Yes, Ms. Smith

Yes, Ms. Smith – we must broaden our thinking!

Our world of complex relationships and diverse cultures forces us to go beyond our traditional pre-21st century thinking in regards to ethical behavior. Pre-21st century concern primarily was three-fold: social issues, products and services and environmental.

However, the post 21st century engenders other emerging ethical areas of concern: medical, supply chain management and technical.

The challenge is how, as individuals and societies will these emerging ethical concerns be embraced? Can we rely on the business community, which historically has focused more on profitability rather than doing what is right? Let us be clear - the business community has the charge to create wealth for its stockholders. That is their purpose. With this clear mission, then the business community must be challenged by society to do what is right.

Right in the conduct of business – product responsibility
Right in the treatment of stakeholders – social responsibility
Right in legal requirements – guided by values

Unethical Behavior? Gulf Spill

Much has been said along with a multitude of activity to minimize the effect of one of the worst environmental disasters in modern history – contamination of the Gulf. When considered, the gulf oil spill represents a careless attitude on the part of the business community. Careless from the standpoint – BP has violated a business truism –having a contingency plan.

What is amazing beyond lacking a valid contingency plan is the firm’s reaction to the devastation. It immediately had no problem in rewarding its stockholders or hiring a public relations organization to help mitigate perceptions while families and the habitat remain in chaos.

Ultimately, from my perspective, BP should be awarded a trophy for its greed over principle. The firm’s greed can be summed up as unethical business behavior violating environmental concerns as well as society. The question is – how should we, society react?

It appears unethical behavior in the business world has gone into overtime. Most recently, we see firms such as Toyota and BP putting profits ahead of the welfare of its customers. Sadly these firms have demonstrated practices that in the short-run enhance the pockets of the firm’s leadership while stakeholders will experience the long-run impact. The impact could be in the form of ecological and environmental damage, damaged and crippled economy, excessive governmental regulation - just to name a few.

I advocate, the stakeholders, are the American people. As stakeholders we have been remiss in our responsibility to reject unwarranted behavior.

What can we do? Let me hear from you.