Business Ethics

At an early age we begin learning right from wrong. As parents, we teach our children right from wrong for many reasons. Some reasons may include the child’s safety, to be kind to others, compliance with rules, or to simply build values such as accountability and integrity. As we mature, our ethical behavior is woven daily throughout our lives at home, church, and where we work. Ethics come into place when we are faced with a decision. When we are faced with decisions we have two choices…right or wrong. Ethical behavior should not be situational. Ethics are principles that make us what we have become. Each individual has their own beliefs, values, and morals and that is what makes up ethics. People use ethics to control their conduct. What may be considered “right” to one person may not necessarily be accepted by another. It is important to remember that others, customers, employees, and interest groups determine whether a specific action is right or wrong. Although the groups may not be right, they can influence acceptance or rejection of a business and its activities. (Ferrell, Fraedrich & Ferrell, 2011) Whether decisions are made in the realm of business, politics, or our personal lives, they are judged right or wrong, good or bad, nor ethical or unethical. It is imperative to understand ethics and recognize ethical issues because regardless what an individual believes about a particular action, if society deems it unethical or wrong, whether correctly or not, that judgment directly affects the organizations ability to achieve its business goals. I have worked in the advertising sales force for a small business for over fourteen years. I am faced with ethical issues on a daily basis. Small businesses are not benign to unethical behavior; I believe that big businesses are monitored more closely. However, unethical behavior is unacceptable no matter the size of organization or the situation. Although there are many problems and issues within my...