Perceptions of Ethics in Business: A Study of Business Students in Bangladesh

Abstract

<p><em>This paper uses a survey instrument to elicit business students’ perceptions of ethics in business in Bangladesh. </em><em>Based on students’ opinions, t</em><em>he survey results</em><em> show</em><em> that </em><em>e</em><em>thical practices are not properly followed by companies in recruitment and managerial decision making. Also, </em><em>m</em><em>ost of the companies do not provide a safe and a harassment-free environment, especially for the female employees. Respondents further believe that </em><em>the </em><em>enactment of proper laws and regulations, religious values</em><em>, and a </em><em>well-defined code of conducts can play a significant role in improving ethical business practices in Bangladesh. </em><em>Moreover</em><em>, a good understanding of what constitutes ethical behavior by both managers and owners </em><em>help </em><em>promote ethical conducts. The paper suggests that a university should include different business courses on ethics in its academic curriculum to </em><em>shape</em><em> the ethical attitudes of the students properly. </em></p>