This article presents moral jurisprudence theory as a systematic approach to business ethics that analogizes core problems of the field to related problems in law. Adapting theoretical approaches from contemporary philosophy of law, the article develops a decision-making method for business ethics.

Abstract:Analysis of ethical conduct of business organizations has hitherto placed primary emphasis on the conduct of that corporation’s managers because ethical conduct, like all conduct, must manifest itself through individual behavior. This paper argues that in the real world corporate actions are influenced, to a considerable extent, by external market-based conditions. Therefore, a more comprehensive explanation of ethical business conduct must incorporate both corporate, i.e., internal considerations, and competitive, industry structure-based, i.e., external considerations. A framework is presented that provides a (...) systematic analysis of the interactive effect between different types of external market-based competitive conditions, institutional opportunities to engage in ethical behavior, and the likelihood that corporations would do so. The analytical framework leads to recommendations as to the types of actions that might be more effective in improving business ethical conduct under varying sets of market-based competitive conditions. (shrink)

Given a huge variety of international relations in the age of globalization, business ethics needs to take them seriously in a differentiated way with great sensitivity and sophisticated understanding. This essay proposes to structure the field of business ethics by distinguishing three levels of analysis and four types of international relations. It builds on Richard T. De George’s pioneering work as an early leader in the field of business ethics. It is hoped that such differentiation may help to better identify (...) the ethical responsibilities of all actors in business and the economy. The first part explains the extended three-level conception of business ethics with four types of international relations. The second part shows De George’s contribution to substantiate this conceptual framework. And the third part discusses the significance of this framework for better ways of securing human rights in international relations. (shrink)