Ethics In Australia Research Articles

A comparative study of the contents of corporate codes of ethics in Australia, Canada and Sweden

This paper reports on and analyzes the contents of 197 corporate codes of ethics (78 Australian, 80 Canadian and 39 Swedish). Among other things, it was found that the contents of the Australian and Canadian codes were similar, reflecting the similar histories and cultures (as measured by Hofstede's dimensions) of these two countries. Further, the contents of the Swedish codes were found to be very different from the Australian and Canadian codes in some areas, reflecting the cultural differences between Sweden and the other two countries.

Using the defining issues test for evaluating computer ethics teaching

Since the publication in 1997 of the Australian Computer Society's (ACS) body of knowledge for computing professionals, a higher priority has been given to the teaching of computer ethics in Australia. This paper evaluates an undergraduate computer ethics teaching program using the defining issues test of moral judgment. A before-and-after with a control research design was used. For both the experimental and control groups, a general increase in moral judgment development was observed over the semester. The experimental group exhibited a significantly larger increase in moral judgment development than the control group. However, it was found to be the result of an increase in the moral development of the female students rather than the male students. The results are discussed and the implications for studies in an education context are outlined.

Challenges to the Academy: Reflections on the Teaching of Legal Ethics in Australia

Competition law, the role of which has been rapidly expanding over the past decade, has become a popular subject in most law schools’ curricula. However, unlike Consumer Protection law or Criminal law, students come to this subject with little notion of what it entails. Nevertheless, like those other subjects, Competition law has been the site of significant theoretical and empirical analysis. This paper examines the manner in which two teaching strategies namely, teaching in context and problem based learning, can be used together in teaching Competition law. Although problem based learning and teaching in context have often been viewed as opposing teaching strategies connected with different visions of legal education, this paper looks at how they can be effectively used together to enrich the learning experience at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Problem based learning, which gained popularity in many disciplines, brings with it numerous benefits that can enhance law teaching.

Human research ethics in Australia: Ethical regulation and public policy

This paper critically assesses the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans as a piece of public policy concerning the regulation of research ethics. Two of the stated purposes of the National Statement are the provision of a “national reference point for ethical consideration relevant to all research involving humans” and the “protection of the welfare and rights of participants in research”. The process of Human Research Ethics Committee review of research proposals is evaluated in light of these two purposes. I argue that the approach taken in the National Statement has the potential to meet these purposes, but that, in its current form the statement does not provide sufficient guidance to HRECs to properly fulfil either purpose. For the National Statement to meet its promise, it needs to provide greater direction to HRECs which is properly informed by understanding of the full array of research involving human participants.

The Rise and Rise of Applied Ethics in Australia

Applied Ethics in Australia has a relatively short, but distinguished history. A number of Australian philosophers began publishing books in the area in the 1970's, especially in the area of environmental ethics, which led to increase in interest in problems in Applied Ethics. The first Australian centre for the study and teaching of Applied Ethics was the Centre for Human Bioethics, at Monash University in Melbourne. This centre was established in 1980, under the directorship of Professor Peter Singer, who was at the time known primarily for his book Animal Liberation. (In the twenty years since the foundation of the centre, Peter Singer has become Australia's most famous philosopher and one of the world's most contro versial figures in Applied Ethics.) From these small beginnings, Applied Ethics in Australia has grown to be a major area of teaching and research, with centres in every mainland state in the country. As has been the case in many other parts of the world, the growth of Applied Ethics in Australia was originally driven by interest in advances in medical research, especially in the area of Reproductive Technology. Australian researchers have long been world leaders in this area, with an Australian doctor being the first in the world to achieve an in vitro fertili zation (IVF) pregnancy. Ethical issues associated with the new technology were quick to arise, and the government of the state of Victoria was the first in the world to introduce legislation on IVF (in 1984). This legisla tion established a committee to oversee research and medical practice in this new field, and a philosopher, Max Charlesworth, was included on the committee.

Taking the plunge: Integrating legal ethics in Australia

(1999). Taking the plunge: Integrating legal ethics in Australia. The Law Teacher: Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 315-321.

