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The subject of responsibility has lately become very important in the context of the economic crisis. In economy, it took the form of social responsibility. It concerns activities additionally undertaken by organizations in order to establish correct relations with their employees and society, as well as with regard to the natural environment. Therefore, a very important role is played by the ethos of the undertaken socially responsible actions. To a large extent it is reflected in the ethical dimension. Thus, in enterprises, codes of ethics have become a base of axiology in building of the organization cultures. Unfortunately, Polish companies – as shown in the paper – still attach a minor role to the ethical dimension of business.

Prestige of academic teacher’s activities and his or her authority, should most of all result from moral attitude. Thus there is need in this kind of activity to use ethic virtues. Thanks to them human improves internally, but also can realize the concrete property outside. Virtues are necessary for person both for him or her as an average human being and also as a scholar and an educator. By setting own example one can have the most influence on students’ moral attitudes. Consequently an occasion arises to improve cardinal classic virtues, which include: prudence, deliberation, justice and courage, but also in the virtues that are related to them. These activities drive to form yourself in giving good example and have a huge impact on academic environment’s advancement.

The increasing trend concerning loosing respect towards honoured authorities can nowadays be observed in most of the areas of social life. This refers also to universities and decreasing respect towards academics. The study at Karol Adamiecki Univeristy of Economics in Katowice, focused on structure and hierarchy of values declared by its students, were expected to reveal whether this assumption is true. The study characterized reasons for and directions of change in the declared hierarchy of values among the young. It was of high importance to diagnose the core of interactions between students and academics, i.e. to answer a question whether academics employed by the University are perceived by the students as persons whose personal approach and behaviours could be followed. The results show that nowadays academic is not respected as an authority for her/his students. The way to regain respect seems to be based on reinforcement of traditional master (tutor) – student relations, as university is this particular place where this kind of interrelations should develop. The task of building this relation needs time and efforts, as well as sets a high standard for academics to present unimpeachable ethical approach as well as openness towards students and dynamic changes in the environment.