What I Learned in Business Ethics Class

moral integrity holds far greater importance than any monetary incentive."}" data-sheets-userformat='{"2":515,"3":{"1":0},"4":{"1":2,"2":14281427},"12":0}'>Despite the brevity of this course, I believe I've gleaned an equal or perhaps even greater amount of knowledge compared to longer ones. In my view, business ethics is an indispensable subject. While not all of us may become managers, individuals working within a company should possess a fundamental understanding of these principles. Some of the scenarios we've examined during this course posed challenging dilemmas, blurring the lines between right and wrong. However, I now feel that I've achieved a more comprehensive comprehension of the subject matter. In this essay, I aim to elucidate the concepts, terminology, and real-life insights I've gained from my business ethics class.

Businesses often gravitate towards unethical decisions primarily driven by financial considerations. It often seems that money is at the root of many ethical transgressions. Faced with the choice of ethical conduct, environmental responsibility, or maximizing profits, the latter tends to prevail. While it's true that businesses need to prioritize profitability to a certain extent, it should not come at the expense of ethics. In my perspective, substantial changes are imperative to rectify these issues. Without the support of consumers, large businesses would lose their foothold.

Before taking this class, I was oblivious to the influence wielded by consumers. We effectively control markets since we determine pricing and business requirements. This assertion stems from our ability to boycott a company if we observe unethical practices, which can ultimately lead to its downfall. Admittedly, it can be challenging to completely cease patronizing a particular brand, especially if it produces various products under different labels. Nonetheless, if we genuinely wish to disassociate from unethical businesses, we have the means to do so.

The world is unfortunately replete with corruption, and this is unlikely to change significantly. However, this should not deter us from doing our part in holding unethical businesses accountable. Whether through protests, boycotts, or education, we can make a difference. I was previously unaware of the extent of unethical decision-making in the business world. I am certain that many companies, even within my home country, engage in questionable business practices. Such practices are not exclusive to the United States. We should all strive to educate ourselves about these instances so that when we enter our future professions, we can uphold ethical standards in all our endeavors. Even if I were confronted with temptations such as bribes, I am resolved not to succumb. I firmly believe that maintaining moral integrity holds far greater importance than any monetary incentive.