INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA

COURSE OUTLINE
Kulliyyah

Economics & Management Sciences

Department/School

Graduate School of Management

Programme

Master of Business Administration

Name of Course /
Mode

Comparative Business Ethics

Course Code

MGT 6370

Name (s) of Academic

Dr. Mohd Nizam Barom
staff / Instructor(s)
This course is one of the core courses for the Master of Business
Administration students. It is expected to create awareness among the
Rationale for the
students about the fact that in addition to profit maximization, the
inclusion of the course
business has responsibilities towards the society and stake holders that
/ module in the
calls for the business to practice Corporate Social Responsibility. In this
programme
regard the course highlights the close interactive relationship between
business, the society and the government.
Semester and Year
Trimester 1, 2015
Offered
Status

Core

Level

Graduate

Proposed Start Date

Trimester 1, 2015

Batch of Student to be
Affected
Independent
Learning

Credit Value / Hours

Case

AssessmentCont'

Others

Final Exam

Total Student
Learning Time (SLT)

Lecture

Face to Face

30.5
0

10.0
0

1.5
0

0.0
0

3.0
0

75

Total

120

3
1

Pre-requisites (if any)

Nil

Co-requisites (if any)

Nil

Course Objectives

The objectives of this course are to:

1. Impart knowledge and develop skills in students to help them
deal intelligently with the many social and moral issues that are
encountered in professional life and as a citizen in general.
2. Expose students to various theories and philosophies that
address the role and goals of business, and the tension of virtue
and wealth.
3. Develop intellectual capacity and skills among students to
identify the role of various sources of beliefs (such as religion,
culture, politics, etc) that influence / determine ones perspective
on the role of the business and managers in the society.
4. Develop skills in students to identify the stakeholders in any
given situation, determine the nature and extent of their interests
and develop strategies to serve those interests within the
framework of law while protecting and serving the interests of
primary stake holders.
5. Familiarize the student with the role of the NGOs, legislation,
media, various bodies setting standards for business activities
within the framework of Corporate Social Responsibility.
6. Impart skills in students to develop business policies and
strategies that are rooted in transparency, accountability and
commitment to fulfilling the public interest.
7. Develop among students the skills to resolve situations such as
conflict of interest, moral dilemma, etc on the criteria of
fulfilling public interest.
8. Develop in students soft leadership skills such as
communication, presentation, team work, report writing etc.
9. Develop in students skills to apply analytical abilities and
critical thinking when evaluating their policies and positions to
serve public interest.

Upon completion of this course the students should be able to:

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills:

1. Demonstrate The Command of the knowledge on the theories

and practices of business in the context of the interests of
various stakeholders, including the government and the larger
society.
2. Apply the skills learned to analyzing situations of competing/
conflicting interests and develop a socially responsible response
to them while serving the interests of primary stakeholders.
3. Develop respect for other religions, cultures, ethnicities, rights
of minorities including women, environment, etc and apply
skills learned in this course when dealing with such issues with a
commitment to public interest.
4. Develop empathy when making socially responsible decisions
involving various stakeholders. The students should demonstrate
intellectual capacity to differentiate between short term business
gains and long term consequences for the society by applying
standards learned in this course to make socially responsible
decisions.
5. Demonstrate skills learned in this course to deal with various
institutions e.g. government, media, NGOs, various lobbey
groups, in a socially responsible manner.
6. Demonstrate soft skills like presentation, critical thinking,
communication, and report writing, team work etc.
7. Critically examine the policies of business entities and the
behaviour, attitude and perspectives business leaders (CEOs
etc), on the criteria of socially responsible behaviour as learned
in this course.
Skills
Critical Thinking
Presentation
Communication
Problem-Solving
Writing research
report

How they are developed?

Case Analysis
Case Presentation
Class Discussions
Case Presentation
Assignments
Case Analysis

Teaching-Learning
and assessment
strategy

Course Synopsis

Assessment Methods
and Type / Course
Assessment
State weight age of
each type of
assessment.

