SBM3204 Sustainability and Ethics Assignment Sample
Here’s the best sample of SBM3204 Sustainability and Ethics Assignment, written by the expert.
ULO1: Demonstrate an understanding on regulations, the law and business ethics in organizations.
In this assignment I have realized the role of business ethic’s for companies. Earlier, I use to think that companies are required to perform business practices as per rules and regulations only. The various laws and companies policies provide the guidance regarding organizational practices. But after this project I have come to understand the difference between business ethics and laws and regulations applicable on an organization. I have learned that laws and regulations are points which are in writing and set a binding on an organization. Compliance to laws and regulations is mandatory for organizations and any breach of it is a serious offence attracting penalty (Ciulla et al., 2018). These laws may be imposed by government agencies, or companies own rules and regulation policies. Each and every stakeholder of the organization is abiding by such laws and regulations. On the other hand business ethics are not mandatory for an organization. Business ethics have no legal binding. However, there may be points which are common in business ethical practices and laws which make them compulsory for example the law of pollution control is both a business ethic as well as law to be followed (Conard, 2013). I have also realized that what is generally considered as business ethics is mostly not in written manner. For instance, in the assignment there are organizations that voluntarily perform social services with no such clause in their policies. Hence, it is clear now that business ethics originates from moral responsibilities while regulations and laws emergences out of past experiences, government intentions, or ethics itself (Gonzalez-Perez & Leonard, 2013). I have also realized that organizations’ policies are formed after considering the laws and regulations applicable on it while there is no such compulsion on including ethical practices in policies of the organization. For e.g. one organization mentioned in the assignment performs corporate social responsibility with no such point mentioned in its policies.
ULO2: Demonstrate an understanding of the organisational values that support ethical decision making.
I have learned that decision making is a crucial aspect of any organization. An organization is required to take decision at each and every step. The decision are required to be made at every level for e.g. at supervisor level for allocating work or top level management for deciding firing policy etc. (Greenwood & Freeman, 2018). Every decision of the organization is guided by various factors like aims of the organization, expected outcome, policies of company, government rules and regulations, organizational culture and much more. I have learned that organizational vision and mission helps in creating organizational values. Organizational values are reflected in each activities of the organization (Grosser, Moon & Nelson, 2017). For example, an organization whose vision to provide ultimate satisfaction to its customers would considered each decision from customer point of view. As per my understanding, organizational values provides inner drive to organizations and help in making decisions. The term ‘organizational values’ incorporates positive aspects such as integrity, innovations, positive work culture, concern for employee and more. Such values are in line with the organizational vision and mission. Whenever an organization is faced with any situation which required decision making, its inherent values affects the decisions (Kleine, 2010). For example, in the assignment an organization with value of employee welfare assists the organization in taking decision related to individual privacy, harassment policy, and non-discrimination at workplace and like (Paul, 2008). This way, I have also realized that positive organizational values support an organization in making ethical decision. Another example is of the organization which is having an inherent value of lowering carbon footprint has taken the decision of installing solar panels on its roof top. All these incidents, reflects that inherent organizational values acts as lighthouse for guiding decisions of the organization towards the shore of ethical practices.
ULO3: Evaluate the implications of social and public pressure for ethical behaviour in organisations.
I have realized that business organizations are not separate from the society in which it operates. These days, business ethics is mostly driven by the social pressure from external environment. Organizations are required to focus on expectations of society and general public for working towards environment responsibility and public welfare (Przychodzen & Przychodzen, 2014). I have learned that in this age of technology each and every action of an organization is open for discussion by general public on social media platform. As such, any unethical behavior of any organization attracts more comments on social media rather than its positive ethical behavior. So, companies have be very cautious of their ethical behavior (Sarvaiya & Wu, 2014). The pressure of public is so much on the organizations that almost all organizations have to open their accounts on social media websites. I have learned that social media presence of companies provides various advantages for building the brand image and strong customer relationship management. However, there are also instances which such social media presence has negative affect on the image of company for e.g. the use of social media page of companies for maligning its image. In present days, organizations have the pressure of meeting the expectations of public and society and so for every good action they perform they advertise it on their social media pages (Schaefer, 2014). For example, the cleanliness drive by an organization is highlighted on the front page on the website of the organization. And so, I personally feel that the power which technology has given to society and its citizens has put a pressure on the business organizations to be socially responsible towards the society and must not perform the acts which cause any harm to the society or environment. I have learned that organizations should not treat such pressure as burden; in fact, use it as an opportunity for gaining a competitive advantage.
