Challenges in the sociology of business ethics : researching whistleblowing
- Authors: Uys, Tina
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Business ethics research , Descriptive ethics , Whistle-blowing
- Identifier: uj:5839 , ISSN 1817-7417 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7869
- Description: The main research focus of the sociology of business ethics is on (i) the moral foundations of people's behaviour, both within and outside the business context, (ii) how compatible or contradictory these behaviours are and (iii) how stable a society or component of a society would be if self-interest is the main governing principle, without being constrained by moral discipline. This entails providing accurate descriptions and explanations of ethical situations. Whistle-blowing research is used to examine the methodological challenges of business ethics researchers. The analysis demonstrates the importance of an integrated multi-strategy approach that would facilitate an investigation of the motivations and decision processes of individual actors in the larger social context, especially within the organisation.
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- Authors: Uys, Tina
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Business ethics research , Descriptive ethics , Whistle-blowing
- Identifier: uj:5839 , ISSN 1817-7417 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7869
- Description: The main research focus of the sociology of business ethics is on (i) the moral foundations of people's behaviour, both within and outside the business context, (ii) how compatible or contradictory these behaviours are and (iii) how stable a society or component of a society would be if self-interest is the main governing principle, without being constrained by moral discipline. This entails providing accurate descriptions and explanations of ethical situations. Whistle-blowing research is used to examine the methodological challenges of business ethics researchers. The analysis demonstrates the importance of an integrated multi-strategy approach that would facilitate an investigation of the motivations and decision processes of individual actors in the larger social context, especially within the organisation.
- Full Text:
Stakeholder inclusiveness in sustainability reporting by mining companies listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange
- Lingenfelder, Deirdré, Thomas, Adele
- Authors: Lingenfelder, Deirdré , Thomas, Adele
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Corporate social responsibility , Stakeholder involvement , Sustainability , Johannesburg Securities Exchange , Global Reporting Initiative guidelines , Socially Responsible Investment index , Mining companies
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5822 , ISSN 1817-7417 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7839
- Description: A key requirement for listing on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) index is the publication, by companies, of annual sustainability reports in line with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines that require stakeholders to be included in defining the content of such reports. Despite this requirement, stakeholders appear not to be integrally involved in the process. The primary objective of the study was to determine whether the contents of sustainability reports of the mining companies listed on the JSE SRI index are based on the outcome of robust stakeholder engagement processes undertaken specifically for the purpose of preparing these reports. Against a backdrop of the GRI requirements, a quantitative evaluation was undertaken of recent sustainability reports of 11 South African mining companies. These reports were also qualitatively assessed against the corporate social responsibility (CSR) Journey Model proposed by Mirvis and Googins (2006). The two assessment scores for each mining company were integrated and the companies were plotted according to a CSR journey that encompasses degrees of stakeholder involvement. The findings highlight that while the companies adhere to the quantitative GRI stakeholder engagement requirements, the contents of the sustainability reports have not been specifically informed by stakeholders. Companies also appear to be in the early stages of the CSR journey. Recommendations include advising mining companies to utilise existing stakeholder engagement platforms to advance stakeholder inclusion in sustainability reporting and for mining companies to engage in developing the business case for CSR, which could promote greater stakeholder involvement.
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- Authors: Lingenfelder, Deirdré , Thomas, Adele
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Corporate social responsibility , Stakeholder involvement , Sustainability , Johannesburg Securities Exchange , Global Reporting Initiative guidelines , Socially Responsible Investment index , Mining companies
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5822 , ISSN 1817-7417 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7839
- Description: A key requirement for listing on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) index is the publication, by companies, of annual sustainability reports in line with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines that require stakeholders to be included in defining the content of such reports. Despite this requirement, stakeholders appear not to be integrally involved in the process. The primary objective of the study was to determine whether the contents of sustainability reports of the mining companies listed on the JSE SRI index are based on the outcome of robust stakeholder engagement processes undertaken specifically for the purpose of preparing these reports. Against a backdrop of the GRI requirements, a quantitative evaluation was undertaken of recent sustainability reports of 11 South African mining companies. These reports were also qualitatively assessed against the corporate social responsibility (CSR) Journey Model proposed by Mirvis and Googins (2006). The two assessment scores for each mining company were integrated and the companies were plotted according to a CSR journey that encompasses degrees of stakeholder involvement. The findings highlight that while the companies adhere to the quantitative GRI stakeholder engagement requirements, the contents of the sustainability reports have not been specifically informed by stakeholders. Companies also appear to be in the early stages of the CSR journey. Recommendations include advising mining companies to utilise existing stakeholder engagement platforms to advance stakeholder inclusion in sustainability reporting and for mining companies to engage in developing the business case for CSR, which could promote greater stakeholder involvement.
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On the ethical conduct of business organisations : a comparison between South African and Polish business management students
- Goldman, Geoff, Bula, Piotr, Fudalinski, Janusz, Bounds, Maria
- Authors: Goldman, Geoff , Bula, Piotr , Fudalinski, Janusz , Bounds, Maria
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Business ethics , University students - South Africa , University students - Poland
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5416 , ISSN 1817-7417 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10965
- Description: This study explores the opinions of Polish and South African management students regarding the ethical conduct exhibited by organisations specific to their respective home countries. Through the use of a survey, primary data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire. Non-probability sampling in the form of a quota sample was employed, and a target of 250 respondents was pursued at a South African and a Polish university respectively. The data were subjected to SPSS. The findings showed that students in South Africa and Poland have little faith in organisations perceived to be conducting business in an ethical fashion. Interesting similarities and differences in Polish and South African opinion were also identified.
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- Authors: Goldman, Geoff , Bula, Piotr , Fudalinski, Janusz , Bounds, Maria
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Business ethics , University students - South Africa , University students - Poland
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5416 , ISSN 1817-7417 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10965
- Description: This study explores the opinions of Polish and South African management students regarding the ethical conduct exhibited by organisations specific to their respective home countries. Through the use of a survey, primary data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire. Non-probability sampling in the form of a quota sample was employed, and a target of 250 respondents was pursued at a South African and a Polish university respectively. The data were subjected to SPSS. The findings showed that students in South Africa and Poland have little faith in organisations perceived to be conducting business in an ethical fashion. Interesting similarities and differences in Polish and South African opinion were also identified.
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