Ethical and Moral Issues

Ethical and Moral Issues in Business

Anita Cohen

Organizational Ethics and Social Responsibility/MGT 216

August 09, 2011

Prof. Michael J. Caserta

Ethical and Moral Issues in Business

The basis for this paper is to explain the differences between ethical issues and moral issues. The author will also enlighten the readers about the differences between personal ethics and business ethics. Finally, the author will provide examples of common ethical problems and personal ethical problems in the business industry.

A moral issue describes an individual’s quality or nature and ethical issues is a shared belief in which those qualities are applied. Depending to what group a person belongs to, for example; social, company, family or professional, one must go by those principles or set of laws of behavior that goes along with that group (Wisegeek, n.d.). Ethics also can be an individual belief structure that consists of knowing what the differences are between right and wrong.

Practicing proper ethics means taking account of what a company or an individual does socially, environmentally, and economically. Ethics may not be something illegal. Ethics varies from one person to another and can also be inherited from one’s background, beliefs, and actions. Managers must consider stakeholders interest in the company when making ethical decisions. A proper manager must try not to break the law or make unethical choices or decisions when dealing with his or her customers or employees.

Business ethics are codes of values that preside over decisions and actions within a company or business. The culture of a business sets standards for shaping the distinctions between good and bad decision making and performances. A company practice bad business ethics when it ignores its employees and customers. Business ethics is basically what a company observes as right and wrong when it concerns society, the environment, and its internal and external...