Purpose The aim of this paper is to introduce this special issue of Management Decision by exploring the themes of the issue and the contribution of each of the articles in the collection. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews notions of ethics, justice and responsibility. It then uses the framework developed through this review as the basis for an appreciation of the articles that constitute the issue. Findings Finds that it is an important reminder to managers and employees who constitute the entities to which “responsibility” is generally attached, that responsibility, ultimately, is irreducible beyond the individual, who cannot simply “follow orders”. Originality/value This article provides an introduction to, and suggests an overarching framework for, this special issue on questions we ask about ethics in a global marketplace. © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited