Business ethics as a discipline has been evolving rapidly, and indeed needs to evolve constantly. This evolution is mandated more urgently than ever before as we plunge headlong, and with increasing velocity, into the era of automation, artificial intelligence and digitization. In a scenario where legal and policy guidelines are scarce or ambiguous, the role of business ethics in guiding academic and industrial research and innovation cannot be understated. Ethical codes and guidelines are needed for educators, scientists, industries, law and policy makers, as well as for the general public engaged with emerging technologies not only to ensure a smooth transition into the autonomous and digital age, but also to ensure that in the process, we do not unknowingly disengage from basic human rights, values and responsibilities. Traditional, time tested and universally accepted principles of (business) ethics, including principles of integrity, responsibility and sustainability must, therefore, not be abandoned, but rather permitted to evolve to address the unique issues that emerging technologies present to humankind. This evolution necessarily entails an evolution also in research methods (including methods that permit multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder engagement), entrepreneurship ethics and a multi-cultural understanding of human rights and responsibilities, as relevant to emerging technologies such as autonomous driving.
The envisaged volume “Evolving Business Ethics: Integrity, Sustainability and Responsible Innovation in the Digital Age” accordingly brings together contributions in the field of business ethics from a diversity of perspectives and disciplines.