The Role of Ethics in 21st Century Organization

Abstract

Business ethics is a highly discussed and debated subject in today’s corporate and business world, as well as in educational and academic circles. There are certain parameters, which influence the extensive level and degree to which ethics has been analyzed by scholars and researchers in recent years, such as globalization, technology, intangible assets, talent management. Meanwhile, organizations that are inclined in performing according to ethical standards, morals, and values, have recognized the importance and significance that ethical procedures and policies are communicated and practiced throughout the entire organization, while at the same time becoming a priority for the administration of the organization. Organizational and educational leadership is responsible for practices such as creating the foundations for the resourceful and ethical performance of the business. It is one of the most powerful and important aspects of human activities in organizations. Given that leaders are the most influential body in any institution greatly impacting the organizational culture, they are the ones who ought to promote and model principles and values in accordance to the objectives, mission, and vision shared with employees. Although ethos as a principle and value was first discussed in the ancient Greek philosophic circles, where it was characterizing the virtuous and moral beliefs, attitudes, and acts, the importance of the principle of ethical behavior had not been “apparent” until recent years that individuals and organizations have been researching to find ways that ethical behavior can be integrated into corporate practices. Moreover, ethics and the notion of ethical behavior and value systems in the organizational setting have become an organizational precedence in the 21stcentury. While leaders have numerous external factors, which present opportunities and threats, such as keeping up with the technology advancements, globalization’s outcomes, threats of the competition, they also have to keep up with internal tasks and practices such as the alignment of mission, vision with the organizational culture, the strategies designed and the goals pursued for their own organization. Although the role of a leader is a complex and multifaceted one, he/she must also integrate ethical practices in their organizations’ policies.

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