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Ethics
in Business School address problems in business world
Dan Barone ‘05
 In
Jan. 2003, the newly developed Center for Responsible Leadership and Governance
was created as part of C&F’s ongoing efforts to follow through
with its Strategic Plan, as well as to respond to issues in the world
of business. The Center’s goal is to integrate ethical decision
making and social responsibility into the curriculum of business classes.
One way this is being facilitated is by offering awards to those professors
who identify ethical cases and utilize them in their classes.
The “Critical Incidents Award Program”, which announced its
first awards in the fall of 2003, is now beginning its second series.
The semi-annual awards will be presented for the second time this May
on a date to be announced. The winners will receive prizes of $250 or
$500, with a chance to win the year’s “Annual Outstanding
Contribution Award” of $1,000. Professors are to present short two
to three page cases, which then will be presented in their classes under
the observation of two other faculty members.
Dean of the College of Commerce and Finance, Dr. Stephen Stumpf, explained
that “it is not a lot of extra work for professors, but it provides
a substantial gain for students”. He also described how valuable
the program is because it integrates the cases into a class curriculum
and provides a rare hands-on experience for students. The cost to the
University may be greater, but it is more beneficial to role-play with
a small group of students than to lecture to hundreds. While several students
perform the exercises, others will analyze their behavior and participate
in discussions.
Villanova has taken the lead among Universities in addressing these increasingly
significant issues. Stumpf explains, “The methodology has been around,
but the number of schools pursuing it is relatively small. It’s
[universities] like Villanova that have the strong value system, the small
class sizes, and a faculty that wants to engage students…all of
those things have to be there.” All the factors have played out
well since the inaugural awards were announced; both students and professors
have responded with positive feedback.
The Center for Responsible Leadership and Governance has plans to expand
its influence in the future. It will endeavor to begin a tri-state conference
in October that will consist of ethical demonstrations, research presentations,
and keynote speakers addressing ethical cases and concerns. In addition,
there are plans to begin a working paper series to encourage faculty involvement,
in which the cases will be built into research papers. Finally, it also
plans to expand beyond C&F and make this successful program extend
throughout the University.
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