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Ethics In Enterprise |
Critique of Moral Theories
* Relativism versus Absolutism
* Values
I invite you, however, to visit Capella University at http://www.capella.edu/GATEWAY.ASPX
L.N. Walkup
| Quotes from Verne Henderson's book, What's Ethical in Business? Who decides what's ethical? Everybody. Business ethics is the art of anticipating and negotiating solutions acceptable to all constituents. (107)
What's ethical depends upon the situation. Situations can be as rich in variation as a child's kaleidoscope. A slight turn brings a new scene to view. (107)
Perceptions of what's ethical can change overnight and become illegal in a matter of weeks or months.(107)
We've reached that pinnacle of worldwide egalitarianism whereby a supposedly less influential and significant nation or individual can have a powerful impact on shaping the business ethics.(107)
Business is a survival game with its own set of rules. Those rules are changing around the world. Managers must learn to think deeply rather than simply react, anticipate for the long term rather than simply hope for the best, include all constituents rather than the dominant financial ones. (107)
Not to choose is a choice (136). Gresham's Law. The law named after SirThomas Gresham, financial adviser to Queen Elizabeth I , stipulates that bad money drives out god money (137). Bad ethics drives out good ethics(137).
Ethical standards tend to be reduced to their lowest common denominator. This principle pops up in a variety of ways. Even the most expensive hotels now bolt their room radios to the furniture because a small percentage of their guests stole them. Businesses large and small now eschew cash payment by check...Hitchhiking, so safe and popular after World War II, is now too dangerous because of its abuse by a few citizens. Airlines overbook their flights in part because "no shows" fail to honor a verbal reservation. The bad ethics of a few eventually lower standards for the whole.(137)
In the world of ethics, the good apples make allowances for the bad apples and share in their self-putrefaction....Unethical behavior is managed indirectly instead of confrontationally. Who wants to offend a potential customer(137).
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National Business Ethics Survey
Business Ethics Links
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Lofty Ideas -
Highlights of ethical stances from across the
world. Sources: A Companion to Ethics, ed. Peter Singer,
Blackwell, 1993.
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Collaboration software for team projects - Groove
http://www.amclassical.com/midi/