BUSINESS ETHICS - A DEVELOPMENTAL PERSPECTIVE - THE EVOLUTION OF THE FREE AND MATURE CORPORATION

Ethics in Business organizations is a multi-dimensional process involv ing decision-making, leadership and institution building. The relative ly simpler ethics of day-to-day decisions has to be reflected upon in the context of corporate desire for continuity, embedded in the values of a progressive society. At the operating level, the multivalence of decision situations is emphasized in place of the simple good - bad o r cost - benefit dichotomies. A decision tree framework is presented t o reflect the richness of the decisions. At the corporate level, the c oncept of responsive strategy as a synthesis of vision, power, and res ponsibility is proposed. In this, the crucial role of leaders cannot b e over-emphasized. Finally, at the societal level, the evolution of ca pitalism and its corporate forms is seen as a milestone in people's se arch for enlightened ways to achieve refined ends. As more businesses assert their rightful roles in society, progressive institutional form s more in tune with the values of the twenty-first century should emer ge.