...contrasting ethical perspectives on business ethics of Milton Friedman, Patrick Murphy, and Peter Drucker. Their methods are drastically different, but the goal is to explain and better understand “business ethics” in today’s world. Milton Friedman “A corporation is an artificial person and in this sense may have artificial responsibilities, but ‘business’ as a whole cannot be said to have responsibilities, even in this vague sense.” (Friedman, 1970). M. Friedman believes that only the individual has social responsibilities. Business as an artificial entity cannot have “social conscience” and think of ethics before its interests or profits. According to Friedman, the primary responsibility of a businessman is to make happy the business owner with profits, and the primary task for the business owner is to make sure there are enough profits to: a. Sustain the business b. Have a stable growth c. Have the ability and means to compete on the market d. Keep happy the parties involved: customers, stockholders and investors. (Friedman, 1970). Furthermore, Friedman discusses the relationship between “social responsibilities of a business” and “socialism” and stresses the idea that if a business or a large corporation is forced to perform its “social responsibility”, example donate a large amount of money to social programs or local schools, business acts irresponsibly towards its: a. Customers, because the cost of its “social responsibility” will be imposed as a tax on them...
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...Social Responsibility in Ethics and Developing a Strategic Plan Sean K. Kerr University of Phoenix STR/581 March 3, 2014 Stephen Mersereau Social Responsibility in Ethics and Developing a Strategic Plan Ethics signify to the essential principles of an individual or a certain group. Social responsibility by definition is how a business accomplishes its activities to meet its obligations towards the local environment and society. This can be accomplished by the business avoiding activities that will be harmful because of the footprint the business is currently using or leaves behind. Strategic planning is a crucial first step in the business world in which senior leadership defines the corporation’s direction, strategy, and overall policymaking. Social responsibility and ethical values serve as an imperative part in the strategic planning development. Aside from ethics and social responsibility, stakeholders need to be taken into consideration as well. Stakeholders in Addition to Social Responsibility All leadership should guarantee and ensure that strategic assessments are reached after taking into the overall impact to the stakeholders. Stakeholders generally are usually one of the following: patrons, suppliers, societies and everyone who is possibly disturbed by the activities of the corporation. Generally a socially conscientious corporation treats stakeholders proportionately. Broader viewpoints should also be considered in terms of environmental and social impact...
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...Section 1: Introducing business ethics. Key idea: Globalization, defined as deterritorialization of economic activities, can be seen as a key context for business ethics. The effect of this is that the more business become global, the more it has to cope with regions and countries where ethical values are vastly different, p. 17, 19, 24, learning outcome 1, 2. Question 1: In which of the following areas is it not evident that deterritorialization is particularly relevant to business ethics? 1. Legal issues 2. Cultural issues 3. Personal issues 4. Accountability issues Question 2: Globalization can be seen to affect all stakeholders of the corporation. Mention four of these, explain how they are affected and provide an example. * Shareholders: globalization provides potential for both profitability and greater risks. * Consumers: global products provide social benefits to consumers, but could also meet protests. * Government and regulation: globalization weakens governments and increase corporate responsibility. * Employees: globalization provides job through outsourcing of the production, but can also raise potential for exploitation of employees through bad working conditions. * Civil society: global business activity brings the company in direct interaction with local communities, thereby raising the possibility for erosion of traditional community life. * Suppliers and competitors: Suppliers in developing countries face regulation...
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...Ethics Paper Ethics are the moral concerns about what is right and wrong. The decisions made within an organization can be made by a conglomerate of individuals who will influence the culture of the company. Ethically the decision to behave negatively or positively is a moral one; it is up to the employees to take the right course of action in regards to ethical behavior. Social responsibility and ethical behavior can bring upon significant benefits to a business; however a lack of corporate social responsibility and unethical behavior can damage a firm's success and reputation making it less appealing to potential stakeholders. It is the duty and responsibility of management to ensure that strategic decisions are reached after deliberating as to what internal and external factors of ethics and social responsibility impact the stakeholders. In the strategic planning process there are five important issues concerning ethics and social responsibility; Social responsibility to the stakeholders, transparency, independence, respect, and fairness and truthfulness. Stakeholders are considered to be anyone who is affected by the activities and decisions of the business. In regards to socially responsible, a company must treat its stakeholders with equality. The influence of a company’s shareholders is essential to the overall growth and progress of a company. According to Joseph Heath 2006, “the stakeholder’s paradigm has served as the basis for one of the most powerful currents...
