What Ethics Mean to Me as an Individual - Essay Example

Running header: Sociology Student’s name: Instructor’s name: Subject code: Date of submission: Entry 1: What Ethics mean to me as an individual Many people have thought of ethics being “what my feelings tell me to be right or wrong” ,doing what one is required to do by law or his/her religious beliefs , while others think of ethics to be the standards of behavior acceptable to the society. However, according to me, ethics is not necessarily about any of the above. I think that ethics is not about what I feel to be right. By following my feelings, I may deviate from doing what is right as feelings will frequently deviate from what is ethical. For instance, I may feel that it is right to under declare my income so that I may pay less tax, but this is not ethical. Although religions advocate for high ethical standards, I concur with Michael (2013) that ethics have nothing to do with religion. This is because ethics apply to both the religious and atheists. Furthermore, some religious people also engage in unethical practices. For instance, can the terrorist acts in the name of religious jihads be considered ethical? In addition, ethics can not be the same as being law abiding. Adeola (2013) has explored the relationship between ethics and law and concluded that though the law incorporates ethical standards to be ascribed to by law abiding citizens, law can at times deviate from ethics just like feelings. For instance, the slavery and apartheid time laws can never have been ethical. In addition, although laws require business managers to act for the best interests of shareholders, they often bend these laws to their benefit which is not ethical. I think that ethics is also not about doing whatever is acceptable to the society. Although societies mostly accept standards that are ethical, it can at times deviate from ethics. The Nazi Germany for instance adopted standards that were not ethically correct. Furthermore, I would be required to refer to the society to know what is ethical. I find what Cohen (2004) thinks about ethics and social consensus to be true. I don’t have to concur with what the society considers right so that I can be ethically correct. So what is ethics? According to me, ethics is about the standards that tell me what is right to be done or wrong to be avoided. It is that which prescribes what I/ people should do. It is about specific virtues, obligations, fairness, rights and benefits to society. For instance, ethics impose an obligation on me (as a business) not to sell substandard items or cheat to avoid taxes despite the fact that the associated financial gain may be tempting and hence it may feel right to do so. In the same vein, ethics impose an obligation not to steal, rape, murder or defraud among other unethical behaviors. Ethics also bind one to be honest, loyal and compassionate. In addition, ethics also incorporates respect for others’ rights such as right to life, safe working environment and right to privacy. I concur with Josephson (2007) on ethics being the practice of such values as respect, responsibility, citizenship, fairness, care and trustworthiness as pillars that should guide our choices, character and behaviors in life. In fact, ethics should be held dearly by everyone whether as individuals or as organisations. This is because it is ethics that will guide our harmonious coexistence. If I respect other people’s rights, they will also respect mine and hence we will live peacefully together (Pfeffer, J2013). Similarly, the business has a responsibility to engage in ethical practices. This will in turn guarantee the business a conducive working environment as it does not operate in a vacuum. Furthermore, this will ensure that the business participates in national development through paying taxes and obeying the laid down laws. References: Adeola, O2010, Law and Ethics, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Cohen, S2004, The nature of moral reasoning: international management ethics and values, Melbourne, Oxford. Josephson, B2013, Making ethical decisions, London, Rutledge. Michael, J2012, What is ethics, Issues in Ethics, vol. 105, no.2, pp.95-102. Pfeffer, J2013, Power, Capriciousness and consequences, Harvard Business Review, vol. 91, no. 4, p.36. Entry 2: How social and environmental sustainability would apply in the accounting profession It is no doubt that the business has contributed immensely to environmental degradation that we continue to witness today. Some business activities including deforestation, some mining activities such as mining of fossil oils as well as manufacture and use of certain chemicals are some of the activities that the business has constantly engaged in that lead to environmental degradation. Unfortunately, environmental degradation also has negative social consequences such as changes in climate leading to spread of desert, hunger as well as emergence of diseases such as cancers which we are witnessing today. Therefore, I think that the business is largely to blame for environmental degradation we witness today. Fortunately, the business and the wider society have become increasingly aware of the environmental changes that are being witnessed globally today (Crane, etal, 2008). There has been increasing effort towards environmental and social sustainability both by individuals and organisations. Despite this development, I think that the notion that environmental and social sustainability is a preserve of the business, environmentalists and certain professions is misleading. Since everyone is affected negatively by environmental degradation, I think everyone including the doctor, the civil society, the management, marketers, accountants and the wider society among others should embrace environmental and social sustainability practices if we are to overcome environmental degradation as well as the related negative social effects that we witness today. The accountant is one such professional who should embrace environmental and social sustainability practices in conducting the accounting work. Traditionally, the role of accountants has been that of financial accountability. This was the case when making profit was the sole aim of the business without giving regard to how the company can sustainably continue being profitable (Steiner, 2009). The business was not concerned on whether the environment within which it operates should continue being productive nor was it concerned on the effects its activities were having on the wider society. However, with increasing awareness, the business has realised it has to be socially and environmentally sustainable for it to continue in existence. But how can environmental and social sustainability apply to the accounting profession? I think they have a lot to do towards environmental and social sustainability. I concur with Roddick (2000) that the accountant’s role in improvement of social justice and contribution to environmental and social sustainability goes beyond their organisations to a global level. For instance, every accountant should develop a mechanism for holding the firm accountable for whatever they do be it financially, environmentally or socially. Every accountant