Key cases of corporate ethics in the workplace

Berry G.

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Key cases of corporate ethics in the workplace

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Abstract

Organizational leadership requires an understanding of organizational goals, the ability to reach these goals without violating the law or ethical standards, and the ability to communicate these goals to employees and the public. The issue of diversity is also important as it relates to ethics (e.g., discrimination) and to communication (e.g., different cultures may have different communication styles).
The firms discussed below run the gamut from Coca-Cola, one of the most widely known companies in the world, to SprintNextel, which makes communication not only its practice but its business. Mission statements range from the provision of healthcare to explicitly claiming that the mission is to increase value for shareholders, which is naturally a mission of any for-profit business. Indeed, it has been argued that the profit motive and ethical conduct may be contradictory, and that firms need have no social conscience outside of those actions which are illegal, except to profit.

Introduction.
Merck.
1. Mission.
2. Ethics/Diversity.
3. Communications.
Coca-Cola.
1. Mission.
2. Ethics/Diversity.
3. Communications.
Environmental Resource Management Workplace Observation.
1. Mission.
2. Ethics/Diversity.
3. Communications.
SprintNextel.
1. Mission.
2. Ethics/Diversity.
3. Communication.
Conclusions.

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[...] What we are seeing is the establishment of communication networks that allows information to flow in all directions: from top to bottom (orders and management), from bottom to top the ground" information used to make decisions) and internal to external (communications with the public, public relations). A major difference may come down to ethics. Merck recently landed in hot water due to Vioxx, but of course pharmaceuticals are far more heavily regulated than, for example, soft drinks. The ethical line that Merck has to follow is thus narrower than those of the other firms. [...]

[...] Furthermore, leaders of the company try to have an effective communication system in place. For instance, managers have weekly meeting where they discuss any changes that will take place in the future. As the result, all employees are encouraged by the management team to share any uncertainty, confusion or concerns to prevent any conflicts from arising in the future. Moreover, the industry offers convenient communication services to consumers as well as business customers. Now, subscribers can use their wireless connection card on their laptop on the go. [...]

[...] Everyone within the company tends to abide by the code of ethics most of the time. In some instances, however, workers get too comfortable at work and start to act unethically. Eventually employees who act unethical at work are being caught and get fired. SprintNextel is multicultural organization where employees with different cultural, ethnic, gender and racial background are being employed by the company at all levels of an organization. Bogomonly (2004) agrees “Victoria Walker, vice-president of human resources, says the recruitment process is critical. [...]

[...] Trudy Wonder was once a manager at Merck, she began as a communicator working in the human resources department of operations. After five years at Merck, Trudy Wonder created a plan that would help her grow into a leader who could help better the direction of her company. Wonder took a risk by informing her higher ups about her vision for not only her own career path, but for Merck's future as well. Wonder's manager and head of human resources recognized leadership initiative in her and within a year promoted her to senior director of human resources communications & operations. [...]

[...] Furthermore, ERM ensures that its people respect the customs and laws of the many countries where they work and have offices. Likewise ERM ensures the health, safety, personal security and well-being of its people. Ethics/Diversity ERM is known in the industry for its ethics values integrating the core values of honesty, responsibility and fairness with the firm's stakeholders and shareholders, from its employees and investors to its suppliers and clients and to the environment. ERM has ethics program the aim to address issues such as financial fraud, bribery and graft and corruption, employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction, and environmental protection. [...]

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