Business ethics could be classified as one of the least studied topics, although it is widely recognized as being very important (Bushe & Gilbertson, 2007). Being present in a competitive market, most companies have a formal or informal code of ethics to help them determine whether certain business activities are acceptable or not, especially when managers are faced with dilemmas (Velasquez and Velazquez, 2002 ). Indeed, behaviors are justified by theories, starting from the most fundamental question “what is the right thing to do” (Grace, 1998; Takala, 2012). In order to answer the mentioned question, we must first explore the definition of ethics and more particularly business ethics. Obviously, the term business ethics is abstracted from the general word ethics. The term ethics comes from an ancient Greek word – ethikos – which refers to the authority of tradition (Grace, 1998; HARTMANN, 1980). While some define ethics as a systematic framework to guide how actions are carried out and the types of values favored (De George, 1999), others view it as the tool for examining the moral standards of an individual or society and determine whether they are reasonable (Velasquez and Velazquez, 2002). Business ethics, apparently, aims at ethics applying to activities in the field of business operations, which is relatively more micro and practical (Gendler, Siegel & Cahn, 2007). Generally speaking, the ethical theories most commonly used to justify business decisions are called teleological and deontological ethics (Gendler, Siegel & Cahn, 2007; Bushe & Gilbertson, 2007). While the first principle focuses on the consequences of behaviors, considering those that could lead to a positive effect as morally right, the second pays more attention ... middle of paper ... and boundaries. As for the fairest and most effective, according to a research study that evaluates the five principles (i.e. act utilitarianism, rule utilitarianism, selfishness, deontology rules and the ethics of the act), he is incapable of making a judgment. In fact, some participants have no particular theory that they believe in and use to direct their business activities. This is due to the internal imperfection of each theory as well as external effect and controls. To conclude, participants select different types of philosophy to rationalize their decision in various situations. However, another study indicated that employees with less than 10 years of work experience are most likely to favor selfishness, which could explain their maturity (DeConinck & Lewis, 1997; Trevino & Nelson, 2010; Bowie, 2000; Donaldson & Werhane;, 1999)

Essay / Business ethics could be classified as one of the least studied topics, although it is widely recognized as being very important (Bushe & Gilbertson, 2007). Being present in a competitive market, most companies have a formal or informal code of ethics to help them determine whether certain business activities are acceptable or not, especially when managers are faced with dilemmas (Velasquez and Velazquez, 2002 ). Indeed, behaviors are justified by theories, starting from the most fundamental question “what is the right thing to do” (Grace, 1998; Takala, 2012). In order to answer the mentioned question, we must first explore the definition of ethics and more particularly business ethics. Obviously, the term business ethics is abstracted from the general word ethics. The term ethics comes from an ancient Greek word – ethikos – which refers to the authority of tradition (Grace, 1998; HARTMANN, 1980). While some define ethics as a systematic framework to guide how actions are carried out and the types of values favored (De George, 1999), others view it as the tool for examining the moral standards of an individual or society and determine whether they are reasonable (Velasquez and Velazquez, 2002). Business ethics, apparently, aims at ethics applying to activities in the field of business operations, which is relatively more micro and practical (Gendler, Siegel & Cahn, 2007). Generally speaking, the ethical theories most commonly used to justify business decisions are called teleological and deontological ethics (Gendler, Siegel & Cahn, 2007; Bushe & Gilbertson, 2007). While the first principle focuses on the consequences of behaviors, considering those that could lead to a positive effect as morally right, the second pays more attention ... middle of paper ... and boundaries. As for the fairest and most effective, according to a research study that evaluates the five principles (i.e. act utilitarianism, rule utilitarianism, selfishness, deontology rules and the ethics of the act), he is incapable of making a judgment. In fact, some participants have no particular theory that they believe in and use to direct their business activities. This is due to the internal imperfection of each theory as well as external effect and controls. To conclude, participants select different types of philosophy to rationalize their decision in various situations. However, another study indicated that employees with less than 10 years of work experience are most likely to favor selfishness, which could explain their maturity (DeConinck & Lewis, 1997; Trevino & Nelson, 2010; Bowie, 2000; Donaldson & Werhane;, 1999)

Navigation

« Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

Get In Touch