Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

 The competitive nature of the society we live in today has created a culture of cheating.

Because ethics are based on individual beliefs and social concepts, they vary among individuals, situations and cultures.

Having grown up as an only child of parents who lived through The Great Depression; who lived by the law of God and not by the laws of the land; I learned early about how people and businesses were SUPPOSED to behave. My upbringing shaped my beliefs.

In the 1930’s The Great Depression was blamed on a climate of business greed and lack of restraint. Out of this economic turmoil new laws emerged formalizing the concept of accountability.

The recent unethical issues with big and other businesses such as Enron and the Burney Madoff’s and the Sanford Group have reinforced what I believe all business should be about; honest and socially responsible. Businesses are stealing from the very people who make it possible for them to exist.

I have come to the conclusion that they are operating undercover, that a few are more interested in lining their pockets. Their actions do not benefit the business bottom line. It is greed and lack of conscious that guides them. I ask my self do these people who take from others thing they will be able to take that money to the grave with them? Do they think they may run out of money? Is it just about having more money than they can ever spend? Is it the power they believe money gives them?

The ethics of business start with the ethics of the individual – managers, employees, and other legal representatives. Each of these people’s personal code of ethics is in large part determined (in my opinion) by the way they were reared at home. Managerial ethics are the standards that guide them in their work.

I laughed aloud when I read the cartoon at the bottom of page 21 of Business Essential text book, “From a purely business viewpoint, taking what doesn’t belong to you is usually the cheapest way to go”. I see that as a truth in the way the United States has a history of taking. We took from the Native Americans and gave them what the U.S. thought they should have which is relatively nothing. These people of rich and beautiful lands and power reduced to a corner of a reservation.

We talked about the ethics of today’s military…I have friends who were in a different military

During the Vietnam Era, in an MP Company where segregation was forced and bred all types of unethical behaviors by subordinates and others in command.

I see a rise in the unethical behavior of more black men and women than ever before. Case in point the bribery trial involving city hall official Don Hill as it appears he has been left holding the bag. The late James Fantroy was also in the news, William Jefferson of Louisiana, the new senator of Illinois. This just is not the type behavior I am accustomed to coming from black men and women. I am not saying they are better than the rest I am saying that is not how they were taught to live. These people have worked within a culture of cheating and bribery and have become immune to it in terms of it isn’t something they should be engaging in. Instead I believe they have seen others doing the same thing and suddenly they believe they need to get in where they fit in no matter about what is right. Black people have historically been on the bottom rung financially and socially but why sell ones integrity and character for a few dollars…why follow the wrong examples, are these few pennies they fall victim for and to worth it in the end I think not. How has what they’ve done affect city hall. I suspect it just will serve to further taint the image city hall. Are there others affected, say the people the housing was supposed to benefit?

Company Practices and Business Ethics – Two of the most common approaches to bring management together on the same accord businesses are adopting written codes and instituting ethics programs. There should be more internal oversight of these policies and programs. I have to believe there was some type code of conduct for the Enron crew. So what happened? I think we know. Top management was leading the way. Throughout the history of business there has always been a problem with greed and utter lack of responsibility to the people of this country. It is the little guy who suffers most.

Target and Walmart are two of the businesses in the 80’s and 90’that operated in socially responsible ways. Both have policies about the sales of weapons, they don’t. I have to agree with this policy I believe it has indirectly saved many lives. Walmart however has fallen short in other ways. They have not treated employees fairly and more recently they are in the news regarding their advertising claiming to have the lowest prices. This claim is being challenged by Costco. Walmart is on notice and are taking steps to address this issue and have promised to make the necessary changes to their advertising.

It takes money to make the world go round, true but it does not substitute for ethical behavior. Just because a company contributes dollars to a cause does not mean all else they do that is wrong should be overlooked.

According to the text, one key to business success is to decide in advance how to respond to the issues that underlie all questions of ethical and social responsibility.

I recall the class discussion regarding are there any grey areas. I have since considered that and have come up with the same answer. I do not believe there are grey areas. I strongly believe in a sixth sense, the following one’s first mind regarding every situation. First mind is always the right way for me. We all have a compass that guides us and our behavior. We do know what’s right or wrong or ethical. The problem lies in our denial and lack of acceptance of the fact that we are not doing the right thing, the importance of doing the right thing. I have heard people say well I did it because everyone else did it…they didn’t have a problem with it. 

By: Anna Walters