In this Lindsay Lohan-like drama addicted nation, sometimes it seems business ethics is nothing other than something to fall back on when the red lights are in your rear view mirror or a lawyer in a black cloak bangs a gavel in front of you and a man who can now put their kids through college thanks to our signature. When asked to explain their deeds, many accuse the consistently heightening competition as the reason. However, being at the forefront of the debate on ethics, I am happy to see the moral aspect is not only getting its good name back but having a positive aftermath for both any company that assists this turn for the better as well as the world.
A great example is Skanska; sometime back, I got to speak to this company who ranked 14% higher business ethics wise through amazing standards and actions. Not only has this increase resulted in incredible media attention, but through their positive activity the company has made both national and international impact. One of their biggest agendas, the SA8000 human-rights based workplace standard, in fact was created for participation in areas that did not have high levels of governmental rules. This means for places that many would see an opportunity to cheat (considering that one of the reasons bad decisions are made is OPPORTUNITY), the business responded with more stringent rules.
With the new press attention and positive results it is bringing, now the same reasons to be immoral are becoming the same reasons to be a good company. As a result, SA8000 and other agendas of companies such as Skanska has become a turning point both for the company itself as well as other companies that are following in stride. Like fashion to teens, companies are beginning to emulate each other positively for once instead of leaning on factors such as competition to excuse immoral deeds.
In other words, as a result of one company’s change, we can and will see a more extensive turn for the better by other companies.
This to me shows an incredible turn for the better within our business and professional cultures which I can see only continuing further. Instead of following each other’s horrid deeds, the example of positive press and positive returns can and will create continue to create this trend within our professional agendas. As someone at the helm of these new changes, I am increasingly encouraged by this and am looking forward to reporting more trends to you.
Are you seeing a strong trend of ethics in companies such as SA8000? Do you agree that a new trend is coming? How do you believe the economic downturn has affected ethics in business?