Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Business Communication and Ethics
Course Code
SBUEK_177
Branch of Science
Media and communications; Psychology and Ethics of Communication
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Business Management
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Jana Bunkus
Structure Unit Manager
Karina Palkova
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
To provide knowledge and develop competence in communication nature and its types, internal and external communication of an organisation (a company, institution), communication development and management in business, and the basic ethical principles that determine communication between individuals, organisations, and society as a whole. On completion of the course the students will have acquired both knowledge and practical skills required for developing and managing ethical business communication within organisations.
Preliminary Knowledge
Basics of business environment, organisational management and communication theory.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.On completion of this study course, students will gain an understanding of the process of modern business communication, its interactions and impact on work within an organisation; they will know the principles and methods for developing and managing internal and external communication within an organisation; understand the foundations of ethics, principles of individual and professional ethics, and the necessity for adherence to ethical standards within a business environment.
Skills
1.On completion of this study course, students will be able to use theoretical knowledge of business communication and ethics by performing an analysis of the business environment; will be able to assess and determine appropriate methods for carrying out internal and external communication in an organisation; will be able to critically assess entrepreneurial situations from a business ethics perspective; to identify and analyse problems caused by lack of adherence to ethical standards in business and business communication.
Competences
1.On completion of this study course, the students will be able to analyse and interpret internal and external communication codes, channels, and tools within an organisation; to determine areas for improvement in communication and ethical practice in an organisation; to evaluate professional communication from an ethics standpoint and to develop it in accordance with individual and professional ethical standards.
Assessment
Individual work
Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.
Individual work
-
-
Literature review; summary development; homework completion; group work – a case study, analysis, and preparation of presentations for seminars; individual report that includes: 1) identification of the basic problem for the topic and description of its manifestations in practice; 2) research and assessment of alternative opinions (including those of theorists) on the topic; 3) opinion on the results of the research, and its justification.
Examination
Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.
Examination
-
-
Practical case research and analysis, presentation of results. Identification of problematic situations. Discussion.
2.
Examination
-
-
Practical case research and analysis, presentation of results. Identification of problematic situations. Discussion.
3.
Examination
-
-
Practical case research and analysis, presentation of results. Identification of problematic situations. Discussion.
4.
Examination
-
-
Written report that entails: 1) determine the main problem within the topic and describe its appearance in practice; 2) research and assess alternative opinions (including those of theorists) on the topic; 3) express an opinion on the results of the research, and substantiate it.
5.
Examination
-
-
Attendance of lectures and seminars – compulsory. Summaries – 15%. Preparation for seminars (group work) – 20%. Participation in seminars (active participation, quality of answers) – 10%. Report – 15%. Exam – 40%.
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Semester 1
-
Introduction to the study course (information about the contents and requirements of the course, assignments throughout the course). What is communication (definition and nature of the concept). The role of communication for individuals, organisations, and society. Communication and personal/corporate development. Communication as a process, its elements. Communication barriers. How to minimise communication barriers in business.
Annotation: Concepts and questions to be learned during this topic:
1. What is communication – definition and nature of the concept.
2. The role of communication for individuals, organisations, and society.
3. Communication and personal/corporate development.
4. Communication as a process, its elements.
5. Communication barriers.
6. How to minimise communication barriers in business.
Topics covered during the class: 1. What are the most common definitions of "communication"? What are their main aspects?
2. How can communication influence the everyday life of an individual, an organisation, and a society?
3. How can communication influence the development of an individual, an organisation, and a society?
4. How does the process of communication occur?
5. Describe the elements of the communication process, their interactions.
6. What is described by "communication barriers"?
7. Which are the most common communication barriers in the business environment and in organisations? Why do they occur?
8. How does one minimise communication barriers in the business environment?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
2.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Examples of communications barriers in business practice in Latvia.
Annotation: Practical lessons – examples and analysis of communication barriers in the work of Latvian organisations.
Topics covered during the class: Questions to be assessed in case analysis:
1. What communication errors have occurred in the communications of a specific organisation, resulting in communication barriers?
2. What problems have occurred in the organisation due to this?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
2
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Types of communication. Communication codes. Corporate logos, symbols, corporate colours, product packaging, interior design etc. as communication codes in business.
Annotation: Concepts and questions to be learned during this topic:
1. Types of communication: 1) intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, mass communication; 2) verbal, non-verbal communication; 3) formal, informal communication.