ULO 4: Identify and respond to ethical dilemmas that threaten the organisation and industry.
I have realised that business organisations are subject on various situations of ethical dilemmas in which they are required to take decisions on best of the judgements. For example, performing a social responsible activity which incurred cost to the company with no scope of return is totally against the interest of the shareholders who have made the investment in the organisation (Ciulla et al., 2018). In my opinion such scenario possesses an ethical dilemma before the organisation as compromising on any one ground would affect the interest of other. In such situation company is required to take decisions keeping long term view and making the stakeholders confident of the decisions. Another example, I have mentioned in the project of ethical dilemma is complain about an employees who have long served the organisation and has clean record. In such scenario, organisation has to face ethical dilemma as employee has served many years in organisation and performed well and the serious nature of complain and demand of quick action from complainant (Grosser, Moon & Nelson, 2017). Any action against the employee not just causes damage to the morale of the employee but also demotivate other employees. Similarly, non-action would impact the image of the organisation as supporting unethical practices (Greenwood & Freeman, 2018). I have learned that in any of the situation of ethical dilemmas before an organisation, organisation is required to take its own time and analyse the matter deeply. Prior reaching to a conclusion it must try for a win-win situation. If this is not possible then I would suggest that decisions are to be made which are in best interest of the organisation keeping a long term view. I have also understood that past experiences must be used for avoiding any situation in future.
ULO 5: Promote an organisation’s corporate responsibility through values internally and to stakeholders in the media.
I have realised that organisations are required to utilise its core values for promoting social responsibility in its internal environment. I have learned that the effective implementation of corporate social responsibility requires commitment from all the employees within the organisation. The employees of the organisation must feel responsible towards the society. And for that inherent values of the organisation such as trust, fair dealings, commitment towards the customers helps in generating a sense of responsibility among the employees who just not only showcase socially responsible behaviour within the organisation but in their personal life also (Sarvaiya & Wu, 2014). In similar fashion, companies also require to promote its corporate responsibility actions among its stakeholders by various media (Przychodzen & Przychodzen, 2014). I personally feel that that there are various medias available for companies for promoting their good acts such as social media websites, own website, e-mails, advertisements etc. For example, companies are using their social media pages having pictures of social work performed by them. Another example is highlighting spending funds on corporate social responsibilities by firms. I came to know that the culture of corporate social responsibility is built by involving all internal as well as external stakeholders.
References:
Conard, B. (2013). Some Challenges to Sustainability. Sustainability, 5(8), 3368-3381.
Gonzalez-Perez, M. & Leonard, L. (2013). International business, sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Bingley [England]: Emerald.
Greenwood, M., & Freeman, R. (2018). Deepening Ethical Analysis in Business Ethics. Journal Of Business Ethics, 147(1), 1-4”.
Grosser, K., Moon, J., & Nelson, J. A. (2017). Guest Editors’ Introduction: Gender, Business Ethics, and Corporate Social Responsibility: Assessing and Refocusing a Conversation. Business Ethics Quarterly, 27(4), 541-567.
Kleine, A. (2010). Sustainability-driven implementation of corporate social responsibility: application of the integrative sustainability triangle. Strategic Direction, 26(5).
Paul, K. (2008). Corporate Sustainability, Citizenship and Social Responsibility Reporting. Journal of Corporate Citizenship, 2008(32), 63-78.
Przychodzen, W. & Przychodzen, J. (2014). Corporate Social Responsibility for Sustainability.Management And Business Administration. Central Europe, 22(2), 80-97.
Sarvaiya, H. & Wu, M. (2014). An integrated Approach for Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Sustainability. Asian Social Science, 10(17).
Schaefer, A. (2014). Corporate sustainability – integrating environmental and social concerns?. Corp. Soc. Responsib. Environ. Mgmt, 11(4), 179-187.
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