Business ethics, if taught properly, is a complex and perplexing endeavor. This is why the word conundrum is utilized in the title of this book. If taught properly, whether in the graduate classroom or in a human resources training module, the adult learner must be made aware of the consequences or his or her ethical decision and wisely choose the best course of action. The Ethical Conundrum presents an ethical decision-making process for the reader in a clear yet comprehensive manner, which can be utilized in higher education or corporate America. The Ethical Conundrum brings a unique perspective to the field of ethical leadership. First, it analyzes both classic and contemporary ethical frameworks, addressing the pros and cons of each. Second, it introduces new concepts and articles that are not presented in ethical texts at this time (Naikan Therapy as a means of leadership modification; Existential Leadership as a moral approach; etc.). Third, this text addresses the various learning domains (cognitive, affective, and psychomotor). Fourth, as an applied ethics book, it can be utilized as a supplemental text in ethical classes and in corporate settings, or as a standalone tome. Finally, this a field-tested manuscript which has input from graduate students and professors alike, and their recommendations have been integrated into this text for readability. Although this book is written with the layperson in mind, it has reflection questions, references, and concepts that are suitable for university classrooms or corporate training modules as supplementary or primary source materials. Occasionally technical jargon is introduced where absolutely necessary, but much of the reading is free of esoteric or enigmatic language. This book is timely in that consumers, customers, and employees are holding their leaders to a higher level of moral behavior, requiring that the companies that they purchase goods from or that they work for are engaging in activities that are incontrovertible and authentic. Ethical development is no longer an option but a mandate. Many of the current trends in industry (such as civility, servant-leadership, or existential leadership) have integrated an ethics component in their framework. Ethics is no longer an afterthought; it is a requisite expectation in business, whether one discusses fair trade, corporate social responsibility, or executive pay. Companies featured as case studies in the book are Starbucks, Disney, Lockheed Martin, and other Fortune 1000 companies serve as positive role models, as well as smaller companies (such as the World Famous Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle, Washington). Enron, WorldCom, Tyco, Adelphia and other companies serve as infamous examples of ethical lapses. The Ethical Conundrum builds on the work of ethical luminaries such as Ciulla, Greenleaf, Senge, O'Toole, Kanungo and Mendonca, and others, as well as on primary research in leading journals. The Ethical Conundrum can be utilized as its own text, or as a supplemental text to clarify contemporary concepts.
About the Author: Dr. Kurt S. Takamine is currently the graduate professor for organizational leadership and management studies at Los Angeles Pacific University (previously Azusa Pacific University, University College). Kurt was formerly the Chief Academic Officer and VP of Academic Affairs from 2011 to 2017. Dr. Takamine holds the rank of Professor and functioned as the university's Accreditation Liaison Officer with WSCUC. He was also the former Interim Dean of Business and Professional Studies at Brandman University (2008-2011) overseeing a 25 campus distributed system. His consulting and research interests included Raytheon, Northrop-Grumman, IBM, Shell Oil, United States Postal Service, American Express, Capital One Financial Services, Microsoft, GE, and other Fortune 500 companies in leadership development, 360° assessment, and organizational change. Kurt functioned as the Board of Trustees Vice-Chair for the Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership, received the Outstanding Research Award from The Institute for Business and Finance Research, and has authored numerous scholarly articles and leadership books. He and his wife, Paula, reside in Southern California, and they have two adult sons, Calvin (Toyota) and Davis (Commercial and military manufacturing).