The Importance of Business Ethics in Achieving Goals

23 March 2023

Entrepreneurs need to think about many things related to business ethics. Thinking about this carefully can help the business run smoothly and make the product well delivered. Knowledge of this business can certainly be learned from many sources and even direct practice. Well, find out about business ethics to make your company better in the future.

What Is Business Ethics?

Business ethics are principles in making decisions related to business activities. Business people need to learn the right policies and business practices regarding potentially controversial subjects.

Aspects that need attention are corporate governance, illegal stock trading, bribery, discrimination, corporate social responsibility, the responsibility of a fiduciary, and many more. Laws often guide business ethics, but other times business ethics provide basic guidelines that businesses can follow to gain public approval.

Business ethics ensures that there is a certain basic level of trust between consumers and various forms of market participants and businesses. For example, a portfolio manager should give the same consideration to portfolios of family members and small individual investors as to wealthier clients. Such practices ensure that society receives fair treatment.

The concept of business ethics began in the 1960s when companies became more aware of the increasing societal consumers who demonstrated concern for the environment, social causes, and corporate responsibility. An increased focus on "social issues" was a hallmark of this decade.

Since then, the concept of business ethics has evolved. Business ethics is more than a moral code of right and wrong. This principle tries to unite everything that a company must do legally. On the other hand, companies also need to maintain a competitive advantage over other businesses.

Principles of Business Ethics

It is critical to understand the basic principles that drive desirable ethical behavior and how this lack of moral principles contributed to the downfall of many bright and talented people and the businesses they represent.

1. Leadership

A conscious effort to adopt, integrate, and emulate the other 11 principles to guide decisions and behavior in all aspects of professional and personal life.

2. Accountability

Holding yourself and others accountable for their actions. Commitment to follow ethical practices and ensure others follow ethical guidelines.

3. Integrity

Integrates other principles—honesty, trustworthiness, and dependability. A person with integrity consistently does the right thing and strives to maintain a higher standard.

4. Respect for others

To promote ethical behavior and environment in the workplace, respect for others is an important component. Everyone has the right to dignity, privacy, equality, opportunity, compassion and empathy.

5. Honesty

Truth in everything is the key to cultivating an ethical climate. Partial truths, omissions, and understating or exaggerating things don't help a business improve its performance. Bad news must be communicated and received in the same way as good news so that solutions can be developed.

6. Respect the law

Ethical leadership must include enforcing all local, state, and federal laws. If there are legal gray areas, leaders should (presumably) err on the side of legality rather than exploit loopholes.

7. Responsibility

Promote ownership in the organization, allow employees to be responsible for their work, and be accountable for your work.

8. Transparency

Stakeholders are people with an interest in the business, such as shareholders, employees, the community in which the company operates and family members of employees. Without divulging trade secrets, companies must ensure that information about their finances, price changes, hiring and firing practices, wages and salaries, and promotions is available to those interested in business success.

9. Compassion

Employees, the community surrounding the business, business partners and customers should all be treated with concern for their well-being.

10. Fairness

Everyone should have equal opportunities and be treated equally. If a practice or behavior will make you feel uncomfortable or place personal or company benefit above equality, common decency and respect, it is not being fair.

11. Loyalty

Leadership must demonstrate confidentiality and commitment to employees and their company. The inspiring loyalty of employees and management ensures that they are committed to best practices.

12. Concern for the environment

In a world where resources are limited, ecosystems have been damaged by past practices, and the climate is changing, it is very important to be aware of and concerned about the environmental impact that business has. All employees should be encouraged to find and report solutions to practices that could add to the harm that has been done.

The Importance of Business Ethics

There are several reasons business ethics are so important to success in modern business. Most importantly, a well-defined ethics program establishes a code of ethics that encourages employee behavior. When all employees make ethical decisions, the company establishes a reputation for ethical behavior. His reputation grew, and he began to reap the benefits of his moral formation:

  • Brand recognition and growth.
  • Improved ability to negotiate
  • Increased trust in products and services
  • Customer retention and growth
  • Attract talent
  • Attract investors

Combined, all of these factors affect business revenue. Those who fail to set ethical standards and uphold them will eventually find themselves with Enron, Arthur Andersen, Wells Fargo, Lehman Brothers, Bernie Madoff, and many others.

