Factors in the acquisition of ethical training

Abstract

PurposeSociety in general demands ethical behaviour in the business world. The research aim of the paper is to analyse whether higher education institutions of business contribute to ethical decision-making in students through a specific training approach based on practical methodologies that take into account students' personal characteristics, which may affect ethical decision-making. The acquisition of knowledge should be more effective when it is based on personal characteristics.Design/methodology/approachCase method, discussion and self-learning methodology were used, and at the end of the term, the students were evaluated and asked to complete a 48 closed-question questionnaire. A linear regression model is performed to analyse to what extent the results are associated to the variables proposed.FindingsThe results show that knowledge is an explanatory variable, but personal characteristics such as gender or empathy reinforce the learning. Gender difference affects the ethical decisions made and empathy, showing that training based on emotions is effective. Besides, the results show that students integrate family influence in their training process.Research limitations/implicationsIn this paper, the authors have selected empathy, gender and instruction. They have taken into account the incidence of age and family education. In addition, other contextual factors can have an incidence on training and the model could be improved.Practical implicationsThe results show that it is necessary to take into account the students' personal characteristics and select an appropriate training methodology to teach ethics and obtain success.Social implicationsThe students graduating from these courses will be future managers and entrepreneurs and will make decisions in which ethical questions must be taken into account, hence the need for training in this respect.Originality/valueThe teaching of business ethics in business faculties is not an easy subject. It is necessary to select the approach of ethic and an effective methodology to achieve the learning objective. This learning methodology must take into account students' characteristics to be effective. The business students are future managers and entrepreneurs who will make decisions in which ethical questions must be considered, hence the need for training in this respect.

Determinants of the dissemination of economic, social and environmental information at the university level in the context of commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals

“…On the other hand, the variable of stakeholders is significantly associated with the variable of gender on the governance team, indicating a stakeholder orientation when women participate in university governance (Castaño et al, 2019; Rodriguez Gomez et al, 2020; Rodríguez‐Ariza et al, 2017). However, the relationship between stakeholder orientation and position in the academic rankings is significant, indicating that the objectives of universities well positioned in the academic rankings are oriented primarily towards meeting the demands of stakeholders (Atici et al, 2021; Meho, 2020; Saraite‐Sariene et al, 2019).…”

“…The results show a significant and positive relationship between the variable of gender diversity in the governance team and the disclosure of ESE information, indicating that the incorporation of a greater number of women in the governing bodies of universities guarantees, among other things, a greater commitment to disclosing information related to the ESE measures and/or objectives proposed by the institutions (Peterson, 2016; Redmond et al, 2017). The participation of women, with their greater sensitivity to social and environmental issues (Amorelli & García‐Sánchez, 2020; Kreissl et al, 2015; Rodriguez Gomez et al, 2020; Tomas et al, 2010) and greater orientation towards stakeholders (Cabeza‐García et al, 2018; Rodriguez Gomez et al, 2020; Tomas et al, 2010), leads to greater disclosure of information on ESE aspects (Amorelli & García‐Sánchez, 2020; Rodríguez‐Ariza et al, 2014, 2017). The results show an association between women's participation in higher education institutions' governing bodies and the disclosure of information on ESE aspects, so we accept Hypothesis 1.…”

“…When women are part of the governance team at universities, they take on a role that, in fact, involves the incorporation of a series of characteristics that are specific to management (Amorelli & García‐Sánchez, 2020; Kreissl et al, 2015), such as a greater commitment to social equity and concern for environmental issues (Morley, 2013). Women tend to be more sensitive to social justice issues, which is related to a management orientation towards stakeholders, mainly students and employees (Cabeza‐García et al, 2018; Rodriguez Gomez et al, 2020; Tomas et al, 2010). This orientation towards stakeholders leads to the establishment of communication channels and wider dissemination of information.…”

Does the Use of Social Media Tools in Classrooms Increase Student Commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility?

“…It is here, however, that, together with the employees’ aspects, the main significant differences are found (see Annex , items 13–15, 19, and 20), which would lead us to partially accept hypothesis 2. The results show that after training in ethics and CSR, there is variation in students’ perceptions of the company’s commitment to social issues ( Holland and Albrecht, 2013 ; Rodriguez-Gomez et al, 2020 ).…”

“…These types of technological tools may be relevant in the teaching of ethics and CSR, since learning ethics includes emotions, values ( Rodriguez-Gomez et al, 2020 ), and social interaction, and teaching methods based on Web 2.0 can be helpful given that social media tools have proven effective in those areas ( Shrivastava, 2010 ; García-Morales et al, 2020 ). It is important to point out that creative participants are the driving force in this media world, hence, the importance of the teacher knowing the tool and its use, so that the tool can serve a purpose in ethical training that facilitates appropriate decision-making in CSR actions.…”