Challenges in the Global Business Enviornment: Ethical Code of Conducts of AT&T - Research Paper Example

Challenges in the Global Business Environment al Affiliation Challenges in the Global Business Environment Introduction Global challenges that face most firms escalate from the unethical manner firms deploy to attain an advantage edge over its rivals. Firms who turn to these models create unfair competition to other firms. The research will compare ethical code of conducts of AT & T against two firms. The code of conducts will be analyzed based on performance, integrity and external factors. The aim will be deployed models that enhance performance and counter the challenges within the business environment. A successful business is one that is guided by ethics and uses them to perfume their tasks. Methodology The research will focus on the AT&T code of ethics. The details will be retrieved from the companys website. This code of ethic will be compared to other competing firms. The research will use Verizon and Sprint as the two competitors. The information will be retrieved from the two companies website. The competitiveness of each code of ethic will be used in establishing the merits and demerits of AT&T own code of ethical conduct. Information from the three firms will be examined, and recordings made based on the structures and natures of the code of ethical conduct. The information on AT&T code of ethical conduct will be examined with respect to their efforts to adapt to changing technologies and innovation nature of the environment. The challenges associated with the code of ethics will be examined and proposal made based on the efforts by the two competing firms. Global citizenship efforts by AT & T will be examined, and information recorded. Findings AT & T has its code of ethical conduct drafted and focused on honest, which entails observing rules set by different organizations under which the firm operates ( AT&T Inc, 2014). These entails maintaining a given standards that will enhance the companys advantage while competing in a global environment. The code of ethical conduct at the firm entails defining personal interests and separating it from the companys interest. The aim is to avoid conflict of interest associated that could rise from the employees interaction with the external environment. Other issues at the firms ethical conduct include compliance and disclosure, which are aimed at maintaining a specific standard and working based on international requirements. Sprints code of ethical conduct entails a friendly working environment that promotes innovation and technology use among its internal and external environments (Sprint, 2013). The ethics code also defines requirements by each member of the internal environment while interacting with other parties and environments. Bribe and another form of unethical conduct are outlined in the conflict of interest clause (Sprint, 2013). There is a clear definition of what each employee interacts with third parties and maintaining the required standards at Sprint. The Verizon code of ethical conduct is built on four major pillars. These pillars are; respect, performance, accountability and integrity (Verizon Wireless, 2013). These pillars target at ensuring a healthy environment between the employees, suppliers and customers. Accountability and performance are aimed at dealing with conflicts of interest arising from factors within the companys environments (Verizon Wireless, 2013). Respect and integrity guides the companys activity towards these environments. Analysis The section will focus on how AT &T operates with respect to integrity, conflict of interest and performance. These will be compared to the two companies with the aim of outlining loopholes within the AT&T code of ethical conduct. Integrity AT&T outlines its mandate to the community and corporate world. There is an aspect of integrity in its outlines (AT&T Inc, 2014). Integrity according to the firm is guided by clear guidelines set by laws and regulation from external and internal organs. Integrity is a key element in boosting customer confidence and encouraging partners that would positively influence the company and its performance. The company limits its internal environment from any unlawful operations. The connections created between the firm and its employees create a formidable force, which outshines those of Sprint and Verizon. Verizon concentrates on the external environments affecting their integrity (Verizon Wireless, 2013). The suppliers are required meet specific documentation. AT &T believes in regulating both the internal environments and external environments. Verizon believes in eliminating external forces in their quest for integrity. The firm ignores the fact the internal environment may compromise the companys integrity. AT &T combines these factors through their code of ethical conducts. Performance The performance of each employee is essential in AT & T. EmployeeS needs to present themselves positively with emphasis being on the presentation at work and while communicating with suppliers and customers ( AT&T Inc, 2014a). The Sprint is more concern on the output and targets being set for each employee (Sprint, 2013). Verizon on the other hand balances the welfare of its employees with set targets. The AT &T concentrates