Essentials of Business Ethics
Creating an Organization of High Integrity and Superior Performance
Published on 9. April 2009
208 pages
978-0-470-48623-8 (ISBN)
Description
The essential guide to creating an organization ofhigh integrityand superior performance
With the high-profile corporate scandals that have taken placein recent years, corporate ethics are more important to a businessthan ever before. The failure of ethical leadership in anorganization is very destructive-it demoralizes the workforce,breeds public distrust, and ultimately results in organizationaldecay.
Based on more than two decades of consulting, teaching, andresearch, Denis Collins's Essentials of Business Ethics isdesigned with appreciation for your demanding professionalobligations, with easy-to-find, at-your-fingertips information. Itsnuts-and-bolts presentation provides you with practical "how-to"examples and best practices on every area of managing ethics insideyour organization in a handy, concise format.
This brief yet powerful guide presents executives and leaderswith timely discussion on:
* Human nature and unethical behavior in organizations
* Determining the ethics of job candidates
* The differences between a Code of Ethics and a Code ofConduct
* The best practices for managing diversity
* Using Management-by-Objectives to establish work goals thatencourage ethical behavior
* Performance appraisals that reward ethical behaviors
* Aligning community outreach with the company's mission andassets
* Handling the environmental change process
* How to manage three internal communication mechanisms foremployees to report potentially unethical or illegal behaviors: anEthics & Compliance Office, Ombudsman, and EthicsHotlines
Providing a five-step ethics job-screen process and an ethicaldecision-making framework, as well as guidelines for conducting avariety of business ethics workshops, Essentials of BusinessEthics is the only guide you will need containing all therelevant facts on business ethics, all in one place.
Reviews / Votes
"This book provides a practical guide to business ethics andharnessing ethics to improve business performance. It is part ofthe 'Essentials Series', which is intended to enable busy businessadvisory and corporate professionals to achieve rapid knowledge andskills in key business areas. The book is thus designed as "amanagerial 'how-to manual' on business ethics for executives andleaders. The book presents a wealth of practical suggestions andinitiatives accompanied by examples. Collins does an excellent jobof trying to inspire professionals to be proactive in approachingethical matters and seize the bull by the horns." (The MarketingReview, 2010, Vol. 10, No. 2) "Essentials of Business Ethics, adheres to the notionthat ethics can be taught, that ethics can always be improved, andthat in business it is crucial for leaders to set a strong example.This book aims to help all those involved in the ethics process,beginning with business owners and managers and including ethicsand compliance officers, as well as ombudsmen who guide employees.The how-to format of the book makes it an easy-to-use resource."(The CPA Journal, March 2010) "Full of practical examples for managing ethics, this brief bookoffers critical advice on issues ranging from ethical decisionmaking and ethics training to environmental management andcommunity outreach. A great "nuts and bolts" overview."(climatechangecorp.com, 2009) "Full of practical examples...A great "nuts and bolts"overview."(Ethical Corporation Magazine, March 2009)More details
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Denis Collins
Essentials of Business Ethics
Creating an Organization of High Integrity and Superior Performance
Book
05/2009
Wiley
€47.00
Shipment within 10-20 days
Person
Denis Collins, PhD, is a tenured Professor of Business at Edgewood College and teaches in the areas of business ethics, management, leadership, and organization behavior. Considered a leader among business ethics professors, Dr. Collins serves on the editorial boards of Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of Academic Ethics, and Encyclopedia of Business Ethics and Society and has published numerous books and articles in the areas of social philosophy, participatory management, business ethics, and service learning.
Content
Foreword.
Preface.
About the Web Site.
Acknowledgments.
PART 1 Background.
1 Human Nature and Unethical Behavior in Organizations.
Daily Occurrence of Ethical Dilemmas.
Competitive Advantages of Ethical Organizations.
Managing Morally Imperfect People.
What Is the Extent of Unethical Behaviors at Work?
What Types of Organizations and Operational Areas Have Ethical Problems?
Why Do Good People Behave Unethically?
What Are the Costs of Unethical Behaviors?
What Is Human Nature?
Summary.
Notes.
2 The Ethical Foundation of Capitalism and the Optimal Ethics Systems Model.
Adam Smith's Capitalism and Business Ethics.
Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The Optimal Ethics Systems Model.
Summary.
Note.
PART 2 Getting Everyone on Board.
3 Hiring Ethical People.
The Five-Step Ethics Job Screen Process.
Summary.
Notes.
4 Codes of Ethics and Codes of Conduct.
Difference Between a Code of Ethics and a Code of Conduct.
Importance of Code Expectations and Awareness.
Prevalence of Codes of Ethics and Conduct.
Code of Ethics Content.
Code of Conduct Content.
Effective Codes.
Annual Code of Ethics Assessment.
Summary.
Notes.
5 Ethical Decision-Making Framework.
Rotary International's Four-Way Test.
Raytheon's Ethics Quick Test.
The Ethics Decision-Making Framework.
The Five Ethical Theories.
Persuading Others.
Ten "Ethical Hazard Approaching" Signs.
Summary.
Notes.
6 Ethics Training.
Extent of Ethics Training.
Who to Train.
Web-Based Ethics Training.
Facilitating an Ethics Discussion.
Ethics Training Options.
Assessing the Ethics Training Workshops.
Summary.
Notes.
7 Respecting Employee Diversity.
Competitive Advantages of Diversity Management.
Four Layers of Diversity.
Implementing a Diversity Initiative.
Best Operational Practices for Managing Diversity.
Diversity Training Problems and Solutions.
Diversity Discussion Guidelines.
Diversity Training Exercises.
Summary.
Notes.
PART 3 Daily Internal Operations.
8 Ethics Reporting Systems.
Undesirable Employee Reactions to Ethical Issues.
Ethics & Compliance Officer (ECO).
Ombudsman.
Assist Lines.
Whistleblowing.
Summary.
Notes.
9 Ethical Leadership, Work Goals, and Performance Appraisals.
Managers as Ethical Role Models.
Great Place to Work® Dimensions.
Virtues and Leadership Practices.
Work Goals.
Performance Appraisals.
Collection and Evaluation Issues.
Performance Appraisal Feedback.
Disciplining Work Rule Violations.
Forgiveness.
Summary.
Notes.
10 Empowering Ethical Employees.
Go-Getters, Fence-Sitters, and Adversarials.
Effective Teams.
Systematic Team Problem-Solving Process.
Connecting Employees to the Mission--Appreciative Inquiry.
Daily Performance Reflections.
Scanlon-Type Gainsharing Plans.
Open Book Management.
Profit Sharing.
Stock Options.
Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs).
Cooperatives.
Summary.
Notes.
PART 4 Being a Good Citizen.
11 Environmental Management.
Competitive Advantages of Being Eco-Friendly.
Managing the Environmental Change Process.
Environmental Management System (EMS).
Environmental Risk Assessment.
The Natural Step (TNS) Framework and Cost Reductions.
Product Packaging and Design.
Green Buildings.
Environmental Performance Indicators.
Sustainability Reporting.
Summary.
Notes.
12 Community Outreach and Respect.
Business Case for Community Involvement.
What to Give.
Giving to Whom?
Team Building and Project Management Training Opportunities.
Community Involvement Management Process.
Community Reputation Assessment.
Social Performance Reporting.
Summary.
Notes.
Index.