The Rise and Rise of Applied Ethics in Australia

The Rise and Rise of Applied Ethics in Australia

Journalism Ethics in Australia: An essay review by Cratis Hippocrates

Journalism Ethics in Australia: An essay review by Cratis Hippocrates

Business Ethics in Australia and New Zealand

The scandals of the 1980s, extending into the 1990s, came as a profound shock to Australians and New Zealanders. Both countries have prided themselves – somewhat smugly and naively – on being open, fair and honest societies. So it was very disillusioning to see both corruption and gross dereliction of duty exposed in virtually every sphere of public life. Perhaps the most positive outcome, however, amidst an almost daily diet of amazing revelations, has been the ability of the ‘system’ – and especially the judiciary and the media – to expose and deal with corruption even at the highest level. Following an extensive survey and literature review, it is clear that there is now widespread awareness of the need for reform in many areas of public administration, corporate governance and professional behaviour. However, a continuing cause for concern is the lack of leadership in identifying and addressing complex ethical dilemmas, particularly in the areas of conflict of interest and disclosure. Feedback from professional bodies, industry associations and university business schools indicates slow but uneven progress in ethics education. While several ethic centres and prominent individual ethicists have introduced innovative programs and given ethical issues greater prominence in the media, narrow vocationalism still takes precedence over personal values in the business and management curriculum.

Can we talk about ethics anymore?

It is difficult to talk about ethics in Australia these days, because (a) the different metamoral languages make it difficult for people to communicate on moral matters; (b) there are no generally accepted criteria for assessing the meaning and truth of moral propositions; and (c) witness talks larger in these matters than theoretical expertise, and the ideals that favour the acceptance of credible role models are no longer generally accepted. We should not assume that we can say anything meaningful about “business ethics”. One reason for this arises from the Australian experience of the '80s: the fruits of a profound cynicism are now with us, as prominent figures find themselves in court to defend their actions, and seem amazed that they are accused of doing anything wrong at all. We may want to stop something like this from happening again, but if the language of business ethics meant nothing to these people, how can we hope that it will mean much to us, or to future generations? A second reason (or group of reasons) arises from the nature of ethics itself. Business ethics, after all, does not exist in a vacuum; its language will not mean much to people who do not agree on what they mean whenever they talk about right and wrong. Some people, for example, measure the rightness or wrongness of actions in terms of their consequences; for others, on the other hand, some actions are wrong, no mater what the consequences. How are they to talk to each other? What is at issue here is what ethical propositions mean, and how one can measure their truth. And there is another reason. As Socrates pointed out long ago, ethics is not a theoretical science, which can be taught and learnt as dispassionately as mathematics. It is practical, and so engages teacher and pupil in an entirely different way: one cannot say one thing, and do another. When you have read a journal like this, will you necessarily be a better person or a more honest businessman/woman?

Codes of ethics in Australian business corporations

Current debate on business ethics in Australia continues apace as the excesses of the 1980s are exposed. Codes of Ethics have been a high profile instrument in the American business scene. A survey of Australia's largest business corporations reveals a different situation. Codes are not as commonly used, tend to refer to legal requirements and do not have as high a profile within the corporation. Given the changing legal framework in Australia a greater role for Codes of Ethics may emerge.

Media Ethics in Australia

Codified ethics for journalists in Australia has a long history, almost as long as that in the United States. Unlike the United States, however, Australia has a unified code of ethics, that of the Australian Journalists' Association, which is generally accepted by the whole industry, both print and broadcast. But over the last 20 years, media consumers have shown they have a poor and declining view of the ethics of Australian journalists, despite the checks and balances that exist. Recent signs, both from within and outside Australia, indicate growing dissatisfaction with the media, suggesting Australian journalists can expect increasing criticism of their behavior and mounting pressure on them to be more accountable.

Judicial Ethics in Australia by the Honourable Mr Justice Thomas Pages i-xxxi, 1 — 121

Judicial Ethics in Australia by the Honourable Mr Justice Thomas Pages i-xxxi, 1 — 121