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...Introduction The history of business ethics is as old as the religious books like the Bible and the holy Quran. These religious books have talked about truthfulness, transparency and honesty among people. The prohibition of theft, self-interest at the cost of others, and malice in these religious sources have a direct application the world of business. The history of business ethics has evolved during the long course of time and is still in this phase of development. The application of business ethics varies in different context. There have been radical changes in the world of business which has evolved the business ethics to its current form. And with continuously changing business world we can presume that in the future business ethics will undergo more changes. It will evolve continuously. The business ethics has an immense scope touching every human living in the society. The affects the daily decision making in the society, irrespective of whether it is a big decision affecting large masses or small decision affecting just one person. Business ethics can be looked at by different perspectives. One perspective is that of organization point of view which concerns about the things that an organization should do. While the other perspective is the things that must really be done irrespective of an organization. The latter one gauges the different aspects of an organization. The literary evidence for the history and development of modern era business ethics can be traced back to 1930s...
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...Do you agree with Milton Friedman’s (1970) claim that: “the only responsibility of business is to increase its profits”? Today we live in a world were companies are major actors and influence society on many levels. This is why ethics were brought into the business world. Ethical enterprises follow certain values and moral beliefs and were created with the supposed intention of using that influence in a positive way and protect what surrounds them, whether it is the people who work for the company, the rest of society, the environment etc. Ethics helps companies distinguish what’s wrong or right in a certain situation and act upon it. It bases itself on the idea that a corporation is somewhat responsible for how it affects others, hence the term ‘corporate responsibility’. (Banerjee, 2007) But with time and experience it seems that ethics, although created for a noble purpose, can and are actually used by companies for purposes other than just helping others. The economist Milton Friedman believed that all this social work is the state’s responsibility and a political matter, and that it can induce losses in profit for a company, going against the essence and purpose of a business. He argues we might be better off without it. (1970) This rather negative portrayal of something that was created to do good, although quite realistic, can be discussed and hopefully re-arranged so there is hope that a company can be both socially responsible and profitable. According to Bakan (2004)...
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...DRINDOD DEWI SANT School of Business, Finance and Management Ysgol Busnes, Cyllid a Rheolaeth Business Ethics and Social Responsibility SBUS6003 October 2015 – Term 5 February 2016 – Term 6 SBUS6003 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility MODULE CODE: TITLE: DATED: SBUS6003 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility 02/06/2011 LEVEL: CREDITS: 6 20 TEACHING METHODS: Lectures Workshops Independent Study JACS CODE: N200 8% 16% 76% AIM(S) • To introduce students to the particular problems and opportunities experienced in adopting or ignoring corporate social responsibility. • To develop students’ understanding of the relationship between business ethics and management decision making • To develop students understanding of sustainable business issues and how they can be managed, promoted and developed in a business context. LEARNING OUTCOMES By the end of this module students should be able to: • critically evaluate the tipple bottom line of sustainability as a key goal for business ethics; • critically evaluate the role of ethical theory in decision making in business. • critically appraise stakeholder expectation and its relationship with corporate governance and social responsibility; • research and critically analyse ethical challenges in different organisations; • investigate and critically evaluate an organisation’s management of corporate social responsibility. CONTENT • Environmental orientation...
