Synopses & Reviews
In the seven years since Enron exploded, it seems little has changed. The financial crisis, the seemingly intractable problems facing Detroit, and the bribery scandal that resulted in an $800 million fine for Siemens, to name a few have altered the business landscape for the foreseeable future. Ethics seems to be discussed frequently when people talk about these matters. So, have we learned our lesson? If the past few years are any guide, the answer is "no."
Linking theory to practice, Business Ethics: A Case Study Approach—written by ethics professional Stephen Henn-provides de-tailed case studies showing how organizations built on strong ethical foundations outperform those where ethics is not a principal business driver. Revealing the relationship between behavior in the workplace and the conditions that foster it, this timely book:
- Discusses the key elements involved in ethical and unethical behavior
- Looks at the role of trust in an organization and its internal and external dealings
- Examines the psychology behind individual decision-making
- Explores the role that group behavior plays in affecting individual decision-making
- Reveals how to strengthen an individual's affinity for your organization
When the facts are all out, Bernie Madoff probably did not get up one morning and say, "I think I will reconstruct the original Ponzi scheme and defraud investors." For the vast majority of companies ruined by ethics scandals, there was something small that eventually snowballed into an out-of-control situation. Business Ethics: A Case Study Approach is, now more than ever, essential reading for senior leaders of organizations, trustees, managing partners, government officials, and anyone tasked with a duty-fiduciary or otherwise—to prevent that "something small" from happening in the first place.
Review
"Written for busines leaders, policymakers and anyone "tasked with a duty", this book examines the key elements of ethical and unethical business behaviors and outlines some of the psychological factors that may influence decision-making." (Book News, August 2009)
Synopsis
This is a book designed for senior leaders of organizations: Boards of Directors, C-level executives; trustees; managing partners; government officials and anyone tasked with a duty–fiduciary or otherwise–to govern an organization. It is designed to give an understanding into the human elements that drive ethical and unethical behavior and how to recognize indicators–both bad and good–of an organization’s ethical make-up. It further discusses how senior leaders can structure an organization to promote ethical behavior and enhance performance.
The tentative contents is: (1) Introduction; (2) Why is Ethics Critical?; (3) Why Not “Business” Ethics; (4) A Historical Review; (5) The Three Things that Drive Unethical Behavior – Money, Ego, Fear; (6) The Two Things Required for Ethical Behavior – Confidence, Fairness; (7) The One Thing You Can Not do Without – Leadership; (8) The Common Element – Trust; (9) How to Structure an Organization to Minimize Risk; (10) How to Create the Right Working Environment; (11) What to Look for in Your Leadership; (12) Feeding the Wolf
Synopsis
An important guide for senior management on structuring an organization to promote ethical behavior and enhance performance
Designed for senior leaders of organizations–boards of directors; C-level executives; trustees; managing partners; government officials; and anyone tasked with a duty–Business Ethics: A Case Study Approach provides readers with an understanding of the human elements that drive ethical and unethical behavior and how to recognize indicators–both bad and good–of an organization's ethical make-up. Topics featured include: what drives individual decision making; how groups and environments influence decision making; the role of leadership; and much more.
Stephen K. Henn, Esq. (Westborough, MA), is President of SmartPros Legal & Ethics, Ltd. He is an experienced consultant, executive, and attorney with over 15 years as a pioneer and leader in legal and ethics training for lawyers and executives.
Synopsis
There's a "new normal" in business ethicsDespite all the words and regulations aimed at building ethical and responsible organizations, observed misbehavior has increased-think of the Siemens scandal and Bernie Madoff. Business Ethics: A Case Study Approach confronts the brutal fact about business ethics as it exists today-it's not working.
This stirring casebook powerfully draws a direct line between ethics and business performance-that is, the sounder your company's ethical foundation, the stronger it will perform in brand recognition, sales, customer satisfaction and loyalty, employee productivity, and even in reduced regulatory burdens.
So, how can you develop leadership that sets the right tone at the top?
