Business Ethics Training Key Terms

Some key terms for business ethics
By J. Stoltzfus, writer/programmer LOCAL CITIZEN The idea of business ethics is one that may differ in the minds of different managers and leaders. However, there is a solid study around the issue of businesses being responsible for their actions and fostering values in the work place. Reading up on some of the key terms around the study of business ethics can help focus a company on its responsibilities, the benefits of achieving good ethics, and many other considerations about how ethical choices affect all of the aspects of a business.

Code of ethics

Those involved in business ethics often choose to start with a personal or company "code of ethics." A code of ethics is a set of principles or statements that guide individuals and groups in day-to-day behavior and decision-making. This is used in business ethics training to reinforce ethical concepts.
Try:  Read more about the code of ethics at WiseGeek. See more on using this concept in business ethics training at Global Ethics University.

Management discipline

When writers claim "business ethics is a management discipline" (and a lot of them do), part of what they may be saying is that training plays an essential role in the process.
Try:  See more about management and training for business ethics at the Complete Guide to Ethics Management.

ADA discrimination, Americans with Disabilities Act

ADA-type (Americans with Disabilities Act) discrimination is when a business or company does not seem to be accommodating those with physical disabilities. This impacts business ethics and leads to ethical polemics in a company. ADA training is when a company chooses to learn proactively about how to handle ADA compliance or related issues.
Try:  Find out about ADA training at HR Certification.

Stakeholder

So who is a stakeholder in any given business? This term is often used to expand the "community" around a certain business to make managers more accountable. A stakeholder is any customer, investor or anyone else who can recognize the impact of the business on their lives. Those in business ethics training are taught to value the stakeholder as well as the general public.
Try:  See a definition and more on stakeholder on this page from LinguaLinks.

Triple bottom line

The term "triple bottom line" is something that experts use to talk about business ethics, and trainers use in business ethics training to orient learners. The "triple bottom line" includes the company's financial, environmental and social impact on the community.
Try:  Find a definition of the triple bottom line and more from this Business Ethics Pledge page.

Character education

Character education is helping individuals to be attuned to all of the positive elements that business ethics seekers can find. Trainers use this in business ethics training to help learners realize that a lot of interactions rely on character above all else.
Try:  Read up on character education and many more great terms for business ethics at the Ethics Resource Center.