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...the integration of business ethics and the study of its importance in foreign countries. The ethics of Western Europe, Continental Europe, and Japan differ greatly from those of the United States. They do not seem to place as much emphasis on the mindset and the appearance of the mere implementation of these business ethics. Based on these writings, these countries appear to be much stricter in their implementation and day-to-day practicing of these ethics which are to help govern law. Ethics work hand-in-hand with these laws that are meant to help the innocent not fall victim to various forms of deceit practiced by businesses every day before social responsibility became a tried and true responsibility. A great example is in a piece written by Gregory Jackson and Androniki Apostolakou on the governing of social responsibility in Western Europe. They more than anyone here in the United States that is known or aware of has more closely related the ideals of Social Responsibility in how it relates to ethics. The two must coexist together, not one or other. To be ethical is to practice everything that would be considered a company’s Social Responsibilities to its investors, employees, and communities in which they do business in. Jackson and Apostolakou also acknowledge that the idea or even one consistent definition of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) still to this day does not exist despite an enormous amount of research. Their ideas suggest that businesses...
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...Ethics Reflection Chris Rodgers University of Phoenix Strategic Planning and Implementation STR/581 Terry Pancake November 11, 2013 Ethics Reflection Current course readings emphasized the importance of ethical behavior by companies. The word “ethical” has gained more power in the last decade because of foul practices from companies such as Enron, Arthur Anderson, and WorldCom. The unethical behavior of company executives has caused in-depth company reviews by stakeholders no matter the size or reputation of the company. This paper concisely analyzes the important role of ethics and social responsibility as it pertains to the development of a strategic plan. Stakeholders’ concerns also receive applicable consideration, including the brief consideration of the evolved viewpoints of the student during the completion of his or her MBA studies at University of Phoenix. The Role of Ethics and Social Responsibility “Ethics refers to the specific values, standards, rules, and agreements people adopt for conducting their lives” ("What Does "ethics" Mean?", para. 1, 2013). As strategic managers incorporate ethics into the development of a strategic plan, the company can expect notable results and achievements. Social responsibility along with ethics forms the foundation of a well-devised strategic plan that takes into consideration the diverse requirements of internal and external stakeholders. Ethics and social responsibility support the needs of stakeholders through a company’s...
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...Personal Responsibility in an Age of Global Problems Review Assignment Make a summary of the author’s main contentions This study starts with the point of view that classic ethics are failing when they are confronted with many global problems. Compared to other periods of time, the world is able to connect nowadays. Because of the possibilities of the media, nearly ever person has qualitatively and quantitatively choices. The author emphasizes that we don’t choose to be global citizens; she claims that the world’s people are global citizens. People would choose the way of living with the media. The human nature is the basis for the philosophical morality. The concept of virtue, which was defined by Aristotle and other philosophers is basing on the philosophical morality. They underline that people fulfill their potential by using their intellect and will. „Excellent“ would not be given by nature, people have to put afford in work to achieve this status. Besides, other philosophers characterized mortality apart from particular human talents and functions. For examples Kant refers to rationality or Hume choose rationality as criterion. Other authors also claim natural right as the source of ethics. In all of these described concepts, ethics are based on essential human experience and our notions of ethical goodness are intrinsically bound up with our self-definition. At the macro level, ethics deduce from the essential nature like social beings. Through social connections...
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...Global Peter Drucker Challenge Essay Contest Social Responsibility and Managerial Ethics A Focus on MNCs Prepared by: Kidus G.Mehalu Addis Ababa, Ethiopia August 2011 Social Responsibility and Ethics of MNCs The 2nd Peter Drucker’s Challenge Social Responsibility and Managerial Ethics -A Focus on MNCs . 1.1 Introductory Remarks Managers today are usually quite sensitive to issues of social responsibility and ethical behavior because of pressures from the public, interest groups, legal and governmental concerns, and media coverage. It is less clear where to draw the line between socially responsible behavior and the corporation’s other concerns, or between the conflicting expectations of ethical behavior among different countries. This essay on social responsibility and ethics set externally to international managers and thus in a sense outside their realm of control, is the expectation of appropriate behavior. This behavior is measured both in terms of social responsibility of the organization as such, as well as ethical behavior of individual managers. In addition to these expectations there is an onus on organizations and managers alike to manage the relationship with the host country. Having noted this, I shall now move on to the main issues this essay has set out to address in the following manner: 1.2 Global Interdependence Global interdependence is a compelling dimension of the global business environment, creating demands on international managers to take...
