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Organizational Ethics
Posted by B2B on: 2006-08-11 10:38:53
Narayanan Krishnaswamy
Organizational Ethics
The Oxford Advanced Dictionary defines ethics as "moral principles that control or influence a person's behavior" The American Heritage dictionary defines it as "the study of the general nature of morals, and of specific moral choices; and the rules or standards governing the conduct of the members of a profession." It is basically connected with beliefs and principles about what is right and what is wrong and classified into personal ethics, professional ethics, business ethics and work-place ethics etc. An ethical decision is one based on weighing values warranted by the situation.
Any organization has to adopt certain ethical approaches which evolve out of the internal culture than from the rules and standard practices. Earning profit is the end motive; but profits earned through unethical activities are sure to shorten the life span; Enron, Kmart, Arthur Anderson and Sunbeam are standing examples.
Business ethics are principles and standards for behavior and for carrying on business activities. Investors, customers and the community in general pass judgments, and their acceptance or rejection seals the fate of companies. The National Business Ethics Survey conducted by Ethics resource Center in the US found 'more' misconduct in large concerns than in small units of the government, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. It found sporadic misconduct in many areas--from bribing, thieving, fraud in accounting, deceiving advertisements to the higher level falsifying documents and insider trading.
Decisions are judged either right or wrong and this affects the organizations. In politics, business and science decisions either make or mar, on their being judged as ethical or not.
>From Nixon's poll campaign activities to Congressman James
Traficant of Ohio there are many who were eliminated for their unethical activities. There are many instances of scientists falsifying results for fame or profit. Even educational institutions have been accused of using unethical practices like using professional players in their teams. Among sportspersons the use of energizing drugs and the use of instruments and tools, which are either banned or classified as non-standard is found to occur even in the Olympics, which runs contra to the Olympic motto.
In business falsifying accounts to enhance the value of shares in the market and 'insider trading' for personal gains are found to occur often. Martha Stewart of ImClone Systems was found guilty of 'insider trading', and Samuel Waksal, imprisoned. Such and other unethical practices are found to be practiced in business for personal ends. A social consciousness and the care for the welfare of the society have much to decide. Studies of what has occurred in the business world will certainly help formulating one's ethics. Though much is said, the situation and one's personal understanding decides one's present actions and the society judges later.
Contact: Narayanan Krishnaswamy, prof.english@gmail.com
About the author:
Professor of English. Taught English at university level for 37 years. Turned freelance writer,editor and teacher on retirement.
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