Interesting Bedfellows: Theology & Business Ethics Provide CSR Professionals Academic Option

Just what does theology have to do with business ethics or CSR? If you're in Malta, then it has everything to do with a new master's program. The brainchild of the Reverend Professor Emmanuel Agius, dean of the Faculty of Theology, and Saviour Gauci, dean of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy, at the University of Malta, the Master's degree in Business Ethics will offer CSR executives and other professionals the opportunity to debate the responsibility of business on society, particularly given current economic conditions and banking sector woes.

The three-year program co-taught by faculty from both departments is in its first year of operation and offered in the evening. The master's program was designed to encompass 10 broad areas of study that include ethical topics, theories and in-the-trenches practice; values, corporate governance and ethical management situations; and marketing and finance. Interestingly, in addition to CSR, the program also focuses on personal responsibility, ethical regulatory issues as well as business ethics through an international lens. The 'modules' will involve 28 hours of lectures each, at the very least. The master's program is supported by the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation and the Pastoral Formation Institute.

According to Times of Malta Writer Joanna Ripard, the coordinator of the program Mark Sultana says that the program's inspiration stems from the innate connection between business and human relationships. "This inter-disciplinary course will examine the way in which business and ethics inter-relate," says Rev. Dr. Sultana. "These issues have been highlighted by the economic crisis, with people blaming the lack of regulation and integrity as the root cause. This programme seeks to throw light on the different aspects of the relationship." In addition to CSR professionals, the master's is targeted at compliance personnel, corporate secretaries, company directors, trade union leaders, lawyers, accountants, bankers, journalists, NGOs and government personnel.

"Business must have a soul," says Rev. Professor Agius. "It goes beyond the regulation of markets. This programme is about imbuing professionals with a greater sense of justice, fairness, solidarity, responsibility and the common good." The program is targeted at the European professional. So CSR executives in the Mediterranean might want to check out this program a little closer. "We talk so much about values, about a Europe of values, a Malta of values...This is a course which will hopefully contribute to the well-being of Maltese society and to the business community, to make people conscious and conscientious of ethical values."