Code of Business Conduct & Ethics
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Is Business Ethics Possible and Necessary?, Economics & Sociology, Vol
Lech Keller-Krawczyk 133 ISSN 2071-789X INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO ECONOMICS AND SOCIOLOGY Lech Keller-Krawczyk, Is Business Ethics Possible and Necessary?, Economics & Sociology, Vol. 3, No 1, 2010, pp. 133-142. Lech Keller-Krawczyk IS BUSINESS ETHICS POSSIBLE AND CETRAD-UTAD Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e NECESSARY? Alto Douro, Portugal ABSTRACT. In this paper I try to define business ethics, the need for it and discuss if it is possible and necessary. I understand business ethics as a subset of applied ethics relating to business activity of human beings. I also explain Received: February, 2010 the differences between ethics and law, especially business 1st Revision: March, 2010 ethics and business law, as well as differences between Accepted: April, 2010 business etiquette, and business ethics. I also argue that the rising challenge from China and India, strong independence movements in Latin America and prolonged socio-economic crisis in Western Europe, as well as the recent events in the US, made it no longer possible to ignore the ethical dimension of business activities. Finally, I signal the fundamental questions of business ethics, such as. 1. What is ownership, and is it moral? 2. Are relationships between labour and capital based on sound moral principles? 3. Where is the border between ethical and unethical methods in fighting the competition? 4. What is the definition of “fair profit”? The conclusion is that as the “invisible hand of the market” rarely solves the ethical problems in business, so business ethics is really a necessity. JEL Classification: A14, L29 Keywords: business ethics, business law. -
The Law and Ethics of Trade Secrets: a Case Study
California Western Law Review Volume 42 Number 2 Article 3 2006 The Law and Ethics of Trade Secrets: A Case Study Kurt M. Saunders California State University, Northridge Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarlycommons.law.cwsl.edu/cwlr Recommended Citation Saunders, Kurt M. (2006) "The Law and Ethics of Trade Secrets: A Case Study," California Western Law Review: Vol. 42 : No. 2 , Article 3. Available at: https://scholarlycommons.law.cwsl.edu/cwlr/vol42/iss2/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by CWSL Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in California Western Law Review by an authorized editor of CWSL Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Saunders: The Law and Ethics of Trade Secrets: A Case Study THE LAW AND ETHICS OF TRADE SECRETS: A CASE STUDY KURT M. SAUNDERS* "[Niothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest...., ABSTRACT Almost every business owns proprietary information that adds value and provides a competitive advantage because the information is not known to the business's competitors. Trade secret law protects such information from theft or unauthorized disclosure. Because one of the principal policies underlying trade secret law is the maintenance of standards of commercial ethics, trade secrets are a rich source of material for exploring questions of business ethics alongside the law. This pedagogical case study offers a means to examine the legal and ethical issues involving the protection and misappropriation of trade secrets within the business environment. I. INTRODUCTION Decisions made by business managers are never made in an ethi- cal vacuum; usually such decisions have a wide-reaching impact on shareholders, employees, consumers, communities, and other busi- nesses. -
Code of Business Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policy for Directors, Officers and Employees ______
[INSERT COMPANY NAME] Code Of Business Ethics And Conflict Of Interest Policy For Directors, Officers And Employees _________________________________ This Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policy (the “Code”) for Directors, Officers and Employees as defined below (collectively, “Covered Persons”) is designed to maintain the standards of business conduct of [Insert Company Name], its subsidiaries and affiliates and their successors and assigns (collectively and severally, the “Company”), and to assure compliance with applicable law. The Company is committed to conducting its business in accordance with the highest ethical standards. It is the policy of the Company to conduct its business fairly, ethically and in compliance with applicable law. Accordingly, all conduct inconsistent with this Code is prohibited. This Code requires not only the avoidance of misconduct, but also the avoidance of acts or omissions that give the appearance of misconduct as well as reporting of misconduct. Covered Persons shall not enter into any activity or incur any expense or liability which would compromise the Company’s commitment to these high standards. Covered Persons are expected to read and understand this Code and uphold its standards day to day. This Code is designed to deter wrong-doing and to promote: 1. honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; 2. fair, full, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with the government and in other public communications made by the Company; 3. compliance with applicable law; 4. prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code; and 5. -
