The IBE carries out research into business ethics issues and the ways that organizations and their employees might effectively embed ethical values into their practice and decision making.
The aim or our projects is to provide practical and useful publications and advice for our subscribers and other organisations wishing to advance the effectiveness of their ethics policies and programmes. We also want to facilitate the sharing of good practice.
If you would like information about any of the existing projects outlined below, are interested in financial sponsorship, or would like to suggest a topic for future research, please get in touch with us on +44 (0)20 7798 6040 or email us at: info@ibe.org.uk
Recent Projects
IBE Briefings:
Issue 15: Concerns and Ethical Lapses, 2009
Issue 14: Corporate - Third Sector Partnerships
Issue 13: Attitudes of the British Public to Business Ethics
Issue 12: Corporate Expenses: The Ethical Challenges
IBE Good Practice Guides:
Surveying Staff on Ethical Matters (2008)
IBE Occasional Papers:
1. Ethical issues in the provision and use of IT for Business (2009)
2. Doing business in South Korea: an overview of ethical aspects (2010)
IBE Reports:
▪ Marketing Responsibly: Addressing the Ethical Challenges by Mallen Baker (2009)
▪ Employee Views of Ethics at Work: The 2008 National Survey by Simon Webley and Andrea Werner (2009)
Current Projects
Religion and Belief in the Workplace
This report will examine how the expression of religion and faith in the workplace is a business ethics issue. It will set out why organisations should take this topic seriously and discuss how religious sensibilities are being accommodated in the workplace.
Authors: Simon Webley
Publication date: Autumn 2010
Sponsorship is sought
Good Practice Guide to Choosing and Using Ethics Ambassadors
This guide will provide an understanding of how companies are using Ethics Ambassadors; the role they have and how they can be trained and supported to effectively embed a company’s ethics programme.
Authors: Ruth N. Steinholtz, Judith Irwin and Dr. Nicole Dando
Publication date: Summer 2010
Sponsorship is sought
Ethical Decision Making in Business
Organisations need to make clear to staff how they should approach decisions that pose ethical dilemmas or involve competing concerns, and how they should respond to pressures that cross ethical lines. This Good Practice Guide will provide guidance on how organisations can help employees at all levels take decisions that are aligned with the values of the organisation.
Authors: David Barr and Chris Campbell
Publication date: Autumn 2010
Sponsored by Airbus
Communicating Ethical Standards
The efficacy of almost all elements of an ethics programme involves or relies on communication in some form or another to employees and other stakeholders. How can an organisation best communicate to its staff the values that must guide their decisions and conduct? This report will explore the range of mechanisms that company’s use to raise awareness, improve understanding and empower staff.
Authors: Jane Mitchell
Publication date: tbc
Sponsorship is sought
Understanding and Restoring Internal Trust
Trust is an essential enabler of successful and effective relationships in any business context. In the current climate, effective trust repair is a compelling issue for many organisations and for public policy makers. This includes internal trust between employees and their employer. This report will help organisations understand of the role of trust, including how it is derived, supported and measured, as well as share good practice on how it is repaired following a failure.
Authors: Dr. Graham Dietz and Dr. Nicole Gillespie with Dr. Nicole Dando
Publication date: tbc
Sponsorship is sought
Sixth IBE Survey of Corporate Ethics Programmes
This year we are extending this triennial survey to include the ethics programmes of large companies in France, Germany, Spain and Italy in addition to the UK. The report will chart trends and changes in the way companies use their codes of ethics and other mechanisms embed their values within company culture.
Authors: Simon Webley
Publication date: Spring 2011
Sponsorship is sought
Using Dilemma Scenarios in Ethics Training
To make their ethics programme effective, organisations need to raise the ethical sensitivity and acumen of their employees. One way of doing this is through the use of ethical dilemma scenarios in training sessions or other meeting situations. This project is reviewing the different ways that companies use to dilemma scenarios and what needs to be considered to make this effective.
Authors: tbc
Publication date: tbc
Sponsorship is sought
Ongoing IBE Projects
E-learning on line: Introduction to Business Ethics
The IBE is translating its e-learning course – currently available as a CD Rom or online by arrangement with us. We plan to make it available in French, German and Spanish for on-line access only.
IBE Annual Survey of Public Perceptions of Business Conduct in the UK
The survey is conducted annually for the IBE by MORI since 2003 as part of their Omnibus survey of a cross section of the UK public. It has tracked which business ethics issues are of most concern and whether the public believe ethical conduct is improving.
For a summary of the latest survey results, please click here >>
For more information on current and forthcoming projects or for details of how to sponsor a publication please contact Dr Nicole Dando, Head of Projects on 0207 798 6040. (info@ibe.org.uk)
For details of past projects and an IBE publications list please visit here.
