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Teaching Business Ethics Through Strategically Integrated Micro-Insertions

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Abstract

This article identifies an integrated teaching strategy that was originally developed for engineers, the so-called ‘micro-insertion’ approach, as a practical and effective means to teach ethics at business schools. It is argued that instructors can incorporate not only generic or thematic learning objectives for students into this method (i.e., the intended content of what is being taught: in our case, an underlying ethical base for doing business), but also do so via a strategically integrated approach regarding the appropriate mix and timing of these micro-insertions. With this in mind, we propose a qualitative and example-based approach that endeavors to provide a versatile way for business teachers to incorporate ethics into their general business classes. We also present a conceptual and theoretical framework that underpins this method, and we further provide a set of specific examples and a practical table that show how business instructors might integrate ethics-oriented micro-insertions into their teaching.

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Notes

  1. The inventive character of moral reasoning is premised upon the flexibility of human needs, that provide only with vague indications the objects or ways that would bring them to fruition (Aquinas 1981: I–II, q. 51, a. 51 sol.) Thus, practical wisdom plays not only an instrumental role in the satisfaction of needs, but also functions as a guidance of action that truly molds and provides structure to human needs and nature (cfr. Aristotle 1933: I, 29, 982b985)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Saint Louis University, Madrid campus, Avenida del Valle 34, 28003, Madrid, Spain

    Alesia Slocum

  2. CUNEF, Complutense University Madrid, Calle Serrano Anguita 8, 28004, Madrid, Spain

    Sylvia Rohlfer & Cesar Gonzalez-Canton

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  1. Alesia Slocum
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  2. Sylvia Rohlfer
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  3. Cesar Gonzalez-Canton
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Correspondence to Sylvia Rohlfer.

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Slocum, A., Rohlfer, S. & Gonzalez-Canton, C. Teaching Business Ethics Through Strategically Integrated Micro-Insertions. J Bus Ethics 125, 45–58 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1905-x

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