Question 1: How Can Firms Ensure Their Code Of Business Ethi

Question 1how Can Firms Ensure That Their Code Of Business Ethics Is R

QUESTION 1 How can firms ensure that their code of business ethics is read, understood, believed, remembered, and acted on rather than ignored? Your response must be at least 75 words in length. QUESTION 2 Discuss bribery. Would actions, such as politicians adding earmarks in legislation or pharmaceutical salespersons giving away drugs to physicians, constitute bribery? Identify three business activities that would constitute bribery and three actions that would not. Your response must be at least 75 words in length. QUESTION 3 Why should firms formulate and implement strategies from an environmental perspective? Your response must be at least 75 words in length. QUESTION 4 Why is it important not to view the concept of "whistleblowing" as "tattling" or "ratting" on another employee? Your response must be at least 75 words in length.

Paper For Above instruction

Ensuring that a company's code of business ethics is effectively read, understood, believed, remembered, and acted upon requires a comprehensive and strategic approach. Firms can achieve this by integrating ethics training into their onboarding processes and providing ongoing education that emphasizes real-world scenarios and ethical decision-making. Regular communication through newsletters, posters, and digital platforms reinforces ethical standards. Leadership commitment plays a crucial role; when top management demonstrates ethical behavior consistently, it sets a tone at the top that encourages employees to follow suit. Additionally, organizations should implement accountability measures such as ethics hotlines and routine audits to ensure conformity and address violations promptly. Embedding these practices fosters a culture where ethical principles are not only known but are ingrained in daily work routines, minimizing the likelihood of them being ignored or forgotten. Ultimately, creating an environment where employees feel empowered and responsible for ethical conduct promotes adherence to the code of ethics beyond lip service.

Bribery involves offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value to influence the actions of an official or other person in charge of a public or private duty. Actions such as politicians adding earmarks to legislation might be seen as a form of political payoff rather than traditional bribery, but if the earmarks are used to secure favors improperly, they could be considered bribery. Similarly, pharmaceutical salespersons giving away drugs to physicians can be perceived as an attempt to influence prescribing behavior, fitting the definition of bribery. Three business activities that constitute bribery include offering kickbacks to secure contracts, providing lavish gifts to influence decisions, and promising future favors for current advantages. Conversely, actions like offering gifts within legal limits, transparent lobbying efforts, and providing legitimate business entertainment do not typically constitute bribery if conducted ethically and transparently.

Formulating and implementing strategies from an environmental perspective is essential for firms because of the increasing recognition of sustainability's importance to long-term success. It enables companies to reduce their ecological footprint, comply with regulations, and meet stakeholder expectations for corporate responsibility. Environmental strategies can also lead to cost savings through resource efficiency and waste reduction, fostering innovation in green technologies. Additionally, environmentally conscious approaches can enhance brand reputation and customer loyalty, providing competitive advantages. In a global economy where environmental concerns influence regulatory policies and consumer preferences, adopting an environmental perspective in strategic planning ensures that businesses remain resilient and responsible, contributing positively to society and the planet.

Viewing whistleblowing merely as "tattling" or "ratting" on employees diminishes its significance and can discourage individuals from reporting unethical or illegal behavior. Whistleblowing is a vital mechanism for maintaining integrity within organizations, exposing misconduct that can harm stakeholders, damage reputation, or pose legal risks. When viewed negatively, employees may fear retaliation or social ostracism, leading to silence and unchecked wrongful conduct. Recognizing whistleblowing as an act of ethical responsibility and corporate accountability encourages a transparent culture where concerns can be raised without fear. This perspective emphasizes the importance of organizational protections and policies that support whistleblowers, ultimately fostering ethical behavior and safeguarding the organization's integrity.

References

• Kaptein, M. (2011). Understanding unethical behavior by unraveling ethical culture. Human Relations, 64(6), 843-868.
• Husted, B. W., & Allen, D. B. (2006). Corporate social strategic management: The importance of fit. California Management Review, 48(2), 29–51.
• Railton, D. (2006). Corporate integrity: Methods and models for ethical organizational culture. Routledge.
• Greenwood, M. (2007). Stakeholder engagement: A Good Practice Note. IFC.
• Crane, A., Matten, D., & Spence, L. J. (Eds.). (2014). Corporate social responsibility: Concepts, practices, and debates. Oxford University Press.
• Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2019). Business ethics: Ethical decision making & cases. Cengage Learning.
• Subramaniam, N., & Renders, K. (2016). The ethics of bribery. Journal of Business Ethics, 134(2), 197-211.
• Shenkar, O., & Luo, Y. (2008). International business. Pearson Education.
• Bryan, L. L., & Van Buren, H. J. (2019). Ethical decision making in business. Routledge.
• Snider, B. B., Palmer, S., & Seppala, J. (2012). The responsibility to lead: Responsible leadership and corporate social responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 107(1), 1-17.