Types of Business Ethics

There are several theories about business ethics and many other types to be found. The following types of business ethics need to be put forward.

1. Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate social responsibility is a concept that takes into account the impact of meeting these needs on employees, the environment, society and the communities in which the business operates. Finances and profits are important, but they must come second only to the welfare of society, customers and employees. Businesses must hold themselves accountable and responsible for their environmental, philanthropic, ethical and economic impacts.

2. Transparency and Trust

It is very important for companies to ensure they report their financial performance in a transparent manner. This applies not only to required financial reports but to all reports in general. For example, many companies issue annual reports to their shareholders.

3. Technology Practices and Ethics

The increasing use of technology of all kinds in business operations is closely linked to the growing need for businesses to ensure that technology and the information it collects is used ethically. In addition, companies must ensure that technology is secured to the best of its ability, especially since many businesses store customer information and collect data that could be used by those with malicious intent.

4. Justice

The workplace must be inclusive, diverse and fair for all employees regardless of race, religion, creed, age or identity. A fair work environment is where everyone can grow, be promoted and be successful in their own way.

How to Practice Good Business Ethics

Fostering an environment of ethical behavior and decision-making takes time and effort—always starting at the top. Most companies need to establish a code of conduct/ethics, guiding principles, reporting procedures, and training programs to uphold ethical behavior.

Once behaviors are defined and programs implemented, ongoing communication with employees becomes essential. Leaders must continually encourage employees to report worrisome behavior. In addition, there must be assurance that the complainant will not face any hostile acts.

Entrepreneurs need to think about many things related to business ethics. Thinking about this carefully can help the business run smoothly and make the product well delivered. Knowledge of this business can certainly be learned from many sources and even direct practice. Well, find out about business ethics to make your company better in the future.

What Is Business Ethics?

Business ethics are principles in making decisions related to business activities. Business people need to learn the right policies and business practices regarding potentially controversial subjects.

Aspects that need attention are corporate governance, illegal stock trading, bribery, discrimination, corporate social responsibility, the responsibility of a fiduciary, and many more. Laws often guide business ethics, but other times business ethics provide basic guidelines that businesses can follow to gain public approval.

Business ethics ensures that there is a certain basic level of trust between consumers and various forms of market participants and businesses. For example, a portfolio manager should give the same consideration to portfolios of family members and small individual investors as to wealthier clients. Such practices ensure that society receives fair treatment.

The concept of business ethics began in the 1960s when companies became more aware of the increasing societal consumers who demonstrated concern for the environment, social causes, and corporate responsibility. An increased focus on "social issues" was a hallmark of this decade.

Since then, the concept of business ethics has evolved. Business ethics is more than a moral code of right and wrong. This principle tries to unite everything that a company must do legally. On the other hand, companies also need to maintain a competitive advantage over other businesses.

Principles of Business Ethics

It is critical to understand the basic principles that drive desirable ethical behavior and how this lack of moral principles contributed to the downfall of many bright and talented people and the businesses they represent.

1. Leadership

A conscious effort to adopt, integrate, and emulate the other 11 principles to guide decisions and behavior in all aspects of professional and personal life.

2. Accountability

Holding yourself and others accountable for their actions. Commitment to follow ethical practices and ensure others follow ethical guidelines.

3. Integrity

Integrates other principles—honesty, trustworthiness, and dependability. A person with integrity consistently does the right thing and strives to maintain a higher standard.

4. Respect for others

To promote ethical behavior and environment in the workplace, respect for others is an important component. Everyone has the right to dignity, privacy, equality, opportunity, compassion and empathy.

5. Honesty

Truth in everything is the key to cultivating an ethical climate. Partial truths, omissions, and understating or exaggerating things don't help a business improve its performance. Bad news must be communicated and received in the same way as good news so that solutions can be developed.

