|
There has been a significant rise over the past three years
in the number of people who believe British businesses behave
ethically, according to a survey by the Institute of Business
Ethics released today.
The analysis, based on annual MORI polls, shows that in 2003
less than half the population (48 %) believed that British
business behaved very or fairly ethically. By 2006, that figure
had risen to 58 per cent. Those who believed British business
behaved not very or at all ethically fell from 41 per cent
in 2003 to less than a third (32 %) this year.
Of the ethical issues that most need addressing, the British
public list as most important: "Employees being able
to speak out about wrongdoing" (32 %), "Environmental
responsibility" (32 %) and "Discrimination in treatment
of people". Of least importance were: "Bribery and
corruption" (19%), "Work home balance for employees"
(16 %) and "Advertising and marketing practices"
(10 %).
Commenting on the findings, IBE Director, Philippa Foster
Back, said: "There is no doubt that businesses are
more aware of the importance of behaving ethically, and many
more companies have ethical policies then they did three years
ago.
"But there is also a growing sense amongst the public
that they can make a difference to businesses and affect their
behaviour - perhaps in ways that they do not feel so empowered
in other areas of life, such as politics. Businesses have
to be responsive to their customers, and the customers now
know it.
"The importance of allowing people to speak up about
unethical behaviour is reflected in more and more people doing
it. So not only are companies better at policing themselves,
they are also being better policed by their staff and customers,"
she said.
In an IBE Report published last year entitled "Ethics
At Work", research showed that about half of those
who had observed misconduct at work had reported their observations.
The IBE celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Since
the Institute started in 1986, the IBE's first survey showed
only 18 per cent of larger companies had codes of ethics;
by 2006, over 90 per cent of FTSE 100 companies had one.
Download
the results of the survey here>>
23rd October 2006 |
