College of Business Administration

Ethics and Responsible Citizenship Program

The Ethics and Responsible Business Citizenship Initiative is an integral part of the College of Business Administration's strategic plan. We serve as a center of thought leadership in the areas of ethics, corporate citizenship, workplace justice, and social responsibility in the region.

Integral to the initiative is the promotion of ethical and socially responsible behavior among business practitioners through the development of curriculum at the academic level, as well as educational programming for students, alumni, and the regional business community.

We also provide a showcase for academic research on the topics of

  • business ethics,
  • social responsibility,
  • workplace justice, and
  • corporate citizenship,

through such outlets as conferences, edited books, journal publications, and grants.

The broad range of academic expertise in the College of Business Administration incorporates both macro and micro level perspectives in the examination of ethical situations in the business world.

Mission

To provide national leadership in the development of educational programs that prepare students for the ethical challenges in business

Major Priorities

  • To work cooperatively on grants targeting funding for programs, research efforts, and curriculum assistance

  • To develop relationships with the local and regional business communities such that faculty will have more direct contact with potential research samples, program participants, and speakers for classrooms

  • To develop curriculum materials that can be shared to increase coverage of ethics-related topics in a broader range of classes at the university

  • To develop strategies that will increase the impact of ethics education both upstream (in primary and secondary educational systems) and downstream (in the local business community)

Student Learning Outcomes

The College of Business Administration established a set of student learning outcomes that represent our goals for the important knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that we would like every student to possess upon graduation from the College. Each of these outcomes is assessed to help us monitor our progress toward this goal.

Ethical reasoning

Ethical reasoning skills are an important part of the College's student learning outcomes. Upon graduation, students should be able to demonstrate a fundamental understanding of legal and ethical situations in business and recommend practical applications for managers and public policy makers.

Course objectives help to build these ethical reasoning skills and responsible citizenship. For example, in MANGT 596 (Business, Government, and Society) students must:

Demonstrate a comprehension of the major theoretical perspectives and concepts in the field, including corporate social responsibility and the stakeholder model of the firm. Recognize national and international forces that impact the business environment from domains such as business, economics, law, political science, psychology, sociology, science, & technology.Recognize organizational elements that impact the business and society relationship Demonstrate an ability to diagnose and analyze legal and ethical dilemmas in business and recommend solutions for managers and public policy makers

Ethics/Business Citizenship Coursework

MANGT 596: Business, Government, and Society
MANGT 860: Management of Legal, Ethical, and Public Policy Issues
MANGT 897: Professional Ethics
MANGT 497: Managing Sustainable Enterprises

Related Topics
MANGT 498: Diversity
MANGT 690: International Management

Descriptions of Ethics/Business Citizenship Coursework can be found in the management section of the course catalog.

Programming

Phillips 66 Excellence in Business Ethics Initiative

Thanks to the generosity of Phillips 66, the Phillips 66 Excellence in Business Ethics Initiative was established in 2009. Through establishment of this Initiative, Phillips 66 promotes ethical practices and enhances business ethics education for students at Kansas State University. This hands-on programming provides valuable support for the overreaching Ethics and Responsible Business Citizenship Initiative.

Phillips 66 has a strong history of ethical business practices in all facets of its industry. From integrity in leadership, transparency in financial reporting and accounting practices to employee safety in the workplace and advances in alternative energy programs, Phillips 66 is proven to be an ethical leader.

The Kansas State University College of Business Administration is uniquely positioned as an academic leader in the area of business ethics and responsible business citizenship. Fifteen faculty members pursue research and/or teach in areas related to business ethics. Topics of faculty expertise include: corporate social responsibility, ethics education, accounting ethics and Sarbanes Oxley, workplace justice issues, student cheating behaviors and leadership character. The college has deemed ethics and responsible business citizenship as a priority area of focus for the future. Learn more about the important research faculty are conducting on the ethics research page.

The Phillips 66 Excellence in Business Ethics Initiative sponsors many programming activities that enhance K-State student knowledge and skills in business ethics including lectures, applied workshops, case competitions, panel discussions, and student group support. These programs reach hundreds of students each year. If you would like to be involved, please contact us.

  • Business Ethics Lectures
  • Business Ethics Workshops
  • Business Ethics Case Competitions
  • Business Ethics Panel Discussions
  • Student Group Support