2. Communication codes (visual, audio).
3. Corporate logos, symbols, corporate colours, product packaging, interior design etc. as communication codes in business.
Topics covered during the class: 1. What are the main parameters for classifying communications?
2. Who is the communicator and who is the receiver in each type of communication: intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, mass communication.
3. What are the basic principles and special characteristics of verbal communication?
4. What are the basic principles and special characteristics of nonverbal communication?
5. What differences are there in formal and non-formal communications?
6. Characterise communications codes in audio communications.
7. Characterise communications codes in visual communications.
8. What rules and special characteristics have to be observed when using different types of communications codes in business?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Communication codes and their use in Latvian businesses.
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
2
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Internal communication within an organisation. Vertical and horizontal communication within a business. Audiences, channels, and tools for internal communication within businesses.
Annotation: Concepts and questions to be learned during this topic:
1. Internal communication within an organisation – definition of the concept, basic principles of development.
2. Vertical (upwards and downwards) and horizontal communication within a business.
3. Audiences, channels, and tools for internal communication within businesses.
Topics covered during the class: 1. What are the main characteristics and levels of internal communications in an organisation?
2. What are the aims and importance of internal communications in an organisation?
3. Characterise the manifestations and differences of individual, expanded, or public communications in an organisation.
4. Characterise the manifestations and differences of formal and non-formal communications in an organisation.
5. What is the difference between vertical upwards and downwards communications in an organisation?
6. What is the difference between vertical and horizontal communications in an organisation?
7. Which channels are used for developing internal communications in an organisation?
8. What are the most common tools used for developing internal communications in an organisation?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Audiences, channels, and tools for internal communication within a specific Latvian business (examples).
Annotation: Practical classes – the audiences, channels, and tools of internal communications within Latvian organisations, analysis thereof.
Topics covered during the class: Main questions to be addressed in case analysis:
1. What are the main functions, goals and tasks of internal communications in these organisations?
2. Which channels and tools are used for carrying out internal communications in these organisations?
3. What are the main problems in the internal communications of these organisations?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Study trip
2
-
External communication within an organisation. Audiences, channels, and tools for external communication within businesses.
Annotation: Concepts and questions to be learned during this topic:
1. External communication within an organisation – definition of the concept, basic principles of development.
2. Audiences, channels, and tools for external communication within businesses.
Topics covered during the class: 1. What are the goals and importance of external communications in an organisation?
2. Characterise the principles of developing external communications for an organisation.
3. Which channels are used for developing external communications in an organisation?
4. Which are the most common tools used for developing external communications in an organisation?
5. Name and characterise audiences for external communications in organisations.
6. Which of these are the most important in the business environment?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Audiences, channels, and tools for external communication within a specific Latvian business (examples).
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
2
-
The definition of ethics. Ethics as a philosophical discipline. The use of applied ethics, its links to business. Ethical choices in business.
Annotation: Concepts and questions to be learned during this topic:
1. The definition of ethics. Ethics as a philosophical discipline.
2. The use of applied ethics, its links to business.
3. Ethical choices in business: making ethical decisions, ethical dilemmas within an organisation, codes of ethics and their role in the development of business.
Topics covered during the class: 1. Which main principles are covered in ethics?
2. What types of ethics are there? Briefly characterise them.
3. What is the essence of applied ethics?
4. Why is learning ethics important when studying business?
5. What are the criteria for ethical choices in business?
6. What is an ethical code and how is it developed?
7. What is the role of an ethical code in the work of an organisation?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Ethical business practices in Latvian businesses (examples).
Annotation: Practical classes – manifestations of ethical business practices in Latvian organisations, analysis thereof.
Topics covered during the class: Questions to be assessed in case analysis:
1. What ethical dilemmas are possible in internal and external communications of the given organisations?
2. What ethical transgressions can be identified in the work of the given organisations?
3. What is positive, and what is controversial in the ethical codes analysed?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
2
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Ethics within a business. Corporate social responsibility as a category of ethical entrepreneurship and longevity within a business.
Annotation: Concepts and questions to be learned during this topic:
1. Ethics within a business: ethical corporate behaviour, ethical management, ethics within staff relationships and communication, conflict resolution.
2. Corporate social responsibility as a category of ethical entrepreneurship and longevity within a business.
Topics covered during the class: 1. Which parameters are included in the concept "ethical corporate behaviour"?
