When entering the workforce, competition arises through the attempts to receive that interview, attaining that golden job, and excelling to grasp that promotion. Indeed, these are the goals of most business graduates, but what are the ethical standards to these ambitions? In this article, the lack of business ethics of graduates in Kenya are evaluated for causing an increasing amount of corporate crimes. Yet, are these business schools the blame for such consequences?
Similar to the thoughts of the author, Kimani, I agree that ethics cannot be specifically taught in the learning environment, but is nurtured through peer interaction and positive experiences that encourage ethical behaviour. Business schools provide these positive opportunities, but they also inevitably produce a realistic competitive surrounding that greatly resembles the so-called “real world”. It is human nature to think and act competitively, legal or not, and business schools uncontrollably induce these emotions.
Good business ethics are important, but to what extent? I believe business schools are successful in providing the knowledge for that moral foundation. Yet, where do these boundaries lie between personal and corporate values? This question can only be answered by the individual, not the business school.