A few years ago Shell, a British oil-company, had to close an old oil-rig in the North Sea. All relevant scientists and governments agreed pulling it down into the sea would be best in terms of environment and costs. But when the idea was launched by Shells managers there was a lot of protest all over Europe. People, heavily supported by Greenpeace, started to boycott Shells petrol stations and stopped buying in their shops. As a result the company decided to rebuild the oil-rig on land accepting several negative consequences.
This essay therefore aims by way of the examples of Shell and others to become more familiar with the issue of practical business ethics and it gives details about its routes and meanings. Also, the reasons for implementing ethical action into daily business are explained more detailed and questions of why the management has to behave socially responsible are tackled. Thoughts are spend on “How could ethical behaviour be introduced into the business world?” and ‘social responsibility’ is divided into three main strands and directions. And finally, some practical advice for future behaviour is give, too.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Drawing on Relevant Theories of Business Ethics, Examine Managerial Approaches Used in Dealing with Ethical Dilemmas
- Business Ethics: Routes and Meanings
- Social Responsibility
- Reasons for Implementing Ethical Action into Business
- How Could Ethical Behaviour Be Introduced into Daily Business?
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay examines managerial approaches to ethical dilemmas, drawing on relevant theories of business ethics. It explores the reasons why businesses should adopt ethical behavior and how managers can implement ethical guidelines within their organizations.
- The definition and scope of business ethics
- The concept of social responsibility in business
- Motivations for ethical business practices (individual and collective)
- Practical steps for implementing ethical guidelines within organizations
- The role of management in fostering ethical behavior
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Drawing on Relevant Theories of Business Ethics, Examine Managerial Approaches Used in Dealing with Ethical Dilemmas: This introductory chapter uses the Shell oil rig case study to illustrate the importance of ethical considerations in business decision-making. It highlights the potential consequences of ignoring stakeholder interests and introduces the central theme of the essay: examining how managers can navigate ethical dilemmas effectively. The chapter briefly touches upon the concepts of morality and ethics, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of business ethics in subsequent sections.
Business Ethics: Routes and Meanings: This section delves into the foundational concepts of business ethics, distinguishing between morality (individual judgments of good and bad) and ethics (reasoning behind values and principles that guide actions). It draws upon philosophical perspectives such as Plato's "idea of the good" and Kant's "clear practical reason" to illustrate the historical context and enduring relevance of ethical principles in shaping human behavior and societal structures. The chapter lays the groundwork for understanding the application of these broader philosophical concepts within the specific context of business operations.
Social Responsibility: This chapter explores the multifaceted nature of social responsibility in business, categorizing it into intra-organizational (personnel training, work security, equal treatment), extra-organizational (competitor relations, societal and cultural engagement), and mixed responsibilities. It examines both active (e.g., promoting better laws) and passive (avoiding unethical partnerships) approaches to social responsibility, emphasizing the limitations of passive strategies in achieving broader societal impact. The concept of social responsibility is positioned as a key driver of ethical behavior in the business world.
Reasons for Implementing Ethical Action into Business: This section explores the motivations behind incorporating ethical actions into business practices, differentiating between individual and collective reasons. Individual reasons include employee motivation and the attraction of high-potential employees who prioritize ethical company culture. Collective reasons focus on enhanced company image, increased customer loyalty, and higher share prices. The chapter highlights the competitive advantage that ethical behavior can offer in an increasingly individualistic society.
How Could Ethical Behaviour Be Introduced into Daily Business?: This chapter explores practical strategies for integrating ethical behavior into daily business operations. It emphasizes a human understanding approach, suggesting that ethical behavior should be seen as intelligent and beneficial. The chapter uses examples such as the Percy Barnevik case at ABB to illustrate the gap between legal compliance and ethical considerations. It suggests practical guidelines, such as the ten practical rules from the Institute of Business Ethics, and a twelve-step process for implementing a code of business ethics, providing a roadmap for managers to foster ethical conduct within their organizations.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Business ethics, managerial approaches, ethical dilemmas, social responsibility, stakeholder interests, corporate social responsibility, ethical guidelines, code of conduct, employee motivation, corporate image, competitive advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview on Business Ethics
What is the overall topic of this text?
This text is a comprehensive preview of an essay examining managerial approaches to ethical dilemmas in business. It explores the theoretical foundations of business ethics, the concept of social responsibility, motivations for ethical business practices, and practical strategies for implementing ethical guidelines within organizations.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
The key themes include: the definition and scope of business ethics; social responsibility in business (both intra- and extra-organizational); motivations for ethical business practices (individual and collective); practical steps for implementing ethical guidelines; and the role of management in fostering ethical behavior.
What theories or concepts of business ethics are discussed?
The text draws upon relevant theories of business ethics, referencing philosophical perspectives such as Plato's "idea of the good" and Kant's "clear practical reason." It also explores the distinction between morality and ethics, and the application of broader philosophical concepts to business operations.
What is the significance of social responsibility in the context of this text?
Social responsibility is presented as a key driver of ethical behavior. The text categorizes it into intra-organizational, extra-organizational, and mixed responsibilities, examining both active and passive approaches. It emphasizes the limitations of passive strategies and highlights the importance of considering stakeholder interests.
What are the reasons for implementing ethical action in business, according to this text?
The text differentiates between individual and collective reasons for implementing ethical actions. Individual reasons include improved employee motivation and attraction of high-potential employees. Collective reasons include enhanced company image, increased customer loyalty, and higher share prices. The competitive advantage gained through ethical behavior is also highlighted.
How can ethical behavior be introduced into daily business practices?
The text suggests a human understanding approach, viewing ethical behavior as intelligent and beneficial. It provides practical examples and guidelines, including the ten practical rules from the Institute of Business Ethics and a twelve-step process for implementing a code of business ethics. The text also uses case studies (e.g., Percy Barnevik at ABB) to illustrate the gap between legal compliance and ethical considerations.
What are the key chapters and their summaries?
The text provides summaries for each chapter: an introduction using a case study to highlight ethical considerations; an exploration of the foundational concepts of business ethics; a discussion of social responsibility in its various forms; an analysis of the motivations (individual and collective) for ethical business practices; and finally, a chapter dedicated to practical strategies for implementing ethical behavior in daily business operations.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
Key words include: Business ethics, managerial approaches, ethical dilemmas, social responsibility, stakeholder interests, corporate social responsibility, ethical guidelines, code of conduct, employee motivation, corporate image, competitive advantage.
What is the purpose of this language preview?
This language preview serves as a comprehensive overview, including the title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords, to provide a structured and professional analysis of the themes within the text.
- Citation du texte
- Michael A. Braun (Auteur), 2002, Drawing on relevant theories of business ethics, examine managerial approaches used in dealing with ethical dilemmas, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/43158
