7 . Principles of Business Ethics – Flashcards

Businesses as trustees: Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, had aptly said that trusteeship provides a means for transforming the present capitalist order of society into an egalitarian one. A business man has to act only as a trustee of the society for whatever he has gained from the society. Everything finally belongs to the society. Society bestows upon business the authority to own and use land and natural resources. In return the society has the right to expect that productive organizations will enhance the general interests of consumers, employees and community. Business ethics is required to implement the laws of land, customs, expectations of community, principles of morality, etc. The products and services of an organization affect its employees, the community and society as a whole. Business ethics also subserve the management discipline. Business houses may also use their financial and public influence to address social problems like poverty, crime, equal rights, environmental problems, public health and education. Society at large has also come to realize that since businessmen are making profits by using the country's resources, they owe it to the country to work for its development. Sound workplace ethics ensure that a company's employees are highly motivated and identify themselves with their employer. Following ethical business practices safeguard a company from getting entangled with law enforcement agencies. A reputation for highly ethical behaviour also ensures increased sales and customer loyalty. Certain ecofriendly practices also reduce operation costs. Thus, society derives benefits as well as business prospers when businesses are ethically driven.

Mr. XYZ is in a situation where he has to choose between carrying on the development of a drug for a painful and life threatening disease which afflicts one in ten million and the action of spending huge sum of shareholders' money for such development. As we can see, both are positive and ethically right choices. As a socially responsible person he has to think in terms of eliminating a serious illness but at the same time he must be careful in dealing with shareholders' money. This is a classic case of an ethical dilemma. Such an ethical dilemma must be resolved by addressing the following points: 1. Defining the problem clearly. 2. How to define the problem if you stood on the other side of the fence? 3. How did the situation arise? 4. To whom are you loyal as a person and as a member of the organization? 5. What is your intention in making this decision? 6. How does this intention compare with the probable results? 7. Whom could your decision or action injure? 8. Can you discuss the problem with the affected parties before you make your decision? 9. Are you confident that your position will be as valid over a long period? 10. Could you disclose without any doubt your decision or action to your boss, your CEO, the Board of Directors, your family, society as a whole? 11. What is the symbolic potential of your action if understood? Misunderstood? 12. Under what conditions would you allow exceptions to your stand?

Benefits which may be obtained by paying attention to business ethics: Ethics is the concern for good behaviour - doing the right thing. In business, self interest prevails and there is always inconsistency between ethics and business. But it is a well settled principle that ethical behaviour creates a positive reputation that expands the opportunities for profit. The awareness regarding products and services of an organization, and the actions of its employees can affect its stakeholders and society as a whole. Therefore to pay proper attention to business ethics may be beneficial in the interest of business. These benefits may be enumerated as follows: (1) In the recent past ruthless exploitation of children and workers, trust control over the market, termination of employees based on personalities and other factors had affected society and a demand arose to place a high value on ethics, fairness and equal rights resulting in framing of anti-trust laws, establishment of governmental agencies and recognition of labour unions. (2) Easier change management: Attention to business ethics is also critical during times of fundamental change. The apparent dilemma may be whether to be non profit or for profit. In such situations, often there is no clear moral compass to guide leaders about what is right or wrong. Continuing attention to ethics in the workplace sensitises leaders and staff for maintaining consistency in their actions. (3) Strong team work and greater productivity: Ongoing attention and dialogues regarding ethical values in the workplace builds openness, integrity and a sense of community which leads to, among the employees, a strong alignment between their values and those of the organisation resulting in strong motivation and better performance. (4) Enhanced employee growth: Attention to ethics in the workplace helps employees face the reality - both good and bad in the organisation and gain the confidence of dealing with complex work situations. (5) Ethical programmes help guarantee that personnel policies are legal: A major objective of personnel policies is to ensure ethical treatment of employees. In matters of hiring, evaluating, disciplining, firing etc. An employer can be sued for breach of contract for failure to comply with any promise. The gap between corporate culture and actual practice has significant legal and ethical implications. Attention to ethics ensures highly ethical policies and procedures in the work place. Ethics management programmes are useful in managing diversity. Such programmes require the recognition and application of diverse values and perspectives which are the basis of a sound ethics management programme. Most organisations feel that cost of mechanisms to ensure ethical programme may be more helpful in minimizing the costs of litigations. (6) Ethical programmes help to detect ethical issues and violations early, so that criminal acts "of omission" may be avoided. (7) Ethical values help to manage values associated with quality management, strategic planning and diversity management.