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...Ethics Paper This paper will explain business ethics and the importance of it. Strong business ethics should include integrity, honesty, and fairness to all involved. Ethics isn’t only for the employee but also for the employer of the organization who should have ethical standards in the place established by the leaders of the organization. To have a more in-depth understanding of the importance of a powerful ethical value in a business organization the role of ethics should be explained to include social responsibility, and sustainability in relation to organizational strategies. Various types of shareholders should be examined that influence a company’s strategy. Identify at least one example of a company that exemplifies sustainability and social responsibility in their operation. Factors that may have a negative or positive effect on an organization strategy are ethics, social responsibility, and sustainability. A company’s ethical value can have a far-reaching effect on the following areas of an organization: Business Policies also known as code of ethics, this visible feature of a company’s appliance policies and procedures regarding things such as promotion of diversity and discrimination among the consumers and employees of their organization. Ensuring a diverse and unbiased organization will allow business to increase the odds of attracting a wider variety of future consumers, investors and employees to their organization, regardless of one’s race, gender, or religion...
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...Ethics Reflection April 24, 2015 Strategic Planning and Implementation 581 When it comes to ethics and its meaning one tends to think about the definition of ethics which is basically moral principles that governs a person or group behavior or a branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles and dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions. Social responsibility is defined as a mode of ethics that implores us to act a certain way which can benefit society. From the social responsibility in the business world, it is how a business can perform its activities to show they can handle different obligations towards society. Strategic planning is a preliminary step in the corporate world in which management defines the organization's strategy, direction and decision-making. Ethical values and social responsibility serve a very important role in the strategic planning process. Social responsibility to stakeholders is a very important process to focus on in the strategic planning process. Management must ensure that strategic decisions are reached even though the possibility can impact the stakeholders. Stakeholders...
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...MSc Business Management BS7916 Principles of Responsible Management Semester One 2013- Module Handbook Module Leader : Dr Roz Sunley Room 201 Roz.Sunley@winchester.ac.uk Room 201 West Downs 01962 827339 In this module study guide you will find much of what you need in order to successfully complete the module. Further learning materials and information are available on the learning network under the module code BS7916. Module Code BS7916 Module Name: Principles of Responsible Management It is your responsibility to: * Collect a copy of the reading pack from the faculty office * Attend both lecture and seminar sessions as stated on your timetable * Arrive in time for the start of all taught sessions * Read the preparatory reading before the taught sessions each week * Undertake any directed learning that may be set * Seek help from the module tutor if you are having any problems with any aspect of the module * Hand in assignments on time Tutor contact details: Module leader: Dr Roz Sunley Roz.Sunley@winchester.ac.uk Module tutor: Dr Natalia Yakovleva Natalia.Yakovleva@winchester.ac.uk Module administrator: Karen Robbertze Karen.Robbertze@winchester.ac.uk Contents Introduction and learning outcomes 3 Weekly schedule 4-6 Assessment 7-9 Useful texts 9-11 Feedback, Harvard referencing etc 12 Study guide for each week 12 - 17 Marking criteria 18 – 20 Background...
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...Ethics Name MGT/498 Dr. Homayoun Jamasbi, Instructor August 12, 2014 Ethics Having strong ethics in business, which comprise integrity honesty, and equality, play a significant role in the administration of a flourishing business as this role of a business process allows for a characterization in the differences between incorrect and correct principled conduct. Furthermore, having strong ethical standards help an organization in gaining a competitive advantage (Johnson, 2008), and it ensures that the workforce is following the established rules and code of conduct by the leaders of her or his organization. To increase the importance of strong ethical significance, this paper will clarify the role of ethics, sustainability, and social responsibility in relative to an organizations strategy. Furthermore, consideration will be given to the assortment of shareholders that control a business stratagem. Lastly, classification will be given to at least one (or more) examples of a company that exemplifies social responsibility and sustainability in their daily functions. Ethics, Social Responsibility, and Sustainability Ethics, social responsibility, and sustainability are several factors that traditionally have an effect (either negative or positive) on the strategy of an organization’s. For example, a business’s ethical value can have an extensive influence on many levels an organization: ➢ Public Image and credibility: image is how...
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