Strengthening Business Ethics Pedagogy: The Case for Moore's Theory of Public Value

Abstract

The reasons for teaching an explicit ethics component in businesses courses are sound. These reasons are reinforced in a context where government cedes roles to private organisations and where students may reasonably expect to work in both sectors over their careers. However, new approaches to business pedagogy are needed that take into account this changed environment. This paper argues that the recent controversy surrounding Mark Moore's theory of Public Value published in 1995 invites the inclusion of this theory in courses spanning business management and public sector management. Further, we argue that Public Value incorporates several approaches to the expanded role for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), as well as providing a theory of liberal government and an account of virtue ethics which are both strong pedagogic tools.