6. Respect the law

Ethical leadership must include enforcing all local, state, and federal laws. If there are legal gray areas, leaders should (presumably) err on the side of legality rather than exploit loopholes.

7. Responsibility

Promote ownership in the organization, allow employees to be responsible for their work, and be accountable for your work.

8. Transparency

Stakeholders are people with an interest in the business, such as shareholders, employees, the community in which the company operates and family members of employees. Without divulging trade secrets, companies must ensure that information about their finances, price changes, hiring and firing practices, wages and salaries, and promotions is available to those interested in business success.

9. Compassion

Employees, the community surrounding the business, business partners and customers should all be treated with concern for their well-being.

10. Fairness

Everyone should have equal opportunities and be treated equally. If a practice or behavior will make you feel uncomfortable or place personal or company benefit above equality, common decency and respect, it is not being fair.

11. Loyalty

Leadership must demonstrate confidentiality and commitment to employees and their company. The inspiring loyalty of employees and management ensures that they are committed to best practices.

12. Concern for the environment

In a world where resources are limited, ecosystems have been damaged by past practices, and the climate is changing, it is very important to be aware of and concerned about the environmental impact that business has. All employees should be encouraged to find and report solutions to practices that could add to the harm that has been done.

The Importance of Business Ethics

There are several reasons business ethics are so important to success in modern business. Most importantly, a well-defined ethics program establishes a code of ethics that encourages employee behavior. When all employees make ethical decisions, the company establishes a reputation for ethical behavior. His reputation grew, and he began to reap the benefits of his moral formation:

  • Brand recognition and growth.
  • Improved ability to negotiate
  • Increased trust in products and services
  • Customer retention and growth
  • Attract talent
  • Attract investors

Combined, all of these factors affect business revenue. Those who fail to set ethical standards and uphold them will eventually find themselves with Enron, Arthur Andersen, Wells Fargo, Lehman Brothers, Bernie Madoff, and many others.

Types of Business Ethics

There are several theories about business ethics and many other types to be found. The following types of business ethics need to be put forward.

1. Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate social responsibility is a concept that takes into account the impact of meeting these needs on employees, the environment, society and the communities in which the business operates. Finances and profits are important, but they must come second only to the welfare of society, customers and employees. Businesses must hold themselves accountable and responsible for their environmental, philanthropic, ethical and economic impacts.

2. Transparency and Trust

It is very important for companies to ensure they report their financial performance in a transparent manner. This applies not only to required financial reports but to all reports in general. For example, many companies issue annual reports to their shareholders.

3. Technology Practices and Ethics

The increasing use of technology of all kinds in business operations is closely linked to the growing need for businesses to ensure that technology and the information it collects is used ethically. In addition, companies must ensure that technology is secured to the best of its ability, especially since many businesses store customer information and collect data that could be used by those with malicious intent.

4. Justice

The workplace must be inclusive, diverse and fair for all employees regardless of race, religion, creed, age or identity. A fair work environment is where everyone can grow, be promoted and be successful in their own way.

How to Practice Good Business Ethics

Fostering an environment of ethical behavior and decision-making takes time and effort—always starting at the top. Most companies need to establish a code of conduct/ethics, guiding principles, reporting procedures, and training programs to uphold ethical behavior.

Once behaviors are defined and programs implemented, ongoing communication with employees becomes essential. Leaders must continually encourage employees to report worrisome behavior. In addition, there must be assurance that the complainant will not face any hostile acts.

Prasetiya Mulya Executive Learning Institute
Prasetiya Mulya Cilandak Campus, Building 2, #2203
Jl. R.A Kartini (TB. Simatupang), Cilandak Barat, Jakarta 12430
Indonesia
Prasetiya Mulya Executive Learning Institute
Prasetiya Mulya Cilandak Campus, Building 2, #2203
Jl. R.A Kartini (TB. Simatupang), Cilandak Barat,
Jakarta 12430
Indonesia