...Ethics in Business Saint Leo University February 26, 2012 Abstract Ethics in business is as important as the business model itself. A company can become very successful without a strict adherence to ethics. However, that success is often short lived. As children we are taught a basic understanding of ethics. We are taught to share, play nice, and not to cheat. However, somewhere along the way ethics seems to take a backseat to the dollar. In the government’s case, not only is ethics losing out to the dollar, it is losing to the thirst for power. This is where regulation with stiff penalties and public shame come in to play. Regulation is needed to keep companies honest and force them to practice fair business standards. A company must educate the employees on the importance of ethics and the consequences of not adhering to them. Without ethics who are we? We must be diligent in ensuring businesses are ethical. Otherwise there will be a two tiered society of the haves and the have-nots. What is Ethics? The Business Dictionary (n.d.) defines ethics as, “The basic concepts and fundamental principles of right human conduct. It includes study of universal values such as the essential equality of all men and women, human or natural rights, obedience to the law of land, concern for health and safety and, increasingly, also for the natural environment.” In other words, ethics is an accumulation of your morals put into place. So how does a person’s individual morality...
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...issues is the key to understanding business ethics. An ethical issue is an particular problem, situation, or opportunity that requires a person or organization to choose from among several actions that may be evaluated as right or wrong, ethical or unethical (Ferrell). The best way to evaluate the ethics of a decision is to look at it from different viewpoints. Although many business issues seem straightforward and easy to resolve, often times a person needs several years of business experience to understand what is acceptable or ethical. Deciding if an activity is considered ethical depends on the culture the business operates (Ferrell). Fairness and honesty are amongst the biggest issues in business related ethics. It can become a very difficult problem that can and will affect the business. We know that ethics concerns moral issues, so making a decision that will have negative impact on the company is going to be tough for the person. An individual can make either a right or wrong decision, depending on how it will affect their life and workplace. In turn, the business will react accordingly to its moral guidelines and principles provided that the executives do not lose sight of the essential value of fairness. Everyone will have their own concept of right and wrong, so coming up with one definition of business ethics can be difficult. Moral standards are created by home environment, religious beliefs and traditions therefore making ethics hard to define, but not impossible...
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...The Effectiveness of Business Ethics in Education and Today’s Workplace October 13th, 2012 Introduction What do Bernard Madoff, Kenneth Lay and Rob Blagojevich all have in common? They all operated with no apparent ethical behavior even though each had received educational backgrounds in which ethical business practices were taught. As L. Zingales states, “While every firm can have its bad apples, when these apples are at the top, it suggests that a company has either a corrupt culture or a defective selection process, or both.” (Zingales, Jul 16, 2012). In Madoffs case, the Ponzi scheme had been going on since the early 1990’s (Morrissey, Aug 11, 2009). Under the direction of Kenneth Lay, Enron- once one of the largest companies in America- collapsed in bankruptcy and ruined the lives of thousands of people (McLean & Elkind, May 18, 2006). The Chicago Tribune reported that the Illinois House of Representatives was sending to the Illinois Senate a “13 point article of impeachment-a political form of indictment-alleging Blagojevich has abused the power if his office” (Pearson & Long, Jan 9, 2009). The purpose of this paper is to gauge the Effectiveness of Business Ethics in Education and Today’s Workplace. As business students they graduate from the university setting and enter the business environment they study the ethics in their workplace culture and often find that educational ethics training does not have any value in the work world. “Studies...
