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  The Conceptualization and Measurement of Philosophical Approaches that Influence Ethical Decision Making in the Work Context

  Boshoff, Estelle; Kotzé, Martina (Medknow Publications And Media Pvt. Ltd, 2011)

  The negative consequences which unethical behaviour holds for organizations necessitates a focus on ethical issues within the work context, as well as factors which may have an influence on ethical behaviour. Regarding individual factors, researchers indicate that the individual's ethical decision-making philosophy influences the manner in which ethical problems are managed and behavioural decisions are made. The aim of this article (which forms part of a research project consisting of four parts) is therefore to investigate, by means of a thorough literature review, the ethical issues that organizations mostly face, as well as the philosophical decision-making approaches that may influence ethical decision making in the work context, and to integrate these approaches within a holistic framework of ethical decision making. Six main philosophical approaches together with certain corresponding sub-approaches that may influence ethical decision making in the workplace were identified and integrated within a holistic framework of ethical decision making.
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  Challenges in the Sociology of Business Ethics

  Uys, Tina (Medknow Publications And Media Pvt. Ltd, 2011)

  The main research focus of the sociology of business ethics is on (i) the moral foundations of people's behaviour, both within and outside the business context, (ii) how compatible or contradictory these behaviours are and (iii) how stable a society or component of a society would be if self-interest is the main governing principle, without being constrained by moral discipline. This entails providing accurate descriptions and explanations of ethical situations. Whistle-blowing research is used to examine the methodological challenges of business ethics researchers. The analysis demonstrates the importance of an integrated multi-strategy approach that would facilitate an investigation of the motivations and decision processes of individual actors in the larger social context, especially within the organisation.
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  [Book Review] Responsible Management Education by Wojciech Gasparski

  Goldman, Geoff (Medknow Publications And Media Pvt. Ltd, 2011)

  How apt, I thought, reading this book whilst visiting Poland. After all, it is a work by Polish academics on management ethics and management education. So whether it was sitting on a bench by the banks of the Vistula river, at a jazz club in the Kazimierz district, or at a cafι on the main town square in Cracow reading this book; the milieu formed the perfect backdrop for writing this review. The book is an extract of the most prominent papers of the eighth Responsible Management Conference hosted by the Kozminski University. It opens with an Introduction by the editor, Wojciech Gasparski, where after the main addresses to the Conference - five in total are included. The addresses incorporated are by: •Manuel Escudero (Head: Global Compact. Special Projects and Academic Initiatives. New York; USA) •Anna Darska (Head: UNDP, Poland) •Simon Piccard (Executive Director: European Academy of Business in Society. Brussels; Belgium) •Tadeuz Krezekewski (President of the Caux Round Table, Poland) •Andrej K. Kozminski (Rector: Kozminski University. Warsaw: Poland) Although I found this a bit much and rather tedious to peruse, it serves a purpose in setting the tone for the main part of the book; the scholarly papers.
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  In Corporations we Trust?

  Woermann, Minka (Medknow Publications And Media Pvt. Ltd, 2011)

  This paper presents a philosophical critique of contractarian-based corporate social responsibility models. Specifically, attention is given to Freeman's (and Philips's) justification for voluntary agreements between corporations and their stakeholders. The critique is conducted at the hand of the claim that the social contract is a helpful tool for circumscribing the obligations of contracting parties, and that these derived obligations form a trust relation between the contracting parties. By analysing the logic of these relations, an argument is developed for why the structural conditions necessary to inspire trust in contracts are not met in the case of certain corporate-stakeholder relations.
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  Stakeholder Inclusiveness in Sustainability Reporting by Mining Companies listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange

  Lingenfelder, Deirdré; Thomas, Adele (Medknow Publications And Media Pvt. Ltd, 2011)

  A key requirement for listing on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) index is the publication, by companies, of annual sustainability reports in line with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines that require stakeholders to be included in defining the content of such reports. Despite this requirement, stakeholders appear not to be integrally involved in the process. The primary objective of the study was to determine whether the contents of sustainability reports of the mining companies listed on the JSE SRI index are based on the outcome of robust stakeholder engagement processes undertaken specifically for the purpose of preparing these reports. Against a backdrop of the GRI requirements, a quantitative evaluation was undertaken of recent sustainability reports of 11 South African mining companies. These reports were also qualitatively assessed against the corporate social responsibility (CSR) Journey Model proposed by Mirvis and Googins (2006). The two assessment scores for each mining company were integrated and the companies were plotted according to a CSR journey that encompasses degrees of stakeholder involvement. The findings highlight that while the companies adhere to the quantitative GRI stakeholder engagement requirements, the contents of the sustainability reports have not been specifically informed by stakeholders. Companies also appear to be in the early stages of the CSR journey. Recommendations include advising mining companies to utilise existing stakeholder engagement platforms to advance stakeholder inclusion in sustainability reporting and for mining companies to engage in developing the business case for CSR, which could promote greater stakeholder involvement.
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  Managerial business ethics in South Africa

