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Transforming Personal Experience into a Pedagogical Tool: Ethical Complaints

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Abstract

If students are to understand ethical problems at work, practical applications are essential in translating classroom learning into real world knowledge. This article describes the ethical complaint letter as one pedagogical approach for MBA students to understanding real world ethical situations. Students write an objective, fact-filled complaint letter to an organization that has behaved in an unethical manner toward them. A specific assignment protocol is presented for the students and for discussing organizational responses in class. Finally, an examination of expected outcomes, cautions, and learning opportunities is detailed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Louisiana State University, Louisiana, U.S.A

    Carole L. Jurkiewicz

  2. University Temple, Philadelphia, U.S.A

    Robert A. Giacalone

  3. Department of Management, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, P.O. Box 43570, Lafayette, LA, 70504-3570

    Stephen B. Knouse

Authors
  1. Carole L. Jurkiewicz
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  2. Robert A. Giacalone
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  3. Stephen B. Knouse
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Jurkiewicz, C.L., Giacalone, R.A. & Knouse, S.B. Transforming Personal Experience into a Pedagogical Tool: Ethical Complaints. Journal of Business Ethics 53, 283–295 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BUSI.0000039416.21807.61

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BUSI.0000039416.21807.61

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