Chapter Two - Business Ethics

Stakeholders

Customers, investors, shareholders, employees, suppliers, government agencies, communities, and many others who have a
stake or claim
in some aspect of a company's products, operations, markets, industry, and outcomes.

Primary Stakeholders

Those whose continued association is
absolutely necessary
for a firm's survival.

Secondary Stakeholders

Do not typically engage in transactions with a company and are therefore not essential to its survival.

Stakeholder Interaction Model

A model that shows the reciprocal relationships between the firm and a host of stakeholders. Recognizes other stakeholders and explicitly acknowledges that a
dialogue
exists between a firm's internal and external environments.

Stakeholder Orientation

The degree to which a firm understands and addresses stakeholder demands.

Social Responsibility

A company's obligation to maximize its positive impact and minimize its negative impact on society.

Four Levels of Social Responsibility

Economic, Legal, Ethical, and Philanthropic

Business Ethics

Principles and values that meet the expectations of stakeholders.

Corporate Citizenship

The extent to which businesses strategically meet the economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic responsibilities placed on them by various stakeholders.

Reputation

One of an organization's greatest intangible assets with tangible value. Value is
difficult to quantify,
but it is important.

Corporate Governance

The development of formal systems of accountability, oversight, and control.

Accountability

How closely workplace decisions are aligned with a firm's stated strategic decision and its compliance with ethical and legal considerations.

Oversight

A system of
checks and balances
that
limit
employees' and managers' opportunities to
deviate
from policies and strategies that prevent unethical and illegal activities

Control

The process of
auditing and improving
organizational decisions and actions.

Shareholder Model of Corporate Governance

Founded in classic economic precepts, including the goal of
maximizing wealth for investors and owners.
Serving the best interests of its
investors

Stakeholder Model of Corporate Governance

Adopts a broader view of the purpose of business. A company doesn't just answer for economic reasons, but also to employees, suppliers, government regulators, communities, and special interest groups.
Understands that the company must answer to
OTHER stak

Interlocking Directorate

The concept of board members of linked to more than one company.
Process is
legal unless
it involves a
direct competitor

Executive Compensation

One of the biggest issues corporate board of directors face, deciding how much to compensate top executives. How executives are compensated for their leadership, organizational service, and performance has become a controversial topic.

Assessing the Corporate Culture

Step One of Implementing a Stakeholder Perspective
Identify the organizational mission, values, and norms likely to have
implications for social responsibility

Identifying the Stakeholder Groups

Step Two of Implementing a Stakeholder Perspective
Recognizing stakeholder needs, wants, and desires.

Identifying Stakeholder Issues

Step Three of Implementing a Stakeholder Perspective

Assessing Organizational Commitment to Social Responsibility

Step Four of Implementing a Stakeholder Perspective

Identifying Resources and Determining Urgency

Step Five of Implementing a Stakeholder Perspective

Gaining Stakeholder Feedback

Step Six of Implementing a Stakeholder Perspective