• University of Leeds

Business Ethics: Exploring Big Data and Tax Avoidance

Learn why big data and tax avoidance are some of the biggest ethical issues facing businesses today and how they can be addressed.

10,983 enrolled on this course

Business Ethics: Exploring Big Data and Tax Avoidance

10,983 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Accreditation available

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Explore the ethical complexities of big data and tax avoidance

Ethical behaviour brings significant benefits to businesses such as attracting employees, customers and investors. But failure to manage it properly can create huge challenges.

On this course, you’ll discover big data and tax avoidance.

You’ll examine the benefits and ethical challenges inherent to big data, including the issues of privacy and data security.

You’ll learn what tax avoidance is and discover how globalisation is increasing the likelihood of its occurrence.

You’ll also hear from experts on key ethical arguments for and against tax avoidance as you work through prominent case studies.

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Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Big data

    • Welcome

      Welcome

      Welcome to the course Business Ethics: Exploring Big Data and Tax Avoidance, which will help you to understand and debate the ethical issues around big data and tax avoidance.

    • Activity one

      Big data and the law

      In this activity, you meet the concept of big data and explore its meaning. You also investigate the limits of using legal regulation to determine the ethics of business.

    • Activity two

      Exploring the value of big data

      In this activity you assess the value big data adds to business, society and to you as an individual.

    • Activity three

      Identifying the ethical challenges raised by big data use

      In this activity you explore the ethical complexities of using big data in business and across society. You have the opportunity to reflect on your own views in this area and to share them with other learners.

    • Summary

      Summary

      This activity gives you the opportunity to reflect on the week and explore the glossary.

  • Week 2

    Tax avoidance

    • About Week 2.

      About Week 2

      This week, you focus on the ethical issues associated with corporate tax avoidance. You have opportunities to engage critically with the arguments in favour of and against tax avoidance.

    • Activity 1 image.

      Exploring tax avoidance

      In this activity, you find out about tax avoidance and how it differs from tax planning and tax evasion. There are opportunities for you to check your understanding and discuss ethical positions.

    • Activity 2 image.

      Can task avoidance be justified?

      In this activity, you explore a variety of tax avoidance approaches. You will also have opportunities to engage with case studies and to critique some of the arguments put forward in defence of tax avoidance.

    • Activity 3 image.

      Identifying the ethical problems of tax avoidance

      In this activity, you look further at the ethical challenges of tax avoidance and revisit earlier cases in light of new information. You will critically reflect on what influences your moral and ethical position on tax avoidance.

    • Summary image.

      Summary

      In this final activity, you will review the content of this course before completing your end of course assessment.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

This course has been accredited by the CPD Certification Service, which means it can be used to provide evidence of your continuing professional development.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explore the ethical complexities of business practices.
  • Explain the limits of legal regulation in determining the ethical course of action within business.
  • Debate the ethics of business practices around big data and tax avoidance.
  • Critically evaluate your own opinions about the ethics of business.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in exploring two of the biggest business ethics problems.

The course will be useful for professionals working in small or larger organisations but also for anyone studying business or ethics at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Who will you learn with?

Jim Baxter

I am an ethicist, working primarily on commissioned research projects and professional training. My research interests include professional ethics and moral responsibility (PhD on MR and psychopaths).

Who developed the course?

University of Leeds

University of Leeds

As one of the UK’s largest research-based universities, the University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and a centre of excellence for teaching.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$54/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 19 Feb 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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