Business Ethics: Where are we Going?

This articles asks the questions as to whether or not businesses public images are worsened by stricter policies and regulations or by shallower practices themselves. It proposes a solution by teaching current and future business students the importance of corporate social responsibility and business ethics.

• "Business permeates our entire living experience and the public expects responsible behavior from business, as it would a family member. As a society, we have put our trust in companies that "bring good things to life" and give us "better living through chemistry."
• Ethics vs. Legality.  Just because it is legal, doesn't mean that it is ethical. Ethical behavior should transcend legality. 
• For the business community to formulate a specific code that would apply to all conceivable situations and activities would be as doomed to failure as government attempts to do the same thing. 
• Instead of these "thou shalt nots," consider ethical guidelines proposed by Robert W. Austin in 1961 (converted into questions by article author)
• Can I affirm that I am subordinating my person interests to the interests of the company?
• Am I placing my duty to society above my duty to the company and above my personal interests?
• Have I revealed the facts of the situation where my private interests conflict with those of my company, or the company's with those of society?
• "Idealism" is not for holy days but for every day--"ethical behavior is good business." Results in "greater drive and motivation, it attracts better quality people who appreciate working with a respected company; and it improves relations with customers, competitors and the public."
• After reviewing various colleges and universities business programs, the author discovered that hardly any truly focused on ethics beyond lip service.  The curriculum "in most cases is an emphasis on practicality, a concentration on what is, not what should be."
• Need for a paradigm shift in economics education: ethics should not be contingent upon one's character, but rather practice and contemplation in ethics through better education. 
• The author proposes seminars on such, emphasis on better decision making, business world leaders giving information on business ethics applications--not just faculty, 
• Making a stance against unethical behavior is not enough--many businesses do not abide by their own policies.  
• Businesses may want to consider having someone in particular who is in charge of public policy, environmental responsibility, and other corporate responsibilities. 
• "The decision for the future rests within the business community. There appears to be a clear prescription of what is required, and some guidelines that can help in bringing about the required changes in corporate behavior.  The crucial question is whether the business community is willing to make the short-term concessions necessary to achieve its long term goal: survival." 

Wabam. 

Saul, George. (1981). Business Ethics: Where are We Going? The Academy of Management Review, 6(2), 269-276.