  Bisschoff1, Christo; Fullerton, Sam (Medknow Publications And Media Pvt. Ltd, 2011)

  A sample of 259 South African managers completed a survey originally administered by Nel (1992). The results of the current study indicated a favourable move on four of the 15 questionable actions used to assess each group's ethical predisposition. Furthermore, the grand means for the two temporal-based samples also provided anecdotal evidence of a positive transition. Virtually identical results were in evidence when the segment of 89 top managers was compared to the sample of its higher level peers from the earlier study by Nel. The results support the premise that today's South African managers have a more ethical predisposition than did their peers of some 20 years prior to them. However, the study concurrently documents the reality that there is ample room for further improvement.
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  Business Ethics as field of Training, Teaching and Research in Francophone Africa

  Kagabo, Liboire (Medknow Publications And Media Pvt. Ltd, 2011)

  This article has been written within the framework of the Global Survey of Business Ethics 2010. It is seemingly the first attempt to investigate Business Ethics as academic field in Francophone Africa. After a discussion of methodological considerations, the article provides an overview of how Business Ethics is distributed in Francophone Africa. Even though, it is not well established in that part of Africa, some interesting data have been found in some countries like Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Rwanda and Senegal. Business Ethics has been investigated in three areas: teaching, training and research. In Francophone Africa, teaching Business Ethics does not seem to be a reality in traditional faculties of Economics, Management or Commerce. Training in Business Ethics, however, is a reality in Francophone Africa, notably with the non-governmental organizations that deal with political and economic governance, development, and women and gender issues. Research on Business Ethics can be found in journals, bulletins, consultancy reports, university term papers, seminars and colloquia as well as in books.
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  The state of Business Ethics as field of Teaching,Training and Research in Sub-Saharan Africa

  (Deon) Rossouw, GL (Medknow Publications And Media Pvt. Ltd, 2011)

  This article provides a comparative summary of the findings of the survey of Business Ethics as field of Teaching, Training and Research across the four sub-regions in Sub-Saharan Africa (Western Africa, Southern Africa, Eastern Africa and Francophone Africa). The article commences with a discussion on the terminology that is used to refer to Business and Economic Ethics in Sub-Saharan Africa. It then provides an overview of the prevalence and distribution of Business Ethics as field of Teaching, Training and Research in Sub-Saharan Africa that demonstrates the substantial growth in the field of Business Ethics since 2000 when an earlier survey was conducted. The focus areas in the field of Business Ethics are identified as well as the major themes that were found with regard to Teaching, Training and Research in Business Ethics. Also the major challenges that are foreseen in the field of Business Ethics over the next five year are discussed. Finally a number of concluding remarks are made that highlight unique features and challenges in the current state of Business Ethics in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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  Business Ethics as a field of Teaching, Training and Research in West Africa

  Ike, Obiora (Medknow Publications And Media Pvt. Ltd, 2011)

  Business Ethics as a field of teaching, training and research has appeared on the scene, as a panacea after several negative incidents of unethical global business practices, to offer sound principles and elucidate on the fact that the increase in corporate and individual corruption leads to a general decay of society. It is indeed in the interest of all to have a balanced society founded on business practices which are alongside other factors, ethical and therefore sustainable. This article is a modest attempt to provide the results of a survey conducted in the sub-Saharan region of West Africa, elucidating on attempts to gain a better understanding of the prevalence and scope of teaching, training, and research in the field of Business Ethics. The conclusion shows gaps in the study of Business Ethics within the region, but also portrays the available existence, practice and prevalence of Business Ethics within traditional African culture in West Africa.
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  Business Ethics as field of Training, Teaching and Research in Southern Africa

  Smurthwaite, Marilise (Medknow Publications And Media Pvt. Ltd, 2011)

  Few studies have been done on Business Ethics as field of training, teaching and research in Southern Africa. This article details the methodology and findings of the survey of Business Ethics in Southern Africa. Findings, among others, indicate the preferred terminology used to refer to the field of Business Ethics. It also shows that most expertise in the field is found in South Africa, centered mainly at the meso-economic level, with most research being done on CSR, corporate governance and economic justice. Future challenges identified for the field of Business Ethics are mainly at the macro-level, especially related to the economic system and ecology where little research or expertise is currently focused.
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  [Book Review] Business Ethics (2010)

