Ethics in Business—Making Choices

It is rare today to find a company without some type of code of ethics. Training programs that teach ethics in business have grown immensely and are estimated to generate revenue about $1 billion—but, how effective are these ethics in business programs? Unfortunately, it is not easy to produce solid empirical evidence showing the value of ethics training because it is difficult to measure ethical behavior.

Think about this the next time you hear the term, ethics in business. “Am I incorrect to assume that ethics in business and ethics in an individual’s personal life are one in the same?” To me, ethics, whether it is ethics in business or personal, it’s all about making choices.

A person with high moral character recognizes moral problems, knows how to resolve them, and has an unwavering commitment to live morally. As discussed in this book, Business Fraud: From Trust to Betrayal , we can appreciate the complexity of ethics in business when we look at and learn from the unethical behaviors that took place within the executive suites of WorldCom and Enron.

Ethics in business applies to all aspects of workplace conduct and is relevant to everyone from the CEO on down. Promoting ethics in business is a much-needed strategy. These training programs include off-the-shelf modules, presentations to large groups by consultants using lectures and PowerPoint visuals. I have always found that those ethics in business training programs that involve group participation are powerful peer influences that contribute to moral internalization. As discussed in Chapter 12 of this book, honesty, loyalty and commitment go hand-in-hand in creating ethics in business and a climate of honesty.

Chapter after chapter deals with situations involving ethics in business and ways to prevent any business operation from falling victim to internal fraud and embezzlement.

Read more about ethics in business by ordering your copy of Business Fraud: From Trust to Betrayal today!