Organizational Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the Study
The main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between organizational ethics and corporate social responsibility in in United Bank for Africa Plc. Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Specific objectives include to:
- Determine the relationship between bank accurate accounting practices and performance of corporate social responsibility in United Bank for Africa Plc. Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
- Examine the relationship between good labor practices and performance of corporate social responsibility in United Bank for Africa Plc. Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
- Examine the relationship between bank environmental stewardship and the performance of corporate social responsibility in United Bank for Africa Plc. Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
Unethical behavior or inability to demonstrate corporate social responsibility can damage a firm’s reputation and make it less appealing to relevant stakeholders (Daft, 2001). The concepts of business ethics and social responsibility are often used interchangeably, although each has a distinct meaning (Carroll, 1989; Daft, 2001; Shaw & Barry, 1995). Whereas business ethics includes the moral principles and standards that guide behavior in the world of business; corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an integrative management concept, which establishes responsible behavior within a company, its objectives, values and competencies, and the interests of stakeholders (Meffert & Münstermann, 2005). Companies that consistently demonstrate ethical behavior and social responsibility generate better results (Carroll, 1989).
Business ethics
Ethics are codes of values and principles that govern the action of a person, or a group of people regarding what is right versus what is wrong (Levine, 2011; Sexty, 2011). Therefore, ethics set standards as to what is good or bad in organizational conduct and decision making (Sexty, 2011). It deals with internal values that are a part of corporate culture and shapes decisions concerning social responsibility with respect to the external environment. The terms ethics and values are not interchangeable (Mitchell, 2001). Whereas ethics is concerned with how a moral person should behave; values are the inner judgments that determine how a person actually behaves. Values concern ethics when they pertain to beliefs about what is right and wrong. In the business setting, being ethical means applying principles of honesty and fairness to relationships with coworkers and customers (Daft, 2001). Business or corporate ethics is a form of applied ethics or professional ethics that examines ethical principles, and moral or ethical problems that arise in a business environment (Stanwick & Stanwick, 2009). It is an umbrella term that covers all ethics-related issues that come up in the context of doing business. Business ethics is defined as the rules, standards, codes, or principles that provide guidance for morally appropriate behavior in managerial decisions relating to the operations of the corporation, and business relationship with the society (Sexty, 2011).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine Organizational ethics and corporate social responsibility. United bank for Africa, Uyo form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain organizational ethics and corporate social responsibility. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of organizational ethics and corporate social responsibility
Summary
This study was on organizational ethics and corporate responsibility. Three objectives were raised which included: Determine the relationship between bank accurate accounting practices and performance of corporate social responsibility in United Bank for Africa Plc. Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, examine the relationship between good labor practices and performance of corporate social responsibility in United Bank for Africa Plc. Uyo, AkwaIbom State and examine the relationship between bank environmental stewardship and the performance of corporate social responsibility in United Bank for Africa Plc. Uyo, AkwaIbom State. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from United Bank for Africa Plc. Uyo, AkwaIbom State. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
The objective of the study was to determine students and managers perceptions on organizational ethics and CSR in relation to business success or growth. Corporations are facing increasing demands, and that, they should look beyond their own interests and prioritize those of the societies in which they operate (Broomhill, 2007). This is because businesses host their operations within society, and in return, society expects these businesses to show responsibility for aspects of their operations (Bichta, 2003). It is no longer acceptable for a firm or corporation to experience economic prosperity in isolation from the stakeholders (D’Amato et al., 2009). This study showed that many of the managers perceive business ethics and social responsibility as important for organizational growth and success. Specifically, they consider business ethics to lead to positive employee, customers and as well community relations. Furthermore, they perceive better corporate image/reputation, greater customer loyalty; and a strong and healthier community as benefits that can inure to the benefit of corporations that are socially responsible. It is therefore, important that business schools and professionals in the corporate world turn their attention to these factors, since they are critical components in their training and practices. Our study is however without limitations.
Recommendation
Organizations can manage ethics in their workplaces by establishing ethics management programs that convey their corporate values, codes and policies to guide decisions and behavior. However, the mere presence of a code of ethics does not necessarily guarantee causation of ethical behavior within a company, unless it is integrated into all aspects of an organization (Mathis & Jackson, 2011). Employees must buy into the programs and code of ethics for easy and proper implementation. Therefore, there is need for training on the ethical code which may include the values, codes, and standards of the organization. In addition, every employee wants to be part of an organization where they are recognized and made aware of the truth and what is going on, particularly in crisis situations. Companies which are responsible and transparent with their employees have a better chance of attracting and retaining more talented staff.
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