Principles for Business Ethics

Introduction

In the current world, organizations are more concerned company-customer relationship and this is highly dependent to the policies implement by the top management. On the other hand, business ethics plays a specific crucial role in the market or the public image of the company. Unethical behavior is not acceptable in the business environment as it undermines the positive brand image. However, there are many companies that violate business ethics. In this respect, introduction of codes of conducts, codes of ethics, and implementation of traditional fair competition principles has reduced the cases of unethical behavior of the modern companies (Hasnas, 2013). This paper will analyze the different principles of ethics and how they can change the image of a company.

Question 1

Integrity

Business is much related to integrity to ensure that its daily activities are based on moral and accountability. The interest of all shareholders should be protected as this ensures the existence of the company. The integrity perspective can determine whether the organization stimulates employees increase their performance by dedicating their efforts towards their task. Therefore, companies operating under high integrity level deliver better services to their clients as the stakeholders ensures quality in the process of production (Post, 2002).

Telling -truth

Telling truth to all the shareholder is an important concept in any organization. When customers are told the truth about production process, the quantity, or the ingredients used, the consumers will be loyal towards the business. This increase the sales of the company thus higher profit realization (Hasnas, 2013).  Telling truth leads to transparency of the company and this attracts investors towards the business.

Fairness

Fairness is another important factor that is related to general values of decision makers. The applicable laws and regulation of the business should not harm customers or employees through deception, misrepresentation or discrimination (Post, 2002). This may happen when a hiring manager has personal interests in a candidate, thus secure the job for the applicant. As a result, the company increases its cost of production thus less profit making. This can lead to collapse of the business in the long-run.

Personal ethics

Many individuals in the society have personal code of ethics based on beliefs, values, experience, education, and culture. This makes each to have different understanding of what is right and wrong. Personal ethics is a source of values and characteristics that allows one to make moral decisions. Such decisions are needed in the growth of an organization especially in decision-making process where important strategies are laid down to achieve the company’s goals and objectives. Everyone has a different set of ethical codes and opinions on how certain problem should be addressed (Coggon, 2007).

The principles of ethics can relate to my place employment by taking into account all the principles mentioned above. I now understand how important the ethics are in the contemporary business environment. I understand that violating of ethical norms and principles undermines the company- client relationship, company-partners relationship, and more so, it leads to deterioration of company’s marketing performance (Hasnas, 2013). For example, if a customer comes for a certain service, it is good to deliver the best to him and this can increase company-customer relationship.

Question 2

I believe I am a kind of a person who can make different ethical decisions that may not be popular, but correct ones. I believe that rules and regulations must be set in workplace and act in equitable manner towards everyone in the organization. Principles of ethics are the cornerstone of both professional and personal success. For instance, those individuals with strong values and ethical standards of the highest degree are easily recognized by their actions and they are motivated to do the right thing even when there is no one watching them. The principles of ethics are committed to ensure a quality business and reputation that values integrity, truthfulness, personal ethics, and fairness to the highest ethical standards. These principles also help in interaction between employees, employers, government, and the general public.

I value truth in my working place, and I want to tell the truth in every aspect of my life. I want always to do the right to every stakeholder in the company. I want to share with my fellow workers the importance of telling truth to every stakeholder. Since every business is looking for a competitive advantage in the market, it has been found that being truthful to the client can attract them to the services and goods produced. Telling truth at all times might not be easy but it is the right thing to do. Remember that when you practice to tell the truth in small matters, you will be trusted when it comes to greater matters (Coggon, 2007). On the other hand, I believe that integrity can help people to realize their fundamental roles in an organization. I believe integrity can function as a moral purpose. For instance, it can place moral constraints upon the kinds of commitment an individual of integrity must remain true (Hasnas, 2013). For me to achieve this goal, I have to grasp all my real moral obligation in the organization. Therefore, integrity requires an individual to hold principles or commitments that a reasonable person may understand them as of great importance (Post, 2002). Therefore, we must be able to determine what is right or wrong. The company should provide its employees with a written document that contains all the rules and regulation of the company. More so, I have a code of ethic which is based on my personal beliefs, values, experience, education, and culture. These factors drive our sense to decide what is right or wrong. Having strong set of values and code of ethic, I will stand strong with my moral values and be responsible to my duties in the workplace. I will always shun from behaviors that can lead to collision to other workers’ job. For instance, be punctual at work can ensure a smooth running of activities in the company. Finally, I expect to treat other people in the working place fairly. I can achieve this by applying the same rules, selection criteria, and standards. Even when an not treated fairly, this does not mean that I should not reflect such behavior to those we lead. If we want to build a strong culture in the organization, it begins with us by standing on our grounds irrespective of how others may treat us. As leaders, it is our responsibility to teach those we lead how fairness is crucial in the sphere of influence. To treat everybody in the organization demands one to have confidence. Fairness can easily enhance communication, self-confidence, group cohesion, self-esteem, information and resource sharing in an organization (Post, 2002).

Reference

Coggon, D. (2007). Research Ethics Committees: A Personal Perspective. Research Ethics, 3(4), 118-121.

Hasnas, J. (2013). Teaching Business Ethics: The Principles Approach. Journal Of Business Ethics Education, 10, 275-304.

Post, J. (2002). Global Corporate Citizenship: Principles to Live and Work by. Business Ethics Quarterly, 12(2), 143.