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Drama: A Tool for Teaching Business Ethics

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  • Garaventa, Eugene

Abstract

The concept of business ethics has continued to remain a major item on the agenda of corporate America for the last twenty years. Regrettably, this longevity of interest has not been matched by equal attention to the pedagogical methods and techniques used to address these issues. The current mode of teaching business ethics generally involves reliance on “war stories,” case studies, and seminars. Today’s dynamic environment creates pressures for higher levels of ethical behavior by business. Many ethical challenges faced by contemporary managers are not easily resolved by existing guidelines, and require managers to expand their scope of analysis in attempting to arrive at satisfactory resolutions. Literature can be an especially alternative source of insights, as authors are able to highlight behaviors that may not be available from traditional sources. Historically, the use of literature in examining business ethics has been focused primarily on novels such as The Jungle, Babbit, and The Great Gatsby. Plays are more useful than novels in attempting to inculcate moral and ethical values since they more sharply address the interactions of characters, and the reader becomes more involved in their situations. The plays selected for analysis, Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, and David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross, have intense plots and characters and allow the reader to observe a wide range motives, emotions, and traits. This untraditional approach to teaching business ethics enhances the ability to relate to the increasingly complex ethical issues facing the individual and the organization.

Suggested Citation

  • Garaventa, Eugene, 1998. "Drama: A Tool for Teaching Business Ethics," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 8(3), pages 535-545, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:buetqu:v:8:y:1998:i:03:p:535-545_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Charles Bodkin & Thomas Stevenson, 2007. "University Students’ Perceptions Regarding Ethical Marketing Practices: Affecting Change Through Instructional Techniques," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 72(3), pages 207-228, May.
    2. Pi-Yueh Cheng & Mei-Chin Chu, 2014. "Behavioral Factors Affecting Students’ Intentions to Enroll in Business Ethics Courses: A Comparison of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Cognitive Theory Using Self-Identity as a Moderator," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 124(1), pages 35-46, September.
    3. Reginald Litz & Nick Turner, 2013. "Sins of the Father’s Firm: Exploring Responses to Inherited Ethical Dilemmas in Family Business," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 113(2), pages 297-315, March.
    4. Simone Colle & R. Edward Freeman & Bidhan Parmar & Leonardo Colle, 2017. "Practicing Human Dignity: Ethical Lessons from Commedia dell’Arte and Theater," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 144(2), pages 251-262, August.
    5. Elizabeta Susaj & Enkelejda Kucaj & Erald Laçi & Lush Susaj, 2017. "Environmental Impacts Assessment of Chromium Minings in Bulqiza Area, Albania," European Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Articles, Revistia Research and Publishing, vol. 3, ejis_v3_i.
    6. Christian Huber & Iain Munro, 2014. "“Moral Distance” in Organizations: An Inquiry into Ethical Violence in the Works of Kafka," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 124(2), pages 259-269, October.
    7. Jonathan Wight, 2006. "Adam Smith's Ethics and the “Noble Arts”," Review of Social Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 64(2), pages 155-180.
    8. Amy David & Amanda S. Mayes & Elizabeth C. Coppola, 2020. "The Effect of Live Theatre on Business Ethics," Humanistic Management Journal, Springer, vol. 5(2), pages 215-230, December.
    9. K. A. Van Peursem & A. Julian, 2006. "Ethics Research: an Accounting Educator's Perspective," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 16(38), pages 13-29, March.
    10. Virginia Gerde & R. Foster, 2008. "X-Men Ethics: Using Comic Books to Teach Business Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 77(3), pages 245-258, February.

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