A Proposal for Moving Ethics Forward in Higher Education

There is consensus among business educators that ethics should be part of a business school education. "Ethics" is a core value expressed by AACSB International, the leading accreditation agency for business schools. Ethical behavior is one of the expectations in the operation of an AACSB accredited business school. In addition, ethics is one of the general skills expected to be included in the curriculum of any AACSB business school. It is during the implementation of this commitment that differences occur. Academics cannot agree on a definition of ethical behavior as well as how ethics should be taught or if it can be taught at all. Ethical behavior changes over time. Ethical behavior varies from country to country and from culture to culture. This manuscript suggests a pathway forward for academicians interested in addressing this challenge to ensure today's business school graduates are prepared for an increasingly complex ethical environment. Specifically, we look to the U.S. Service Academies and Senior Military Colleges (SMCs) for guidance and a model of honor and character that has stood the test of time and suggest a return to foundational values coupled with a stronger ethical community. We argue that this is the only approach that will change the behavior of the business graduate. Specific thanks to Dr.