Journal Assignment: Business Ethics

Journal Assignment: Business Ethics

Journal Assignment: Business Ethics

Almost every day, it seems, newspaper headlines shout out the details of another corporate scandal. Some individuals in the nonprofit sector are tempted to think that they are above such scandals and the accompanying headlines. Nonprofits are sometimes seen as uncorrupted by the desire for profit. That their motives are so noble, how could anyone question their actions?

Unfortunately, nonprofits and charities are run by people with the same range of ethical standards as the rest of society, and we have our share of corrupt leaders. In recent years, in the United States, such nonprofits as the Nature Conservancy, the Red Cross, a handful of United Way chapters, and local foundations in several communities found themselves the target of negative headlines. Such ethical lapses—or perceived ethical lapses—undermine the trust the public holds in the entire sector.

To prepare for this Assignment, you consider potential conflicts of interest. You should review the “How Ethical Are You?” media resource and the article “Conflicts of Interest at Work” (located in this week’s Learning Resources) before starting your reflection.