Type of Assessment
Depth & Application
of Knowledge
Critical Thinking
Problem Solving
Team Work
Communication &
Presentation Skills
Report Writing

Description
Written exams, case analysis
Case analysis, assignments
Written exam, assignments & case analysis
Case presentation
Case & assignments presentations
Case findings & recommendations report

The course deals with various theories, models and approaches that
address the relationship between business government and the society.
Various standards and criteria are used to provide skills to students to
apply the knowledge in problem solving.
LO
1-5, 7
1-3
1-7

Method
Final Examination
Mid-trimester Examination
Individual Ethics Reflection

%
30
20
10

17

Case analysis- Presentation and Report

20

1-7

Analysis of Islamic PerspectivePresentation and Report

20

Mapping of the course

/ module to the
programme aims

Mapping of course / module to the Programme Learning Outcomes

1. Learning Outcome of the course

2. Command of the knowledge on the
theories and practices in the field
3. Application to skills to analyze
competing/ conflicting/ interest
4. Respect for other religions, ethnicities,
etc and commitment to CSR
5. Presentations and analytical skills,
communication, team work, etc
6. Dealing with various stake holders e.g.
NGOs, Govt, Employees, etc
7. Differentiate between short term business
gains and long term consequences for
society

Weeks

O2

O3

O4

O5

O7

O8

O9

O6

Content outline of course / Module and the SLT per Topic

Learning
Topics
Task/Reading
Hours
Ethics and Business

Programme Outcomes
O1

Explain why ethics is important in the

business environment;
Explain the nature of business ethics as
an academic discipline;
Distinguish the ethics of personal
integrity from the ethics of social
responsibility;
Distinguish ethical norms and values
from other business-related norms and
values;
Distinguish legal responsibilities from
ethical responsibilities;
Explain why ethical responsibilities go
beyond legal compliance;
Distinguish ethical decision-making
from other practical decision situations.

7.5

Hartman, DesJardins &

MacDonald (2014)
Chapter 1

Islamisation: Business Ethics from

Tawhidic paradigm
Meaning of Tawhidic paradigm
Key components of Tawhidic
paradigm
Application of Tawhidic paradigm
Islamisation: Business Ethics from
Shariah law perspectives
Describe Islamic law (Shariah)
criteria for measuring actions
Explain Objectives of Islamic law
(Maqasid al-Shariah)
Explain Principles of
Jurisprudence (Qawaid alFiqhiah)

7.5
Sarif & Ismail (2011)
Dusuki& Abdullah (2007)

Ethical Decision Making: Personal and

Professional Contexts

Describe a process for ethically

responsible decision-making;
Apply this model to ethical decision
points;
Explain the reasons why good people
might engage in unethical behavior;
Explore the impact of managerial roles
on the nature of our decision-making.

7.5
Hartman, DesJardins &
MacDonald (2014)
Chapter 2

Philosophical Ethics and Business

Explain the ethical tradition of

utilitarianism;
Describe how utilitarian thinking
underlies much economic and business
decision-making;
Explain how free markets might serve
the utilitarian goal of maximizing the
overall good;
Explain strengths and weaknesses of
utilitarian decision-making;
Explain principle-based, or
deontological, ethical traditions;
Explain the concept of moral rights;
Distinguish moral rights from legal
rights;
Explain the Rawlsian theory of justice as
fairness;
Describe and explain virtue-based
theories of ethical character

7.5

Hartman, DesJardins &

MacDonald (2014)
Chapter 3

The Corporate CultureImpact and

Implications

Define corporate culture;

Explain how corporate culture impacts
ethical decision-making;
Discuss the differences between a
compliance culture and a values-based
culture;
Discuss the role of corporate leadership
in establishing the culture;
Explain the difference between effective
leaders and ethical leaders;
Discuss the role of mission statements
and codes in creating an ethical
corporate culture;
Explain how various reporting
mechanisms such as ethics hotlines and
ombudsman can help integrate ethics
within a firm;
Discuss the role of assessment,
monitoring, and auditing of the culture
and ethics program;
Explain how culture can be enforced via
governmental regulation.