Author and ethics professional Stephen Henn answers that question with candidly insightful case studies that look at every angle of ethical lapses, including:
- A CFO's Dilemma
- The Duke University Lacrosse Scandal
- Arthur Andersen
- The Stanford Prison Experiment
- The Smithsonian Institution
- Firestone/Ford Tire Recalls
- Jordan's Furniture
- Whirlpool and Leadership Development
- Ponzi Schemes
- And many more
Examining the old mind-sets and dogmas on business ethics and holding them up to the light of day, Business Ethics: A Case Study Approach reveals how the ethical health of your organization will forecast whether or not it outperforms the competition. This is your twenty-first-century rule book for understanding the "new normal" in business ethics.
About the Author
Stephen K. Henn is President of SmartPros Legal & Ethics, Ltd. He is an experienced consultant, executive, and attorney with over fifteen years as a pioneer and leader in legal and ethics training for lawyers and executives. He has been an instructor for several live and Web-based legal and ethics programs. Prior to SmartPros Legal & Ethics, Henn was president and CEO of Cognistar Interactive Corporation, a leader in Web-based continuing legal education and executive ethics and compliance training.
Table of Contents
Preface.
Acknowledgments.
CHAPTER 1 Introduction.
Themes.
Case Study: A CFO’s Dilemma.
CHAPTER 2 Why Are Ethics Critical?
What Is the Objective?
The Research.
Stakeholder Approach.
All Animals Are Equal, but ...
A Two-Way Street.
Uncle Sam.
Toward a Workable Model.
CHAPTER 3 Why ‘‘Business’’ Ethics Is Not Just about Corporations.
Case Study: The Duke University Lacrosse Scandal.
20/20 Hindsight.
The Burden of Expectations.
Case Study: The United Way.
A Broad Impact.
CHAPTER 4 A Historical Review.
The Ancient World.
Greek Citizens’ Code.
Military Codes.
Cardinal Virtues and Vices.
Business Ethics in Times Past.
Timbuktu.
Case Study: Saint Thomas Aquinas.
Case Study: Arthur Andersen.
The Nature of Man.
CHAPTER 5 Why Do People Behave Badly?
Moral Development.
Fraud Triangle.
Propensity.
Hierarchy of Needs.
Case Study: Walt Pavlo.
There but for the Grace of God.
Broken Windows.
Rending Moral Fabric.
CHAPTER 6 Work Environment and Group Dynamics.
Social Animals.
Relative Ethics.
Social Control Theory.
Case Study: The Stanford Prison Experiment.
Elements of Social Bonding.
Case Study: The Milgram Experiment.
Power, Authority, and Proximity.
Positive Peer Pressure.
CHAPTER 7 Leadership.
Tone at the Top.
Authenticity.
Case Study: Václav Havel.
Outside Perspectives.
Case Study: The Smithsonian Institution.
Leadership Bonding.
CHAPTER 8 The Common Element—Trust.
Prisoners’ Dilemma.
Trust.
The Cost of Trust.
Case Study: The Tylenol Poisonings.
A Well of Goodwill.
Case Study: Firestone–Ford Tire Recalls.
Two Approaches.
CHAPTER 9 Building an Army of Davids.
Herding Cats.
1 Samuel 17.
Breaking the Chains.
Basic Principles.
Evangelize.
Case Study: Jordan’s Furniture.
Back to Maslow.
Moral Hazard.
Causes and Culture.
CHAPTER 10 The Positive Power of Peer Pressure.
The Gentleman at Dinner.
Belief.
I Fly SWA.
Attachment.
Commitment.
Involvement.
In the Trenches.
Why Are We Doing This?
The Whole Picture.
CHAPTER 11 How to Develop Leadership.
Fore!
Case Study: Whirlpool and Leadership Development.
Investing in the Future.
Emerging Leaders.
A Bias.
CHAPTER 12 The Logic of William of Ockham.
Law of Parsimony.
Is It the Means or the Ends?
The Whole View.
All Organizations Are Businesses.
Case Study: University versus Nation.
All about Me.
Case Study: Charles Ponzi and His Scheme.
Enjoying the Kool-Aid.
CEO and Trust.
Feeding the Wolf.
Index.