Ethics in business (case study) - Essay Example

ETHICS IN BUSINESS (CASE STUDY) By Presented to s The organization maintains policies and procedures that represent the code of ethics for the Chief Executive Office (CEO), officers and employees.The policy of our organization is to comply with all governmental laws, rules, and regulations applicable to our business.The aim of the organization is to choose the course of highest integrity. Local customs, traditions and mores must be recognized. But honesty cannot be criticized in any culture. Dishonesty simply results in demoralizing and reprehensible judgment.

A well-founded reputation for conscientious transactions is itself an invaluable organizational asset.The organization cares how results are obtained, not just that they are obtained. CEO, officers, employees should fairly with each other and with the organization’s suppliers, customers, competitors and other third parties.The organization expects compliance with its standards of integrity throughout the organization and will not tolerate employees who achieve results at the cost of violation of law or who deal unscrupulously.

It is the policy of the organization that all transactions will be accurately reflected in its books and records by the employees. This, of course, means that falsification of books and records and the creation and maintenance of any off-the record bank accounts are strictly prohibited. The organization anticipates sincerity from employees at all points and observance to its regulations and internal controls. A negativity which might result when the employees obscure information from the organization’s officials or the auditors is that other employees might get an idea that the organizational policies and internal controls can be overlooked when they are problematic.

It is the corporation’s policy to make full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the corporation files with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other public communications. All employees are responsible for reporting material information known to them to higher management so that the information will be available to senior officials responsible for making disclosure decisions. A code of ethics is developed in order to provide the members of the organizations with some broad ethical statements that will guide them through their professional lives and also to identify relevant considerations when ethical uncertainties arise (Anonymous 2008).

It facilitates the employees to share common values and a common vision. The development of code of ethics defines behaviors that are both accepted and acceptable in an organization (MacDonald 2009). It further assists in establishing a better organizational culture which would improve the public image of the organization. They also develop a sense of community and belonging among the members of the organization. It also provides a means for individuals new to the profession to learn about the ethical principles and standards guiding their work.

Furthermore, they promote high standards of practices in the organizational environment and provide the employees with point of reference for self-evaluation. Moreover, they help in the establishment of a framework of the professional behavior and responsibilities that rest on the shoulders of the employees. The risk of corruption and demoralization in the organization are greatly reduced.To enable the employees to establish a shared ethical position they should be involved in creating the code of ethics which would facilitate confidence in each other and the organization.

Furthermore, every employee has to be made aware of the organization’s code of ethics and any non-ethical behaviors, not only in the beginning but on a regular basis.Immanuel Kant gave an ethical theory based on belief that the reason is the ultimate power for morality. According to him, actions of any kind must be taken on from a sense of duty based on reason, and no action acted upon for the reason of convenience or in compliance to law or tradition can be looked upon as moral. Kant’s categorical imperative suggests that a course of action that must be followed because of its rightness and necessity (Anonymous 2008).

The categorical imperative is based on the fact that before doing something, one must decide what rule he or she will be following and whether one is willing others to follow that same rule as well. If one is willing to universalize the act, then it must be moral. But if the act cannot be universalized then there is no chance that the act to be performed is moral. Speciesism is the thought that being human is a good enough reason for human animals to have greater moral rights than non-human animals (BBC 2009).

According to Kant, there is nothing wrong with Speciesism because either God or the categorical imperative says it is right, and this the proof enough for them.REFERENCESAnonymous, 2008. Business code of ethics. Available at: http://www.rezgo.com/legal/business-code-of-ethics [Accessed 22 October 2009]Anonymous, 2008. Kant: Theory in detail. Available at: http://www.rsrevision.com/Alevel/ethics/kant/index.htm [Accessed 22 October 2009]BBC, 2009. Religion and ethics-ethical issues. Available at: http://www.bbc.co.

uk/ethics/ rights/speciesism.shtml [Accessed 22 October 2009]MacDonald, C, 2009. Why have a code of ethics? Available at: http://www.ethicsweb.ca/codes/ coe2.htm [Accessed 22 October 2009]