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...Personal Ethics Development Shunkeytia Nelson PHL/323 Ethics in Management July 14, 2011 Eric MC Math Personal Ethics Development Growing up, I was with my great- grandparents majority of the time and my grandmother raised me from birth until I was about eight years of age. As I went back and forth from my great- grandparents to my grandmother on both my mother and fathers side of the family, I was taught many things about ethical values. My great-grandparents were God fearing people. I went to church a lot of the time with my great-grandmother at an early age. I watched her pray, worship, and have unmoving faith in God. These things she taught me, along with Gods Commandments on how to live my life, gave me a strong foundation to start my journey in life. As with my great-grandfather, I watched him be a man, taking care of home. He had his own business and showed great ethical behavior in doing so. With only what I believe it to be, a fifth grade education, not knowing how to read or write, I watched him be very successful in being a businessman. He would always have little sayings to say to me that meant a lot. Sayings like “work hard now and rest later. As a child I had no clue as to what that meant, but now as an adult I clearly know what it means and I stand by it firmly. On the other hand, living with my grandmother was a bit different, but not as much. I was taught about the wrongs and rights in life but it was not in the same manner as it had been...
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...Personal Ethics Development Paper Ellen Crockett Ethics in Management February 10, 2013 Robert Deemer Personal Ethics Development Paper In researching for this paper I find there are many arguments of weather personal ethics can be taught or not, from what I have read they can be taught. According to Trevino and Nelson (2011) “Ethical behavior relies on more than good character” (p. 17). A person can have the best upbringing where they are provided with a moral compass which does help one to determine the right direction, as well as helping them to determine the correct direction and follow through with a decision to do what is right (Trevino and Nelson, 2011). Trevino and Nelson (2011) state “The principles, norms, and standards of conduct governing and individual or organization” ethics form the basis for determining the correct action, or moral behavior, in a particular situation (p. 17). In order for any group or organization to be a success, whether it is a community, family unit or business they need to set and agree with, ethics and rules of behavior. When anyone shares the same ethical standards builds a harmonious situation for all involved. Among our culture and other cultures there are ethical codes that are alike and are agreed upon. For example within our nation and others dishonesty is frowned upon, steeling, abusing individuals or animals in not tolerated and is believed to be unethical. When you think of what makes a person ethical in your eyes you...
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...Ethics Awareness Ethics awareness is the ability to know what type of person one is when it comes to making ethical decisions. Ethics is a difficult area of business and one’s life. The reason is each person finds what it ethically acceptable somewhat different. Recently for college, I was required to take an inventory of what I deem to be ethical. This paper will explain what type of ethical decision maker I am, and address three problems that I may run into in the workplace because of the way I make my decisions. According to the Williams Institute (2006), I base most of my decisions based on character of the person. Does this person make ethical decisions normally, and does this person usually conduct his self or her self ethically? This is not seen as a character flaw, but alone will not produce the most positive result. Other factors have to be calculated into the equation of making ethical decisions. For example, people affected positively compared to the number of people affected negatively along with determining if the decision is the right thing to do will also affect the decision. For purposes of this assignment I will make decisions based on the character of the person and address the problems that will arise because of that fact. One problem I will run into in my place of work will be someone I hold in high regard because of his or her character will fall behind in his or her job. Just because this person is of good character my judgment...
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...Kathleen F. Brochu Manage Principles Dr. M. Miller Research Paper “Ethics” Should Ethics be taught in the Corporate Environment? By Kathleen Brochu Table of Contents Cover Page Title: “Ethics” Should ethics be taught in the corporate environment? By: Kathleen Brochu Introduction What is Ethics? Can ethics be taught? Whose responsibility is it? Body Meaning of Ethics How one learns ethics How to promote ethics in the work place Conclusion Higher production rates Caring Employees Improved Companies relationships Today’s business environment is not only fast-paced, but also highly competitive. In order to keep pace and stay ahead, possession of several key work ethics is a plus for achieving a successful career. Holding key traits such as attendance, character, teamwork, appearance, and attitude add value to both you as a person and your company. Successful careers come in many flavors, but work ethics are a main ingredient in most recipes for success. Ethics are not born in a vacuum. Ethics are more like a jigsaw puzzle that is thrown together over time, that when complete makes up who you are and what you believe. From our earliest days of life, we start to learn from those around us. These learned behaviors add to the traits that we are already born with and help to shape us into the person we will become. As part of this learning process, we develop what will become our norms. Norms are our everyday...