(AAM) Code of Business Ethics
ASSOCIATION FOR ACCESSIBLE MEDICINES Code of Business Ethics March 2018 Introduction Improving patient access to affordable medicines is a core value of companies that develop and manufacture generic and biosimilar medicines. Our companies produce and distribute the medicines that make up approximately 90% of all prescriptions filled in the United States – but at just 26% of total prescription drug spending. We serve as a key pillar in our national healthcare system. Our work includes promoting marketplace competition and supporting strategic enhancements to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) generic drug and biosimilar approval process. We do this for one purpose: to put affordable medicines within the reach of patients who need them. Every dollar saved at the pharmacy counter is a dollar that patients can spend on life’s essentials and other pursuits — or put away for future use. We help patients live better lives, and we do so in a way that saves precious resources for patients, taxpayers, and our economy. Today we introduce the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM) Code of Business Ethics. The practices discussed in this Code represent behaviors that our companies have been demonstrating for many years. And yet, it is incumbent on us to declare to our patients and customers the values upon which our industry is based, and the ethical and business standards upon which we are committed to operating with other members of the healthcare ecosystem. AAM endorses international principles of business ethics as set forth in this Code, including the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Mexico City Principles on Voluntary Codes of Business Ethics in the Biopharmaceutical Sector. -
Ethical Role of the Manager
Ethical Role of the Manager In a broad construction of the ethical role of the manager, managing and leading can be said to be inherently ethics-laden tasks because every managerial decision affects either people or the natural environment in some way—and those effects or impacts need to be taken into consideration as decisions are made. A narrower construction of the ethical role of the manager is that managers should serve only the interests of the shareholder; that is, their sole ethical task is to meet the fiduciary obligation to maximize shareholder wealth that is embedded in the law, predominantly that of the United States, although this point of view is increasingly accepted in other parts of the world. Even in this narrow view, however, although not always recognized explicitly, ethics are at the core of management practice. The ethical role of managers is broadened beyond fiduciary responsibility when consideration is given to the multiple stakeholders who constitute the organization being managed and to nature, on which human civilization depends for its survival. Business decisions affect both stakeholders and nature; therefore, a logical conclusion is that those decisions have ethical content inherently and that managerial decisions, behaviors, and actions are therefore inherently ethical in nature. Whenever there are impacts due to a decision, behavior, or action that a leader or manager makes, there are ethical aspects to that decision or situation. While some skeptics claim that business ethics is an oxymoron, the reality is that decisions and actions have consequences, and that reality implies some degree of ethics, high or low. -
ZVEI's Code of Conduct for Corporate Social Responsibility
ZVEI’s Code of Conduct for Corporate Social Responsibility Preamble ZVEI and its member companies affirm their Corporate Social Responsibility as a part of their global business activities (internationally known as “CSR”1). “ZVEI’s Code of Conduct for Corporate Social Responsibility” (hereinafter called “CoC”) acts as a guideline in the industry, especially regarding working conditions, social and environmental compatibility, transparency, collaboration and dialog that is marked by trust. Developed and agreed to by ZVEI and its member companies, the content of this CoC is an expression of ZVEI’s collective core values as they are defined in ZVEI’s vision and mission statements and especially as they are affirmed in the social market economy. ZVEI recommends that this CoC be implemented by the member companies. It is designed as a self-imposed obligation that can be signed by the member companies. By providing this CoC, ZVEI assists them in responding to different general conditions in a global market and in facing challenges and social expectations that come from intensified collaboration from within the value chain. 1. Basic Understanding of Social Responsibility in Corporate Management A mutual, basic understanding of social responsibility in corporate management forms the basis of this CoC. This means the undersigned company assumes responsibility by bearing in mind the consequences of its business decisions and actions on economic, technological, social and environmental levels and brings about an appropriate balance of interests. The undersigned company voluntarily contributes to the well being and long-term development of a global society at every point it can at the locations where it is in business. -
