Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ABM -12
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 5- Ethics Subject Teacher: Kenny Jones A. Amlos

THE IMPACT OF BELIEF SYSTEMS IN THE BUSINESS SETTING

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this module, the student is expected to:

a. describe various belief systems, their similarities and differences in relation to the business
setting; and
b. give examples of how belief systems affect business practices.

THE IMPACT OF BELIEF SYSTEMS IN THE BUSINESS SETTING

6. Taoism: Action without Action

Taoism or Daoism is a spiritual, philosophical, and religious tradition of Chinese origin that
emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao. Tao means “way”, “path” or “principle.”

✓ Good Behavior
✓ Good behavior improves the world as a whole:
✓ Cultivate the Tao within oneself, and one’s virtue will be perfected
✓ Cultivate it within the household: virtue will be abundant
✓ Cultivate it within the neighborhood: virtue will be enduring
✓ Cultivate it within the nation: virtue will be overflowing
✓ Cultivate it within the world: virtue will be universal

Leadership by Example
The best way to lead is by example and with minimal intervention:
✓ I take no action and the people are of themselves transformed.
✓ I love tranquility and the people are of themselves rectified.
✓ I don’t engage in affairs and the people of themselves become rich.
✓ I have no desires and the people of themselves become simple.

Embrace Change
“You can only lose what you cling on.” Change is everywhere constant, eternal.

Take One Step at a Time

“A jug fills drop by drop.”

7. Confucianism: The Golden Rule

“Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself.”

Confucian ethics are described as humanistic. This ethical philosophy by all the members of the
society is characterized by the promotion of virtues, encompassed by the 5 constants:

✓ Ren – benevolence, humaneness

The essence of the human being endowed by heaven and the same time the means by
which a can act according to the principle of Heaven and become one with it.
✓ Yi – righteousness or justice
✓ Li – proper rite
Exerted great influences on business activities. It was helpful in setting ethical principles
that guide interpersonal relationship in a hierarchical society.
✓ Zhi – knowledge
✓ Xin – integrity

The Other Virtues:

✓ Yong – bravery
✓ Wen – kind and gentle
✓ Liang – good, kindhearted
 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ABM -12
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 5- Ethics Subject Teacher: Kenny Jones A. Amlos

✓ Gong – respectful, reverent

✓ Jian – frugal
✓ Rang – modestly, self- effacing

8. Shintoism: The Way of the Gods

It is also called kami- no- michi, an ethich religion of the people of Japan. Shinto (way of the
Gods) comes from “shin” meaning “spirit” and “to” meaning “a philosophical path of study.” Shin or
kami refers to the divinity, or sacred essence, that manifests in multiple forms: rocks, trees, rivers,
animals, places, and even people can be said to possess the nature kami.

Everything has a Soul

Every single thing, including people, has its own soul or spirit, or numen in Japanese. Work is
understood to be a self- expression of the great life force, and Japanese people unconsciously and
sometimes consciously, try to unify themselves with the great life force by concentrating on their own
work.

Superiority of Groups
The whole group works better and it is expected to be able to connect with numen of the universe in
a direct way, the members of the group individually are not related to the force in the same way. The
only way for the members to connect with the life force is through the activities of their group.

Four Circles of Business Relationships

Businesses use the four rings to delineate the nature of their business dealings:
Family: closely- related partners
Fellow: Banks, Traders….
Japan: competitors
The World: competition around the world

Perception of Work: For Japanese people, the community they belong to is more importantthan what
they do.

REFERENCES:

BAL 174.4 Jerusalem, Violeta L. (2017). Business Ethics and Social Responsibility:
J487 2017 Concepts, principles, and practices of ethical standards. Manila,
Philippines: FASTBOOKS Educational Supply, Inc.

BAL 174.4 Cortez, F (2016). Business Ethics and Social Responsibility. Quezon City,
C8187 2016 Philippines: Vibal Group, Inc.