The dilemma of ethical decision making in business settings arises out of the tensions or conflicts between what is good for individuals, organizations, and society. These conflicts manifest themselves in rules that govern organizational behavior and in concrete decision situations. Individual versus organizational conflicts are apparent when personal values of employees conflict with the requirements organizational tasks. For example, a junior accountant’s audit opinion may be based on ethical grounds. It may be rejected by his or her superiors who do not want to relinquish the business of the client by giving a negative opinion. A salesperson may consider the company policy of giving large discounts or personal gifts to selected customers to attract their business unfair and unethical. A marketing executive may object to company advertisements on the grounds that they are not truthful. Conflicts between organizational and societal interests arise when corpo rations consume public goods without paying Continue reading
Business Ethics
Business ethics (also known as corporate ethics) is a form of applied ethics or professional ethics that examines ethical principles and moral or ethical problems that arise in a business environment. It applies to all aspects of business conduct and is relevant to the conduct of individuals and business organizations as a whole. Business ethics can be both a normative and a descriptive discipline. As a corporate practice and a career specialization, the field is primarily normative. In academia descriptive approaches are also taken. The range and quantity of business ethical issues reflects the degree to which business is perceived to be at odds with non-economic social values.
Case Study on Business Ethics: Napster Copyright Infringement Case
Duplicating software for friends, co-workers or even for business has become a widespread practice. All software programs are protected by copyright laws and duplicating them is an offense. How, then, has making illegal copies become such a common and accepted practice in people’s homes and places of work? Part of the answer revolves around the issue that software isn’t like some other intellectual property. Intellectual property is that which is developed by someone and is attributable directly to the thinking process. Software is different from a book in that anyone can easily copy it-and an exact replication is achievable. Another reason is related to cultural differences. People don’t see copy as stealing. People don’t find anything wrong in making a video copy of a hit feature film and selling it or hiring out. People defend their behavior by saying: ‘Everybody does it! I won’t get caught! Or no one really Continue reading
An Overview of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
About Sarbanes-Oxley Act The Sarbanes—Oxley Act of 2002 was passed on July 30, 2002 and only the public companies are now feeling its impact. This act frequently called the “most significant accounting or auditing legislation since the securities exchange Act of 1934”. After the implementation it has established its demands to the companies for proper management and disclosure of risk. There have been found a number of corporate financial scandals (e.g. Enron Accounting Scandal) that provides various type of weakness in the governance and auditing practice in the organization. It represents the failures in controlling the reliability and integrity to the stock markets. The scandals cost billions of dollars for the investors when the affected companies were collapsed. As a result, these scandals make upset the public confidence in the nation’s security markets. The Sarbanes—Oxley Act was passed in positive response by the American congress on July 30, 2002 in Continue reading
Case Study on Business Ethics: Holiday Cheer or Ethical Dilemma?
Williams had joined Star Corporation, one of the leading consumer electronics company, only a few days back as the Purchase Manager and he was going through the employees conduct manual. He was attracted by the clause, prohibiting acceptance of gifts by the employees of the purchase department. It read as follows: “Purchase department employees shall not accept gifts from vendors. This is to ensure that no vendor is given any special treatment and the employees work only in the best interest of the firm at all times. Any deviation from the above would be dealt with severely and could mean dismissal from the firm.” Williams remembered his experience with his previous firm, Maple Corporation, where he had worked from 2000 for six years as purchase head prior to joining the Star Corporation. It was only six months since he was with the Maples when it was New Year. With the Continue reading
Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
Ethics also known as moral is determined by the class of philosophy to addresses about morality i.e. concepts such as good vs. bad, right vs. wrong and matters of justice, love, peace and virtue. The term is used to indicate how individuals or organization choose to conduct themselves in relation to universal moral behavior and actions. Ethics involve choosing actions that are right and proper and just. The individual behavior can be right or wrong, proper or improper and the managerial or individual decisions can be fair or unfair. Ethics are vital in businesses and all aspects of living. The foundation of society is built on Ethics. Without ethical principles a business/society is bound to be unsuccessful sooner or later. Business Ethics look at ethical philosophy, moral or ethical problems and deal with issues concerning the moral and ethical rights, duties and corporate authority between a corporation and its shareholders, Continue reading
What is Servant Leadership?
In many situations we are able to draw associations or determine one situation resembles another. When individuals in leadership roles give of themselves so that others may have it is often associated with a negative connotation. Although giving and serving is not viewed in the political or religious aspect, leaders tend to develop their own views and formulate ideas that have been tampered with by politician or religious leaders. Many of the political and religious leaders have a major influence of the day-to-day operation and views of society. We first have to know what leadership is. Leadership is the ability to get other to follow you willingly. A leader must have a vision and know exactly where to go. They also have to take the vision and act upon it and not sit back and let the followers do all the work. Within the vision, they have to communicate with Continue reading