Organizational Ethics in Accounting: a Comparison of Utilitarianism and Christian Deontological Principles
Running head: ETHICS IN ACCOUNTING 1 Organizational Ethics in Accounting: A Comparison of Utilitarianism and Christian Deontological Principles Katherine Y. Masten A Senior Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for graduation in the Honors Program Liberty University Spring 2012 ETHICS IN ACCOUNTING 2 Acceptance of Senior Honors Thesis This Senior Honors Thesis is accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for graduation from the Honors Program of Liberty University. ______________________________ Melanie A. Hicks, D.B.A. Thesis Chair ______________________________ Gene R. Sullivan, Ph.D. Committee Member ______________________________ Lynnda S. Beavers, Ph.D. Committee Member ______________________________ Brenda Ayres, Ph.D. Honors Director ______________________________ Date ETHICS IN ACCOUNTING 3 Abstract Within the field of accounting, there never seems to be a lack of conflict between an individual’s morals and the ethical responsibilities an employee has to the company. This paper will demonstrate many of these ethical conflicts within the field of accounting. It will also demonstrate how strong leadership and leaders who adhere to strong values and ethical systems will positively affect the relationship between employees’ ethical values and the application of their moral values to the company. A specific ethical dilemma that arises within accounting tends to be the utilitarian conflict. Since the greater good is accomplished in this system, personal responsibility and ethics lose importance. The role -
Equivalence Document Reference GSCP, SA8000 & ETI Base Code
Comparison of Codes: ETI Base Code; SA8000; GSCP Comparison of Codes: Reference ETI Base Code, SA8000 & GSCP SEDEX CODE COMPARISON – Introduction to the Codes ETI – Ethical Trade Initiative: The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is a ground-breaking alliance of companies, trade unions and voluntary organisations which promotes the implementation of corporate codes of practice which cover supply chain working conditions. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that the working conditions of workers producing for the UK market meet or exceed international labour standards. The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) produces guidelines aimed at the promotion and the improvement of ethical trade. The code of conduct has been elaborated in the UK by an alliance of companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and trade union organisations. It is composed of two key elements: the ETI Base Code and the accompanying Principles of Implementation. ETI has developed a code of labour practice - the 'Base Code' - reflecting the most relevant international standards with respect to labour practices which will be used as the basis of its work under the form of 9 statements. ETI member companies are expected to adopt the Base Code, or to adopt their own code so long as it incorporates the Base Code. The Base Code, which is accompanied by a set of general principles concerning implementation, provides a foundation for ETI's philosophy of learning. SA8000: SAI is a non-governmental, international, multi-stakeholder organization dedicated to improving workplaces and communities. It does this work with two principal types of tools; developing and implementing socially responsible standards, the first of which was SA8000; training and capacity building-- about specific standards and management systems for implementing social standards-- for workers, managers and auditors throughout the supply chain. -
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, 6101
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, 6101 Document Date: 12/14/2020 Document Type: Policy Group: Board Department/Function: All LETTER FROM DOUG SHULMAN, PRESIDENT AND CEO Dear colleagues, At OneMain, the success and reputation of our business always depends on the trust we have built with our customers. I am proud of the commitment we have made to honesty and transparency, which builds on our team members operating with integrity. Our Code of Conduct is the cornerstone of how we expect team members to act in their dealings with each other and with customers. The Code has been updated to better reflect our values and we expect each of you to understand and comply with it at all times. While many of us rely heavily on our instincts and best judgment when making decisions, the Code serves as a set of consistent guidelines and requirements on which we can base our actions. Each team member has the obligation to review the updated Code and complete training about it by Sept. 30. The Code is woven into everything we do at OneMain. The Leadership Attributes we announced earlier this year are rooted in integrity and responsibility, and include key principles, like doing the right thing all the time, even when no one is looking; saying what you mean and meaning what you say; and, demonstrating consistent behavior, earning respect and trust from others. We have asked all of you to practice these attributes daily, and to consider them in your goals and professional development each year. We all play a role in maintaining our reputation. -
