Understanding Regulations, Law, and Business Ethics in Organizations

This assignment discusses the concept of regulations, law, and business ethics in organizations. It explores the importance of ethics in every organization and the benefits it brings. The assignment also analyzes the implications of social and public pressure on ethical behavior, identifies and responds to ethical dilemmas, and discusses how organizations can promote corporate responsibility through internal values and to stakeholders in the media.

Running Head: MANAGEMENT
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Sustainability and ethics
5/13/2019

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Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................2
Q1. An understanding on regulations, the law and business ethics in organisations..............................2
Q3. Evaluate the implications of social and public pressure for ethical behaviour in organisations......4
Q4. Identify and respond to ethical dilemmas that threaten the organisation and industry....................4
Q5. Promote an organisation’s corporate responsibility through values internally and to stakeholders
in the media...........................................................................................................................................5
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................6
References.............................................................................................................................................7

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Introduction
The assignment brings about the discussion of the concept of regulations, law and business
ethics in context to business organisations. The term ethics refers to the moral judgements, or
beliefs about what is right and wrong, determining effectiveness of managerial operations.
Therefore, the concept of ethics is important in every organisation, as they bring significant
benefits to a business and helps in attainment of goals and objectives. The assignment is the
reflection, which brings an analysis of several themes including ethics, organisational values,
regulations, and the ethical conduct/behaviour, and dilemma affecting the performance of an
organisation. Thus, the self-reflection will discuss these concepts related to management with
my experiences throughout the phase of learning. In the later part, of the reflection the
discussion will also include the analysis of corporate responsibility through the internal
values and role of various other stakeholders of the organisation.
Q1. An understanding on regulations, the law and business ethics in
organisations.
In our classes, and other lectures, we were taught the meaning and significance of business
ethics and influence on the working of the organisation. The purpose of business ethics is to
enable managers to make correct and responsible decisions to ensure effective working of the
business. Maintaining a highly ethical business help managers to coordinate, support and
ensure significant benefits to various stakeholders (Schwartz, 2016). According to my
understanding, it can be stated that ethics protect the interests of various important
stakeholders such as employees, customers, suppliers, investors and others from the unfair
trade practices. Therefore, I have found some of the key principles of ethics, which are
applicable in the business, integrity, honesty, fairness, loyalty, respect, law-abiding and
others.
Moreover, I have understood that managers must exercise rules, law, and regulations in their
business practices. This is because following rules and regulations help employees
understand, what is expected of them and the impact of violation of the rules.
As rules determine the guidelines or instructions, which govern the conduct or behaviour of
an individual or employees working in the organisation. I have analysed that the established
rules and regulations as per the employment law, outlines the responsibilities of both,

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employer and employee. The aspect of internal regulations defines about the procedures to be
followed for effective administrative operation and organisation of the institution. Thus, laws
are more based on moral values, and they affect the ethical behaviour or working of the
business (Martin, 2015).
Q2. Demonstrate an understanding of the organisational values that support
ethical decision-making.
In accordance to the class lectures, taught by our instructors I have understood that
organisational values are significant in maintaining business ethics. Organisational values are
described as the core ethics, principles, to which the managers or leaders comply to act to
achieve their standard performance. Our professors and instructors emphasized on the
concept of organisational value leading to ethics, due to the reason that it acts as the vital
factor of growth and long-term success. Values of an organisation include honesty, integrity,
courage, respect, diversity and these improve the ethical characters and culture of an
organisation. For an example, I have observed that the managers who are truthful and honest
in their actions and behaviour lead to effective decisions and satisfy their key stakeholders in
the business (Schwartz, 2016).
Furthermore, it incorporates integrity within business, which represents a consistent and
strong adherence to the strong moral and ethical principles. Therefore, from this discussion I
can mention the importance of the aspects or values of organisation leading to ethical
decision-making.
Another important organisational value I have studied during my class lectures, is
customer focus, or customer oriented activities. This is an essential aspect for the managers to
emphasize on the needs and wants of their customers, as it reinforces the responsibility of the
business in the market, and determines their decisions, and strategies. Overlooking the
expectations of the customers not only risks the ethics, rather it affects the long-term health of
the business. Therefore, an important organisational value contributes managers in ethical
decision-making for the organisation (Dane and Sonenshein, 2015).
Passion and persistence are other two core value of organisations, which also facilitates
effective and ethics in the conduct of business operations. Organisations who work towards
their goals with the passion, and persistence in following their strategies for the betterment of
their employees and customers, develops a solid ethical base in their business activities.

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Q3. Evaluate the implications of social and public pressure for ethical behaviour
in organisations.
From the research on the concept of business ethics, and values I have understood that the
external social pressures has become a major factor in business ethics. This means that the
companies in today’s modern business era need to focus on aspects of social environment or
responsibility as a part of their ethics. Social pressures from the government, NGOs, and
activists tend to affect the company’s reputation, brand equity, and productivity over time.
For an example an organisation’s poor environmental record, could be used by the social or
public pressure such as government, to dissuade customers from buying their products
(AlKalbani, Deng and Kam, 2015).
Moreover, they can lead or cause dissatisfaction and reduced productivity of employees by
affecting employee morale and motivation. Another important aspect that I have observed
significant affecting the ethical behaviour includes cultural norms, and belief system of the
society. Therefore, some of the businesses such as trading of drugs are illegal business, which
is considered wrong in terms of the society and government. Further, social pressures affect
ethical behaviour or conduct of the managers or employees within an organisation (Helmig,
Spraul and Ingenhoff, 2016).
Q4. Identify and respond to ethical dilemmas that threaten the organisation and
industry.
Now, moving further with the discussion I have understood the relevance and importance of
business ethics and the resultant performance. I have also learned from the textbook chapters
taught in our sessions, about the concept of ‘ethical dilemmas’ faced by organisations or
industry. The term ethical dilemma here refers to any problem where a person has to make a
choice between moral and immoral things or act within a business (Ferrell, 2016).
The situation of ethical dilemmas often threatens the reputation or image of the organisation,
affecting their long-term sustainability. Globalization of business is one of the core ethical
dilemma’s faced by the business and modern firms in the business environment (Mamic,
2017).
Careers and the common good represent other example of ethical dilemma faced by
companies, and industry professionals. It states the initiative to be taken by the professionals