  Naudé, Piet (Medknow Publications And Media Pvt. Ltd, 2011)

  The four editions of this book represent an outward movement in the form of concentric circles that stretch from Southern Africa to Africa and subsequently to the global context. This is reflected in the titles: Business ethics. A Southern Africa perspective (1994) became Business Ethics in Africa (2002), and then acquired a more "global" character in the plain title of the editions three and four in 2004 and 2010: Business Ethics.
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  Business Ethics as field of Teaching,Training and Research in East Africa

  Mawa, Michael; Adams, Jane (Medknow Publications And Media Pvt. Ltd, 2011-10-13)

  The increase in corporate malfeasance has lead to a rising interest in Business Ethics in general and a particular focus on Business Ethics as an academic field, but the proliferation of Business Ethics as an academic field on a global scale is not yet as well known. This paper forms part of the global survey of Business Ethics that has been commissioned to gain a better understanding of the prevalence and scope of teaching, training and research in the field of Business Ethics. The paper provides a summary of the survey and research results regarding the current status of Business Ethics as an academic field in the East African region. The findings lead to a conclusion that Business Ethics has gained momentum and is having an increased presence in the region, but that it is far from well established as an academic field.
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  Ethics and sustainability within SMEs in sub-Saharan Africa

  Painter-Morland, Mollie; Dobie, Kris (BEN-Africa, 2009)

  In this paper, we explore the role ethics plays in African SMEs. We looked specifically at the role that relationships between SMEs and their stakeholders play in enabling or foreclosing the possibility of ethical business practices. We argue that certain relationships, such as those between SMEs, suppliers, employees and local communities, can be described as enabling. Other relationships, such as those with corrupt governments, are contaminating. What seems to be needed is to expand on and strengthen certain constraining relationships, such as those that exist between peers within a certain industry, professional associations, and civil society. Key words: ethics, SMEs, Africa, networks, business relationships
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  Introduction: Business Ethics in Small and Medium Enterprises

  Painter-Morland, Mollie; Spence, Laura J.,1968-(viaf)36312604 (BEN-Africa, 2009)

  "This volume of papers brings together the insights that researchers from around the globe have developed on ethics in micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). We are pleased to present an extraordinary range of papers giving regional perspectives from Africa, Europe, India, Latin America, New Zealand and Australia and the United States of America. The idea originated from a plenary panel on ‘Ethics in SMEs’ that was part of the 2008 Congress of the International Society for Business, Ethics and Economics (ISBEE) in Cape Town, South Africa. ISBEE is a global organization which has the goal of enabling the contemporary debates on business ethics and economics to include a developing world perspective as well as the dominant Anglo-Saxon developed world view. ISBEE holds a world Congress every 4 years, fondly known as the ‘Olympics of Business Ethics’. After previous Congresses in Tokyo, Saõ Paulo and Melbourne, the Cape Town Congress was ably hosted by the Business Ethics Network-Africa . Thirty nine countries were represented at the Congress, ensuring a rich and vibrant mix of perspectives. One of the two Congress themes was Ethics in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, which took the form of both individual research papers and the global overviews presented here.", p. 1
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  Ethics and corporate social responsibility in Latin American small and medium sized enterprises

  Arruda, Maria Cecilia Coutinho de (BEN-Africa, 2009-11-01)

  Considering the lack of substantive scientific or theoretical studies about Ethics in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Latin America, this paper examines the context of an existent paradox, based upon the perspective of experts and academicians of Latin America and the Caribbean. These countries live different realities, due to their respective European cultural influences, as well as to racial and economic issues. Such facts impact the size and characteristics of their industries. On the other hand, the SMEs face more similarities in the Region, so they will be treated as a group in the discussion of Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Latin American SMEs. As this topic has not been sufficiently investigated in this geographic area, the objective of this exploratory study is to offer a contribution for future research. It raises the main dilemmas and intends to explain how legislation and common practices enable and perhaps lead SMEs to choose unethical strategies to survive and compete in the market. These enterprises are growing in number and in job creation, but do not participate in the Gross National Product in the same proportion. Informality, tax evasion and corruption are gradually caused or erode morality in business, but can contribute to corporate social responsibility in the Region. The paper tries to show positive and negative aspects of apparently unethical practices and discusses challenging ways to solve complex problems that are common in most Latin America. Key words: business ethics, corporate social responsibility, fair competition, illegal practices, informality, small and medium sized enterprises, tax evasion
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  A New Zealand and Australian overview of ethics and sustainability in SMEs

