Ethics Essay Research Paper BUSINESS ETHICSINTRODUCTIONAs we

Ethics Essay, Research Paper

BUSINESS ETHICS

INTRODUCTION

As we are heading into the 21st century, we see that more and more companies are trying to observe the rules of business ethics. My paper is about the situations that can arise from implementing and not implementing business ethics into the workforce.

ETHICS

Ethics is defined as a systematic study of moral conduct, duty, and judgment. Certainly, ethical behavior has always been important for organizations and individuals; however, today more and more attention is being paid to ethical concerns. Why. There are two basic answers to that question. One, is due to the coverage given to business through television, radio, and newspapers, we are more aware of unethical practices. For example, if an airline has a crash that kills hundreds of people and the cause is faulty equipment due to improper maintenance by the airlines, the public knows it quickly due to extensive media coverage. If a food company puts a product on the market with a food additive that may cause illness or even death, the public is informed through television, radio, and newspapers. The result of such instances is public demand of improved safety and health regulations and management accountability.

Two, is technology has advanced so far today that horrendous uses of it are possible. For example, medical science has expanded to the point that ethics are of major consideration. Some of the questions we hear debated are: Does an individual have the right to determine when to die and seek assistance with death. How long should a seriously ill patient be kept alive through artificial means. How much money should be spent on health care for the poor. With the genetic work that is being done to determine links between genetics and cancer, obesity, and so forth, is it ever right for parents to decide to abort a fetus. Is it ethical to insert a growth hormone into children who have no growth hormone deficiency, but who seem to be on growth curves shorter than their parents would like. There is now a growing body of evidence that some criminal and aggressive behavior has a genetic basis. If science proves the linkage, is it right to abort the fetus. All are a linked to the ethics debate.

Our technological communication capabilities also pose some questions. With international communication occurring through the Internet and the World Wide Web, what privacy rights does the individual have. What constitutes sexual harassment over the Internet. Obviously, these ethical questions are only a few of the issues that we are facing. As technology continues to open new doors for all of us, ethical questions will continue to occur. The point to be made here is that great wisdom on the part of leadership in business and individuals who are employed by business is required now and in the future to face and solve the ethical issues which will confront us. (http://www.seattletimes.com/news/business/html98/ethx_040698.html)

BUSINESSES AND THEIR ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY

Business enterprise is the dominant institution in America and in the world, and the ethics and values of business influence our society. Highly successful business leaders are quoted in the news and their behavior is observed and often imitated by others, not only in their particular business but also in the nation and the world.

The influence of business on society and the influence of corporate leaders on individuals, however, are not always positive. Inferior products and services, environmental pollution, unsafe working conditions, unfair treatment of employees, and various other unethical behaviors are sometimes the outcomes of poorly run businesses and leaders who misuse their power and authority. When business leadership is practiced irresponsibly, our society and individuals within it are often the losers. (http://www.seattletimes.com/news/business/html98/ethx_040698.html)

ETHICAL PRACTICES

Ethics has become so important that it is the topic of numerous books, the subject of seminars, and the basis for consulting businesses. A company or organization can succeed or fail due to its ethical behavior. There should be much attention paid to the following guidelines on ethical practice in business.

An ethical organization is honest. It makes its policies and procedures clear to both its customers and its employees. It is concerned about equal treatment for individuals, regardless of ethnicity, and handicap. There should be effective practices to make sure that these procedures are upheld. Some of these are: A clearly stated policy committing to equal employment, hiring procedures that support equal employment, personnel departments with expertise in assisting people with special issues, grievance policies that are clearly stated, published, and distributed to all employees, sensitivity training for all employees in understanding how to work with diversity, so it is clear to both management and employees. (http://www.seattletimes.com/news/business/html98/ethx_040698.html)

EFFECTS OF ETHICS ON CORPORATE AMERICA

Spurred in part by costly legal settlements, a growing number of companies are changing the way they handle employees complaints about ethics violations, discrimination, and sexual harassment. The rising concern hasn t eliminated workplace complaints. A poll of 2,000 U.S. employe