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beyond their organisational objectives to fulfil their social responsibility and act for the better
of community or environment (Mamic, 2017). Moreover, I have also learnt one of the most
common factor or ethical dilemma faced by the entrepreneurs in the conduct of their
operations, i.e. being a change agent. In an organisation, lots of things need to be changed to
make improvements in the strategy or their processes. Furthermore, we were taught that the
managers or professionals in order to meet the changing requirements of the industry, and
customers adopt change in their practices. In addition, it has been understood that changes in
the external environment or technology render organisation sometimes alter traditional ways
of working. Then, they may focus upon doing things inappropriately, and often in unethical
manner, which affect or threat the working and efficiency of the business (Wang and
Calvano, 2015).
Besides, these points mentioned in the above context it has been analysed that organisations
face ethical dilemmas, ineffectiveness of leaders also contribute to this issue. It has been
found that leader’s ethics are always not exemplary, as they sometimes mislead the behaviour
of the employees working in the organisation. This affects the morale and motivation of the
individuals and affects their productivity; therefore, managers must comply with rules and
regulations and overcome these ethical dilemmas (Gill, 2015).
Q5. Promote an organisation’s corporate responsibility through values internally
and to stakeholders in the media.
Corporate social responsibility refers to the business approach leading to sustainable
development by providing social, economic, and other benefits to the key stakeholders of the
business vital to the growth and success of the organisation (Epstein, 2018). From the
concept of Stakeholders, I understand that these refer to the groups who have interest in the
organisation, and are affected by the activities of business. These stakeholders include
customers, government, suppliers, employees, and media, determining the effectiveness of
corporate social responsibility (Benn, O'Leary and Abratt, 2016). According to my
understanding, an organisation can promote CSR through their efficient HR practices. HR
plays an important role in implementing and encouraging green practices, and fostering a
culture of social responsibility. Moreover, I have analysed that the instructors focused or
emphasized on the concept of CSR in organisations, due to the fact they contribute to long-

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term efficiency of the business. Therefore, it states the aspect of fostering the concept of
corporate social responsibility within businesses (Dempsey, 2015).
The aspect of media or social media contributes to maintaining sound relationships with
various stakeholders of the business. Thus, managers or leaders in an organisation utilises
different social media for communicating their CSR objectives and thereby ensures
stakeholder engagement in their business (Wickert, Scherer and Spence, 2016).
Conclusion
To conclude the above discussion it has been analysed that the aspect of ethics, regulations in
any organisation play a vital role in improving efficiency. The discussion above has
mentioned different concepts determining the organisational values, and ethical decision-
making activities of the managers. Thus, I have mentioned through the analysis that
workplace ethics is significant as it ensures equal and right treatment of the employees
working in the organisation. Moreover, other concepts such as ethical dilemmas have been
also described in this assignment. Hence, it is the core duty of the managers to comply with
the business ethics to ensure effective management of organisational practices.

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References
AlKalbani, A., Deng, H. and Kam, B. (2015) July. Organisational Security Culture and
Information Security Compliance for E-Government Development: The Moderating Effect of
Social Pressure. In PACIS (p. 65).
Benn, S., O'Leary, B. and Abratt, R. (2016) Defining and identifying stakeholders: Views
from management and stakeholders. South African Journal of Business Management, 47(2),
pp.1-11.
Dane, E. and Sonenshein, S. (2015) On the role of experience in ethical decision making at
work: An ethical expertise perspective. Organizational Psychology Review, 5(1), pp. 74-96.
Dempsey, J. (2015) Moral responsibility, shared values, and corporate culture. Business
Ethics Quarterly, 25(3), pp. 319-340.
Epstein, M.J. (2018) Making sustainability work Best practices in managing and measuring
corporate social, environmental, and economic impacts. United Kingdom: Routledge.
Ferrell, O.C. (2016) A framework for understanding organizational ethics. In Business ethics:
New challenges for business schools and corporate leaders (pp. 15-29). United Kingdom:
Routledge.
Gill, R. (2015) Why the PR strategy of storytelling improves employee engagement and adds
value to CSR: An integrated literature review. Public Relations Review, 41(5), pp. 662-674.
Helmig, B., Spraul, K. and Ingenhoff, D. (2016) Under positive pressure: How stakeholder
pressure affects corporate social responsibility implementation. Business & Society, 55(2),
pp.151-187.
Mamic, I. (2017) Implementing codes of conduct: How businesses manage social
performance in global supply chains. United Kingdom: Routledge.
Martin, K.E. (2015) Ethical issues in the big data industry. MIS Quarterly Executive, 14, p.2.
Schwartz, M.S. (2016) Ethical decision-making theory: An integrated approach. Journal of
Business Ethics, 139(4), pp.755-776.

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Wang, L.C. and Calvano, L. (2015) Is business ethics education effective? An analysis of
gender, personal ethical perspectives, and moral judgment. Journal of Business
Ethics, 126(4), pp. 591-602.
Wickert, C., Scherer, A.G. and Spence, L.J. (2016) Walking and talking corporate social
responsibility: Implications of firm size and organizational cost. Journal of Management
Studies, 53(7), pp. 1169-1196.