Mid-Trimester Exam
(topics from Week 1 Week 5)

7.5

Hartman, DesJardins &

MacDonald (2014)
Chapter 4

13

Corporate Social Responsibility

Define corporate social responsibility

(CSR);
Discuss the three models of CSR;
Discuss the challenge in identifying the
object of a corporations responsibility;
Distinguish key components or elements
of the term responsibility;
Explain the role of reputation as one
possible motivation behind CSR; and
Evaluate the claims that CSR is good
for business.

9.5

Hartman, DesJardins &

MacDonald (2014)
Chapter 5

Ethical Decision Making: Employer

Responsibilities and Employee Rights

Discuss the two distinct perspectives on

the ethics of workplace relationships;
Explain the concept of due process in the
workplace;
Define employment at will and its
ethical rationale;
Describe the costs of an EAW
environment;
Explain how due process relates to
performance appraisals;
Discuss whether it is possible to
downsize in an ethical manner;
Explain the difference between intrinsic
and instrumental value in terms of health
and safety;
Describe the acceptable risk approach
to health and safety in the workplace;
Explain the basic arguments for and
against regulation of the global labour
environment;
Describe the argument for a marketbased resolution to workplace
discrimination;
Define diversity as it applies to the
workplace;
Explain the benefits and challenges of
diversity for the workplace;
Define affirmative action and explain the
three ways in which affirmative action
may be legally permissible;
Articulate the basic guidelines for
affirmative actions programs.

9.5

Hartman, DesJardins &

MacDonald (2014)
Chapter 6

Ethical Decision Making: Technology

and Privacy in the Workplace

Explain and distinguish the two

definitions of privacy;
Describe the ethical sources of privacy
as a fundamental value;
Identify the three legal sources of
privacy protection;
Discuss the concept of a reasonable
expectation of privacy;
Discuss recent developments in
connection with employee monitoring;
Explain the risks involved in a failure to
understand the implications of
technology and its use;
Identify additional ethical challenges
posed by technology use;
Articulate the manner in which employee
monitoring works;
Enumerate the reasons why employers
choose to monitor employees work;
Explain why monitoring might also pose
some costs for the employer and for the
employee;
Discuss the elements of a monitoring
program that might balance the interests
of the employee and the employer;
Explain the interests of an employer in
regulating an employees activities
outside of work.

9.5

Hartman, DesJardins &

MacDonald (2014)
Chapter 7

Ethics and Marketing

10

Understand the application of the ethical

decision-making framework to ethical
issues in marketing;
Describe the three key concerns of
ethical analysis of marketing issues;
Describe three interpretations of
responsibility and apply them to the
topic of product safety;
Explain contractual standards for
establishing business responsibilities for
safe products;
Articulate the tort standards for
establishing business responsibilities for
safe products;
Analyze the ethical arguments for and
against strict product liability;
Discuss how to evaluate both ethical and
unethical means by which to influence
people through advertising;
Explain the ethical justification for
advertising;
Trace debates about advertisings
influence on consumer autonomy;
Distinguish ethical from unethical target
marketing, using marketing to vulnerable
populations as an example;
Discuss business responsibilities for the
activities of its supply chain.

9.5

Hartman, DesJardins &

MacDonald (2014)
Chapter 8

10

Business, The Environment, and

Sustainability

11

Describe a range of values that play a

role in environmental decision-making;
Explain the difference between market
and regulatory-based environmental
policies;
Describe business environmental
responsibilities that would flow from
each approach;
Identify the inadequacies of sole reliance
on a market-based approach;
Identify the inadequacies of regulatorybased environmental policies;
Define and describe sustainable
development and sustainable business;
Highlight the business opportunities
associated with a move towards
sustainability;
Describe the sustainable principles of
eco-efficiency, biomimicry, and service.

