Here are some ways Timothy Kundro teaches about ethics and social impact in business decision making:
- He personally bought a Cameo video message from Billy McFarland to press him on the ethical failures that led to the first disastrous Fyre Festival and the lessons he learned as he pursues a second one.
- He collaborated with journalists to create case studies on modern scandals like Theranos, whose founder — promising to revolutionize health care — fooled investors, media moguls and government leaders into backing a $9 billion mirage.
- He dressed in a full spacesuit, ready to launch a discussion on how to build fair and ethical societies.
“I think it’s crucial to keep the content current and relevant by using contemporary cases and examples that illustrate ethical and social issues students might face in their careers,” says Kundro, organizational behavior professor at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. “This approach helps students understand that these topics aren’t just theoretical but have practical applications.”
Social impact
Kundro’s main assignment is teaching the Undergraduate Business Program’s required ethics course. He also works with MBA@UNC on Summits, in-person courses that complement the online curriculum. He’s led sessions on social impact and groups and teams and taught a doctoral class in organizational ethics.
“Teaching courses about social impact and ethics is particularly important in today’s business environment, where these considerations are increasingly central to business decisions,” says Kundro.
He’s also passionate about his research on how people respond to moral situations in the workplace. His research has been published in top academic journals and reached practitioners through Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio and Scientific American. He also writes a column for Forbes.
In 2023, Kundro won the Academy of Management Journal best paper award for “Does Power Protect Female Moral Objectors?” with Nancy Rothbard. Ultimately, their study found women in power who took steps like speaking up about ethical issues might experience greater retaliation than men taking similar actions.
He was also honored as one of the best undergraduate business professors of 2023 by Poets & Quants. He collaborates with doctoral and undergraduate students through what he calls the “Not-a-lab lab.”
“It’s amazing to work with students at different levels to conduct research,” he says. “I think we learn a lot from each other, and the work we produce is better as a result.”
He also has served as an expert witness and consults with several organizations, which is professionally rewarding.
“These additional activities complement my teaching and research, providing different perspectives and applications in real-world contexts,” he says.
What’s next
Kundro praises the business school’s “incredible research environment” and its “top-notch programs.”
“It’s an especially exciting time to be here as the school is increasing the numbers we serve in the Undergraduate Business Program,” he says. “The combination of research excellence and teaching opportunities makes it an incredible place to be a faculty member.”
Kundro is excited about continuing to develop his research and teaching at UNC Kenan-Flagler.
“The school’s growth trajectory presents several opportunities for innovation in both areas,” he says. “I’m looking forward to expanding my research on morality in the workplace, especially as it relates to the changing values and expectations of the current workforce. The supportive environment at UNC Kenan-Flagler provides an ideal setting for this work.”
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