Archive for May, 2011

The Buddhist Perspective on Business Ethics: Experiential Exercises for Exploration and Practice

May 23rd, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Business Ethics

Continuing our exploration of how the great faith traditions approach business ethics we invite Stephen J. Gould into the conversation.As he notes “while Buddhism focuses on the same ethical concerns as Western ethical traditions, it provides a distinct perspective and method for dealing with them” His paper outlines the basic Buddhist perspective and then provides some experiential exercises which offer insight for self-understanding and ethical practices in business.He also discusses the implications for business and ethics research.

Business Ethics: a Jewish Perspective

May 23rd, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Business Ethics

This is the third in a series of postings inquiring how the great faith traditions approach business ethics, The essential message found in the classic Jewish discussions of business ethics is to go about your business by always being mindful that good faith business is no small task.It requires the creation of a level economic playing-field. It assumes that the weak need to be protected from exploitation… but the powerful sometimes need protection as well. Two videos show the how it is put into practice .Watch the video here on Money and Morals

An Islamic Approach to Business Ethics

May 23rd, 2011 by NSteinberg | No Comments | Filed in Business Ethics

This is a second in a series of postings looking at business ethics from a religious perspective.In this article we view business ethics through the lens of Islam.We learn that Islam approaches business ethics from a variety of perspectives including trustworthiness,truthfulness,and the honoring of obligations.

Ethical and Religious Issues that Arise in Modern Business

May 22nd, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Business Ethics

I would like to start a discussion about how the world’s great faith traditions approach the ethics of
business.This is the first of these posts.A place to begin is with the Journal of Religion and Business Ethics, a peer-reviewed journal that examines the ethical and religious issues that arise in the modern business setting.” While much attention has been given to the philosophical treatment of business ethics, this is the first journal to address the more inclusive scope of religious ethics and their understanding of right and just economic relationships.” Another place to begin our exploration is with this summary of the approaches of the major faith traditions

Applying Buddhist Principles for the Age of Social Media

May 14th, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Social Media

“The information age, with the Internet and so on, has evolved into an age of social media, with social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and the ubiquitous use of text messaging with cell phones. This has changed the way that people relate to one another. Add to this the ever-growing use of iPods, listening to music all day long, and the proliferation of video games, so that many people are now connected to music, gaming, texting and social networking wherever they are, all day and night. Each of these developments has brought both benefits and detrimental side effects. In any case, these developments are having a profound effect on people. I should like to explore how Buddhism may be of help to amplify the benefits and lessen the harms that are coming from this social change. So let me point out a few points that are benefits of this social media, and then disadvantages that are there, and what Buddhism has to offer in the face of these developments. “  The article  continues  here at  The Buddhist Archives of Dr. Alexander Berzin.

Integrity Complaints Against Municipal Politicians

May 12th, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Organizational Ethics, Public Sector/Government, Social Media, Trust

Withdrawal of a public complaint is certainly a right, but the issue is what if this is done out of fear of retribution? What does a municipal Integrity Commissioner (IC) do if the complaint has merit but is withdrawn because of fear of loss of job or a contract? The letter of the law in the Province of Ontario, Canada, would suggest that the complaint stops immediately in its tracks, as would be the case if a court suit was initiated. But the spirit of the law could be that the topic be pursued as an investigation by the IC acting in the public interest. After all, it is the public interest that is being served by the office of the IC.

For three timely articles on this subject intended for the professional organizational ethicist, see the Municipal Integrity Webzine Newsletter, released today, at http://ethicscan.ca/news.html?hc2=3.. This and all issues at directly downloadable for free

Stop Sponsoring Hatred

May 5th, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in CSR, Democracy, Ethics training

Do (or should) you bring workplace values to your private life? Does free speech extend to demonization and factual lies?

EthicScan Canada has been a major consultant and trainer on ethical partnering and organizational due diligence for two decades. Two of its associates have become active in a campaign to bring social responsibility assurance to a Canadian bank. The issue is the refusal by the Toronto-Dominion’s Bank, which has significantly funded Gay Pride Parade for a few years (it is the major private sector funder),  to publicly state its opposition to the calumy that is Israel-Apartheid — a group called Queers Against Israel-Apartheid (QuAIA) has perverted the positive-vibration and inclusive character of the Toronto Parade in each of the last two years– and to ensure that Gay Pride Parade organizers agree in advance to do everything possible to prevent such hate speech participation in organized Gay Pride activities. The two associates (acting as individuals) say it is time, through organized community-based activities (such as e-mails, demonstrations, advocacy, and withdrawing funds), to put a stake through the heart of Israel Apartheid– which is nothing but demonization of a country based on lies, and has nothing at all to do with gay pride or same sex advocacy, which these two organizers support. The federal government and the City of Toronto have recently acted– bringing governance and responsibility assurance conditions to sponsoring the annual event– but the Toronto-Dominion Bank has not.

For more information, see <http://stopsponsoringhatred.com>. Your thoughts?