Business (&) ethics

[Skullkracker]

Ok regulars, and lurkers, it's thinking time!
May seem long, but please don't skip!

I'm not around that much lately, because I started to actually do some university work. The project I am working on is about ethics in business.

Since I have encountered many people here around my age (on about the same level of maturity (:P )) from many countries, different backgrounds, and usually strong opinions, I've realized that it could be quite educational for us all to take some use of our serious sides too (yes, even I have one).

Everybody's contribution would really be welcomed!
My aim is not different than to try and view the idea of business ethics through your eyes:

To put it short: basically, business ethics is about bringing a touch of morality into making decisions in a company. Many associate business with opportunism, the maximizing of profits and the wealth of shareholders...even through morally questionable procedures.

I've gone through many articles, and I've seen really interesting ideas.
Some consider business ethics a fad, or an oxymoron, supporters state that it is the key to long term success, sustainable economical and social development.
Business ethics is not only a theory. It is put into use too, it is supposed to be especially widespread in the USA or Western Europe. Ethical codes, hotlines, ombudsmans, consultations and trainings, missions statements, so called green audits are what some socially aware companies have put into use.

What I expect from you all, is:

To simply think and post about how you see the ethical level of some companies you encounter, or the area you live in. It can be your expressions altogether, or simply stories that happened to you or have heard.
Tell us if you know ethical practices of companies that you sympathize with, or unethical practices that you have serious doubts about (or even the other way around). Do companies that are aware of the interests of their stakeholders (suppliers, local citizens, environment, customers...) have a handicap or do they have an advantage over companies that cannot be trusted? How do you feel about a business partner that abuses trust and goodwill, and about one which doesn't fail to keep your interests in mind? Is business ethics all about faking honesty, or can really stem from the individual morality? Is bringing ethics into business a paradox?

I hope I've made my purpose and topic clear, if not, I'm willing to go further (no matter how huge I have to make this post )

Just two notes:

- I'd like to make this a flame free zone! No bashing, no getting personal!
I want to hear every voice in the choir.

- If you state your opinion, please don't make it a simple sentence, give it a little seasoning by reasoning!

[Skullkracker]

now where did that third option wonder off? just wanted to avoid random voting with that

Anyway I'm sorry for double posting, but I figured I could go first.

In my homeland, Hungary I have a dark vision of business life. Coming from the "accursed" former regime the country has spent about one and a half decades switching from communis to a capitalist free market system. (some of the way I use may be incorrect, I apologize from experts who might read)

The way I see it, consumers are slowly beginning to recognize their "power over companies". In a well working economy those who do not meet the needs of their customers run out of business.
As for the ethical level of companies, I usually see the dark side, as media just loves the scandals of unethical behaviour of companies.

One of the teachers told us recently that the ratio of unpaid depts between companies is not too good. That doesn't mean that we ae full of dishonest managers, it means that there is still a long mile to run. There are improvements, and as foreign investors set up companies they also bring in the Western style use of ethics in business life.
I would say that as soon as people can see that they vote for companies that they are satisfied with through their purchases they have a choice of what businesses they want to exist. As soon as companies realize that it can be really lucrative to be honest with their partners and that keeping their customers by far less expensive than "turning the heads of new ones" the practices of ethical decision making can spread.

I have often had a feeling of being taken for a fool when engaging into business relation with certain providers, but I have also seen some that want to try harder to please.

I also sense that the morality in economy and politics affects the way that society thinks about ethical behavior. Business activity also being a part of society it interacts with other areas as well. Businessmen also pose as fathers, husbands, customers, and they cannot keep switching their morality according to what they are doing at the moment.

One of the problem points about business ethics are that the effects are difficult (if not impossible) to measure, and I don't yet have a good insight into the practicing business ethics in real life situations.

These are my thoughts, but I settle with much less

[Laik]

Hmm, I'm not that good when it comes to stuff like this but I'll try my best.

I'm black and I live in Alabama, US. To be flat out honest, business people always came off as greedy people who capitalized on every opportunity for the most part. As I write this there are some investigations into some companies around here because some people higher up are stealing money from the own companies and so on.

I know it sounds tired but people really don't do much for the minority especially when you aren't the largest minority anymore. When I walk around and look at the places around me, I seriously realize that almost everyone one of them would rip me off (I see people go into these Car Title Loan places and end up having to pay like 300 or 400 percent <- The stuff that should be getting investigated).

Hmm, business ethics. To me, it feels like the interest of the consumer isn't really in mind for real. However, I know that there are people out there who are honestly thinking of the people who buy their product/shop at their store.

I hope this helped you in some way. I don't really know much when it comes to business and the like.

[Skullkracker]

it's OK

even the poll doesn't surprise me that much...business has a bad sound to it...sometimes I don't even know why I wanted to learn about it, guess I wanted a better understanding of it's nature...

a teacher told me, that if a company aims at profit purely, that is bad as it is, they confuse the goal with the tool
it has to have a mission, goals, for example: provide cheap means of transportation for people (produce bikes) while keeping the importance of a healthy invoironment in mind (not dump the waste into the lake) and such

there are so many examples of how to do things wrong
the field business ethics just might give clues to how to do things right

[Necromancer]

Nowadays ethics are lost in many parts not only business.

And I don't think all the business people are greedy or bad but the good ones that also try to help people with what they do and do not only think of themselves mostly don't survive and end up getting swallowed.

Ethics and business aren't paradox but if you combine both you have to be very strong.

[Skullkracker]

but the good ones that also try to help people with what they do and do not only think of themselves mostly don't survive and end up getting swallowed.

I really would want to know how much truth this statement has.

A scandal can be as damaging to a business as anything else. Enron is a prime example. The stock market has a queer nature, it reacts quickly...to the slightest bad news.

Since I specailize in marketing, we are taught to be aware of the fact that a successful company needs to look at the needs of the comsumers. Constant innovation is a must.
An unsatisfied client tells about his experiences to three times as many people as when he is satisfied. And one whose problem is efficiently and quickly dealt with is one of the happiest birds out there.

Could it be that people don't even expect companies to treat them ethically? Is business life truly thought to be a necessarily unclean?