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...Personal Ethics Development PHL/323 January 23, 2014 Personal Ethics Development “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” Proverbs 22:1 When growing up, most of us are taught morals and values by our parents or guardians. We are taught to conform to society’s norms, and to behave appropriately, or as others call it, “morally ethically”. When I was growing up my parents took it upon them to teach me good morals, values, and principles. Their views on these were a bit different but somewhat the same. Coming from similar backgrounds and sharing the same culture helped them to agree with what they had in mind my behavior should be like. According to my parents I was to behave like a good moral character. One who does not blurt out her opinions but shares it when asked, always in a respectful way taking into consideration every person in the room. It was kind of hard growing up not knowing when I had to be discreet. One organization in particular that helped me a lot was my local church. The people there gave me great examples to follow and not to follow. The teachings our pastor gave were helpful as well. The stories that old book kept were great and gave me a perspective on so many things. When making decisions on what examples to follow, I always looked to my parents. No one else was ready, as they were, to explain why they did the things they did; a child always needs explanations. In my line of work, I...
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...This paper will show how ethics are used in both the military, and within the regular civilian business world. The military is such a large organization and has been able to maintain a level of ethics by using a program called the Army values, which this paper will briefly cover. Along with the way some businesses implement their own style of ethics, but for both organizations the structure of ethics doesn’t really matter if its message isn’t understood and conveyed to the best of their abilities. Hopefully this short paper creates a better understanding and is informative to the reader. The United States army has produced many articles, field manuals, etc. all of which have been edited and revised over the years to help change with the...
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...treated. I have built my values and ethics around this statement. This paper will cover some of the remnants of my parents. My younger years as a child, along with the career I have chosen. Then the paper will cover some academic goals. The information contained in this paper will explain why I am unique. Parents In looking back at my parents I can say that they were always honest and to the point. The family was Christian based, and my brother and I truly enjoyed our upbringing. Both of my parents were stern. My father was US Army and taught us to be on time and keep things picked up and clean. My mother raised me to be respectful and polite at all times. There were equal rights and punishments across the board when it came to decisions. My father truly believed that accountability was one of the greatest things in life. However, we were taught that each individual in society was to be considered basically good until they gave you reason to doubt the fact. Honestly my parents got separated when I turned 20 years old. Their separation was under circumstances that I was always taught was wrong. I questioned everything I was ever taught. I looked long and hard for answers to questions like was I taught correctly. Then I realized that as humans we have a right to make both good and bad choices. This was just one time where my father made a bad choice. However this did not change the way I was raised. I can honestly say that my morals and ethics were instilled in me from the beginning...
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...What Is Business Ethics? Our textbook states that business ethics comprises the principles, values, and standards that guide behavior in the world of business. Being ethical in business is nothing new and has been around a long time. Business ethics are both good and bad. Unfortunately we hear more about the unethical business behavior than we do about the good behavior of the business world. Unethical business practices have been around since slavery and continue today in the corporate world with firms such as Enron and Lehman Brothers. As a baby boomer and a part of the work force since 1967, I have seen a lot of changes in the corporate world of business ethics. After reading our text, it seems to me that teaching business ethics to the corporate world is the same as what most of our parents taught us growing up, “do the right thing”. They taught us the difference between right and wrong and the golden rule to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Ethical issues have been around since the beginning of time and the majority of those issues were social and moral issues. As the times and cultures changed so did the social and moral issues but they are still either right or wrong and given different names. Gone are the days when a business deal was decided by a handshake and a promise. In today’s society a handshake is only a formality to introduce two people who may make a decision to choose unethical practices to be sure that the bottom line is met in a business...
