To determine whether ethical standards have improved in the last 20 years, we need to understand what ethical standards are. Business ethics has to do with: The law of the state the business is operating in. This factor is a pillar in determining the ethical standards in business because it shapes the policies the business shall operate by. Policies determine the ethical standards of a business as they are the laws governing the business. It is a blueprint displaying the working environment of a business. For every action, there is an equal reaction; this physics law is present in describing business ethics as consequence is a vital organ to the organization to function as a body. Consequences dictate the mode of reaction for business situations. And last but not least, adherence by the company individuals makes up business ethics as the act out the law.
Ethical standards have improved today as evidenced by their transparency. As a result, the public is made aware through various media outlets on their dealings hence they are not accountable not only to their shareholders but also the public. Due to this transparency, companies understand they have a responsibility to the public or else they shall be shamed through the media. The decrease in sexist situations at the work place is a clear indication of the improvement that has taken place in terms of ethical standards. There is a significant decrease in discrimination towards people based on gender. Now reward is based on an employee’s output.
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The laws enacted to ensure equality among people despite their race has seen great improvement in ethical standards over the past 20 years. Race is no longer a hindrance when it comes to getting a job or operating in the work place. As a result of the characteristics mentioned earlier that make up business ethics, companies are more humane as a result. Rather than being result oriented, the companies have now shifted their focus on developing and training employees to get the best results. The policies and laws making up ethics have ensured employees have rights which are observed by independent regulation bodies. The emergence of internet has played a significant role in the growth of ethics as it provides information about company behavior and the business can expand to the online realm.
Corporate Social Responsibilities are the actions companies take that go over and beyond what the law and regulating require of them. Companies affect the environment they work in and CSR is the company’s ways of giving back to the physical environment and the surrounding population. These activities are such as: filtering the water system in order for the people living around to enjoy drinkable water. The government may not require this of a company if they dispose their waste of responsibly without affecting the sewer system. For it to reach here there has been a long journey of evolution since its inception in the 1950s. During this period, the business world focused on defining the term. Howard Bowen in his 1953 publication of “Social responsibilities of the business man” defined it as obligations of business men to pursue policies, come up with decisions, or to pursue those lines of actions that are desirable in terms of objectives in our society.
1963 saw the concept of social responsibility involve the obligation of companies to cater for certain responsibilities to the society over and above its economic and legal obligations. The notion of voluntarism where companies acknowledge their responsibility over the environment also took hold. The 70s and 80s were now spent clarifying what these responsibilities were. Their contemporary views today were ushered in the 90s after major corporations suffered major backlash due to their neglectful actions on the effects of their activities to the environment. Its intention was to give a face to the misconduct practiced over time and save the company.
The internet has acted as a watchdog monitoring cooperation activities. This has affected corporate social responsibility and ethics for the better as internet provides information to whoever wishes to seek relevant information about its activities. The internet is a doorway to the business’s ethics, its policies, its view on issues that are crucial to the environment and vision. The internet further expands the company’s base as it provides awareness to various people as it is easily accessible. The internet provides a platform for various cultures to come together and influence each other to create a broader and more accommodative environment for all to work to their best of abilities.
In conclusion, the evolution of business ethics and its cultural social responsibility has led to awareness of importance of employees as a factor of production and the role of the internet in encouraging this development.
References
Bowen, H. R. (1953). Social responsibilities of the businessman . New York: Harper.
