(un)ETHICS

The Foundation of Business Think

Logic – Reason - Intuition

Written and Presented bySteven Douglas, MIS, BFA

Discussions if there is time at the end…

7 Steps to Success on LinkedIn Doing Business with the Mob Ethics vs. Morals How to survive a KGB Interrogation Human Trafficking in the USA, Pakistan, EU

and/or Russia – How to lure victims Mafia Court (Enforceable Justice) The Myths about Outsourcing Tradeshow Tips Transnational Crime & Corruption

Before we begin….O How do you define

“Ethics”?O How do you define

“Morals”?

How (Un)ethical Are You?

Top 10 Dilemmas(source unknown)

How (Un)ethical Are You?

10. If something at a yard sale is far more valuable than the posted price, do you have to let the seller know?

How (Un)ethical Are You?

9. Is it considered stealing to take pens from a bank, hotel or business where the company name is printed on the pens?

What about extra napkins from a fast-food restaurant?

How (Un)ethical Are You?

8. If a charity sends you free address labels and you don’t make a contribution, is it OK to use them?

How (Un)ethical Are You?

7. Is it unfair to move to better (open) seats at a sporting event or a concert?

How (Un)ethical Are You?

6. Your boss gave you credit for a project on which a colleague did most of the work.

Should you accept the praise?

How (Un)ethical Are You?

5. Is it OK to fantasize about someone else when you’re with your partner?

How (Un)ethical Are You?

4. Are you obligated to lend money to friends and family?

How (Un)ethical Are You?

3. If someone tells an offensive joke, is it your responsibility to speak up about it?

How (Un)ethical Are You?

2. Is it ever OK to sneak a peak at your child’s email?

How (Un)ethical Are You?

1. Your boss asks you to cover for him on his expense report by saying you were at a meal when you weren’t.

Should you do it?

The Key Words

OLogic (from the Greek logikē) refers to both the study of modes of reasoning (which are valid and which are fallacious) and the use of valid reasoning. It examines general forms that arguments may take. (Wikipedia)

O Is your thought or argument right or wrong?

The Key Words

O Reason, is the human capacity for making sense of things, for establishing and verifying facts, and changing or justifying practices, institutions, and beliefs based on new or existing information. The concept of reason is sometimes referred to as rationality. (Wikipedia)

O Is your thought or argument rational? Does it make sense?

The Key Words

OIntuition is the ability to acquire knowledge without Logic or Reason, 'to look inside' or 'to contemplate'.“

Intuition provides us with beliefs that we cannot justify in every case. (Wikipedia)

O My “gut” tells me…

To summarize…

OEthics – Where your decisions and actions are based on what

OYou think is right or wrong (logic)

OYou think is rational (reason)

OYou feel in your gut (intuition).

O Business Ethics – A concept of using logic, reason and intuition when dealing with problems that occur during a business situation.

O When your employer’s logic, reason and intuition are intertwined with your own.

“Ethics and Morals may be similarly defined but their foundation is

entirely different.”-S. Douglas

Case Study: Dow Chemical

O American multinational companyO Second-largest chemical manufacturer

in the world by revenueO Dow manufactures plastics, chemicals,

and agricultural products. O Offices in 160 countries, employing

54,000 people worldwide.O Annual R&D spending exceeds $1 billion.

What are their Ethics?

Dow's policy is to be lawful, highly- principled and socially responsible in all of its business practices.

ODow expects employees to learn and comply with all company policies and laws applicable to their job responsibilities…

Dow's Code of Business Conduct summarizes many of the ethical principles and policies created to deal with issues such as bribery, political contributions, equal employment opportunity, and environment, health and safety

“Ethical behavior is everyone's responsibility. Our goal is to create an atmosphere where our people feel comfortable that they have the knowledge and support to protect our company's values."

David Wilkins, Director of Ethics and Compliance for

CODE OF ETHICS(Shepherd University Procurement)

Give first consideration to the objectives and policies of my institution. Strive to obtain the maximum value for each dollar of expenditure. Decline personal gifts or gratuities. Grant all competitive suppliers equal consideration insofar as state or

federal statute and institutional policy permit. Conduct business with potential and current suppliers in an atmosphere of good faith,

devoid of intentional misrepresentation. Demand honesty in sales representation whether offered through the

medium of a verbal or written statement, an advertisement, or a sample of the product.

Receive consent of originator of proprietary ideas and designs before using them for competitive purchasing purposes.

Make every reasonable effort to negotiate an equitable and mutually agreeable settlement of any controversy with a supplier; and/or be willing to submit any major controversies to arbitration or other third party review, insofar as the established policies of my institution permit.

Accord a prompt and courteous reception insofar as conditions permit to all who call on legitimate business missions.

Cooperate with trade, industrial and professional associations, and with governmental and private agencies for the purposes of promoting and developing sound business methods.

Foster fair, ethical and legal trade practices.

So, what are Business Ethics?

1. Using your logic, reason and intuition to make decisions?

or2. Being lawful, principled and

socially responsible?or

3. Following the practices, policies, laws and values of your employer?

or4. All of the above?

Who’s right? You or your employer?

O Remember what Dow Chemical says… “Protect our Company’s Values”

O If you do not agree with your employer’s Code of Ethics you need to decide whether or not you want to stay employed with your company.

International Business: Business conducted by two

entities from at least two different countries.

Main Obstacles in International Business Ethics

• Every culture and nation has its own values, history, customs and traditions, they have developed their own ethical values and understanding of ethical principles

• There is no international ethical code of conduct accepted and followed by all countries

• Efforts to create an ethical cooperation framework to enhance ethical behavior in international business have taken place without resolve

• It is hard to outline those ethical values which would be understandable, acceptable and important for representatives of all the continents simultaneously within different types of international cooperation projects. - Sourced from The World Trade Organization

“Ethics is not about what is moral or even legal.”

-S. Douglas

Where else can you find Ethics in International Business?

O Do Organized Criminal Organizations have Ethics?

Logic – Reason - Intuition

O Do Terrorist Organizations have Ethics?

Logic – Reason - Intuition

O The Russian Mob even has a

Court System based on Russia’s Judicial Code of Ethics (Is Enforceable Justice ethical?)

Logic – Reason - Intuition

Are these logically, reasonably and intuitively (un)ethical?

O Resorting to dishonesty, trickery or deceptionO Distortion of facts to mislead or confuseO Manipulating people emotionally by exploiting

their vulnerabilitiesO Greed to amass excessive profitO Creation of false documents to show

increased profitsO Invasion of privacy used as leverage, for

obtaining personal or professional gainO Sexual discriminationO Human Trafficking and Slavery

?

Do we have time? 7 Steps to Success on LinkedIn Doing Business with the Mob Ethics vs. Morals How to survive a KGB Interrogation Human Trafficking in the USA, Pakistan, EU

and/or Russia – How to lure victims. Mafia Court (Enforceable Justice) The Myths about Outsourcing Tradeshow Tips Transnational Crime & Corruption