whether he/she is a financial, management accountant or an auditor can play a great role towards environmental and social sustainability. The financial accountant should for instance have interest on environmental and social aspects of the firm’s assets and liabilities and report on whether they are beneficial not only to the business but also to the society. The management accountant should help the business realise the benefits and costs associated with environmental and social sustainability activities the company is involved in while the auditor should ensure that the company strictly adheres to its policies on environmental and social sustainability (Unerman, etal, 2007). This way, the accountants can help in ensuring that firms act in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. The accounting professional bodies should also not be left behind in ensuring that firms adhere to environmental and social sustainability policies. Fortunately, the professional bodies have taken environmental and social sustainability seriously by requiring that firms report on these issues. In fact, many accountants and accounting professional bodies have played a great role in ensuring that organisations include environmental and social sustainability reports in their annual reports (Sandhu, 2010). I have no doubt that such efforts go a long way in ensuring that the businesses which they serve engage in environmental and social sustainability practices. If accountant will strive to ensure that they hold the companies they work for engage in environmental and social sustainability practices, I have no doubt that they will have played a great role in making the earth a better place to live in. References: Crane, A, Matten, D&, Spense, L2008, Corporate social responsibility: Readings and cases in a global context, Abingdon, Rutledge. Roddick, J2000, Sustainability accounting, London, Rutledge. Sandhu, S2010, Shifting paradigms in corporate environmentalism: From poachers to gamekeepers, Business and Society Review, vol.115, no.3, pp.285-310. Steiner, J&, Steiner, G2009, Business, Government and Society: A managerial perspective, text and cases, Mc Grow Hill, Boston. Unerman, J, Bebbington, J&, O’Dwyer, B2007, Sustainability Accounting and accountability, Rutledge, Abdington. Entry 3 How cultural understanding might help one in developing as a professional in a globalised world The world is increasingly becoming globalised. In fact, I consider it a global village. With this globalization, cultural globalization has also taken place. I would consider cultural globalization to be transmission of values, ideas and meanings across national borders. As such, I agree with Roland(2007) when he asserts that the work place has also become globalised meaning that different cultures have also come to converge in the work place. As such, failure to understand the different cultures represented in the work place may result in differences that my at times make working and coexistence in the work place difficult. Since the work place is where different professionals develop, I realise how important cultural understanding is in helping one develop as a professional in the globalised world we live in. this is because working across cultures worldwide is now a common thing as the world has become a global economy. For instance, for the marketing professional to survive in the global market, I think that he/she has to craft his/her message based on the host country’s values. This calls for the professional to have knowledge of different culture in a bid to boost his/her chances of survival. For instance, a message that might succeed in selling a product in Africa might not necessarily be successful in America or Australia. This is because there various cultural differences between the countries that the professional needs to understand. I agree with Welsh (2009) in stating that cultural differences globally largely outweigh cultural similarities as people in the global village are driven and influenced by different things. For instance, some value freedom, entrepreneurial approach or reward for effort. As such, a professional with no cultural understanding will only get mediocre responses in his/her attempts to become professional while making the organisation he/she works for earn a negative reputation. For instance, I think that the marketing professionals who introduced breast milk substitute to Africa at first failed not because there had been anything wrong with the milk but because they failed to consider cultural differences and low literacy levels that resulted in the substitute being misused and hence being blamed for causing malnutrition. However, when these factors were considered, the milk market in Africa increased rapidly (Davies, 2007). Similarly, a nursing or medical professional with no cultural understanding in the globalised world will may give a wrong medication to a patient where there is cultural conflict between the professional and the patient. As such, cultural understanding will help professionals tailor their messages in a way that they will be understood best in differing cultural context and hence lead to professional success. Therefore, I consider it important for professionals to make efforts to have cultural understanding if they are to be successful in the globalised world (Rachels, 1993). I think that this can be done by the professional recognizing the differences and cultural diversity existing in the population in which he/she operates. The professional should also build self awareness and examine own belief systems while describing and dealing with situations according to facts and in line with the local culture. Where there is limited cultural knowledge, the professional should solicit advice from those professionals with experience in the diverse backgrounds. If the professionals are going to follow the above guidelines, I have no doubt that they will succeed in their various professions. Without cultural understanding, I think it will be difficult for one to succeed in any profession. For instance, management professionals and human resources professionals will be unable to identify and respond to differing needs of their employees when they come from different backgrounds while conflicts at work place will be common and difficult to solve (Barrack, 2010). On the other hand, marketers will be unable to move beyond their national borders hence affecting the entire company’s financial performance. To me, this is a clear indication of the important role that cultural understanding may play in helping one develop as a professional in the globalised world and hence the need for various professionals to embrace cultural understanding. References: Barrack, M2010, Professional development and culture in a globalised world, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Davies, K2007, Contemporary issues for marketing professionals, International Marketing Journal, vol. 11, no. 3,pp.19-24. Rachels, J1993, Elements of moral philosophy, New York, McGraw Hill Roland, R2007, Cultural globalization, Journal of developing societies, vol. 27, no.2, pp. 1-23. Welsh, B2009, Professional development in globalised world, London, Rutledge. . Read More

