Ethics Reflection 1

Running head: ETHICS REFLECTION PAPER

Ethics Reflection Paper

Sean Beyel,

University of Phoenix

Leon Baudot

Strategic Planning & Implementation 581

September 20, 2010

Ethics Reflection
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Business ethics is essentially a term that is referring to how the personal moral norms of

individuals apply to the activities and goals of commercial enterprise. It is not a separate moral

standard, but more over how the business context poses its own unique problems for the moral

person who acts as an agent of this system. Business ethics deals with three basic areas of

managerial decision making: (1) choices about what the laws should be and whether to follow

them; (2) choices about economic and social issues outside the domain of law; and (3) choices

about the priority of self-interest over the company's interests (Weiss, 2006). For business

leaders and managers, managing ethically also means managing with integrity. Integrity cascades

throughout an organization. It shapes and influences the values, tone, and culture of the

organization; the communications among all members; and the realism, commitment, and

imagination of everyone in a company.

Ethics ensures that organization achieves its strategic goals, vision, mission and

objectives in the right manner and provides a sense of direction and framework to the

organizational managers and employees to progress ahead on the strategic path in the correct

manner.. As we know that today's organizations are under a great deal of scrutiny in terms of

their corporate governance and ethics from regulatory authorities, government and public, it has

become imperative for organizations to adhere to highest possible ethical standards by deeply

integrating ethics into the strategic plan in order to maintain a good corporate image in front of

all the stakeholders of the organization.

“Doing the right thing” matters. To companies and employers, acting legally and

ethically means saving billions of dollars each year in lawsuits, settlements, and theft. Costs to

businesses also include deterioration of relationships; damage to reputation; declining employee

productivity, creativity, and loyalty; ineffective information flow throughout the organization;
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and absenteeism. Companies that have a reputation of unethical and uncaring behavior toward

employees also have a difficult time recruiting and retaining valued professionals (Weiss, 2006).

Ethical perspective is an outlook or viewpoint to perceive things. During my personal and

professional life, my ethical perspective has evolved greatly that contributed me a lot. Ethical

perspectives have evolved during my program in an impressive manner. My knowledge

regarding ethical and social behavior has also improved. I have learned about the importance of

ethical conduct and guidelines. It is also identified that socially favorable acts assist in

developing a positive image in society. Ethical conducts pay in return during critical situations

like crisis. Moral, values and norms have evolved in an effective manner.

According to my ethical perspective I am a result driven individual. This ethical

perspective looks at the result and the consequences of their actions. Individuals whom fit in this

ethical perspective analyze which decisions are more beneficial to the majority. Based on what is

more beneficial for the majority that is how ethical decisions are made. Individuals must follow

through with their actions view people fitting this perspective to look at them as an ethical

person. At the end of the day, what truly matters is the bottom line. "This "goodness" can be

measured, in part, by the level of satisfaction expressed by the majority of the persons who make

up our society" (Williams Institute of Ethics and Management, 2006). In turn, when the majority

does not agree justice is served by addressing the conflict and making the proper modifications.

There is a moral sense of responsibility to look out for what is in the best interest of everyone by

evaluating the trade-offs. The ethical perspective based on results enjoys making improvements

to the environment in order for people to enjoy learning and working together (Williams Institute

of Ethics and Management, 2006). People who do not share the perspective of results will most

likely encounter conflict because they are not analyzing what is best for society as a whole. This
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ethical perspective is viewed as one of the most logical because people fitting this description

have the ability to analyze and base decisions on what is best for the majority rather than

thinking of themselves alone, or trying to consider everyone. They realize that decisions made

will not make everyone happy but they can focus on the majority.

References
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Sims, R.R. (2003). Ethics and corporate social responsibility: why giants fall. USA:

Greenwood Publishing Group.

Weiss, J. W. (2006). Business Ethics, the Changing Environment, and Stakeholder

Management. Thomson South-Western.

The Williams Institute For Ethics and Management. (2006). Ethics Awareness Inventory.

Retrieved from University of Phoenix eResources site September 15, 2010.