Item – Theses Canada

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OCLC number
81724981
Link(s) to full text
LAC copy
LAC copy
Author
Schwartz, Mark S.(Mark Stephen),1965-
Title
The relationship between corporate codes of ethics and behaviour : a descriptive exploration and normative evaluation.
Degree
Ph. D. -- York University, 1999
Publisher
Ottawa : National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, [2000]
Description
4 microfiches
Notes
Includes bibliographical references.
Abstract
The study consisted of a descriptive exploration and normative evaluation of the relationship between corporate codes of ethics and behaviour. The descriptive portion of the study involved fifty-seven interviews of employees, managers, and ethics officers at four large Canadian companies. The normative portion of the study involved an ethical assessment of codes based on a proposed set of universal moral standards. The study found that codes are a factor which potentially influences the behaviour of employees and managers. There were a number of reasons provided why codes are complied or not complied with. In terms of non-compliance with the code, the respondents identified five reasons: (1) self-interest; (2) dissatisfaction; (3) work environment; (4) company's interest; and (5) ignorance. Employees tend to comply with the code due to: (1) personal values; (2) fear of discipline; and (3) a feeling of loyalty towards the company. In terms of the manner in which codes can influence behaviour, eight themes or metaphors emerged from the data which help to explain the relationship between the two variables: (1) as a rule-book, the code acts to 'clarify' what behaviour is expected for employees; (2) as a sign-post, the code can lead employees to ' consult' other individuals or corporate policies to determine whether certain behaviour is appropriate; (3) as a mirror, the code provides employees with an opportunity to 'confirm' whether behaviour is acceptable to the corporation; (4) as a magnifying glass, the code suggests a note of 'caution' to employees to be more careful in what is said and done; (5) as a shield, the code acts in a manner which allows employees to better 'challenge ' and resist unethical requests; (6) as a smoke detector , the code leads employees to try to 'convince' others and warn them of their inappropriate behaviour; (7) as a fire alarm, the code leads employees to 'contact' the appropriate authority and report violations; and finally (8) as a club, the potential enforcement of the code causes employees to ' comply' with the code's provisions. Several factors were identified by the respondents as potentially influencing code effectiveness related to: (1) code content; (2) code creation; (3) code implementation; and (4) code administration. In terms of the normative evaluation of codes of ethics, an initial set of six universal moral standards was generated which includes: (1) trustworthiness; (2) respect; (3) responsibility; (4) fairness; (5) caring; and (6) citizenship. By applying the six moral standards to each of the five different stages of code development (i.e., objectives, content, creation, implementation, administration), a code of ethics for corporate codes of ethics was constructed by which companies can be ethically audited for compliance.
ISBN
0612427803
9780612427808