Do Managerial Economics Textbooks Cover Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility?

Abstract

The topic of ethics has increased in importance in the business school curriculum in recent years. Highly publicised ethical scandals at corporations such as Enron, Arthur Anderson, and Tyco International, along with public alarm in response to accounts of environmental degradation, child labour abuses, and financial inequities, have heightened awareness of ethics and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in all business contexts. Although many colleges and universities have stand-alone graduate and undergraduate level business ethics and CSR courses, business and economics faculty are increasingly encouraged to address topics of ethics and CSR in courses throughout the business curriculum. This review addresses whether current managerial economics textbooks include discussion of ethics and CSR.