Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Use of a “Coping-Modeling, Problem-Solving” Program in Business Ethics Education

  • Published:
Journal of Business Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

During the last decade, scholars have identified a number of factors that pose significant challenges to effective business ethics education. This article offers a “coping-modeling, problem-solving” (CMPS) approach (Cunningham, 2006) as one option for addressing these concerns. A rationale supporting the use of the CMPS framework for courses on ethical decision-making in business is provided, following which the implementation processes for this program are described. Evaluative data collected from N = 101 undergraduate business students enrolled in a third year required course on ethical decision-making in business indicated that the CMPS model is a promising alternative for both overcoming teaching challenges and for facilitating skill acquisition in the areas of ethical recognition, judgment, and action. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adkins, N. and R. R. Radtke: 2004, ‘Students’ and Faculty Members’ Perceptions of the Importance of Business Ethics and Accounting Ethics Education: Is There an Expectations Gap?’, Journal of Business Ethics 51(3), 279–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alsop, R.J.: 2006, ‘Business Ethics Education in Business Schools: A Commentary,’ Journal of Management Education 30(11), 11-14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB): 2004, ‘Ethics Education in Business Schools’, http://www.aacsb.edu/eerc/EETF-report-6-25-04.pdf. Downloaded 23 Jan 2008.

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB): 2009, ‘Assessment Resource Center: Direct Measures of Student Learning’, http://www.aacsb.edu/resource_centers/assessment/frequently-asked.asp#null. Downloaded 2 Aug 2009.

  • Bandura, A.: 1982, ‘Self-Efficacy Mechanism in Human Agency,’ American Psychologist 37, 122-147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A.: 2002, ‘Selective Moral Disengagement in the Exercise of Moral Agency,’ Journal of Moral Education 31(2), 101-119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BarNir, A.: 1998, ‘Can Group-and Issue-Related Factors Predict Choice Shift? A Meta- Analysis of Group Decisions on Life Dilemmas,’ Small Group Research 29(3), 308-338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bebeau, M.J., & S.J. Thoma: 2003, Guide for DIT-2. (University of Minnesota, Center for the Study of Ethical Development, Minneapolis, MN).

    Google Scholar 

  • Beggs, J.M., Dean, K.L., Gillespie, J., and J. Weiner: 2006, ‘The Unique Challenges of Ethics Instruction,’ Journal of Management Education 30(1), 5-10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brief, A. P., & A. Barsky: 2000, ‘Establishing a climate for diversity: The inhibition of prejudiced reactions in the workplace,’ Research in Personnel and Human Resources Management 19, 91-129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butterfield, K., L. Trevino, & G. Weaver: 2000, ‘Moral Awareness in Business Organizations: Influences of Issue-Related and Social Context Factors,’ Human Relations 53(7), 981–1018.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, C.R., C.O. Sift, & L. Denton: 2000, ‘Cheating Goes Hi-Tech: Online Term Paper Mills,’ Journal of Management Education 24(6), 726-740.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chamberlain, P., G. R. Patterson, J. B. Reid, K. Kavanagh and M. S. Forgatch: 1984, `Observation of Client Resistance', Behavior Therapy 15, 144–155

  • Cunningham, C.E.: 2006, ‘COPE: ‘Large-Group, Community-Based, Family-Centered Parent Training.’ In R.A. Barkley (Ed.) Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Handbook For Diagnosis and Treatment 3rd Ed. (The Guilford Press, New York), pp. 480-498.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham, C.E., Bremner, R., & M. Boyle: 1995, ‘Large Group Community-Based Parenting Programs: Utilization, Cost Effectiveness, and Outcome,’ Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 36(7), 1141-1159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham, C.E., R. Bremner & S. Secord: 1998, COPE: The Community Parent Education Program—Leader’s Manual (Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation, Hamilton, ON).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham, C.E., Davis, J. R., Bremner, R., Dunn, K.W., and R. Rzasa: 1993, ‘Coping Modeling Problem Solving Versus Mastery Modeling: Effects on Adherence, In -Session Process, and Skill Acquisition in a Residential Parent-Training Program,’ Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 61(5), 871-877.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dean, K.L., & J.M. Beggs: 2006, ‘University Professors and Teaching Ethics: Conceptualizations and Expectations,’ Journal of Management Education 30(1), 15-44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dubinsky, A.J., & B. Loken: 1989, “Analyzing Ethical decision Making in Marketing,” Journal of Business Research 19(2), 83-107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erickson, P.I., & C.P. Kaplan: 2000, ‘Maximizing Qualitative Responses about Smoking in Structured Interviews,’ Qualitative Health Research 10, 829-840.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrell, O.C., & L.G. Gresham: 1985, ‘A Contingency Framework for Understanding Ethical Decision Making in Marketing,’ Journal of Marketing 49(3), 87-96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gioia, D.A.: 1995, ‘Personal Reflections on the Pinto Fire Case.’ In L.K. Treviño & K. Nelson, Managing Business Ethics (Wiley, New York), pp. 101-105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gioia, D.A.: 2002., ‘Business Education’s Role in the Crisis of Corporate Confidence,’ Academy of Management Executive 16(3), 142-145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, S.D. & S. Vitell: 1986, ‘A General Theory of Marketing Ethics,’ Journal of Macromarketing 6(1), 5-16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, K. and W. Trochim: 2002, `Concept Mapping as an Alternative Approach for the Analysis of Open-Ended Survey Responses', Organizational Research Methods 5(4), 307–336

