BookReview2.doc

Understanding the Problem and the Need

    We need to act with awareness when it comes to being ethical in any business. Business ethics involves being fully aware of what we’re doing, including the consequences and complications of our actions.

Today, public concerns about ethical practices in business usually relate to issues like fraud, accepting bribes or poisoning the atmosphere.

Whatever viewpoint, good ethics means good business. Successful organizations and managers must take ethics seriously.

“Ethics is the name we give to our concern for good behavior”

    When we feel that good behavior is the solution for our conflicts and we consider not only our own personal well-being, but also that of others and of human society as a whole, then we can say that we have good ethics.

Forces That Shape Ethical Behavior

According to those who study the history and philosophy of ethics, infants would not survive without a nurturer who teaches them about right and wrong behavior. In human societies, a series of nurturers and teachers influence the ethical views of each individual. Our parents, siblings, relatives, friends, and other people can be our sources of ethical values.

Ethical Considerations in Transactions With Employees

    Supervisors and managers are continually involved with employees and upcoming employees. They are responsible for numerous decisions that affect the self-esteem, personal growth, morale, and economic well-being of those they manage. Also, Managers continually chooses between people when making decisions such as which job seeker to hire, which employee to promote or which employee to be removed. These decisions are especially difficult when they concern long-term employees, people with personal problems, older workers, minorities or people with low skills in a technical business environment.

    Managers cannot avoid being torn by conflicting personal interests and biases, loyalties to individuals, friendships, organizational needs, and in some cases, the implications for his or her own status in the organization.

Reference: Ethics In Business. Authors: Robert Maddux and Dorothy Maddux

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