This introductory chapter outlines the book’s overall aim and explains how words such as ‘ethics’ and ‘business’ are used in the book. The approach to business-ethics study that is taken in the book is explained and some reasons are given for taking this approach. The content and structure of the book is also outlined. 

This chapter considers whether there is a specifically feminine way of thinking about ethics, as well as exploring some insights that such a perspective might offer to business. The chapter also outlines contrasting ways of thinking about gender, as well as highlighting some ways in which corporate activity might be culpable of contributing to unhelpful, stereotypical images of femininity and masculinity.