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Ethics in Business Research

This document discusses ethics in business research. It covers key issues like obtaining informed consent from participants, maintaining confidentiality of data, avoiding deception, and adhering to ethical codes of conduct. It provides examples of ethical violations like misrepresenting results or breaking confidentiality agreements. It also discusses a case where Procter & Gamble admitted to competitive intelligence gathering by taking documents from a competitor's trash without permission, which resulted in an out-of-court settlement. The document outlines the importance of ethical approaches like deontology and ethical relativism, as well as participants' rights to privacy, quality research, and safety.

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PRIYANKA H MEHTA
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394 views23 pages

Ethics in Business Research

This document discusses ethics in business research. It covers key issues like obtaining informed consent from participants, maintaining confidentiality of data, avoiding deception, and adhering to ethical codes of conduct. It provides examples of ethical violations like misrepresenting results or breaking confidentiality agreements. It also discusses a case where Procter & Gamble admitted to competitive intelligence gathering by taking documents from a competitor's trash without permission, which resulted in an out-of-court settlement. The document outlines the importance of ethical approaches like deontology and ethical relativism, as well as participants' rights to privacy, quality research, and safety.

Uploaded by

PRIYANKA H MEHTA
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

5-1

Chapter 5
Ethics in Business Research

5-2

Learning Objectives
Understand what issues are covered in research ethics the goal of no harm for all research activities and what constitutes no harm for participant, researcher, and research sponsor

5-3

Learning Objectives
differing ethical dilemmas and responsibilities of researchers, sponsors, and research assistants role of ethical codes of conduct in professional associations

5-4

Types of Ethical Violations


Violating disclosure agreements Breaking confidentiality Padded invoices

Misrepresenting results
Deceiving participants Avoiding legal liability

5-5

Procter & Gamble


Admits to competitive intelligence gathering Contracted BI firm took documents from Unilever trash receptacles Out-of-court settlement rumored (and reported) at $10m

5-6

Ethical Approaches

Deontology

Ethical standards

Ethical Relativism

5-7

Ethical Approaches
How would you assess the P&G case using the two ethical approaches?

Deontology

Ethical Relativism

5-8

Ethical Codes of Conduct

5-9

Exhibit 5-1 Ethical issues at all stages of the research process

5-10

Ethical Treatment of Participants


Explain study benefits

Explain participant rights and protections

Obtain informed consent

5-11

Components of Informed Consent


Identify researchers Describe survey topic Describe target sample Identify sponsor Describe purpose of research Promise anonymity and confidentiality Give good-faith estimate of required time commitment State participation is voluntary State item-non response is acceptable Ask for permission

5-12

Characteristics of Informed Consent

Competence

Knowledge

Elements

Voluntary

Informed

5-13

Ethical Responsibilities
Special guidelines apply to children! Informed consent means parental approval

5-14

Deception

Disguising non-research activities Camouflaging true research objectives

5-15

Debriefing
Explain any deception

Describe purpose
Share results Provide follow-up

5-16

Participant Confidentiality
Obtain signed nondisclosure Nondisclosure of data subsets Minimize instruments requiring ID Restrict access to ID

Reveal only with written consent

5-17

Right to Privacy
Right to refuse

Prior permission to interview

Limit time required

5-18

Data Collection in Cyberspace

Data Mining

European Union

5-19

The U.S. Safe Harbor Agreement


Notice Choice Access

Security

Onward Transfer

Data Integrity

Enforcement

5-20

Confidentiality
Sponsor Nondisclosure

Purpose Nondisclosure

Findings Nondisclosure

5-21

What to do if coerced?

Educate on purpose

Explain problems

Emphasize fact-finding role

Terminate relationship

5-22

Effective Codes of Ethics

Enforceable

Regulate

Specify Behavior

Protect

5-23

Key Terms
Code of ethics Confidentiality Debriefing Deception Ethics Informed consent
Nondisclosure Findings Purpose Sponsor Right to privacy Right to quality Right to safety

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