more on the customer satisfaction and company reputation rather that the welfare of the employees. Every company needs to balance revenue goals and satisfying employee. A motivated staff would tend to obey all rules set by the company and thus performing according to the firms specification. The performance principle according to AT&T code of ethics is based on ensuring positive external feedbacks and satisfying the market demands. Conflict of interest Conflict of interest arises when a line separating personal and company interest is not drawn by a given institution. AT &T outlines a model in which all staff members, creditors, suppliers, and customers identify their role and interaction with the firm. This deters employees from engaging directly with clients without companys consent. The three companies share the same principles. Nevertheless, AT &T believes in the capacity and abilities of their employees. The international market requires leaders and organizations that utilize their capacity and maintain a given level of performance (AT & T Inc, 2014b). Managers and leaders, who combine abilities and knowledge in organizing a staff, enhance the competitive edge of a given firm. Lobbying strategy Sprint and Verizon lobby strategy outline tasks to be performed by the company and those to be handled by partners. The move is to ensure certain levels of standards are maintained while satisfying demands from the customers. AT & T, on the other hand, controls all activities including those undertaken by partners (AT & T Inc, 2014a). The ethical conduct within the firm entails all partners to adhere to specific rules while undertaking their tasks. The advantage the firm has over its rivals is the fact that all activities either directly or indirectly are all managed under the same code of ethics. The rules that guide these activities are aimed and ensuring that there is no conflict of interest in an event where more parties are involved. The control the company has over its partners gives it an advantage over rival firms and enables it attract partners and customers. This enhanced by the fact that the firm is able to account for all activities under its jurisdiction (AT & T Inc, 2014b). Corporate citizenship AT & T uses the conflict of interest clause to interact with the Corporate would in terms of funding and partnerships. The activities by the firm are aimed at earning confidence from the external environments. The performance clause requires the firm to set goals within a given timeline and thus comparing them with other competing firms. The corporate responsibilities under the disclosure close of the firms ethical conduct outlines the amount of resources to be channeled towards community-based projects (AT & T Inc, 2014b) Global citizenship The firm utilizes the fair deal close to offering equal opportunities to customers regardless of their geographical location. The performance close entails the level of technology to be used in the production to be maintained and the staff to maintain a certain level of ethical conduct when communicating and serving the international market. The firm uses the brand name across the countries of operation in ensuring that their code of ethical conduct is maintained through the geographical coverage (AT & T Inc, 2014b). Technological challenges The firms ethical conduct entails a full control of activities within the companys areas of jurisdiction. This may affect the firms quest for diverse technologies. Assigning partners to perform certain tasks may be advantageous since diverse levels of technologies would be deployed in performing tasks. The failure by the firm to utilize the effect positive effects of diversity in technology may prove a challenge while competing with another firm. New technologies may have its shortfalls but a firm needs to utilize available resources and allow diverse models that will ensure improved output ( AT & T Inc, 2014b) Conclusion AT & T is concerned on their ethical code of conduct and thus uses the available resources towards achieving certain goals. The major concern is on how these ethical codes of conduct may affect the overall output of the firm. The firm needs to balance between their goals and maintaining their standards and performance. The firms should thus use their positive outcomes to gain an advantage over its rivals. It is evident how a successful business guided by ethics uses these guidelines to solve matters concerning performance while maintaining their integrity. The efforts by AT & T are to be emulated by firms who use unethical models in achieving certain objectives. The challenges faced by the global business environment may be overcome once a firm realizes the importance of ethics. Reference AT & T Inc. (2014a).AT & T’s code of Business Conduct. Retrieved from http://www.att.com/Common/about_us/downloads/att_code_of_business_conduct.pdf AT&T Inc. ( 2014b). Code of Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.att.com/gen/investor-relations?pid=5595 Sprint. (2013). Code of conduct: ethics, citizenship, sustainability and compliance. Retrieved from http://www.sprint.com/companyinfo/scm/docs/SprintSupplierCodeofConduct_new.pdf Verizon Wireless. (2013). Code of conduct. Retrieved from https://www.verizonwireless.com/dam/aboutus/pdfs/Code_of_Conduct.pdf Read More