Ethics in Business
In corporations and businesses, ethics is a vital key in keeping society stable, trustworthy and professional. Ethics, simply put, morally comprehends the difference between right and wrong, acting on the “right thing to do” and essentially defines ones’ character. In today’s wide ranging business environments, ethics and social responsibilities have become even more important. Understanding and following positive ethic guidelines can determine the experience and quality of any workplace. Individuals generally want to do what is right and what is ethical, but what does that fully entail? Why should one strive to act in an ethical manner?
According to Beatty et al. (2010), “Ethical decision making generates a range of benefits for employees, companies and society,” (p. 26). Individuals must work together ethically to better ensure progression because without progression, there is failure. The more we try to strive on doing what is morally right, the more society as a whole can benefit and provide stability. When we as individuals do what we feel is right, we are rewarded with contentment. Practicing positive and responsible behavior sets examples to others, in which we hope they will practice the same behavior. Constantly relying on “things” can produce negative behavior which in turn can damage hopes of morality in ethical decisions. Beatty et al. (2010) asks, “What does make people happy in the long run? Good relationships, satisfying work and ties to the community, which all are available at no financial cost,” (p.26).
In the workplace, ethics plays an extremely important part in managing a successful business. Those of authority hope to sustain positive healthy relationships and feel confident about their day to day decisions. Businesses maintaining employees, who are satisfied, mentored and ethically/morally treated right, will contribute to their success both on the roster and in financial statistics.
The consequences of unethical behavior
According to Beatty et al. (2010), “Ethical decision making generates a range of benefits for employees, companies and society,” (p. 26). Individuals must work together ethically to better ensure progression because without progression, there is failure. The more we try to strive on doing what is morally right, the more society as a whole can benefit and provide stability. When we as individuals do what we feel is right, we are rewarded with contentment. Practicing positive and responsible behavior sets examples to others, in which we hope they will practice the same behavior. Constantly relying on “things” can produce negative behavior which in turn can damage hopes of morality in ethical decisions. Beatty et al. (2010) asks, “What does make people happy in the long run? Good relationships, satisfying work and ties to the community, which all are available at no financial cost,” (p.26).
In the workplace, ethics plays an extremely important part in managing a successful business. Those of authority hope to sustain positive healthy relationships and feel confident about their day to day decisions. Businesses maintaining employees, who are satisfied, mentored and ethically/morally treated right, will contribute to their success both on the roster and in financial statistics.
The consequences of unethical behavior
Cited: Acevedo, A. (2013). But, Is It Ethics? Common Misconceptions in Business Ethics Education. Journal Of Education For Business, 88(2), 63-69. doi:10.1080/08832323.2011.639407 Beatty, J.F., Bredeson, D.A., & Samuelson, S.S. (2010). Business Law and the Legal Environment. Mason, Ohio: South-Western, Cengage Learning.