IBS, Hyderabad; Academic Year – 2017-18

Course Handout
Course Name: Business Ethics & Corporate Governance (BECG) MBA - Semester: IV
Faculty Name: Dr. Purna Prabhakar Nandamuri Cabin No: C-111
Consultation Hours: 4-30PM to 5.30PM, Friday.
Mobile No: 9032042039 Email: prabhakar.nandamuri@ibsindia.org
Course Objectives:
o To help the participants understand the ‘nature and scope’ of Business Ethics
o To appreciate ‘issues and challenges’ in Corporate Governance
o To understand the ‘applicability’ of these critical aspects of business to the contemporary
management scene with special reference to India.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course the participant is expected
o To obtain a holistic view of different aspects of Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
and the link between these two areas.
o To appreciate and understand contemporary developments in this area
Recommended Text Book:
 Business Ethics & Corporate Governance - Fernando, A. C.; Pearson Education, 2nd edition
Reference books:
1. Business Ethics: Concepts and Cases – Velasquez, Manuel G.; Pearson Education, 7th edition
2. Corporate Governance - Banks, Erik; Macmillan, 2004
Tentative Course Outline:
Modules Session-wise activity Learning Outcomes Readings
1&2: Class discussion: Connecting ethics
TB: Introduction: Personal, professional & to decision making; Text Book
business ethics; need & significance; Indian ethical Chs.1&2
Concepts & theories of business ethics. traditions HBR
M1
(4sessions) 3: HBR Article-1:Ethical Frameworks for Management Articles -2
4: HBR Article-2: How (Un)ethical Are You

5: Class discussion: The executive Text Book

TB: Ethical issues & Challenges: Ethical functions: morality Chs. 3 to 7
issues regarding different aspects of business & ethical challenges HBR
M2 6: HBR Article-3: What's a Business For? Articles -2
(4sessions) 7: HBR Article-4: Ethics in Practice ICMR
8: Case-1 discussion: Firing a hero Case -1
9: Class Discussion Scope for CSR in Text Book
TB: Corporate social responsibility: Why business; The Indian Chs. 8 & 9
CSR; Theoretical justification for CSR; The perspective HBR
M3 external standards; investor’s rights & Articles-2
(4sessions)
protection.
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10: Article-5: What Aristotle Can Teach Firms About CSR HBR
Case-1
Session 11: (NCP-1) Class Test-1; Syllabus - Chs-1 to 7
12: Article-6: Is Business Bluffing Ethical?
13: Case-2 discussion: Can an ‘Ethical’ Bank Support Guns and
Fracking -
14: Class discussion How to reduce / Text Book
TB: Ethical Dilemmas: Sources of ethical avoid ethical Chs.10&12
problems; Walton’s Six models of Business dilemmas;
Video -1
Conduct; MNCs & ethics Key global issues International codes
of business ethics. of business conduct. HBR
M4 15: Video-1 discussion:6mn clipping from Case-1
(4sessions) ‘Corporate’ HBR
16: Article-7: Can a Corporation Have a Conscience? Article-1
17: Case-3 discussion: An Intern's Dilemma
18: Class discussion Applying moral
TB: Ethical Decision Making (Leadership): philosophy to ethical Text Book
Moral philosophy & decision making; decision making Ch. 11
Framework for ethical decision making. HBR
19: HBR Article-8: Note on Human Behaviour - Situation Vs Case-1
M5 Character. HBR
(4sessions) 20: HBR Article-9: A Framework for Ethical Reasoning Articles-2
21: Case-4 discussion: Jamnalal Bajaj, Mahatma Gandhi, and the
Struggle for Indian Independence
Session 22: (NCP-2) Class Test-2; Syllabus – Book Chs - 8 to12
23: Class discussion Corporate Text Book
TB: Corporate Governance: governance and Chs.
History & models; Theory & practice; society; prevailing 13,14,15
Nature & evolution of corporate governance. models of C G.
24: HBR Article-10: Mergers & Acquisitions: legal context: basic HBR
framework for Corporate Governance Articles. 2
M6
(4sessions) 25: HBR Article-11: Note on Corporate Governance Systems: US, HBR
Japan & Germany 26: HBR Case -5 discussion: Tech Mahindra Case.1
and the Acquisition of Satyam Computers (A)
27: Class discussion Role of the Board, Text Book
TB: Internal Mechanisms of CG: Directors, & Chs.16&17
Corporate management structure; The Auditors in ensuring HBR
Board; Role & types of Directors; Role of good corporate Case-1
M7 Auditors. governance.
(3sessions) The ‘Principal-Agent problem’. HBR
28: HBR Article-12: Empowering the Board Article-1
29: Case-6 discussion: Accounting Fraud at WorldCom
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30: Class discussion Market for Text Book

TB: External Mechanisms: Corporate Control Chs.18 &19
Role of government in ensuring CG;
M8 Competition & regulation. ICMR
(2sessions)
31: Case-7 discussion: Boeing’s Corporate Governance crisis Case-1
Session 32: (NCP-3) Class Test-3; Syllabus – Book Chs - 13 to19
33: Class discussion The Companies Act; Text Book
Corporate Governance in India: & regulation of Chs.21 &
Contemporary issues & challenges; capital markets. 22
M9 Role of SEBI. HBR
(1session) Case-8 discussion: India 2014 – The Case.1
Challenges of Governance

Course strength: 9 modules covering 22 Chapters of Text Book; 8 cases & 12 conceptual articles
Expectations from Students
Punctuality; Preparation; Participation; Discipline; and Formal dressing is suggested for all students.
Students are strictly instructed ‘not to use mobile phones’ during the class time.
Evaluation Timeline
Keeping in line with continuous evaluation at IBS the following schedules have been drawn.
Students are expected to go through the dates / sessions mentioned and prepare accordingly.
Component Component Evaluation Declaration Weightage *Note*
slot
Class CP-1 Sessions Session 12 10 A minimum of 60%
Participation 01 to 10
attendance during
CP-2 Sessions Session 23 10
12 to 21 each evaluation slot is
CP-3 Sessions Session 33 10 mandatory for
23 to 32
Class Tests NCP-1 Session 11 Session 13 10 eligibility for CP &
NCP-2 Session 22 Session 24 10 NCP evaluation
NCP-3 Session 32 Session 33 10
End exam At the end of the semester 40 components.
Total 100
Faculty Profile:
Dr. Purna Prabhakar Nandamuri’s overall experience spreads around 31 years, of which 20
years executive experience with Govt. Of India, and 11 years in academics. In addition to
Doctorate in Management, his qualifications include Masters in Management, Psychology,
and English Language and Literature. He has been handling Business Strategy and Business
Ethics & Corporate Governance subjects at post graduate level. He has published one book
and more than 50 research papers in national and international journals, and many chapters in
edited book volumes internationally. He serves as an active resource person for several MDPs
& FDPs.

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