Blame the parents! Attitudes towards business ethics with reference to MBA programs in Malaysia

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the attitudes of two key groups of stakeholders (n=22) from academia and industry toward the nature of business ethics and their integration and inculcation in MBA programs in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach – This is a qualitative study based on n=22 interviews with stakeholders from academia and industry. Findings – The main findings of the study indicate that respondents in this context tended define business ethics with reference to factors such as the interests of organizational stakeholders, environmental issues, property rights, and religion. It was also found that the respondents tended to consider ethical business practice to be primarily a social and religious obligation rather than representing a specific requirement of the workplace which could and should be developed during an MBA program. Research limitations/implications – The implications of the study are discussed in relation to some of the barriers that may exist to integrating business ethics into MBA programs in Malaysia. Originality/value – The study highlights the widely held view among the respondents that employees’ business ethics are primarily attributable to family upbringing, including religious instruction thus limiting the perceived need for and effect of later training and education in business ethics.