Introduction to business ethics

1. BUSINESS ETHICS
DR RUZITA MANSHOR
FACULTY OF
MANAGEMENT
UCYP

2. ETHICS :
Ethics is everyone’s business from top level manager to employees at
the lowest levels of the organization.
Ethics :
Business ethics are moral principles that guide the way
a business behaves.
The same principles that determine an individual”s actions also apply
to business. Acting in an ethical way involves distinguishing between
“right” and “wrong” and then making the “right” choice.

3. UNDERSTANDING BUSINESS
ETHICS
A few example of ethical and moral dilemmas you may face as a
manager:
i) Should you pay a bribe to obtain a business contract in a foreign
country?
ii) Is it acceptable to allow your company to dispose of hazardous
waste in an unsafe fashion?
iii) Can you withhold information that might discourage a job
candidate from joining your organization?
iv) Is it appropriate to conduct personal business on company time?

8. Personal Responsibility
An individual who takes responsibility for his actions in the workplace does not lie or try to avoid the
consequences when something at work goes wrong. Those who try to avoid personal responsibility are not only
acting in a way that is usually unethical for the company, but are also pushing the burden of responsibility onto
another individual. At work, personal responsibility can help a business thrive or bog it down in office "politics."
Employee Expectations
Employers lay out expectations they have of workers in an employee handbook. Since a company cannot teach
employees personal ethical standards, it needs to spell out the rules employees are expected to follow.
Businesses can use examples of appropriate behavior for employees to model and actions for various
situations. This will help prevent problems relating to personal responsibility and ethical behavior.

9. ISLAMIC ETHICS
Islamic ethics is the ethical system formed by the teachings of the
Qur‟Én and explained by the Prophet (s.a.w) through action and
words
Ethics deals with those standards that prescribe what man out to do.
It also addresses virtues, duties and attitudes of the individual and
the society. In addition, ethics is related to customs, traditions as well
as beliefs and worldviews. N

10. ISLAMIC ETHICS: SCOPE AND
PRINCIPLES
Islamic ethics is founded on the worldview that man is trustee and
holds responsibility of being vicegerent (khalif). In this understanding
man existed as a result of the divine-plan of Allah (s.w.t), based on
which man is delegated to manage and improve live on earth (ta‟mir)
according to the divine laws (wahy) of Allah (s.w.t).
To do so, the Qur‟an, mentions that Allah (s.w.t) has empowered man
with the qualities of intellect, knowledge, freewill and guidance,
which raise man into a unique position above other creatures of Allah
(s.w.t).
While the Qur‟anic term khalif signifies commissioned for a duty and
responsibility, the concept of ta‟mir means constant improvement of
life. As a khalif (vicegerent) whose duty is ta‟mir (improvement of
life), man is inaugurated to be the steward and guardian (musakhar),
who will manage human and natural resources, to improve life and
make earth inhabitable place. Thus, within the framework of

11. While the Qur‟anic term khalif signifies commissioned for a duty and
responsibility, the concept of ta‟mir means constant improvement of
life. As a khalif (vicegerent) whose duty is ta‟mir (improvement of
life), man is inaugurated to be the steward and guardian (musakhar),
who will manage human and natural resources, to improve life and
make earth inhabitable place.
Thus, within the framework of khalif (trustee), ta‟mir (improvement)
and musakhar (steward), man, has an ethical duty to constantly
upgrade the efficiency and the quality of life. Based on this
understanding, human conducts are ethical only when they (conducts)
contribute to the improvement of life, and in line with divine
teachings of Allah (s.w.t). This makes Islamic ethical system divine,
transcendental, universal, and principle guided.