2. Which parameters are included in the concept "ethical organisational management"?
3. What are the criteria for relationships and communications between employees?
4. What actions can be viewed as unethical in employee relationships?
5. Characterise the signs of unethical conflict resolution.
6. Which are the dimensions for corporate social responsibility in organisations?
7. How can ethical practice make an impact on the longevity of an organisation?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Unethical business practices in Latvian businesses (examples).
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Participation in organisation of IBSE international visit – practice of business communication (by R.Putāns).
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Computer room
2
2.
Lecture
On site
Computer room
2
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Computer room
2
4.
Class/Seminar
On site
Computer room
2
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
40 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
PART-TIME
Semester 1
-
Introduction to the study course (information about the contents and requirements of the course, assignments throughout the course). What is communication (definition and nature of the concept). The role of communication for individuals, organisations, and society. Communication and personal/corporate development. Communication as a process, its elements. Communication barriers. How to minimise communication barriers in business.
Annotation: Concepts and questions to be learned during this topic:
1. What is communication – definition and nature of the concept.
2. The role of communication for individuals, organisations, and society.
3. Communication and personal/corporate development.
4. Communication as a process, its elements.
5. Communication barriers.
6. How to minimise communication barriers in business.
Topics covered during the class: 1. What are the most common definitions of "communication"? What are their main aspects?
2. How can communication influence the everyday life of an individual, an organisation, and a society?
3. How can communication influence the development of an individual, an organisation, and a society?
4. How does the process of communication occur?
5. Describe the elements of the communication process, their interactions.
6. What is described by "communication barriers"?
7. Which are the most common communication barriers in the business environment and in organisations? Why do they occur?
8. How does one minimise communication barriers in the business environment?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Examples of communications barriers in business practice in Latvia.
Annotation: Practical lessons – examples and analysis of communication barriers in the work of Latvian organisations.
Topics covered during the class: Questions to be assessed in case analysis:
1. What communication errors have occurred in the communications of a specific organisation, resulting in communication barriers?
2. What problems have occurred in the organisation due to this?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Types of communication. Communication codes. Corporate logos, symbols, corporate colours, product packaging, interior design etc. as communication codes in business.
Annotation: Concepts and questions to be learned during this topic:
1. Types of communication: 1) intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, mass communication; 2) verbal, non-verbal communication; 3) formal, informal communication.
2. Communication codes (visual, audio).
3. Corporate logos, symbols, corporate colours, product packaging, interior design etc. as communication codes in business.
Topics covered during the class: 1. What are the main parameters for classifying communications?
2. Who is the communicator and who is the receiver in each type of communication: intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, mass communication.
3. What are the basic principles and special characteristics of verbal communication?
4. What are the basic principles and special characteristics of nonverbal communication?
5. What differences are there in formal and non-formal communications?
6. Characterise communications codes in audio communications.
7. Characterise communications codes in visual communications.
8. What rules and special characteristics have to be observed when using different types of communications codes in business?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Communication codes and their use in Latvian businesses.
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Internal communication within an organisation. Vertical and horizontal communication within a business. Audiences, channels, and tools for internal communication within businesses.
Annotation: Concepts and questions to be learned during this topic:
1. Internal communication within an organisation – definition of the concept, basic principles of development.
2. Vertical (upwards and downwards) and horizontal communication within a business.
3. Audiences, channels, and tools for internal communication within businesses.
Topics covered during the class: 1. What are the main characteristics and levels of internal communications in an organisation?
2. What are the aims and importance of internal communications in an organisation?
3. Characterise the manifestations and differences of individual, expanded, or public communications in an organisation.
4. Characterise the manifestations and differences of formal and non-formal communications in an organisation.
5. What is the difference between vertical upwards and downwards communications in an organisation?
6. What is the difference between vertical and horizontal communications in an organisation?
7. Which channels are used for developing internal communications in an organisation?
8. What are the most common tools used for developing internal communications in an organisation?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Audiences, channels, and tools for internal communication within a specific Latvian business (examples).
Annotation: Practical classes – the audiences, channels, and tools of internal communications within Latvian organisations, analysis thereof.
Topics covered during the class: Main questions to be addressed in case analysis:
1. What are the main functions, goals and tasks of internal communications in these organisations?
2. Which channels and tools are used for carrying out internal communications in these organisations?
3. What are the main problems in the internal communications of these organisations?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Study trip
2
-
External communication within an organisation. Audiences, channels, and tools for external communication within businesses.
