Business English Upper Intermediate
U1S09
John Silberstein
johnsilb@aol.com
Agenda
•Business Ethics
Business Ethics
Ethics
What is Ethics?
Ethics (also known as moral
philosophy) is a branch
of philosophy that addresses
questions about morality — that is,
concepts such as good and evil,
right and
wrong, virtue and vice, justice, etc.
Business Ethics
Ethics
Meta-ethics, about the theoretical meaning and reference of
moral propositions and how their truth-values (if any) may
be determined;
Normative ethics, about the practical means of determining a
moral course of action;
Applied ethics, about how moral outcomes can be achieved in
specific situations;
Moral psychology, about how moral capacity or moral agency
develops and what its nature is;
Descriptive ethics, about what moral values people actually
abide by.
Business Ethics
Ethics
Four distinct but related disciplines have
traditionally guided responsible
business conduct: business and professional
ethics, organizational
ethics, corporate social responsibility, and
corporate governance.
The
focus of all four approaches is the governance
policies and management
practices that inspire, guide, and support
responsible business conduct.
Business Ethics
Ethics
Have large companies always
considered ethical issues in relation
to the environment?
Their employees?
Their customers?
Business Ethics
Ethics
What role do you feel ethics plays in
business decision making?
Can a business be ethical and
successful?
Business Ethics
Ethics
What strategic reason would a
company encourage a company to
perform in an ethical manner?
What tactical reason?
Business Ethics
Ethics
An RBE (Responsible Business
Enterprise) is characterized by responsible
business conduct at all four levels of
its identity as an enterprise:
1. Compliance with the law
2. Risk management
3. Reputation enhancement
4. Value added to the community
Business Ethics
Ethics
Principal benefits coming to an enterprise that
implements a business ethics program are:
• Enhanced reputation and goodwill
• Reduced risks
• Reduced costs
• Protection from unethical employees and agents
• Enhanced performance, productivity, and
competitive position
• Expanded access to capital, credit, and foreign
investment
• Increased profits and sustained long-term growth
• Increased international respect
Business Ethics
Ethics
When thinking about ethical
companies, which companies come
to mind?
Business Ethics
Ethics
Let’s look at Starbucks. Starbucks is
successful and place an emphasis
on corporate responsibility and
ethics.
Business Ethics
Ethics
We've always believed that businesses can and should - have a positive impact on the
communities they serve.
So ever since we opened our first store in
1971, we dedicated ourselves to earning
the trust and respect of our customers,
partners and neighbors. How? By being
responsible and doing things that are good
for the planet and each other.
Business Ethics
Ethics
Starbucks has identified 5 broad
categories of corporate
responsibility:
Community, Environment, Ethical
Sourcing, Wellness, Diversity.
Business Ethics
Ethics
Community
As good neighbors we get involved with local
efforts to bring people together and create
positive change whenever we can.
Community Service
Youth
(STARBUCKS)RED
Starbucks Foundation
Ethos Water Fund
Business Ethics
Ethics
Environment
We’re finding ways to minimize our
environmental footprint, tackle climate
change, and inspire others to do the same.
Recycling
Energy
Water
Green Building
Climate Change
Business Ethics
Ethics
Ethical Sourcing
We’re committed to buying and serving the
highest-quality, responsibly grown, ethically
traded coffee to help create a better future for
farmers.
Coffee
Farmer Support
Tea
Cocoa
Store Products
Business Ethics
Ethics
Wellness
Our dedication to wellness means
supporting policies and efforts to
improve the health of our
communities in addition to offering
balanced food and beverage
options to our customers.
Business Ethics
Ethics
Diversity
By welcoming a diversity of people and
ideas to our business, we create
more opportunities for learning and
success that benefit customers,
partners (employees) and suppliers.