Unethical Behaviors in Corporate America

Are Unethical Behaviors Limited to Corporate America?

While there is not a definitive answer for what is ethical and that which is not (Breeden, 2001) the show of good ethics often places one in a quandary. As per Jager (2002) making the determination of right and wrong can pose a challenge, and making the right decision in many cases is not easy. Responding to unethical behavior, be it that of self or others proves a difficult task (Jager, 2002) and trying to prevent unethical behavior in others and simultaneously do the right thing oneself, is an ethical mandate.

Given that the knowledge of right and wrong is inherent in most, the litany of scandals afflicting this country continues to cause quite a dilemma (Hanson, 2003). This dilemma is evident as business ethics run amok and continue to make headlines (Business Mexico, 2005). According to Cialdini, Petrova, & Goldstein (2004) corporate perpetrators continually engage in all sorts of unethical behaviors; from the taking of little things to malfeasance or criminal conduct in corporate governance, unethical accounting practices, regulatory evasions, career advancement, competitive concerns and many other fashions of unethical behaviors.

The magazine article, Goal setting and cheating, by Business Mexico (2004) expounds on this thought by adding that unethical behavior is generally spurred on by financial gain, goal setting, personal achievement as well as corporate success. According to Kayes, Stirling & Nielsen (2007) these negative behaviors more often than not place organizations at risk. Interestingly, however, people not only engage in these behaviors of their own accord, organizations have also been noted for recruiting individuals and even creating them for just such purposes (Cialdini, Petrova, & Goldstein, 2004).


References:

Breeden, L. (2001). Ethics for Making the Right Choice. The Education Digest, 67(4),
22-23.

(Cialdini, R., Petrova, P., & Goldstein, N. (2004). The Hidden Cost of Organizational
Dishonesty. MIT Sloan Management Review, 45(3), 67-73.

Goal setting and cheating. (2004). Business Mexico, 14(9), 44-47.

Hanson, K. (2003). Confronting Unethical Conduct. Association Management, 55(1), 31.

Jager, P. (2002). Ethics: Good, Evil, and Moral Duty. Information Management Journal
36(5), 82-85.

Kayes, D., Stirling, D., & Nielsen, T. (2007). Building organizational integrity, Business
Horizons, 50(1), 61-70.