Values can be defined as the set of ideals that are of high value to an individual in which there is a form of investment either emotionally or in reputation. Ethics on the other hand are generally accepted practices or behavior that can be codified into a set of rules or integrated into a formal system to guide subsequent actions (Velasquez, 2001). In an organization, values are essentially the principles reflective of an organization and are therefore the basis for the goals and objectives of the members within the organization. For example if an organization's value is ‘customer satisfaction', then the members of the organization are expected to compromise all other activities that are not in line with the stated values. An employee will for instance stop any production related activities to assist or serve a customer in an effort to fulfill customer satisfaction. Organizational ethics on the other hand is the adherence to behavior and practices that are considered right or moral.
For example hiring and promoting of employees based on merit and not nepotism is considered ethical, while a telephone service provider who blocks calls to and from a rival provider will be accused of being unethical. Values are the guiding principles that result in the prosperity of the organization while ethics aid in building mutual trust and rapport among members and customers. In deference to values and ethics, several organizations can be analyzed to determine if they are operating within the parameters of their stated values and ethics. It is quite common for organizations to publish their values and ethics in order to project a positive image while members of the organization operate under a different set of values and ethics (Velasquez, 2001).
[...] The design and sales team would especially benefit from customer input which would allow them to directly address the need of the market. Each year the members of the organization would vote on a deserving cause that the organization would contribute 1 to 5 percent of its profits in accordance to the compassion to society ethical code. Ultimately, the organization would increase profit margins since all the products released to the market would be designed and packaged in accordance to customer requirements. [...]
[...] Apple Inc.'s Social Responsibilities Apple's primary area of concentration in its corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the environment. According to the organization's website percent of Apple's carbon footprint is derived through production, consumption and recycling while the remaining 3 percent is acquired through the organization's facilities (Apple, 2011). Indeed most of the products are specifically designed to address the issue of carbon emissions which has necessitated the production of slim, thin and light products that are powerful enough to address the conventional technological needs. [...]
[...] Analysis of Apple Inc.'s Ethics and Training Programs The organization's code of ethics is defined by four terms which are Honesty, Respect, Confidentiality and Compliance. It can be argued that these are stated rather than operative terms especially in deference to Honesty and Respect. Apple has a policy of secrecy that has been synonymous with the organization since the current CEO Steve Jobs took over in 1997 (Hertzfeld, 2004). It is important to clarify that secrecy in this context is not analogous to confidentiality or privacy, rather it an integral system of management that limits the flow of information within and outside Apple (Leavitt, 2007). [...]
[...] Two of the manufacturers, Foxconn and Inventec have been reported to mistreat, underpay and overwork their workers, with employees allegedly working for 17 hours a day. Reflection on Analysis As leader of Apple Inc., I would begin by changing the whole organization culture through the formation, expansion and integration of work groups and teams. As previously discussed, the Apple sales team has been understaffed, presumably as a strategy to maximize employee output. However, with the increasing pressure to perform, such employees will only seek their welfare and not the welfare of the organization (Velasquez, 2001). [...]
[...] Apple Inc's ethical philosophy Introduction Values can be defined as the set of ideals that are of high value to an individual in which there is a form of investment either emotionally or in reputation. Ethics on the other hand are generally accepted practices or behavior that can be codified into a set of rules or integrated into a formal system to guide subsequent actions (Velasquez, 2001). In an organization, values are essentially the principles reflective of an organization and are therefore the basis for the goals and objectives of the members within the organization. [...]
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