Personal ethics and business ethics

Small business aspects of ethical decision-making are vital in understanding the approach to a small business model rather than a corporation. Author John Quinn notes several corporate misguidances to generate revenue which a small business owner would attempt to avoid. The issues with lying to employees and customers is a major corporate program which small businesses can fortunately escape by developing a strict ethical policy. Small businesses are better equipped to be successful with ethical standards. They rely less on corporate rules and more on personal ideals; these individuals are more intent on gravitating toward a more structured policy. Quinn himself believes that small business managers should be able to permit “their own ethical attitudes to bear on business related decisions as it is their own money…” instead of being dictated by corporate management. (Quinn, 1997, p. 121).

There are several factors that demonstrate how to determine the extent of an individual’s ethical behavior. One of the best motivations for ethical behavior is, and always will be, money. Quinn further explains how “the company that behaves ethically – and is seen to behave ethically – will enhance its profitability” (Quinn, 1997, p.122). Ethics, commonly known as a controlled behavior, should represent itself as a quality lifestyle.
 

References:

Quinn, J. J. (1997). Personal ethics and business ethics: The ethical attitudes of owner/managers of small business: JBE JBE. Journal of Business Ethics, 16(2), 119-127.