Introduction to Ethics

The Individual The Individual in Tribes

Tribal Influences Beliefs and Values Circumstances and Situations Policies and Ideologies Laws and Rules Codes of Conduct Shared Understanding Moral Codes

The Elasticity of Ethics Our personal standards are often tested when we may disagree with others. Ethical codes of conduct have changing boundaries They can be pushed and pulled in different directions depending on situations and circumstances. Most people are prepared to accept flexibility subverting their own code to that of that tribe or that circumstance

The Balancing Act We may be unhappy with a particular approach taken by companies we work for or have We may remain unhappy yet continue to work for that company or continue to invest in companies It is only when the conflict in standards is such that it is unacceptable that we may change companies or move our investments

The Balancing Act in Practice Short Versus Long Term Needs Reactive Versus Proactive Approaches Individual Versus Organisational Needs Internal Versus External Focus Rhetoric Versus Reality Dependence Versus Empowerment Status Quo Versus Change

Limits to Ethical Convergence There is a limit to the degree to which morality and commercial self-interest can converge or be balanced. Generally, business ethics constrain the functional drive for profit within broad legalistic and moralistic limits. Often, the individual human being may have stronger moral values than those demonstrated by the business. The nature and geographical location of the business may exacerbate these differences

Ethics in Context The personal context - The rules by which an individual lives his or her personal life The professional context - The code that guides the professional conduct of professional staff [doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers etc] in the prosecution of their profession The business context - The truth and justice of business practices has a number of aspects including the expectations of society, fair competition, fair advertising, public relations and marketing, social responsibility, consumer autonomy, and management with acceptable behaviour