Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Module 34 Eg
Module 34 Eg
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
IN BUSINESS
Ethics and Governance
• Behavioral standards describe the acting out of company values or strategy by employees in a real-
world setting. Indeed, purpose and strategy are empty intellectual thoughts unless they are
consistently displayed with action.
• Again, the mission statement should support or reinforce these values. This is particularly
important for brand image since consumers want to see businesses embodying the values they
preach.
• For example, cosmetic retailer The Body Shop strives to produce cosmetics that do not harm
animals or the environment. This environmental consciousness extends to its physical stores, with
the company revolutionizing the now common two-bin system for waste and recycling. More
importantly, The Body Shop employees receive training on environmental stewardship and embody
the mission statement values customers expect.
• Top management has the responsibility for establishing standards of behavior and
for effectively communicating those standards to all managers and employees in
the organization. One of the traditional ways by which companies and ethics
officers have fulfilled this responsibility is through the use of codes of ethics, or
codes of conduct
• Codes may not be a solution for management, but when properly developed and
administer, they serve to raise the level of ethical behavior in the organization by
clarifying what is meant by ethical conduct and encouraging moral behavior.
1. As a rule book, the code acts to clarify what behavior is expected of employees.
2. As a signpost, the code can lead employees to consult other individuals or
corporate policies to determine the appropriateness of behavior.
3. As a mirror, the code provides employees with a chance to confirm whether their
behavior is acceptable to the company.
4. As a magnifying glass, the code suggests a note of caution to be more careful or
engage in greater reflection before acting.
• http://www.nihfw.org/Legislations/THEINDIANMEDICALCOUNCILACT
_1956.html
• http://www.cidc.in/support/PE/ECI-Code_of%20_Ethics.pdf
“May your life be simple and pure so you know only beauty. May
your mind be clear and quiet so you speak only of Truth. May your
heart be filled with love and compassion so you radiate Light to all
you meet. May all you do be blessed with Divine Grace.”
Swami Chinmayananda
• All four Purusharthas are important, but in cases of conflict, Dharma is considered
more important than Artha or Kama.
• There is inherent tension between active pursuit of wealth (Artha) and pleasure
(Kama), and renunciation of all wealth and pleasure for the sake of spiritual
liberation (Moksha). Proposed solution - "action with renunciation" or "craving-free,
dharma-driven action", also called Nishkama Karma.
• Professional Ethics: In the modern world, the concept of Dharma is often linked to
professional ethics and responsibilities, guiding individuals in making ethical choices
in the workplace.
• Mental Health and Well-being: Balancing Kama with Moksha can enhance mental
health and well-being by promoting mindfulness, self-awareness, and inner peace.
• A perfect human being is one who accepted everyone as a part of himself/herself as an individual. Such a
quality in any organization can best establish TQM.
India has a diverse and rich cultural heritage, and its work ethos is shaped by
various factors such as religion, social norms, and traditions. Here are some
common credos of Indian work ethos:
• 1. Karma: The concept of Karma plays a significant role in Indian work ethos. It
suggests that one's actions determine their destiny. Therefore, people are
encouraged to work hard and perform their duties with sincerity and dedication.
• 2. Dharma: Dharma refers to one's duty or moral obligations. Indian work ethos
emphasizes fulfilling one's duties and responsibilities, whether it is towards
family, society, or the country.
• 3.Time management: Time is considered precious in Indian culture, and
punctuality is highly valued. Indians believe in the saying, "Time is money," and
wasting time is considered disrespectful.
• 4. Respect for hierarchy: Indians have a strong hierarchical structure, and respect
for authority is ingrained in the culture. Subordinates are expected to show
deference to their superiors, and elders are given utmost respect.
• 5. Teamwork: Indians value teamwork and collaboration. They believe that
working together towards a common goal leads to better results.
• 6.Hospitality: Indians are known for their hospitality and generosity. They believe
in taking care of their guests and colleagues, and this extends to the workplace
as well.
• 7.Perseverance: Indians are known to be resilient and persistent in their efforts.
They believe that hard work and determination can overcome any obstacle.
• 8. Learning and education: Education is highly valued in Indian culture, and
continuous learning is encouraged. Indians believe in the saying, "Knowledge is
power," and seek to expand their knowledge and skills throughout their lives.
• Everybody should perform their duties to progress the world as harmony. Everybody
has a special quality and svadharma in the world and one must be recognize his own
duty to perform it in selfless nee manner, with the goal to render a peaceful living for
all i.e. Lokasamgraha. It brings to the notion of World Brotherhood and can make a
harmonious world.
• Atman refers to the individual self or soul. It is believed to be the eternal essence of an individual
that transmigrates from one body to another in the cycle of birth and death (samsara). Atman is
seen as distinct from the physical body and mind, and it is often described as being unchanging
and eternal. In Indian ethics, realizing the true nature of Atman is seen as the ultimate goal of
human life, as it leads to spiritual liberation and freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
• Brahman, on the other hand, is the ultimate reality and the source of all existence. It is the cosmic
consciousness or the universal spirit that pervades everything in the universe. Brahman is often
described as being infinite, eternal, and unchanging. In Indian ethics, realizing the identity of
Atman with Brahman is seen as the highest spiritual realization, as it leads to the realization that
all beings are ultimately one and connected.
Bhagavad Gita’s seven hundred concise verses provide a definitive guide to the science of self-
realization.
“So Arjuna, you are mistaken in your notion of 'I shall not act'. If everybody says 'I will not do',
then what will happen? Is this the example you wish people to follow?”
Swadharma is one’s natural duty based on one’s worldly position and mental disposition (talent & temperament).
• Swadharma is born with us (you are born with certain rights & duties – family, country
etc.)
• To disown one’s Swadharma is to disown oneself
• Only in harmony with it, can we move forward
• You should never lose sight of it
• Abandoning your Swadharma and pursuing adharma or paradharma is forbidden
• To discover and to follow Swadharma is the ideal of human life.
• One never becomes tired of one’s Swadharma.
• One’s Swadharma gives one maximum satisfaction and joy and finally leads to making the
mind quiet and still.
• Work, which leads to agitation, is not Swadharma
Saturday, 06 April 2024 Dr Shilpa Sankpal 97
IMPLICATIONS - HUMAN DUTY IN THE
BHAGAVAD GITA
Importance of making informed decisions without attachment to the outcomes.
Modern leaders often face complex and uncertain situations - make decisions based on a deep understanding of
the situation, considering various perspectives, and being detached from personal biases and ego.
Self-awareness, ethical conduct, decision-making, continuous learning, and inspiring others are the pillars to
effective management.
Sri Krishna's first lesson to Arjuna is to train his mind to the notion of time that is essentially long term
There are four aspects to the definition of work that Shri Krishna articulates: (a) The doer has the
right to work (b) The doer has no control on outcomes/ fruits of action (c) The doer has no
control on the root causes of the fruits of action (d) There is no choice to revel in inaction