theory, is actively adjusted by the

Finding the “Right” Level of Corporate Crime

In the blog entry below, Canadian philosopher Joseph Heath discusses the theory, proposed by 19th century theorist Emile Durkheim, that society works to sustain a “normal” rate of crime. The crime rate, on this theory, is actively adjusted by the

The Lion, the Dentist, and Business Ethics

The killing of Cecil the Lion by Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer has the internet in a spin. But what lessons are to be had by the business world? >>> LINK: Cecil the Lion shows how reputational risk has gone global

The Lion, the Dentist, and Business Ethics

The killing of Cecil the Lion by Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer has the internet in a spin. But what lessons are to be had by the business world? >>> LINK: Cecil the Lion shows how reputational risk has gone global