Improving and Promoting Ethical Behavior In Business Relations

Abstract

Guided by utilitarian theory of ethics and one objective the study investigated the effect of unethical conduct on performance of some selected business organization in southern Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design. Data were collected through secondary source and these were complemented by interview conducted among some employees and other stake holders of the organization of study. Among others, the findings revealed that inordinate ambition and greed are the root causes of unethical practices among people in various organizations. It was concluded that unethical practices apart from affecting organizational profitability equally affect organizational corporate image, It was recommended that business and practitioners should from time to time organize seminars and workshops with a view to educating the workers and other stakeholders about the negative effect of unethical business practices.  Government should enact laws aimed at punishing people that indulge in unethical business practices.

Keywords: Ethics, Utilitarian Theory, Corporate Image, Inordinate Ambition, Profitability