If ethics is about character, can you teach people to be ethical? If people are determined to get what they want by bending the rules, can you screen them by giving them tests?
Some argue that corporate ethics policies are not enough and what we need are more psychometric tools to screen managers and CE0s for their ethical mindset, or lack of it.
Others see it as something that needs to be drummed into people at an early age. That's why JA Worldwide (Junior Achievement) and Deloitte & Touche USA have announced the launch of their second annual ethics essay contest, which awards one high school senior with a $5,000 college scholarship.
But can you actually teach this stuff? Professor Steve Salbu, an associate dean at the University of Texas, says there are no guarantees but he reckons incorporating it into business education allow students to practise ethical thinking before they enter the workforce.
"If it's not part of the conversation for that period, then we shouldnt be surprised that it's not part of the conversation when they leave. I'm not naive. I think it's going to help in some instances and in other instances not, but training is important."
Maybe. But if people want to steal, they'll find a way. And if companies keep rewarding employees for short-term results that encourage them to fudge numbers and cut corners, no exam or psychometric test would help.
I beleive that ethics may be learned. You could teach ethics to a person who have an attitude problem. It just takes time to do that and a lot of patience, too. You have to be a tough and principled person to have a strong influence with others.