(Part 2 of an ongoing series)
What are the primary types of business ethics theories? There are entire collections of podcasts, books, and celebrity lecture series devoted to the topic. As a business ethics keynote speaker, business ethics consultant and ethics book author, while I am familiar with most theories, there are always new takes on old topics.
Be practical-minded
However, as I have discussed before, it isn’t theory that matters so much as applying those theories to real-world scenarios. So, whether theorists want to refer to the topic as business ethics, corporate ethics, or the new catch-all of corporate social responsibility, what matters is if the organization (as they used to say) walks-the-walk.
Organizations usually divide into those who claim an ethical code of ethical behavior that is written and posted or a body of ethics, the so-called ethical culture that presumably drives the behavior of the entity.
Both are fine approaches or both are window dressing resulting in fraud and scandal dependent on a collective mindset. For “cultures” and carefully-worded HR manuals are made and crafted to elevate or to abuse. I want to discuss that for a bit with this most.
True story. I was invited as a business ethics speaker and business ethics consultant to speak in front of a trade group in the agricultural area. However, as is my habit, when I can I like to observe or ask questions about the existing culture.
I was brought in to speak on sexual harassment as the director of marketing had just been terminated by mutual agreement for telling what was characterized as a modestly off-color remark to two female employees. Fair enough. He left, admitting his errors and apparently apologized, and the organization carried on its merry way, with no further harm, no foul.
I met the offended women and they were nice and pleasant. One of the women presented the marketing plan to the board of directors. She did a smashing job. After her presentation, a board member walked up to her and said, “You’re so cute!” and then he proceeded to kiss her on the forehead. Another board member put his arm around the other woman, welcoming her to the organization. At the conclusion of the meeting, the chair of the board made a joke with an innuendo. None of those acts carried a consequence.
Be consistent
To ask and teach, what are the primary types of business ethics theories? is well and good in a leadership course for CEOs, but unless the result is a consistent application of ethics, it is a wasted exercise.
Incidentally, after my motivational speech on business ethics the following day, the CEO of the organization asked me for impressions. I told the CEO of my observations. It was met with a wry smile and a head-shake and something about, “Well, they’re not overly sophisticated.”
Theoretically, their behaviors should have all carried consequences.
The written ethical policies and/or presumed corporate culture must have equal application throughout the organization or they cannot stand. In a similar manner, those making complaints about aggrieved unethical behaviors must have protections in an organization.
As a business ethics keynote speaker, business ethics consultant and ethics book author, my presentations on business ethics stress the practical application of policy and the reinforcement of making good choices.
The ethical culture cannot be deemed an ingrained set of values; it must be relevant and demonstrable for everyone.
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