The Evolution of Business Ethics
The Evolution of Business Ethics
Cheryl Franklyn-Boyce
OMM 640: Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
Week 1 Assignment
Dr. Carl Proehl
July 13, 2013
The Evolution of Business Ethics
Introduction
Ethics began with the introduction of the first moral codes, which are a set of standards, laws, or rules that we hold ourselves to, whether they be based on religious affiliation, events that have happened in our life, or just from observing the world around us (Sharp & Fox, 1937). The late Albert Schweitzer, Nobel Peace Prize recipient once said “Ethics is the activity of man directed to secure the inner perfection of his own personality” (BrainyQuote, 2013). Most individuals think of ethics as the rules for distinguishing right from wrong. Although an individual’s personal life is distinctly different from their professional life, ethics usually reflect from one to the other; that is if the individual practices good ethics in one area it will be reflected in the other (DeGeorge, 2010). This paper will focus on the evolution of business ethics; summarizing its development over the past several decades, including the rise of social issues, major changes and events giving rise on its present focus, the current impact of business philosophies and reporting practices of these changes, and a comparison of my evolved values and principles to its evolution.
Business Ethics Ferrell, Fraedrich & Ferrell (2013) define business ethics as” The study of general nature of moral and of specific moral choices; moral philosophy; and the rules of standards governing the conduct of the members of a profession” (p. 7). The recognition of business ethics as a field of knowledge in the United States has undergone a number of distinct evolutionary stages. Summary of its Development Including the Rise of Social Issues in Business Before the 1960’s ethics in business were discussed primarily through a religious perspective, which provided a
Cheryl Franklyn-Boyce
OMM 640: Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
Week 1 Assignment
Dr. Carl Proehl
July 13, 2013
The Evolution of Business Ethics
Introduction
Ethics began with the introduction of the first moral codes, which are a set of standards, laws, or rules that we hold ourselves to, whether they be based on religious affiliation, events that have happened in our life, or just from observing the world around us (Sharp & Fox, 1937). The late Albert Schweitzer, Nobel Peace Prize recipient once said “Ethics is the activity of man directed to secure the inner perfection of his own personality” (BrainyQuote, 2013). Most individuals think of ethics as the rules for distinguishing right from wrong. Although an individual’s personal life is distinctly different from their professional life, ethics usually reflect from one to the other; that is if the individual practices good ethics in one area it will be reflected in the other (DeGeorge, 2010). This paper will focus on the evolution of business ethics; summarizing its development over the past several decades, including the rise of social issues, major changes and events giving rise on its present focus, the current impact of business philosophies and reporting practices of these changes, and a comparison of my evolved values and principles to its evolution.
Business Ethics Ferrell, Fraedrich & Ferrell (2013) define business ethics as” The study of general nature of moral and of specific moral choices; moral philosophy; and the rules of standards governing the conduct of the members of a profession” (p. 7). The recognition of business ethics as a field of knowledge in the United States has undergone a number of distinct evolutionary stages. Summary of its Development Including the Rise of Social Issues in Business Before the 1960’s ethics in business were discussed primarily through a religious perspective, which provided a