Povzetek

Trenutna gospodarska kriza je poslovno etiko ponovno postavila v ospredje. Zdi se celo, da obstaja splošno mnenje, da je glavni krivec za neprizanesljivo finančno in gospodarsko krizo prav pomanjkanje spoštovanja do osnovnih vrednot in poštenega poslovanja, ki smo mu bili priča s strani nekaterih vodilnih delavcev in finančnih direktorjev v Združenih državah. Razloge za ta odstopanja bi morda lahko pripisali tudi neustrezni zakonodaji in notranjim predpisom finančnih institucij, še posebej na področju izvedenih finančnih produktov.

Prišel je čas, ko se moramo vprašati ali poslovne šole namenjajo dovolj pozornosti poslovni etiki. Philip Broughton, ki je nedavno diplomiral na poslovni šoli Harvard, na podlagi svojih izkušenj v kotlu kapitalizma, ocenjuje da temu ni tako. Meni namreč, da se celo ta elitna poslovna šola ne zaveda pomena etike za zdravo in trajnostno poslovanje, za integriteto in družbeno sprejemanje vodilnih delavcev in za njihovo zadovoljstvo.

Članek nagovarja poslovne šole, ki naj poslovno etiko sprejmejo ne samo kot pomemben predmet temveč jih nagovarja, da naj v tem pogledu pregledajo (in po potrebi prilagodijo) vse s tem povezane predmete, ki jih predvideva učni načrt. Sodobna načela poslovne etike se nanašajo na trajnost in družbeno odgovorno podjetništvo ter segajo preko meja moralnih standardov. V trenutnih pogojih poslovna etika podjetjem pomaga do dolgoročnega uspeha in družbenega sprejemanja. Rekli bi lahko, da je dobro in trajnostno usmerjeno podjetje tudi etično podjetje, pogosto pa velja tudi obratno.

Te vrednote ali merila etičnih podjetij lahko povzamemo v naslednjih točkah:

• zdravo in pregledno vodstvo in vodenje, pravičen in pregleden plačni sistem in sistem nagrajevanja, enakost med spoloma – vključno s sestavo uprave in vodilnimi položaji v podjetju;
• odgovorni odnosi med vodstvom in delničarji, ki temeljijo na previdnem upravljanju s sredstvi podjetja (osnovna sredstva, finančna sredstva, blagovne znamke, podoba podjetja);
• napredna korporativna kultura, ki temelji na inovativnosti, razvoju človeških virov in ustvarjalnosti;
• pravično trgovanje, spoštovanje svobodne konkurence, protimonopolno vedenje, ničelna strpnost do korupcije;
• odgovorno upravljanje z vsemi viri, vključno z okoljem in energijo;
• aktivno in konstruktivno sodelovanje z lokalno skupnostjo, regionalnimi in državnimi oblastmi, podpiranje družbenih dejavnosti (še posebej na področju kulture, zdravstva, umetnosti in športa).

Ključne besede: poslovne šole, poslovna etika, vrednote, Harvard

Abstract:

The present crisis has put business ethics back on the agenda. Actually, there seems to be a broad consensus that lack of respect for the very basic values and fair business, particularly by some top executives and financial managers in US, have been the main culprits of the severe financial and economic crisis. The causes for the respective deformations could be attributed also to inadequate legislation and internal regulations in financial institutions, specially in the field of derivative financial products.

The time has come to raise the question whether business schools pay due attention to the issue of business ethics. Philip Broughton, a recent HBS graduate - evaluating his experience inside the cauldron of capitalism – claims this is not the case. Quite opposite, he feels that even this elite business school fails to recognize the importance of ethics for sound, sustainable business, for the integrity and social acceptance of business executives, and their own happyness.

The article pleads for business schools to accept business ethics not just as an important academic subject, but to review (and adjust as necessary) all relevant subjects of the curriculum from this perspective. Modern principles of business ethics cover sustainability and socially responsible enterpreneurship, and reach well beyond moral standards. Under contemporary circumstances business ethics helps business to be successful and socially acceptable in the longer run. One could say that good, sustainable business is normally also ethical business, and in many cases the reverse relationship is valid as well.

These values or criteria of ethical business could be summarized in the following points:

• sound, transparent leadership and management, fair and transparent salary and reward system, full gender equality – including composition of Board and senior management positions;
• responsible relations between management and share holders, based on carefull management of company assets (fixed, financial, brands, company image);
• advanced corporate culture based on innovation, HR development and creativity;
• fair trade, respect for free competition, anti-trust attitude, zero-tolerance for corruption;
• responsible management of all resources, including environment and energy;
• active and constructive collaboration with the local community, regional and national authorities, supporting social activities (particularly in culture, health, art, and sports).

Keywords: business schools, business ethics, values, Harvard Business School