Daiza Joy A.

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ETHICS AND BUSINESS SYNTHESIS

I’ve learned that ethics is the study which deals with human conduct in so far

as this conduct may be considered right or wrong. In connection with this, it would be

very helpful when applied to business. It can pave the way for common ground in our

understanding of the fundamental idea of what is good and what is bad in our human

conduct in the working scenario. Without ethics, it would be a kind of subjective

morality. There would be inconsistent standards to be implemented in a certain

organization. Moreover, it helps businessmen and would- be businessmen to

determine what business practices are right and what are wrong.

On the other side, I’ve also encountered the factors that influence ethical

behavior which are the macro level or the business environment, factors related

to the external environment and usually controlled by the organization and the

systems they imposed. This includes culture, economics, technology, religion and

law; middle level factors, organizational level-factors; organizations usually

should exercise power on the facts and control through organizational policies and

procedures. This includes competition, reward system, behavioral principles, job

profile sources, organizational culture and climate, goals given position, performance

evaluation and reference person; the level of wisdom or individual-level factors,

this involves factors attributed to the employees rather than the organizations. It

includes attitude, intention, self power, control, field, independence, demographic,

parents influence, level of moral development values and beliefs.

Lastly, I’ve learned about business myths on business ethics that have given

me deeper understanding and knowledge. I know these would help me on my future

endeavors. The five myths being presented are as follows:

Myth 1: Ethics is a Personal Affair and not a public behavior matter

There are some businessmen that are claiming that ethics is a private issue

and not a public matter. Morality is a result of environmental factors such as culture,

religion and family values that greatly affects personality. What is good for others

might not be good for others.

Myth 2: Ethics and Business do not mix

Some businessmen claim that ethics has no place in business. This myth

rooted to the idea of having or engaging into business and doing freely what they

want and ethical standards have nothing to do with it.

Myth 3: Ethics in business is relative

There are universal principles that people share and agree upon regardless of

religious orientations, cultures and value systems.

Myth 4: Good business means good ethics

Once business is profitable but the means acquiring profits is somehow

questionable. The ends justify the means that is what ethics encouraging the

businessmen in doing business.

Myth 5: Business is a war

Business is a good human activity that promotes a healthy competition and

not to destroy the competitors.

All above mentioned myths are denied explaining that ethics being applied in

business leads to a more harmonious and productive outcome when used properly.

Moreover, business competition is healthy once this paves a way to improvement

and development rather than unethical practices. To sum it up, business ethics is of

great help in every way it would be imposed.