Business Ethics

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Business Ethics

• AOS 272

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Defining Ethical Behavior

• How do we know what is doing the right thing?

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• Why are ethics and ethical behaviors important
  when doing business?

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Business Relationships

• Trust
• Honesty
• Fairness
• These characteristics create goodwill

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What are some Frameworks?

• Religious Viewpoints
• Golden Rule
• Concept of Karma we are responsible for our
  actions and the intentions that cause them
• Social Utility Concept
• 1. Consider all possible actions
• 2. Consider positive/negative impact
• 3. Choose greatest good-least harm for all

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• Universal-Law Concept
• I would expect everyone to act as I am acting.
  These actions are best for society as a whole.

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Four-Way Test

• Is this
• 1. The truth?
• 2. Fair for all concerned?
• 3. A message or action that will build goodwill
  and better relationships?
• 4. Beneficial for all concerned?

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PLUS Ethics Filter

• POLICIES and PROCEDURES
• What are the organizations requirements?
• LAWS and REGULATIONS
• What legislation applies?
• UNIVERSAL ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES
• What does our organization believe?
• SELF
• What do I believe?

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Ask Yourself

• How would I feel is this action or message ended
  up on the cover of USA Today?

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The Contradictions of American Academic Writing

• Show you have done your research
• Appeal to experts and authorities

• But--- Write something new and original
• But--- Improve upon, or disagree with experts and
  authorities

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• Improve your English by mimicking what you hear
  and read
• Give credit where credit is due

• But--- Use your own words, your own voice
• But--- Make your own significant contribution

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Plagiarism

• OWL at Purdue University Avoiding Plagiarism
  Printable Handouts

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Assignment

• Do an internet search on one of the following
  figures
• Martha Stewart
• Charles Colson
• Dennis Kozlowski
• Tom DeLay
• Leona Helmsley
• Jim Harrick
• Mike Price

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• Explain what they did.
• Identify one ethical principal they violated.

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Resources

• http//www.web-miner.com/busethics.htm
• International Business Ethics Institute
• More than Work Columns by Tim J. McGuire