Books by Albert J. Chan
In Inception (2010) the audience ends up rooting for Cobb, the industrial spy, versus empathizing... more In Inception (2010) the audience ends up rooting for Cobb, the industrial spy, versus empathizing with Fischer, the undeserved mark of an “anti-heist.” It is one part contemporary worship of the movie star (DiCaprio) and another part distrust of big business. In today’s economic climate, the thief/deceiver garners more sympathy than a corporate CEO. Add in a tortured protagonist who wants to leave his job, clear his name, and return to his family, and you have a recipe for what philosopher David Hume described as an unfair battle between emotions and logic. The end justifies the means, the movie audience embraces a modern Machiavelli−and in a short skirmish, the passions win every time. In the context of our global economy, the film brings up a question of whether certain lines of work are inherently unethical. Are there honorable ways of conducting oneself as a member of the mafia, a prostitute, or a corporate spy? Is redemption possible within these professions or only upon its departure? Some argue that levels of corporate espionage could be ethical according to extensions of game theory. Others believe that companies walk a fine line between more socially acceptable forms of competitive intelligence and corporate espionage. From this vantage point, a vocational catharsis may result from realizing that the possibility of ethical espionage only exists in dreams.
Papers by Albert J. Chan
Conservationists criticized the Walt Disney Company after word leaked out that shark fin soup wou... more Conservationists criticized the Walt Disney Company after word leaked out that shark fin soup would be served at Hong Kong Disneyland. Disney understood shark fin soup as a traditional item featured in Chinese wedding banquets and in sealing business deals. Eliminating the delicacy from the menu might undermine local customs and engender loss of "face." Environmentalists argued that securing the shark fin involved a barbaric practice destroying the shark ecosystem, and that the soup represented an emerging status symbol rather than a intrinsic feature of Chinese culture. Case study participants will gather together as Disney management executives to discuss the ethics of serving shark fin soup in light of environmental sensitivities, cultural factors, and existing stakeholder fiduciary responsibilities. Hong Kong Disneyland's resolution surfaced after initial indecisiveness; their eventual decision and current policy should not affect each management teams' deliberation process and rationale for a recommendation regarding shark fin soup.
Conservationists criticized the Walt Disney Company after word leaked out that shark fin soup wou... more Conservationists criticized the Walt Disney Company after word leaked out that shark fin soup would be served at Hong Kong Disneyland. Disney understood shark fin soup as a traditional item featured in Chinese wedding banquets and in sealing business deals. Eliminating the delicacy from the menu might undermine local customs and engender loss of "face." Environmentalists argued that securing the shark fin involved a barbaric practice destroying the shark ecosystem, and that the soup represented an emerging status symbol rather than a intrinsic feature of Chinese culture. Case study participants will gather together as Disney management executives to discuss the ethics of serving shark fin soup in light of environmental sensitivities, cultural factors, and existing stakeholder fiduciary responsibilities. Hong Kong Disneyland's resolution surfaced after initial indecisiveness; their eventual decision and current policy should not affect each management teams' deliberation process and rationale for a recommendation regarding shark fin soup.
Talks by Albert J. Chan
Hints of nepotism in the workplace engender immediate revulsion as these hiring practices rub aga... more Hints of nepotism in the workplace engender immediate revulsion as these hiring practices rub against market values of fair competition, merit, and hard work. Dismissing nepotism in its entirety seems appropriate as it often carelessly wrecks havoc on company morale and appears to lack public virtue. However, the ubiquity of nepotism often hides a conscientious form that has amassed significant market share in familial practice. Conscientious nepotism is widespread–often helping provide social sustainability for small businesses and ensuring successful management of transnational corporations. Even the notorious, careless form of nepotism could be redeemed through reflection and correction. Ultimately, the solution to any hiring practice conflict is not found in extracting the apparent vice of nepotism from the virtue of merit. Rather two public virtues must be negotiated in conscientious nepotism–supporting a system that values hard work and the taking care of our own.
The acquisition and service of shark fin's soup is an emerging legal, political, and ethical issu... more The acquisition and service of shark fin's soup is an emerging legal, political, and ethical issue. In this interactive workshop, participants will experience this particular dilemma as corporate decision-maker, classroom student, and instructor of business ethics while debating the merits between competing stakeholders of conservation and culture. The ultimate hope is extracting more academic/pedagogical value out of this specific topic and from any given case study.
Teaching Documents by Albert J. Chan
Business ethics is the study of principals [sic] and the application of ethical principles to sit... more Business ethics is the study of principals [sic] and the application of ethical principles to situations relevant to decision making in the professional and business world. Students will be expected to reflect on question-raising situations that demand careful, informed moral deliberation [at the institutional, corporate, and interpersonal level . . . and examine whether business decisions/practices have ethical consequences].
Uploads
Books by Albert J. Chan
Papers by Albert J. Chan
Talks by Albert J. Chan
Teaching Documents by Albert J. Chan