The effects of teaching ethics on prospective and past MBA students

A review of existing scientific literature on ethics as a systematic study of values and social norms and on radical constructivism as the theory for knowledge construction forms the basis of this academic work. Then, knowledge, as justified beliefs which are repeatedly unfalsified, for decision-making in problem-solving within a business context is explored to understand its importance for business ethics. Further, different decision-making types in accordance with neurobiological activities and perspectives link to the interpretation of teaching ethics as a contributor to an individual’s increase in intelligence and together lead to the understanding of business education as a key factor to ethical behavior in business. Even though arguments from reductionism or determinism shed some doubt on effect predictions on decision-making coming from radical constructivism, a useful concept for scientific exploration and explanation could be built with it. A survey with 23 questions bridged the theory with practical examination. The results indicate a higher value attribution to Master of Business Administration programs when offering ethics courses and a first indication of a positive impact of the learning in those courses onto individuals’ decision-making for ethical problem-solving could be found