Business ethics refers to implementing appropriate business policies and practices with regard to arguably controversial subjects. Some issues that come up in a discussion of ethics include corporate governance, insider trading, bribery, discrimination, social responsibility, and fiduciary responsibilities.

1. Business Ethics
Dr Emmanuel Daniel
Faculty of Social Work

2. Synopsis
Meaning of Business ethics
Definitions of Business Ethics
Concept of Business Ethics
Characteristics of Business ethics
Factors influencing business ethics
Causes of Unethical Behaviour
Importance of Business Ethics
Business Ethics in India

3. Meaning of
Business
ethics
Greek word ‘ethos’, which means character
human character and conduct
moral duty and obligation
embodiment of moral values
principles of human conduct
behaviour of a businessman
impact within the business organisation
Morality inspired by his own interest

4. Definitions of
Business Ethics
According to HubPages Inc (2013),
"Ethics" is a set of principles used to
determine what is "right" when it
comes to the conduct or behavior of
an individual.
According to Grublein (2012),
business ethics is a set of corporate
values and codes of principles, which
may be written or unwritten, by which
a company evaluates its actions and
business-related decisions.

6. Characteristics of Business ethics
Based on social values
Based on the social customs
Optimum business performance
Basic guidelines and parameters
towards most appropriate
perfections
Study of human behaviour
Mutual interactions behaviour
between individual and group
Inspire the values, standards and
norms of professionalism
Motivation
Excellence
Emphasise more on social
responsibility
Concepts generated by Indian
ethos

7. Factors influencing business ethics
Family, School and Religion
Peers, Colleagues and Superiors
Experiences in Life
Values and Morals
Threatening Situations
Organisational Demands
Legislation
Government Rules and
Regulations
Industry and Company Ethical
Codes of Behaviour
Social Pressures

8. Causes of Unethical Behaviour
Primary Personality Defensive

9. Importance of Business Ethics
Corresponds to
Basic Human Needs
Credibility in the
Public
Better Decision
Making
Credibility with the
Employees
Protection of Society Profitability

10. Business Ethics
in India
Difficultly in translating business ethics into
practice
Change in business environment
Earn large profits, through short-cut methods
Showing less profit in the book of accounts
Elude tax liability
Reduction in selling price
Minimum wages
Health condition of employees

11. References
Manjulata M (2020) Business Ethics. Retrieved from
https://www.economicsdiscussion.net/business/busin
ess-ethics/31798
Toppr (2020) Meaning of Business Ethics. Retrieved
from https://www.toppr.com/guides/business-
communication-and-ethics/business-ethics/meaning-
and-ethical-principles-in-business/
Golden Ethical Solutions (2019) What is Business
Ethics. Retrieved
fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEmUag1ri6
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