Annotation: Concepts and questions to be learned during this topic:
1. External communication within an organisation – definition of the concept, basic principles of development.
2. Audiences, channels, and tools for external communication within businesses.
Topics covered during the class: 1. What are the goals and importance of external communications in an organisation?
2. Characterise the principles of developing external communications for an organisation.
3. Which channels are used for developing external communications in an organisation?
4. Which are the most common tools used for developing external communications in an organisation?
5. Name and characterise audiences for external communications in organisations.
6. Which of these are the most important in the business environment?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Audiences, channels, and tools for external communication within a specific Latvian business (examples).
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
2
-
The definition of ethics. Ethics as a philosophical discipline. The use of applied ethics, its links to business. Ethical choices in business.
Annotation: Concepts and questions to be learned during this topic:
1. The definition of ethics. Ethics as a philosophical discipline.
2. The use of applied ethics, its links to business.
3. Ethical choices in business: making ethical decisions, ethical dilemmas within an organisation, codes of ethics and their role in the development of business.
Topics covered during the class: 1. Which main principles are covered in ethics?
2. What types of ethics are there? Briefly characterise them.
3. What is the essence of applied ethics?
4. Why is learning ethics important when studying business?
5. What are the criteria for ethical choices in business?
6. What is an ethical code and how is it developed?
7. What is the role of an ethical code in the work of an organisation?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Ethical business practices in Latvian businesses (examples).
Annotation: Practical classes – manifestations of ethical business practices in Latvian organisations, analysis thereof.
Topics covered during the class: Questions to be assessed in case analysis:
1. What ethical dilemmas are possible in internal and external communications of the given organisations?
2. What ethical transgressions can be identified in the work of the given organisations?
3. What is positive, and what is controversial in the ethical codes analysed?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Ethics within a business. Corporate social responsibility as a category of ethical entrepreneurship and longevity within a business.
Annotation: Concepts and questions to be learned during this topic:
1. Ethics within a business: ethical corporate behaviour, ethical management, ethics within staff relationships and communication, conflict resolution.
2. Corporate social responsibility as a category of ethical entrepreneurship and longevity within a business.
Topics covered during the class: 1. Which parameters are included in the concept "ethical corporate behaviour"?
2. Which parameters are included in the concept "ethical organisational management"?
3. What are the criteria for relationships and communications between employees?
4. What actions can be viewed as unethical in employee relationships?
5. Characterise the signs of unethical conflict resolution.
6. Which are the dimensions for corporate social responsibility in organisations?
7. How can ethical practice make an impact on the longevity of an organisation?
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Unethical business practices in Latvian businesses (examples).
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
2
-
Participation in organisation of IBSE international visit – practice of business communication (by R.Putāns).
EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Computer room
2
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Computer room
2
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
28 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Hannawa, A. F. and Spitzberg, B. H. 2015. Communication Competence. De Gruyter, Inc.
2.
Viswanathan, R. 2010. Business Communication. Himalaya Publishing House.
3.
Gillis, T., IABC. 2011. The IABC Handbook of Organizational Communication: A Guide to Internal Communication, Public Relations, Marketing, and Leadership. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
4.
Meyer-Galow, E. 2018. Business Ethics 3.0: The New Integral Ethics. Walter de Gruyter GmbH.
5.
Plaisance, P., L. (ed.) 2018. Communication and Media Ethics. Boston; Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton.
Additional Reading
1.
Mautner, G. and Rainer, F. 2017. Handbook of Business Communication: Linguistic Approaches. De Gruyter, Inc.
2.
Jones, B., Tench, R. and Sun, W. 2014. Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility: Perspectives and Practice. Emerald Publishing Limited.
3.
Conaway, R. N. and Laasch, O. 2012. Communication in Responsible Business: Strategies, Concepts, and Cases. Business Expert Press.
4.
Machado, C., Starr-Glass, D., Davim, J. C., Bràs, F. A., et.al. 2018. Micro MBA: Theory and Practice. De Gruyter, Inc.
5.
Rocci, A. and de Saussure, L. 2016. Verbal Communication. De Gruyter, Inc.
6.
DiMarco, J. 2017. Commmunications Writing and Design: The Integrated Manual for Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.