Theranos in Focus: Issues and Ethics for Future Business Leaders

Day 1 of the Business Issues & Ethics course at NUCB Business School kicked off this afternoon with an engaging and thought-provoking discussion led by Professor Rebecca Chunghee Kim, a globally recognized scholar in business ethics, CSR, and ESG with a distinguished career spanning universities in the UK, US, and Asia, and extensive research on inclusive leadership and multinational corporate responsibility. Professor Kim is also one of the newest additions to NUCB Business School's international faculty.

The class explored the complex case of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos, a $9 billion health-tech startup that famously collapsed amid allegations of fraud and misrepresentation. Students examined the ethical decisions made by Holmes and her leadership team, and critically analyzed the impact of these decisions on various stakeholders, including investors, employees, and patients.

Professor Kim guided the discussion by encouraging students to apply ethical reasoning frameworks and reflect on the responsibilities of entrepreneurs and founders in a rapidly evolving business environment. The session highlighted the tension between innovation, ambition, and ethical accountability, prompting lively debate on what constitutes responsible leadership in the global business context.

Through this case, students began to connect theoretical concepts of business ethics to real-world dilemmas, practicing critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and stakeholder analysis. The interactive, case-based approach of the course allows participants to deepen their understanding of how ethical lapses can affect not just companies, but society at large.

The course continues to emphasize the importance of reflective, adaptive, and collaborative learning, equipping future business leaders with the tools to navigate complex ethical challenges in their professional careers.