The "Navigating Ethical Challenges in Business" event at the University of Edinburgh Business School discussed some of the most important issues businesses face today, including AI in recruitment, greenwashing, and modern slavery. In this blog, Nial, an MSc Management student, shares key insights from the event and reflects on the discussions around ethical challenges in modern business.
Three students pose for a photograph with one of the guest speakers at the Business Series event.

The session was led by Bruce Cartwright CA, CEO of ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland), and James Barbour CA, Director of Policy Leadership at ICAS. They provided valuable insights into how businesses can handle these challenges with integrity and responsibility. The event was chaired by Dr Catherine Martin, CA, Vice-Principal Corporate Services, University of Edinburgh, and opened by Professor Christine Cooper, Chair of Accounting.

Corporate responsibility in modern slavery

One of the key takeaways for me was the importance of corporate responsibility, particularly when it comes to ensuring ethical supply chains. Bruce and James highlighted that businesses need to take an active role in ensuring that their operations are free from child labour and human trafficking. They gave the example of businesses partnering with organisations like Unseen, a UK charity that supports survivors of trafficking and modern slavery, to clean up their supply chains. This really made me realise how crucial transparency is in this area.

Key takeaways

  1. Businesses need to ensure transparency and accountability across their entire supply chain.
  2. Personal responsibility is crucial—everyone in the organization should be accountable for maintaining ethical practices.
  3. Consumers are looking for companies that match their ethical values, especially when it comes to sustainability and fair labor practices.

AI in recruitment: The ethical dilemmas

Another topic that stood out to me was the use of AI in recruitment. The case study discussed a company that introduced an AI-driven recruitment system to improve efficiency. However, the system ended up showing bias and decreasing workforce diversity, which led to some difficult ethical questions. Human oversight is important when it comes to AI systems. We cannot just rely on AI to make decisions without ensuring that those decisions are fair and transparent.

Key takeaways

  1. AI systems must be regularly monitored to ensure they are not perpetuating biases.
  2. Human oversight is critical in decision-making processes, especially when it comes to hiring.

Greenwashing: Ethical marketing in fashion

We also discussed greenwashing in the fashion industry. A fashion brand claimed their products were made from 100% recycled materials and produced with eco-friendly processes. But an investigation revealed that these claims were exaggerated, and the company was also facing allegations of modern slavery in its supply chain.

Key takeaways

  1. Businesses need to make sure their sustainability claims are backed by solid, real evidence and not just marketing hype.
  2. Public accountability and third-party audits are essential to ensure companies aren’t misleading their customers.

Conclusion: Ethical practices are essential

The event made it clear to me that ethical practices are not just a nice-to-have—they’re absolutely essential for long-term business success. As consumers become more aware of their choices, businesses that fail to act ethically risk losing trust, talent, and market share. It’s clear that prioritizing transparency, accountability, and personal responsibility is no longer optional for businesses that want to thrive.

The event wrapped up with an engaging networking session, where I had the chance to connect with other participants and industry professionals. It was a great opportunity to discuss the topics further, share ideas, and build relationships.