    Google Scholar 

  • Janis, I.: 1982, Groupthtink 2nd Ed. (Houghton Mifflin, Boston, MA).

    Google Scholar 

  • John, S.H., & C.A. Strand: 2000, ‘Preparation for a Career: An Examination of the Ethical Attitudes of Business Students,’ Journal of Business Education, 1 54-69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, T.M.: 1991, ‘Ethical Decision Making By Individuals in Organizations: An Issue -Contingent Model,’ Academy of Management Review 16(2), 366-395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaptein, S.P.: 1998, Ethical Management: Auditing and Developing the Ethical Content of Organizations (Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohlberg, L.: 1969, ‘Stage and Sequence: The Cognitive-Developmental Approach to Socialization.’ In D.A. Goslin (Ed.), Handbook of Socialization Theory and Research (Rand McNally, Chicago, IL), pp. 347-380.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawson, R. A.: 2004, ‘Is Classroom Cheating Related to Business Students’ Propensity to Cheat in the “Real World”?’, Journal of Business Ethics 49(2), 189-199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leary, M. R. and R. S. Miller: 1986, Social Psychology and Dysfunctional Behavior (Springer-Verlag, New York)

  • Lyttle, J.: 2001, ‘The Effectiveness of Humor in Persuasion: The Case of Business Ethics Training,’ The Journal of General Psychology 128(2), 206-216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masters, J.C., Burish, T.G., Hollon, S.D., and D.C. Rimm: 1987. Behavior Therapy: Techniques and Empirical Findings 3rd Ed. (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, San Diego, CA).

    Google Scholar 

  • McCabe, D. L. and L. K.Trevino: 1995, ‘Cheating Among Business Students: A Challenge for Business Leaders and Educators,’ Journal of Management Education 19(2) 205-218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDavid, J.C., & L.R.L. Hawthorn: 2006, Program Evaluation & Performance Measurement: An Introduction to Practice (Sage Publications, London).

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, G.M., and G.D. Donleavy: 1995, ‘Objectives to the Teaching of Business Ethics’, Journal of Business Ethics 10(1), 829-835.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKnight, K.M., & L. Sechrest: 2004, ‘Program Evaluation.” In S.N. Haynes & E.M. Heiby (Eds.), Comprehensive Handbook of Psychological Assessment (Vol., 3), (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ), pp. 246-266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meichenbaum, D.: 1971, ‘An Examination of Modelling Characteristics in Reducing Avoidance Behavior,’ Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 17, 298-307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M., & M. Humberman: 1994, Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook (2nd Ed.) (Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mordock, J.B.: 1995, ‘Program Evaluation versus Applied Research: Performance Targets, Outcomes, and User-Based Factors in Evaluating Children’s Treatment Programs,’ Residential Treatment for Children & Youth 13(2), 1-14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, M: 2002, ‘Risk and Responsibility: The Potential of Peer Teaching to Address Negative Leadership,’ Improving Schools 7(3), 217-226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nisbett, R. E., & L. Ross: 1980, Human Inference: Strategies and Shortcomings of Social Judgment (Prentice-Hall, Englewood-Cliffs).

