Abstract
This is a study of ethical and moral behavior, or perhaps unethical behavior, in two different societies. One society, contemporary Australia and in particular the state of Western Australia, is currently undergoing an exhaustive Royal Commission into the shenanigans of a number of well-known business men and former leading politicians who seem to have been playing fast and loose with large amounts of other peoples' money. While this was initially the major focus of the paper, a secondary focus developed based on the interest shown in acquiring an historical background by a group of business policy students. The opportunity to acquire an appreciation of historical events and in particular, the development of a sense of history seems to be lacking in the curricula of modern day business students. The secondary focus of the paper therefore illustrated that malfeasance, misfeasance and other forms of malpractice in business and administration were just as common in Greco-Roman times as today. In this context, reference has been made to a selection of the writings of some of the more well-known writers of this period. The paper ends on a nonpositive note, raising the (rhetorical) question, that if, after two thousand years people are still continuing to engage in sharp business practices whenever the occasion arises is there any point in developing and offering courses in moral behavior and business ethics?
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Michael W. Small BA MEd, PhD, FIEA, AFAIM, MACE is currently lecturer in general management and organizational behaviour, Curtin Business School, Curtin University of Technology. Earlier appointments included positions as senior lecturer, Australian Police Staff College, Manly, N.S.W.; research officer with the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department; and lecturer in educational administration, Education Department of Western Australia. After doctoral studies (1977–1979), he returned to Western Australia. He has previously published in theJournal of Business Ethics and thePolice Journal. In addition to a continuing professional interest in the areas of general management and organizational behaviour, current research interests are now primarily focused on the areas of business ethics and management/executive training for senior police officers.
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Small, M.W. Ethics in business and administration: An international and historical perspective. J Bus Ethics 12, 293–300 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01666533
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01666533