9.5
Hartman, DesJardins &
MacDonald (2014)
Chapter 9

Ethical Decision Making: Corporate

Governance, Accounting, and Finance

12

Describe the environment for corporate

governance prior;
Explain the role of accountants and other
professionals as gatekeepers;
Describe how conflicts of interests can
arise for business professionals;
Define the Control Environment and the
means by which it can be impacted
through ethics and culture;
Discuss the legal obligations of a
member of a board of directors;
Explore the obligations of an ethical
member of a board of directors;
Highlight conflicts of interests in
financial markets and discuss the ways in
which they may be alleviated;
Describe conflicts of interest in
governance created by excessive
executive compensation;
Define insider trading and evaluate its
potential for unethical behavior.

9.5

Hartman, DesJardins &

MacDonald (2014)
Chapter 10

13

Revision for Final Examination

10

14

Final Examination
Total

3
120
11

Main references supporting the course

Required
Hartman, L.P., DesJardins, J., & MacDonald, C. (2014) (3rd edition). Business ethics: Decisionmaking for personal integrity & social responsibility. New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Sarif, S. M., & Ismail, Y., (2011). Spirituality in Business Ethics from Islamic Perspective. In M.
Osman-Gani & S. M. Sarif (Eds.), Spirituality in management from Islamic perspectives. Kuala
Lumpur: IIUM Press.
Dusuki, Asyraf Wajdi, & Abdullah, N. Irwani. (2007). "Maqasid Al-Shariah, Maslahah, and Corporate Social
Responsibility". American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, 24(1), 25-45.

Additional references supporting the course

Recommended
Khaliq Ahmad, Rafikul Islam & Yusuf Ismail, (2011), Issues in Islamic Management, IIUM
Press, Batu Caves, Selangor.
Khaliq Ahmad & Rodrique Fontaine, (2011), Management from an Islamic Perspective, Pearson,
Kuala Lumpur.
Abdullah Al-Ahsan & Stephen Young, (2008) Guidance for good governance, IKIM, Kuala
Lumpur.
Khaliq Ahmad & Abul Hasan M Sadeq (2001) Ethics in Business and Management, Asean
Academic Press, London.
Steiner, J. F & Steiner, G. A. (2008), Business, Government and Society: A Managerial
Perspective, Mc Graw Hill, London.
De George, Robert, (2010) Business Ethics (7th Ed.) Prentice Hall, London

12

Prepared by:

Checked by:

Approved by:

Dr. Mohd Nizam Barom

Course Instructor
MGT 6370 CBE
GSM IIUM

Dr. Noorihsan Mohamed

Head, MBA
GSM IIUM

Prof. Dr. AAhad M.Osman-Gani

Director
GSM IIUM

13

At the end of this programme, students are able to :

1.
2.

Demonstrate familiarity with established knowledge in the field of

management and awareness of current developments therein.
Use relevant skills and strategies learnt in management for professional
and personal development.

Keyword

Knowledge
Practical Skills

3.

Develop analytical skills to plan, execute and evaluate strategies and

action plans with an objective and creative mindset.

Problem Solving and

Scientific Skill

4.

Develop communication skills to constructively meet diversity in the

evolving and globalised workplace

Communication

5.

Develop empathy and listening skills and apply knowledge with a

commitment to social responsibility for the progress of the nation and the
ummah.

Social skills and

Responsibilities

6.

Uphold ethics, autonomy and professionalism in the workplace and

everyday life.

Value, Attitudes,
Professionalism

7.

8.
9.

Acquire necessary skills in information management and information

technology and apply effective strategies for lifelong self-improvement.
Develop managerial and entrepreneurial competencies in management and
related fields.

Demonstrate initiative and leadership skills in group activities.

Information
Management and
Lifelong Learning
Managerial and
Entrepreneurial
Leadership and Team
Skills

14