    Google Scholar 

  • Owen, J.M.,: 2007, Program Evaluation: Forms and Approaches 3rd Ed. (The Guilford Press, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Paine, L.S.: 2003, Value Shift: Why Companies Must Merge Social and Financial Imperatives to Achieve Superior Performance (McGraw-Hill, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pamental, G.L.: 1991, ‘The Course in Business Ethics: Why Don’t the Philosophers Give Business Students What They Need?’ Business Ethics Quarterly 1 , 385-393.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G. R. and M. S. Forgatch: 1985, `Therapist Behavior as a Determinant for Client Noncompliance: A Paradox for the Behavior Modifier', Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 53, 846–851

    Google Scholar 

  • Power, S.J. and Lundsten, L.L.: 2001, “MBA Student Opinion About the Teaching of Business Ethics: Preference for Inclusion and Perceived Benefit,’ Teaching Business Ethics 5(1), 59-70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rawls, J.: 1971, A Theory of Justice, (Harvard University Press, Cambridge).

    Google Scholar 

  • Reiter, S.A: 1996, ‘The Kohlberg-Gilligan Controversy: Lessons for Accounting Ethics Education,’ Critical Perspectives on Accounting 7(1), 33-54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rest, J.R.: 1986. Moral Development: Advances in Research and Theory (Praeger, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rest, J.R.: 1990, DIT Manual. (University of Minnesota, Center for the Study of Ethical Development, Minneapolis, MN).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanyal, R. N.: 2000, ‘An Experiential Approach to Teaching Business Ethics in International Business,’ Teaching Business Ethics 4, 137-149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarason, J.G.: 1975, ‘Test Anxiety and the Self-Disclosing Model,’ Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 43, 148-153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sims, R.L.: 1993, ‘The Relationship Between Academic Dishonesty and Unethical Business Practices,’ Journal of Education for Business 69, 207-211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sims, R.R.: 2002, ‘Business Ethics Teaching For Effective Learning,’ Teaching Business Ethics 6, 393-410.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sims, R.R.: 2004, ‘Business Ethics Teaching: Using Conversational Learning to Build an Effective Classroom Learning Environment,’ Journal of Business Ethics 49, 201-211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sims, R.R. and E.W. Felton, Jr.: 2006, ‘Designing and Delivering Business Ethics Teaching and Learning,’ Journal of Business Ethics 63, 297-312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, M.E.: 1989, Evaluability Assessment: A Practical Approach. (Kluwer, Norwell, MA).

    Google Scholar 

  • Smyth, M.L & J.R., Davis: 2004, ‘Perceptions of Dishonesty Among Two-Year College Students: Academic Versus Business Situations,’ Journal of Business Ethics 51(1), 63-73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solomon, R.C.: 1992, Ethics and Excellence: Cooperation and Integrity in Business (Oxford University Press, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Spender, D.: 1980, Man Made Language (Pandora, London).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stangor, C.: 2004, Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences 2nd Ed. (Houghton Mifflin Company, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stark, A.: 1992, ‘What’s the Matter with Business Ethics?’ Harvard Business Review 71, 38-48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swift, C.O., & S. Nonis: 1998, ‘When No One is Watching: Cheating Behavior in Projects and Assignments,′ Marketing Education and Review 8(1), 27-36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tindal, J.A.: 2009, PeerPower Workbook: Applying Peer Helper Skills 3rd Ed. (Routledge, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Treviño, L. K.: 1986, `Ethical Decision Making in Organizations: A Person Situation Interactionist Model', Academy of Management Review 11(3), 601–617

  • Treviño, L.K., & M. E. Brown: 2004, ‘Managing To Be Ethical: Debunking Five Business Ethics Myths,’ Academy of Management Executive 18(2), 69-81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Treviño, L. K. and K. Nelson: 2007, Managing Business Ethics: Straight Talk About How to Do It Right, 4th Edition (John Wiley & Sons, New York)

  • Tversky, A. & D. Kahneman: 1974, ‘Judgment Under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases,’ Science 185 , 1124-1131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weber, J.A., 2007, ‘Business Ethics Training: Insights from Learning Theory,’ Journal of Business Ethics 70 61-85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woo, C.Y.: 2003, ‘Personally Responsible,’ BizEd 11, 22-27.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

I thank the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Trent University Learning Innovation and Academic Innovation Funds for grants that supported this project. I thank Nicholas Silieff and Devon Hurvid for their assistance throughout the project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada

    Sheldene K Simola

Authors
  1. Sheldene K Simola
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sheldene K Simola.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Simola, S.K. Use of a “Coping-Modeling, Problem-Solving” Program in Business Ethics Education. J Bus Ethics 96, 383–401 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-010-0473-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-010-0473-6

Key words

Search

Navigation