Modern societies are characterized by market-based and organizational structures. These structures derive their legitimacy and power from moral justifications. For organization and management are ultimately means to an end – the end being a good, prosperous and fair society. This subject is based on the fundamental idea that ethics does not exist outside of economic activity and that economic activity always has a moral dimension.

Therefore, on this subject the following fundamental questions, among others, will be discussed: How is economic activity morally justified? What are the implications for responsible economic activity? What applications arise for management practice? How does proactively addressing diversity contribute to good management practice? Which ethical principles can be applied to leadership and decision-making practices? What opportunities for concrete change in organizational practice arise from ethical reflection? What challenges lie in digitalization? Which ethical issues arise when looking at the relationship of organizing with and ‘against’ nature?

• Students learn the fundamentals, meanings, and problems of the relationship between ethics and diversity in organizations.

• Students discuss, develop, and design strategies for dealing with ethics and diversity in organizational contexts

• Students analyze the nexus between ethics, culture, and values on the one hand, and organization, leadership, and decision-making on the other

• Students learn to critically reflect on the organizational approach to ethics and diversity.

• Students develop analytical, social, and communication skills through group work and presentations.

80% attendance is required to successfully complete the course. If an absence from a course is due to a valid reason, a maximum of 20% of the total course duration may be missed. Confirmation of the absence (e.g., a medical certificate) must be provided. If cumulative absences exceed 20%, the course must be repeated.

According to the WU Examination Regulations, valid reasons are all those beyond the student's control (for instance, illness, accident, death of a close relative). Professional obligations are not considered valid reasons, as these are within the student's control.

In order to address the questions discussed in this course, we will build on philosophical discourses, theories of ethics and diversity in management, as well as practical case studies from various sectors. In class, theory-based "thinking out loud" will meet practice-oriented "working out loud," opening up spaces of critical reflection and possibilities of action. The course design helps students to engage and extend their theoretical vocabulary in order to develop solutions for real world problems. Similarly, the three assessment elements (see below) serve as catalysts for individual and collective learning.

Didactically, the course is built on two key publications on ethics and diversity:

-        Frank Dobbin and Alexandra Kalev, 2022, Getting to Diversity: What Works and What Doesn't, Harvard University Press

-        Michael J. Sandel, 2009, Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? Harvard University Press

In addition, relevant literature will be provided and students will conduct their own research on ethics and diversity scholarship.

The final grade consists of three elements:

Element 1: 40 % Final Exam (Individual mark) You will sit a final exam at the end of the course. The exam will cover the relevant literature and discussions from the course.

Exam will take place on 23.1.2026, 19:00-21:00 

Element 2: 40 % Group presentations (group mark) In groups, you will work on a specific case (TBC) and develop solutions to the case. The analysis should use the perspectives discussed in class. Moreover, you should identify and use three scientific papers that help you to address the issues presented in the case, develop your ideas and justify your proposed solution. You will present your analysis in class (max. 15 minutes per group, max 10 slides). Marking criteria: Use of theoretical perspectives and quality of group research (45 %); recommendations and criticality (45 %); argumentation and form (20%)

Deadline: 10.12.2025, 9am to be submitted on Canvas; presentation on the same day 

Element 3: 20% Individual reflection paper on group presentation (individual assessment) After the presentations you should write a critical reflection paper that highlights what you learnt from your case analysis, the presentation and the feedback you received. Your critical reflection paper should be no longer than 500 words. In terms of structure the paper should outline (1) your learnings and (2) possibilities to improve the work presented in your group. Marking criteria: Criticality of reflection (40%); creativity to improve case work (40%); argumentation and form (20%)

Deadline: 23.12.2025, 9am to be submitted on Canvas

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