Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

Hanif Kurniadi
A. "Business Ethics and Social Responsibility"

Business ethics as the principles and standards that determine acceptable
conduct in business organizations. Personal ethocs, on the other hand, business ethics
relates to an individual values, principles and standards of conduct. The acceptability
of behavior in business is determined by not only the organization, but also by
stakeholders such as cuntomers, competitors, government regulators, interest groups
and the public, as well as each individual personal principles and values of. The
publicity and debate surrounding highly visible legal and ethical issues at a number of
well-known firms, including Diamond Food, Bank of America and Citigroup,
highlights the need for business to integrate ethics and responsibility in all business
decisions.
Many consumers and social advocates believe that business should not only
make a benefit, but also consider the implications of their activities. The social
responsibility is a business obligation to maximize its positive impacts and minimize
negative impacts on society. Although many people use the terms social responsibility
and ethics interchangeably, they do not mean the same thing. Business ethics relates
to an individuals or a work group decisions that society evaluatesev as right or wrong,
whereas social responsibility is a broader concept that centerns the impact of the
entire business activities on society. The most basic ethical and social responsibility
concerns have been codified by laws and regulations that encourage business to
conforms to society standards, values and attitudes.
B. Recognizing Ethical Issues in Business

Ethical issues is an identifiable problem, situation or opportunity that requires
a person to choose from among several actions that may be evaluates as right or
wrong, ethical or unethical. In business, such a choice often involves weighing
monetary profit againts what a person consider appropriate conduct. The best way to
judge the ethics of a decision is to look at a situation from a customers or competitor's
viewpoint.
Many business issues seem strightforward and easy to resolve on the surface,
but are in reality very complex. A person often needs several years of experience in
business to understand what is acceptable or ethical. For example, it is considered
improper to give or accept bribes, which are payments, gifts, or a special favors
intended to influence the outcome of a decision. A bribe benefits an individuals or a
company at the expense of the other stakeholders. Companies that do business
Hanif Kurniadi
overseas should be aware that bribes are a significant ethical issue, in fact, illegal in
many countries.
1. Misuse of Company Time
Misuse of time is the number one area of misconduct observed in the workplace.
Examples of misusing time in the workplace is by engaging in activities that are
not necessary for the job. For instance, many employees spend an average of one
hour each day to using social networking sites or watching on YouTube.
2. Abusive and Intimidating Behavior
These concept can mean anyting from physical threats, false accusations,
profanity, insults, yelling, harshness and unreason ubleness to ignoring someone
or simply being annoying and the meaning of these words can differ by person.
3. Misuse of Company Resources
Misuse of company resources has been identified by the Ethics Resource Center
as a leading issue in observed misconduct in organization. Issue might include
spending an excessive amount of time on personal email, submitting personal
expense on company expense report, or using the copier company for personal
use.
4. Conflict of Interest
For example, a manager in a corporation is supposed to ensure that the company is
profitable so that is stockholders owners receive a return on their investments. In
other words, the manager has a responsibility to investors. If he instead make
decisions that give him more power or money but do not help the company, then
he would has a conflict of interest, she is acting to benefit himself at the expense
of the company and is not fulfill responsibilities as an employee.
5. Fairness and Honesty

Fairness and honesty are at the heart of business ethics and relate to the general
values of the decision maker. At a minimum, a businessman are expected to
follow all applicable laws and regulations. But beyond obeying the law, they are
expected not to harm consumers, employees, clients
or competitors,
misrepresentation, forcing or discriminate. Honesty and fairness can relate to how

employees use the resources of the organization.
Hanif Kurniadi
6. Communication
Communication is also an important thing in business ethics that may exist. False
and misleading advertising, as well as deceptive personal selling tactics, anger
consumers and can lead to failure of a business.
7. Business Relations
The behavior of businessperson toward consumers, suppliers and others in their
workplace may also an important ethical way of doing business. Ethical behavior
in keeping company secrets, meeting obligation and responsibility and avoiding
undue pressure that may force others to act unethically.

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What are some examples of ethical issues in business?

What are some ways employees can misuse company resources?

Hanif Kurniadi

A. "Business Ethics and Social Responsibility"

B. Recognizing Ethical Issues in Business

5. Fairness and Honesty

misrepresentation, forcing or discriminate. Honesty and fairness can relate to how

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