What does it mean to lead responsibly in today’s complex, fast-moving business world? The answer often lies beyond strategy and skills, and in the everyday ethical dilemmas leaders face and the decisions they make. These ‘invisible skills’ are the focus of one of the key modules in the EMBA at the University of Geneva: Organizational Responsibility and Ethics.
Why ethics and responsibility matter
While many leadership programmes focus on governance, risk, or ESG frameworks, the EMBA at the University of Geneva takes a broader view — encouraging participants to explore the underlying values that guide decision-making. That’s why a core module in the second year steps back to ask a more fundamental question: what about ethics—and why do they matter in business?
Led by Dr Judith Schrempf-Stirling, Academic Director of the University of Geneva EMBA and Professor of Organizational Ethics, this course invites participants to critically reflect on the role of ethics and responsibility in corporate life. It challenges the idea that ethical behaviour is an optional extra or a marketing tool. Instead, it demonstrates how ethics and responsibility are essential long-term drivers of credibility, resilience and sustainable business.
As Dr Schrempf-Stirling explains, “The course starts by clarifying what ethical responsibility actually means—and how it differs from personal morality. Ethics is not about preaching; it is about defining and upholding a shared set of values within the specific context of business and society.”
A practical approach to ethical dilemmas
The course also explores why even well-intentioned managers sometimes make ethically questionable decisions. Financial pressures, systemic constraints, and organisational culture can all lead to decisions that contradict personal or corporate values. Through real-world examples and interactive discussions, students learn to decode these dynamics and develop a clear-eyed understanding of the environments in which they operate.
The final part of the course is dedicated to ethical dilemmas—recognising that these are an unavoidable reality in corporate life. Participants learn to identify, analyse and respond to dilemmas thoughtfully and responsibly, not by applying simplistic solutions, but by developing their own ethical decision-making frameworks.
The focus of the course is not on legal ethics or compliance. While the legal context is addressed, the material is broader and deeper—on the role of ethics and responsibility in business, and how leaders can embed them into everyday decision-making.
What students gain from the Organizational Responsibility and Ethics module:
– Clarity and awareness: Understand the place of ethics in business and why responsibility matters.
– Critical analysis: Learn to unpack systemic pressures and organisational behaviours that can lead to ethical missteps.
– Practical tools: Build the capacity to identify, analyse and navigate ethical dilemmas in complex environments.
Ethical leadership isn’t about perfection — it’s about the ability to recognise challenges, make responsible decisions, and lead with integrity in the face of complexity.
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