  Collins, Eva; Dickie, Carolyn; Weber, Paull (BEN-Africa, 2009-11-01)

  There is a dearth of research on ethics and sustainability related to SMEs in New Zealand and Australia. This paper begins by giving a definition of SMEs in New Zealand and Australia, which both differ somewhat from international definitions. The role of SMEs in New Zealand and Australian society is discussed and a description of one study in each country covering SMEs and sustainability is presented. Both studies found that owner-mangers undertake a number of triple bottom line activities, without overtly identifying these actions as sustainable practice. At the same time, both studies showed that an over-riding focus on the financial bottom-line may be a significant barrier to SMEs adopting further sustainability practices. The paper concludes with a call for additional research in the area of ethical and sustainable business practice in SMEs in Australia and New Zealand, identifying some promising areas of future investigation. Key words: SMEs, New Zealand, Australia, ethics, sustainability
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  Practice and politics

  Spence, Laura J.,1968-(viaf)36312604; Perrini, Francesco (BEN-Africa, 2009-11-01)

  In this paper we outline the status quo of ethics and social responsibility in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union (EU). Social issues and SMEs is an established topic of research and subject of policy-making in Europe, and thus in this paper we are able to draw on existing activities to summarise what we know about the topic. We describe the important position given to SMEs and entrepreneurship as drivers of the economy through job creation, social inclusion and issues such as employee health and welfare. We note that the ethics/social responsibility practices and strategies of SMEs tend to be greater than expected, but are informal and local community-based rather than replicating large firm approaches. To demonstrate the variety within Europe, we provide some nation-specific perspectives on social responsibility and SMEs with a closer look at Denmark, Italy, the UK and Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic States. Key words: SMEs, Europe, European Union, social responsibility, CSR, business ethics
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  CSR and ethics in MSMEs in India

  Srinivasan, Vasanthi (BEN-Africa, 2009-11-01)

  The extant literature on CSR and Ethics suggests that there is a need for a greater understanding about SME’s. The role of SME’s in the economic growth and development of emerging countries like India is significant. Given the geographical diversity of India and its high reliance on agriculture, MSME’s (medium, small and micro enterprises) are the lifeline of economic development and growth in future. However, the current state of knowledge and practice in the field of CSR and Ethics in SME’s in the Indian context is limited. This paper attempts to outline the state of the SME sector in India, Ethics and CSR practices in MSME’s and identify the knowledge gaps in the field of CSR and Ethics in SME’s in India. Key words: India, ethics, CSR, SME, SSI, business ethics
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  An overview of empirical research on ethics in entrepreneurial firms within the United States

  Baucus, Melissa S.; Cochran, Philip L. (BEN-Africa, 2009-11-01)

  Scholars recognize that entrepreneurs may encounter different ethical issues and pressures than managers in larger corporations. This has fostered empirical research aimed at assessing ethics in entrepreneurial settings in the United States. Our emphasis on empirical research with little attention paid to purely conceptual papers allows us to highlight the narrow definition of entrepreneurship used in the U.S. and how U.S. researchers distinguish between entrepreneurship and other types of small businesses. This differs greatly from many other countries, especially those in which researchers equate entrepreneurship with the study of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Researchers in the U.S. often distinguish ethics from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Corporate Social Performance (CSP), stakeholder theory and stakeholder management with different theoretical models proposed in each of these areas. After discussing these various definitional issues, we review the empirical research on ethics in entrepreneurial firms, discussing what the results tell us, identifying gaps in prior research and concluding with recommendations for future research that draws more heavily on theoretical frameworks in the field of ethics. Key words: ethics, entrepreneurship, ethical attitudes, ethical issues
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  The Scott-Harker model of ethical business leadership in the light of an African understanding of human existence

  Prozesky, Martin (BEN-Africa, 2009-11-01)

  Australian business consultant Ted Scott and his colleague, psychologist Phil Harker have developed a model of ethical leadership in the workplace, involving two basic and contrasting styles of business leadership. Given their location in a wealthy, western-type society, their model, which this paper describes, generates the following question: does the model also have validity for Africans in southern Africa? To answer this question, the paper gives a profile of a widely held, traditional African view of human existence and correlates it with the Scott/Harker model. This leads to the conclusion that the Scott/Harker model is well suited to the challenges facing African business leaders.

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