Articlegreen2019

Codes of ethics content: UK and Australian corporations

Greg Wood · Georgina Whyatt · Michael Callaghan · Göran Svensson

8 citations0/0 files storedEuropean Business Review

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Ethics in Business and Education Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to compare the content of the codes of ethics of the top 50 corporations in the UK and Australia. Design/methodology/approach The code of each of the 50 top companies listed on the London Stock Exchange and the 50 top companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange based on market capitalization was read against an updated version of a previous code content classification system. Findings This research provides valuable insights into the similarities and differences that exist between the expected ethical standards in corporations based in two historically linked and culturally related countries: corporate approaches that are worthy of comment. Research limitations/implications This paper does provide a sound basis for further investigation and cross-country comparisons of corporate codes of ethics. Practical implications The instrument used for classifying code content gives an insight into the top companies operating in the UK and Australia and what they consider important to cover within a code of ethics. Social implications In light of increasing societal expectations of corporate ethical standards, this research study offers improved understanding of/insight into the development of codes of ethics as a means to guide organizational behaviours/conduct. Originality/value This study proposes a contemporary instrument for the analysis of codes of ethics that has built upon the work of others over the past 30 years.

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References

1991Corporate Social Performance Revisited 1983The Cultural Relativity of Organizational Practices and Theories 2002Evolution and Implementation: A Study of Values, Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility 2001Codes of Ethics as Signals for Ethical Behavior 2007The Effectiveness of Business Codes: A Critical Examination of Existing Studies and the Development of an Integrated Research Model 1988Ethical Behavior and Bureaucratic Structure in Marketing Research Organizations 1990Do Corporate Codes of Ethics Reflect National Character? Evidence from Europe and the United States 2001Ethical Codes of Conduct and Organizational Context: A Study of the Relationship Between Codes of Conduct, Employee Behavior and Organizational Values

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