So what is ethics? According to me, ethics is about the standards that tell me what is right to be done or wrong to be avoided. It is that which prescribes what I/ people should do. It is about specific virtues, obligations, fairness, rights and benefits to society. For instance, ethics impose an obligation on me (as a business) not to sell substandard items or cheat to avoid taxes despite the fact that the associated financial gain may be tempting and hence it may feel right to do so. In the same vein, ethics impose an obligation not to steal, rape, murder or defraud among other unethical behaviors.

Ethics also bind one to be honest, loyal and compassionate. In addition, ethics also incorporates respect for others’ rights such as right to life, safe working environment and right to privacy. I concur with Josephson (2007) on ethics being the practice of such values as respect, responsibility, citizenship, fairness, care and trustworthiness as pillars that should guide our choices, character and behaviors in life. In fact, ethics should be held dearly by everyone whether as individuals or as organisations.

This is because it is ethics that will guide our harmonious coexistence. If I respect other people’s rights, they will also respect mine and hence we will live peacefully together (Pfeffer, J2013). Similarly, the business has a responsibility to engage in ethical practices. This will in turn guarantee the business a conducive working environment as it does not operate in a vacuum. Furthermore, this will ensure that the business participates in national development through paying taxes and obeying the laid down laws.

References: Adeola, O2010, Law and Ethics, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Cohen, S2004, The nature of moral reasoning: international management ethics and values, Melbourne, Oxford. Josephson, B2013, Making ethical decisions, London, Rutledge. Michael, J2012, What is ethics, Issues in Ethics, vol. 105, no.2, pp.95-102. Pfeffer, J2013, Power, Capriciousness and consequences, Harvard Business Review, vol. 91, no. 4, p.36. Entry 2: How social and environmental sustainability would apply in the accounting profession It is no doubt that the business has contributed immensely to environmental degradation that we continue to witness today.

Some business activities including deforestation, some mining activities such as mining of fossil oils as well as manufacture and use of certain chemicals are some of the activities that the business has constantly engaged in that lead to environmental degradation. Unfortunately, environmental degradation also has negative social consequences such as changes in climate leading to spread of desert, hunger as well as emergence of diseases such as cancers which we are witnessing today. Therefore, I think that the business is largely to blame for environmental degradation we witness today.

Fortunately, the business and the wider society have become increasingly aware of the environmental changes that are being witnessed globally today (Crane, etal, 2008). There has been increasing effort towards environmental and social sustainability both by individuals and organisations. Despite this development, I think that the notion that environmental and social sustainability is a preserve of the business, environmentalists and certain professions is misleading. Since everyone is affected negatively by environmental degradation, I think everyone including the doctor, the civil society, the management, marketers, accountants and the wider society among others should embrace environmental and social sustainability practices if we are to overcome environmental degradation as well as the related negative social effects that we witness today.

The accountant is one such professional who should embrace environmental and social sustainability practices in conducting the accounting work. Traditionally, the role of accountants has been that of financial accountability. This was the case when making profit was the sole aim of the business without giving regard to how the company can sustainably continue being profitable (Steiner, 2009).

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