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Business Ethics: Best Practices for Designing and Managing Ethical Organizations

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Business Best Practices for Designing and Managing Ethical Organizations, Second Edition focuses on how to create organizations of high integrity and superior performance. Author Denis Collins shows how to design organizations that reinforce ethical behavior and reduce ethical risks using his unique Optimal Ethics Systems Model that outlines how to hire and train ethical employees, make ethical decisions, and create a trusting, productive work environment. Taking a practical approach, this text is packed with tips, strategies, and real-world case studies that profile a wide variety of businesses, industries, and issues.

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608 pages, Paperback

Published January 19, 2018

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Denis Collins

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Profile Image for Raffaello Palandri.
Author 11 books15 followers
September 9, 2023
Book of the Day – Business Ethics

Today’s Book of the Day is BUSINESS ETHICS, written by Denis Collins in 2018 and published by Sage Publications.

Denis Collins is an author about socially responsible business practices and a Professor of Business at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin, where he teaches management and business ethics.

I have chosen this book because I have advocated the need to conduct one’s business in a more ethical and compassionate way since 1992 when I started my Coaching and Consulting practice and this book is one of the best on the subject.

This book shows a way to bridge the gap between conventional business ethics and the millenary, profound wisdom of Buddhist principles. Collins has been successful in writing a thought-provoking and, at least for some, potentially enlightening guide for leaders seeking a holistic approach to ethical leadership in their organizations.

Business Ethics is a well-structured and meticulously researched exploration of the idea itself of running a business following ethical principles. The author manages to smartly propose an integration of Buddhist principles into the way of managing and running a company, thus offering readers a fresh perspective on what really matters when it comes to ethical decision-making in a business context.

One of the book’s strengths is its readability and easy accessibility. Collins did an excellent job of breaking down business-related concepts and Buddhist philosophy into digestible, relatable terms for those who are new to the topic.

The book begins by laying a solid foundation of conventional business ethics theories and practices so that the readers can build a firm grasp of the subject before bringing to the table the Buddhist perspective. This progression, from my point of view, is essential, as it gradually fosters a proper understanding of the convergence of these two disciplines and a sufficient awareness of their key points.

Collins skillfully weaves Buddhist principles into corporate and organization management practice throughout the book, by emphasizing the importance of mindfulness, compassion, and interconnectedness in today’s business world, too often concentrated just on profits.

The author also illustrates how the core Buddhist values can transform how organizations operate, enhancing the awareness of both their ethical behaviour and the overall effectiveness of such practices. To do this, Collins introduces the concept of “Buddhist business virtues“, offering in this way a unique, practical framework for improving ethical conduct in organizations.

Collins practically shows how to design organizations in such a way that their entire workflow is ethical, by addressing the mindsets, behaviour, mission and value of the business. His Optimal Ethics Systems Model clearly outlines how to hire and train employees who will embrace your ethical organization, make decisions based on ethical values more than pure economic interest, and create a trusting, compassionate, and productive work environment.

The effectiveness of the approach is demonstrated by the numerous real-world examples of organizations that have successfully implemented Buddhist-inspired ethics, offering tangible evidence that such principles can yield positive results in the corporate world.

Collins acknowledges that not all readers and businesses may be comfortable with or ready to integrate Buddhist principles into their ethical framework. In such situations, the author suggests how to adapt his approach to the individuals’ belief systems and worldviews.

I recommend this book as I find it a valuable resource for business leaders, educators, and anyone interested in fostering a more ethical and compassionate corporate world, even if it may not be the perfect fit for everyone.
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