The Future of Business Ethics
ISSUE BRIEF The Future of Business Ethics OCTOBER 2017 After decades of investing in compliance and ethics, the corporate world nonetheless finds itself confronting challenges that can pose existential reputational risk. Companies face ever-louder calls to adopt and enforce ethical business practices. Despite a growing focus on organizational culture, many still compartmentalize their efforts. No single department can own responsibility for installing and maintaining an ethical culture in an organization. Human resources, ethics and compliance, and sustainability teams need to work toward common goals and values set by a corporation’s senior leadership. Companies professing a deep commitment to sustainable, ethical business practices to help foster genuinely positive organizational culture must understand that, where integrity is concerned, we must think beyond the “business case.”1 Sometimes a company simply needs to walk away from a lucrative opportunity that would contradict its core principles. The public increasingly distrusts private sector rhetoric on ethical business,2 and there is a pressing need for leaders that will take, and adhere to, clear decisions about core values and priorities. This paper summarizes conclusions from an extensive literature review and interviews with 70 experts and corporate leaders in sustainability, ethics, and compliance. THE STATE OF PLAY At the OECD Integrity Forum in March 2017, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development concluded3 that a narrow focus on anti-corruption and fraud -
1 LGST 920: Ethics in Business and Economics the Wharton School
LGST 920: Ethics in Business and Economics The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Fall Semester 2020 Professor Brian Berkey E-Mail: [email protected] Office Hours: By Appointment Course Description This course is a seminar for Ph.D students that will cover a range of central issues in business ethics, and in related areas of moral and political philosophy more broadly. The reading list is below, although it is subject to limited change based on student interest and other factors as the course progresses. All course meetings will occur on Zoom. The course will alternate meeting times between Wednesday mornings and Tuesday evenings. Meetings for weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 will be Wednesday from 10:00am-1:00pm EST. Meetings for weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 14 will be Tuesday from 7:00-10:00pm EST. The meeting for week 10 will be on Monday evening from 7:00-10:00pm instead of Tuesday, since Tuesday is election day. Course Requirements The primary requirement for the course is a paper of roughly 7000-9000 words (including footnotes and references), which is due on December 18th. Each student should aim to discuss their planned paper topic with me by early November. In addition, students are expected to actively participate in seminar discussion. Each student will be assigned to open our class discussion by presenting some brief thoughts on the week’s material at least once during the semester. Discussion forums will also be set up on Canvas so that students who are unable to attend particular sessions can contribute their thoughts there. -
Global Code of Conduct
Global Code of Conduct Lead by example Dear Colleagues, We invest resources, do research, and develop new drugs — all in an innovative way. However, that is not the whole story. We do it with passion, in the spirit of service and with the utmost consideration for patients’ needs. We adhere scrupulously to ethical principles and comply with the law while respecting the environment and communities. Simply put, we act responsibly. Our actions involve all stakeholders at every level of the company — at each stage of the process that brings our drugs from discovery to patients. This Code of Conduct responds to our needs. We are a growing company embracing new challenges on a global scale. We speak many languages, embrace new cultures and comply with many different regulatory systems, from the United States to China. Now more than ever, it is time to reaffirm our principles and put them to work for a new vision, to strengthen our values and the history from which they were born and developed. This Code of Conduct is much more than a document. It lays the foundation for all our actions, no matter where we are. It is our common heritage, the embodiment of our way of doing business, the testament of our integrity. More than research, more than investments, more than innovation, it is our responsible behavior that guides us. We are and will remain irreproachable in our everyday work and in each choice we are asked to make. Read this document carefully, make it your own and put it into practice. Let’s improve it together.