Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility

Stephen J. Ward, the director of the Center of Journalism, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, defines ethics as “the analysis, evaluation, and promotion of correct conduct and/or good character, according to the best available standards (Ward, 2012). Personally, I believe that ethics is the foundation of how an individual behaves and thinks towards himself and others. Ethics can also be defined as the “systematic and critical analysis of morality” (Diouf, 2005). Morality outlines exemplary characteristics that an individual should portray. It dictates how to conduct oneself according to societal standards.

Without ethical values emplaced, chaos and anarchy will automatically take effect. Business Ethics Business ethics is the application of ethical values to business conduct. It is the moral and ethical code that operates in the business world (Institute of Business Ethics, 2013). This goes from allowing religion in the work place to that of increasing the minimum wage in order to meet the meet the demands of underpaid workers and the productivity of the company. The implementation of business ethics with consumers, employees/managers, and the organization is very important to the success of that management.

Now that the basics of business of ethics has been laid out. It is equally important that the company enforces their rules of conduct and behavior to both employees as well as customers they engage with in their business affairs. The US Federal Sentencing Guidelines demands that an organization should take the responsibility of communicating to employees and consumers alike the standards and procedures it adheres by (Commission, 2004). Companies shall communicate these rules through trainings that the organization will provide themselves to inform all staff about the different aspects of compliance.

Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility is dispersed into four sections of responsibility; Economically, Legally, Ethically, and philanthropically. Economically, an organization’s goal is to produce and provide goods and services that society wants at a reasonable price for its consumers, and also at a price that satisfies company obligations (Bateman & Snell, 2013). We live in a world that demands great products at an affordable price. It is important that while a company meet the needs of it consumers, it also makes a profit from the sold products.

Legal responsibilities demand that an organization adhere to and obey local, state, federal, and relevant international laws. Failure to follow these laws to its fullest of command can cost a company huge losses and ultimately shut a company down. As mentioned in the above passage, it is the responsibility of an organization to make its employees aware of the rules and regulations that both the company and local/state/federal government mandate. A company must have a set of standards as to which it operates, and those procedures should be made known to all that conduct business with it.

Philanthropic responsibilities are additional characteristics and behaviors that society deems appropriate and is reinforced by the values of business management (Bateman & Snell, 2013). Conclusion My present career company, HCR-Manor Care is a true enforcer of ethical and social responsibility. HCR-Manor Care has four branch of business it provides for its customers. I work for the fourth branch: Heartland Hospice. We provide end of life care for patients that have less than 6 months to live due to diagnosis such as Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and so forth.

Part of the company’s responsibility is to follow the HIPPA laws that are enforced to protect the privacy of the people that are under our care. Each morning, we have what is called a stand up meeting, which is held on a phone conference call so that staff in the office and those out on the field are able to log on to the meeting. We go over the list of patients that were admitted, discharged, or expired. Employees that are out on the field are never to log on to the conference in the presence of a patient. Why? It’s an invasion of privacy, and it is a violation according to the HIPPA laws.