There is a lot of discussion and confusion about business morals and corporations operating in an ethical manner.
The commentators seem only too ready to criticise or to blame someone for not acting in an ethical manner, when in reality what should have been done is outwith that person or department's area of responsibility.
A simple way and very practical way to manage business ethics and morals is to define them separately and clearly:
Morals is the choice of right from wrong - illegal, against culture or against religious teachings
Ethics is the choice of right from right - long-term/short-term, competitive/co-operative etc. etc.
The attached note explores these definitions and offers thoughts as to why an ethical business in one country can become an immoral business in another.
See Download making_the_soft_stuff_pay.pdf for the argument
Posted by Steve Mullins 30th October 2006
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