Developing virtue ethics in management: a case of an interdisciplinary educational approach

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present and discuss an interdisciplinary educational approach to business ethics, based on a virtue ethics framework and the common good paradigm. This approach addresses the challenges that businesses face in building legitimacy and creating shared values.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a case study of an experience of an interdisciplinary postgraduate course, discussing both the design of the program and its first results.

Findings

The paper focuses on the theoretical and practical reasons for the interdisciplinary nature of business ethics education and contributes to the literature on business ethics education as well as training and educational practices in academic and professional contexts.

Practical implications

This paper can positively influence business education practices by sharing a replicable educational model and fostering virtuous practices that contribute to renewing the perception of the purpose of firms.

Social implications

Improving business ethics education can positively affect the social performance of firms contributing to the common good.

Originality

The paper presents an innovative interdisciplinary educational program that, to the best of our knowledge of the current literature, can be consider an original contribution.

Citation

Mion, G. and Beghini, R. (2020), "Developing virtue ethics in management: a case of an interdisciplinary educational approach", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 34 No. 4, pp. 5-8. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLO-04-2019-0078