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...and Moral Issues in Business MGT/216 Dr. Linda Rose October 10, 2011 Business Ethics Perspective Ethical conclusions are made about actions or situations that are right or wrong, good or bad. One indication that an action or circumstance needs an ethical rather than simply a business judgment is that the action or situation involves real or potential harm to someone or some thing. Another indication would be that there seems to be a possibility of a violation of guidelines set forth by the company that would generally be considered right or good. This paper will discuss what business ethics is and explain three ethical issues within today’s business environment that impacts the community and an organization. I will differentiate between ethical issues and moral issues, as well as personal ethics and business ethics. Problems involving discrimination, harassment, and conflicts of interest are common occurrences of unethical practices in many organizations. These issues stem from our beliefs on what is ethical and moral; the difference between personal and business ethics. By definition ethics is a term that refers to the principles of right and wrong that individuals use to make choices to guide their behaviors (Rainer & Turban, 2008, p. 96). However, business ethics is not a separate ethics that restrict businesses in a way that other human and social activities are not controlled. Ethics studies morality....
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...Running header: ETHICS 1 Is Ethics Natural or Learned Behavior? N. Rodriguez PHI 200 Philosophy Mind and Machine Instructor Yelena Gidenko June 3, 2013 ETHICS 2 Is Ethics Natural or Learned Behavior? Ethics is the philosophical study of good and bad, right and wrong. It is commonly used interchangeably with the word morality. It differs from other aspects of philosophy in being more concerned with what should be than with what actually is. What my understanding is about Ethics? Is that some say ethics has to do with what a person’s feelings are telling them what is right and wrong. Some say it has to do with their religious belief. Others believe that ethics coexist with the requirements of the law or what are societies deems expectable. All very good answers to what ethics is. At least what it means to some individuals. Is a person born with ethics? Just as soon as you’re able to form thoughts, are you also determining what good morals are and what are bad? Or are they thought through love and compassion from your families and elders. Actually ethics is a fairly new concept in human development. Because you cannot call a slave keeping society “ethical”. Is ethics taught? I think so. In times of war mass amount of people...
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...Personal Ethics Development Paper PHL/323 March 26, 2012 Frank Campbell Personal Ethics Development Paper Today, the world is encountering many situations that make people question personal ethics in and out of the workplace. Ethics are the principles, norms, and standards of conduct governing an individual or organization” (Treviño & Nelson, 2007, p. 13); ethics form the basis for determining the correct action, or moral behavior, in a particular situation. Everyone is given the freedom to choose right and wrong but when does an individual go from good to bad. Is it true that there are good apples and bad apples in the world? I live by an ethical system that I have observed over the last 28 years of my life. That system has been influenced by watching my parents work and live their everyday lives. How does ethics development occur? What is my ethical system? Does setting proper work ethics improve overall performance in the workplace? Why are ethics needed in an organization? Ethics are the foundation for individuals and organizations around the world. My ethics development has occur over many years of my life. I still believe that I am in the development stage. I remember growing up and observing everyone around and just beginning to understand right from wrong. At an early age, I was always doing things I shouldn’t be doing because at a young age we are still learning and figuring out how the world works. Once we begin to understand, then...
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...Running Head: ETHICAL AND MORAL ISSSUES IN BUSINESS PAPER Donald B Amico Business 216 Ethical and moral issues paper University of Phoenix Kevin Boyle July 6, 2011 The people in the world of business today face a number of issues. These issues could be hiring the appropriate people to work for a company, to updating their websites to face today’s technological boom or they could just be being able to establish and adapt to their place of business principles. These could be based on harassment, following company policies, having the proper training in order, or performing to their hired capabilities. What I am talking about is living up to their expectations or in other words their ethics. In this paper I will focus on ethics within running a business. I will define, explain differences, and give details about ethical and moral ethical issues in business. This paper will also include the difference between personal ethics and business ethics. To conclude I will give real life examples of common ethical problems in businesses today. What is business ethics? Going into the business world, people have the familiarity of his or her morals and ethics in mind which is taught growing up as a child. What is the definition of business ethics? To be ethical is to be honest (Trevino & Nelson, 2007). Upholding corporate values and morals is a part of business ethics. Many organizations have implemented a code of conduct and business ethics programs to ensure social responsibility...
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