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Universal Moral Values for Corporate Codes of Ethics

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Abstract

How can one establish if a corporate code of ethics is ethical in terms of its content? One important first step might be the establishment of core universal moral values by which corporate codes of ethics can be ethically constructed and evaluated. Following a review of normative research on corporate codes of ethics, a set of universal moral values is generated by considering three sources: (1) corporate codes of ethics; (2) global codes of ethics; and (3) the business ethics literature. Based on the convergence of the three sources of standards, six universal moral values for corporate codes of ethics are proposed including: (1) trustworthiness; (2) respect; (3) responsibility; (4) fairness; (5) caring; and (6) citizenship. Relying on the proposed set of universal moral values, implications are discussed as to what the content of corporate codes of ethics should consist of. The paper concludes with its limitations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Schulich School of Business, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada

    Mark S. Schwartz

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  1. Mark S. Schwartz
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Correspondence to Mark S. Schwartz.

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Mark S. Schwartz is an assistant professor of business ethics and business law at York University. He received his Ph.D. from the Schulich School of Business, York University (1999) focusing on the subject of business ethics. Previously, he taught business ethics in the Legal Studies Department at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (2000–2003). His research interests include corporate ethics programs, corporate social responsibility, corporate governance, ethical investment, and religion and business.

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Schwartz, M.S. Universal Moral Values for Corporate Codes of Ethics. J Bus Ethics 59, 27–44 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-005-3403-2

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