Reference Reviews

Lawrence Looks at Books

Encyclopedia of Business Ethics and Society, edited by Robert W. Kolb. 5 vols. 2,437p. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2007. 978-1-4129-1652-3; 2007-15593. $795.

In the wake of scandals at Enron, Tyco International and WorldCom, some wags may suggest that "business ethics" is an oxymoron. However, such cases as the Bhopal disaster, the Dalkon Shield, the Exxon Valdez and Love Canal prove that business ethics is no joking matter. This groundbreaking encyclopedia explores the ramifications of how business is conducted in society. Corporate misbehavior and corruption are but a few aspects of this field of study. Advertising, child labor, consumer protection, copyright, employment contracts, pollution, wages, and worker safety can all require ethical choices on the part of business practitioners. The editors of this new encyclopedia attempt to sketch the essential questions of business ethics and how businesses affect society. Thus the nearly 900 expert–written essays describe basic concepts in accounting, corporate organization, economics, marketing, management and finance as well as questions of rights, fairness, and honesty. The impact of corporations in society can involve environmental concerns as well as philanthropy. Business activity also attracts the attention of political, legislative and judicial processes as well as many concerned organizations. The treatment of customers, community stakeholders, and employees are other relevant issues. All these subjects and much more fall within the domain of this encyclopedia. From bid rigging and bribery to personal values and work ethics, the scholarly essays will provide students much needed ethical instruction. With little of matching available for this important field of study, this set is an appropriate acquisition for any serious business collection.

— John Lawrence