Category Archives: Uncategorized
Ethics of Theft Deterrence: SkunkLock Bicycle Lock
It’s hard to sympathize with bicycle thieves, but should physical harm be among the deterrents to bicycle theft? The SkunkLock is a bicycle lock that emits a vomit-inducing gas when about a third of its girth is cut through. The
Ethics of Theft Deterrence: SkunkLock Bicycle Lock
It’s hard to sympathize with bicycle thieves, but should physical harm be among the deterrents to bicycle theft? The SkunkLock is a bicycle lock that emits a vomit-inducing gas when about a third of its girth is cut through. The
EU Slaps High Tariffs on Chinese Steel: The Ethics of Comparative Advantage
One of the persistent narratives coming out of the recent Brexit referendum is that pro-Brexit Britons are parochial cultural and economic protectionists, whereas the European Union is a model of free trade and cosmopolitan openness. The truth is a lot
EU Slaps High Tariffs on Chinese Steel: The Ethics of Comparative Advantage
One of the persistent narratives coming out of the recent Brexit referendum is that pro-Brexit Britons are parochial cultural and economic protectionists, whereas the European Union is a model of free trade and cosmopolitan openness. The truth is a lot
Higher Wages Work for Workers, but Not So Far for Walmart
Some argue Walmart should pay higher wages as a matter of justice. Others argue Walmart should pay higher wages as a matter of profit: Walmart is missing out on labor productivity gains that will redound to its bottom line, as
Higher Wages Work for Workers, but Not So Far for Walmart
Some argue Walmart should pay higher wages as a matter of justice. Others argue Walmart should pay higher wages as a matter of profit: Walmart is missing out on labor productivity gains that will redound to its bottom line, as
Business Should Stay Out of the Way When Government Invests in Education
This issue really keeps the “S” in “CSR”, and reminds us that social obligations can be obligations, even when there’s no business case. >>> Paul Martin says business needs to let government lead on education, by Chris MacDonald for Canadian
Business Should Stay Out of the Way When Government Invests in Education
This issue really keeps the “S” in “CSR”, and reminds us that social obligations can be obligations, even when there’s no business case. >>> Paul Martin says business needs to let government lead on education, by Chris MacDonald for Canadian
Ikea vs Chinese Senior Citizens on Dates
The story below is about Ikea’s attempt to limit Shanghai seniors. Is a giant retail store in any sense a “public” space? Legally, it is private property? (We must admit that we’re not sure what that means in a communist
Ikea vs Chinese Senior Citizens on Dates
The story below is about Ikea’s attempt to limit Shanghai seniors. Is a giant retail store in any sense a “public” space? Legally, it is private property? (We must admit that we’re not sure what that means in a communist
Yahoo Mail: When Does a “Walled Garden” Become a Data Prison?
Some tech industry business models are “walled gardens”—to enjoy the benefits of the service you have to enter the garden, but once in the garden it’s cumbersome to leave. Apple’s iTunes/iCloud ecosystem and Evernote are examples of useful services that
Yahoo Mail: When Does a “Walled Garden” Become a Data Prison?
Some tech industry business models are “walled gardens”—to enjoy the benefits of the service you have to enter the garden, but once in the garden it’s cumbersome to leave. Apple’s iTunes/iCloud ecosystem and Evernote are examples of useful services that
Firing for Bad Off-the-Job Behaviour
In the 5-minute interview linked below, BEH editor Chris MacDonald discusses whether it’s a good thing for employers to fire employees for bad behaviour off-the-job. The title is a reference to TV host Billy Bush, who has been suspended (and
Firing for Bad Off-the-Job Behaviour
In the 5-minute interview linked below, BEH editor Chris MacDonald discusses whether it’s a good thing for employers to fire employees for bad behaviour off-the-job. The title is a reference to TV host Billy Bush, who has been suspended (and
No More Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Today marks the end of the road for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. A month ago, Samsung announced the recall of 2.5 million Note 7s due to reports of the phones catching fire. Today, it has announced a much more
No More Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Today marks the end of the road for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. A month ago, Samsung announced the recall of 2.5 million Note 7s due to reports of the phones catching fire. Today, it has announced a much more
Is Discrimination Bad for Business?
There’s an old, optimistic hypothesis, credited to economist Gary Becker, that discrimination in the workplace is doomed because companies that discriminate based on irrelevant things like gender and race will cut themselves off from talented potential employees. Of course, discrimination
Is Discrimination Bad for Business?
There’s an old, optimistic hypothesis, credited to economist Gary Becker, that discrimination in the workplace is doomed because companies that discriminate based on irrelevant things like gender and race will cut themselves off from talented potential employees. Of course, discrimination
Should a Consumer Be Compensated for Disgusting Experience?
Should a company compensate a customer who has a disgusting experience? A Toronto-area man recently bit into a chocolate bar, only to find that it was full of live, wriggling worms. The store offered him a refund — the product
Should a Consumer Be Compensated for Disgusting Experience?
Should a company compensate a customer who has a disgusting experience? A Toronto-area man recently bit into a chocolate bar, only to find that it was full of live, wriggling worms. The store offered him a refund — the product
Business Ethics Highlights 
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