When business people speak about “business ethics” they usually mean one of three things: (1) avoid breaking the criminal law in one’s work-related activity;
(2) avoid action that may result in civil law suits against the company; and (3) avoid actions that are bad for the company image.
Businesses are especially concerned with these three things since they involve loss of money and company reputation.However, it is not likely that philosophers can teach anyone to be ethical. The job of teaching morality rests squarely on the shoulders of parents and one’s early social environment. By the time philosophers enter the picture, it is too late to change the moral predispositions of an adult.
Also, even if philosophers could teach morality, their recommendations are not always the most financially efficient. Although being moral may save a company from some legal and public relations nightmares, morality in business is also costly. A morally responsible company must pay special attention to product safety, environmental impact, truthful advertising, scrupulous marketing, and humane working conditions. This may be more than a tight-budgeted business bargained for
We can also say that, business ethics is a moral obligation in business and are restricted to what the law requires. The most universal aspects of Western morality have already been put into our legal system, such as with laws against killing, stealing, fraud, harassment, or reckless endangerment. Moral principles beyond what the law requires – or supra-legal principles -- appear to be optional since philosophers dispute about their validity and society wavers about its acceptance.
Harm principle: businesses should avoid causing unwarranted harm.
Fairness principle: business should be fair in all of their practices.
Human rights principle: businesses should respect human rights.
Autonomy principle: businesses should not infringe on the rationally reflective choices of people.
Veracity principle: businesses should not be deceptive in their practices.
A stakeholder is any party affected by a business practice, including employees, suppliers, customers, creditors, competitors, governments, and communities. Accordingly, the stakeholder approach to business ethics emphasizes that we should map out of the various parties affected by a business practice.
Although corporate codes of ethics are often viewed cynically as attempts to foster good public relations or to reduce legal liability, a corporate code of ethics is a reasonable model for understanding how we should articulate moral principles and introduce them into business practice.
To Malaysian, there is a lot more to be done on ethics. Issues crop up on every blue moon and all are involves non ethical values, immorality. Despite of public issues statements on corporates unethical practices, the company's directors or spokesman proceeds with denial and it has become a norm in practice of negligence is not a negligence. The impact are the society.
Questions - please choose one only:
1. NFC issues has long being debated in public and media. Describe in the perspective of ethics and morality on this issue, how to avoid such an issue occurs.
2. Abortions, disposing at birth babies by irresponsible parents are becoming a norms in Malaysia. Schools/placements for these children are being build in Melaka. Explain why this issue arises. How to overcome and is the special school/placement is a right decision made.
3. Jungle clearing in cities, extensive logging has been practice widely in Malaysia in the name of economic generation and development process. From your perspectives of business ethics, describe in the said activities.
4. Human rights is an important issue to the nation. In perspectives of Malaysia, explain what do you understand on human right values and practices in Malaysia.
NOTE:
Font: 12 - Century Gothic
Spacing: 1.5
Word counts: 2,500 - 3,000 word
Plagiarism/ Cut and paste work shall not be marked.
Reference: Compulsory
