Managing Business Ethics at Wolseley UK - Essay Example

It is pragmatic that literature on business ethics provides adequate and specific information on the needs of leaders and managers as they are mainly responsible for ethics management in the work environment (Schwartz and Weber 2006). Ethics programs in organisations generally aim to integrate ethical guidelines into processes and procedures and establish the necessary values and behaviours for operations within the organisation. Workplace business ethics shows and fosters a moral course, particularly during unstable times (Kapstein 2004).

Paying attention to ethics when an organisation faces changes allows managers and employees to have a moral guide to realise what is good or bad. This becomes especially critical in coping with conflicts, facing risks, and responding to ambiguous circumstances (Schwartz 2001). Continual support for ethics in the workplace enables leaders and members to become sensitive to how they should think and behave. Due to the emphasis on ethical principles in activities and procedures, business ethics has produced favourable outcomes for the organisation.

These include increased employee commitment, motivation, productivity, and performance (Ferrell 2004). Hence, the current study examines business ethics' impact on UK organisations, especially employees’ sense of productivity and motivation. 1.2 Background of the Organisation Wolseley UK, also known as Wolseley Centers, is widely known as one of the United Kingdom’s largest suppliers of building materials, with plumbing and building firms as their common trade customers, accounting for the largest share of their sales.

It has been reported to distribute substantial materials to the international market and has continued to expand to 25 countries (Wolseley Annual Report 2009). Wolseley UK has set several policies with which the company aims to enhance each of its business aspects further. The quality policy remains an important objective through a reliable quality environment for suppliers and customers, particularly by successfully meeting all contractual requirements. Health and safety concerns regarding their employees, customers, and the larger community have also become a top priority for Wolseley UK. The company intends to foster a healthy workplace wherein its employees attain a sense of well-being and comfort. In contrast, their customers are assured of accident-free operations.

Moreover, the company’s policies also highlight the importance of environmental care. Regarding their human resources, Wolseley UK aims to make the best use of every employee’s potential regardless of demographics, cultural, social, or economic differences and attempts to provide opportunities for training and development. Finally, the company relies on a code of ethics that emphasizes the significance of fair competition, risk management, environmental protection, and interpersonal relationships with employees and customers (Wolseley 2010). There remain organisations that are not sensitive to the influence of ethics on employee outcomes (Upadhyay and Singh 2010). With this in mind, the current study may further contribute empirical knowledge on how business ethics in the workplace can significantly influence employee outcomes, hence, organisational results as well. Insight on why and how business ethics can impact motivation and productivity can provide a competitive advantage to companies as they can design strategies and implement systems and regulations that can be integrated with ethical values. In effect, this may increase the likelihood of having productive and motivated employees.