Ethics education in university aviation administration programs in the United States

Dale Barton Oderman, Purdue University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine how four-year colleges and universities in the United States with baccalaureate degree programs in aviation administration include ethics instruction in their curricula. Based on a literature review, no research exists that describes the current status of teaching ethics to students in such programs. Yet concurrently, the number of unethical activities reported in the media involving the aviation industry indicates a need for such programs. The study establishes the need for such research and explains the potential significance of such a study to the aviation industry. As background, other academic areas that already include ethics in their curricula were reviewed, and the results of their efforts laid the foundation for a series of hypotheses which were investigated in aviation management curricula. A two-phase research study was conducted among all department heads of collegiate aviation administration programs. During phase one, department heads were asked to complete an author-developed survey instrument. A number of statistical tests were performed to describe the level of planned ethics inclusion in aviation curricula along with factors affecting the level of inclusion. In an effort to probe more deeply, telephone interviews were conducted during phase two with a representative sample of department heads and with professors identified by their department heads as having demonstrated an interest in this area. It was found that ethics is not widely included in collegiate aviation administration programs at levels to be expected in light of current industry problems. Additionally, not much was being done to change as no sense of urgency exists to bring about change. As predicted, strong department head support for ethics instruction and active department head involvement in teaching ethics led to higher levels of planned ethics inclusion. Faculty interest was a second influential characteristic. Recommendations to improve ethics coverage include proactive involvement of those with a current interest in the subject, cooperative relationships between academia and the aviation industry to upgrade ethics instruction, and a phased program to increase the level of ethics inclusion in aviation curricula. Ideas for future study are suggested.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Hooker, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Higher education|Transportation|Vocational education

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