Corporate "ethics"

We often throw around the world "ethics" but how often do we apply them. Particularly when dealing with money, greed more often than not overrides any notion of "ethics". About a year and a half ago I wrote a hub about the oil pollution in Ecuador's Amazon. I was startled and disgusted by the greed of the corporations responsible for that mess and their refusal to accept responsibility for their actions. Well I've done some more research about corporate activities and the idea of corporate responsibility partnered with the concept of environmental ethics and the result is disgusting. The purpose of this hub is not to bash individual corporations and their practices (there is plenty of information out there on that), but to make you think about corporate ethics as a whole and excercise your rights (although somewhat limited) as a consumer to make ethical descisions when purchasing products from these corporations.

There are far too many companies out there that have no regard for the well being of others if it may affect their short-term profit. They pay their employees low wages, destroy the environment when they need to, and over charge their customers. Now I do understand that the point of business is to make money, don't get me wrong. I do not, however, agree with making money at the cost of everything else, but what is considered ethical in many corporations does just that.

Ethics can be seen as a code of conduct that is accepted and practiced in order to uphold integrity, respect and a system of values important to a company and their customers/consumers. Corporate ethics are meant to include things such as fair treatment and wages for employees, quality products, social and environmental responsiblity, customer satisfaction etc. Many corporations play on acts of environmental or social responsiblity to promote their company and products. Some examples of this are companies that participate in the R(ED) campaign or sell products like Ethos water. While there is nothing "unethical" about doing this, it can be a bit decieving, as people may think the company is doing something great but when they read the fine print only 5-10 cents from an expensive product is actually going to the mentioned charity. Rather than actually being socially responsible it is often just another marketing scheme.

Many times the best people to ask about the ethics of a corporation are the people who work for that corporation. Often what a company promotes it is practicing is not the whole truth when seen from the inside out. Many corporations have a balance between ethical and unethical practices. For example they may raise money for charity with of the sales of some of their products on the one hand, and employ very underpaid factory workers in a third world country to make those products on the other. You hear endlessly about the charitable donations, but the underpaid labourers is obviously not mentioned.

 I for one believe that good ethical practices are important in life in general and especially in large corporations and businesses that seem to yield so much power.  So as consumers what can we do?  There are a few things we can all do as individual consumers, that can have an impact when we take into account all the acts as individual consumers combined.

My humble suggestions are as follows.

1. Buy small - try and purchase things from small businesses whenever possible.  With small business you are supporting your local community and have a better opportunity to ask questions about the products you are buying and the business itself.  Most times it is easy to talk to the person in charge if neccessary.

2. Buy local - especially when buying things like food, it is a great idea to buy from local farms etc. whenever possible.  Again it gives you the chance to support your own community, and to know what the business does and stands for.

3. Research where you spend your money - sometimes it is neccessary to buy from large corporations.  I would urge you to do some research on the companies you buy from to choose your most ethical option.  Where your money goes is important, at least on a small scale.  Doing a simple internet search will tell you most of what you need to know.  BE INFORMED and know what you are contributing to every time you buy something.