Why ethics not the major consideration in business?

For most businesses, their profits are their livelihood. So this tends to be a big consideration for many.

As for ethics, most companies have guidelines for acceptable behavior, a code of conduct, or something like that. The tone at the top and the overall culture of the company usually has a strong impact on the ethics and behaviors of the people who work there. I would hesitate to draw an overall conclusion that ethics is not a major consideration in business, just because there were a few high profile scandals. There will always be scandals, but you never hear about the thousands, no millions of companies that are ethical because that never makes the news.

I serve as an ethics deputy at a bank, and talk to every new employee who comes to work in my area. I can tell you first hand that all take this matter seriously and are typically even more conservative than the guidelines allow.

Hi,

Without a more detailed question I can only assume you're asking whether businesses will only be ethical if there is a financial return for doing so?

It's an interesting debate.

There are 3 distinct types of businesses when it comes to ethical behaviour:

1. Businesses with no regard for ethics;
2. Businesses who operate ethically as long as it's profitable, and
3. Businesses who operate ethically because it's the right thing to do.

The first group usually doesn't survive very long. They might be seen making big profits for a while but their shelf life is normally quite short because they defy what's called Universal Principles that cannot be defied for very long.

The second group is not much better than the first because the foundation stone of ethical behaviour is "intention". Doing something ethically because you believe it's the right thing to do is very different to doing something ethically because you want to be seen to be doing it that way.

The third group lasts the test of time.

Ultimately we all want to deal with businesses and people we trust. We want the "real thing".

Ethics have never been more important than today. The future of any business depends upon ethical behaviour.

Sadly there are many people whose lives are built around the concept of taking rather than the concept of giving. Thankfully they get "found out" - it's all just a matter of time.

I appreciate your question and trust this response is helpful.

If you're looking for more on this topic you can visit ArkleySolutions dot com where you can download audios and ebooks on the subject without cost. It's a great site.

Warmly,

Slav

Ethics are based on a person whilst Morals are based on a society.

If someone personal Ethics are to stranglehold the competition to make more and more money we really have no place tell them they are wrong.

Although, for the record I do believe fair play should be accepted and enforced on a personal level by all people but I donā€™t make the rules.

They are at many companies. You hear about the exceptions.

I think they are always a consideration, but often profits take priority.

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