In this assignment, you will be asked to consider the role of organizational leaders with respect to ensuring companies work to create an ethical workplace culture. It is important for all upper-level leaders to ‘walk the talk’ so to speak. In addition, many larger companies have a Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer who provides leadership and oversight to the company’s business ethics-related endeavors. Recall that Lockheed Martin has such an executive-level position. However, not all companies have such a position. In this assignment, you will be asked to discuss the contributions of executive leaders and of the Ethics Officer with respect to building an organization that values workplace ethics.
Describe the relationship between the ethical leader and the follower.
Why is this relationship important for organizations that are attempting to do the right thing?
Based on your readings (both the articles provided and Terris’ text), what is the role of the Chief Ethics Officer, and how does the role of this person relate to the success of the ethics-related endeavors within large organizations?
Assignment Expectations
Your paper should be 2–3 pages, double-spaced, and in 12-point type size.
Your paper should have a separate cover page and a separate reference page. Make sure you cite your sources.
Use APA style, and proofread your paper.
Upload your paper by the end of the module.
Terris, D. (2013). Ethics at work: Creating virtue at an American corporation. Waltham, MA: Brandeis University Press. Retrieved from the Trident Online Library.
For your SLP assignment, please read the following article.
Gnazzo, P. J. (2011). The chief ethics and compliance officer: A test of endurance. Business & Society Review (00453609), 116(4). Retrieved from the Trident Online Library.
Also, please spend some time researching other sources to help you develop your key arguments.
Mihelic, K. K., Lipicnik, B., & Tekavcic, M., (2010). Ethical leadership. International Journal of Management and Information Systems, 14(5), 31-41. Retrieved from the Trident Online Library.
Oates, V., & Dalmau, T. (2013). Instilling ethical leadership. Accountancy SA, 38-41. Retrieved from the Trident Online Library.
Cavico, F. J., & Mujtaba, B. G. (2017). Wells Fargo’s fake accounts scandal and its legal and ethical implications for management. S.A.M. Advanced Management Journal, 82(2), 4-19.
Venezia, C. C., Venezia, G., Cavico, F. J., & Mujtaba, B. G. (2011). Is ethics education necessary? A comparative study of moral cognizance in Taiwan and the United States. The International Business & Economics Research Journal, 10(3), 17-28.
The following tutorial provides detailed information that can be applied to the topics of this course. There are a number of videos and lessons on ethics.
The Chief Ethical Officer has a responsibility to clearly define the ethical goals of an organization. With a senior position, the Chief Ethics Officer integrates the ethical goals to an organization’s strategic objectives. The function should be independent of other general counsel to ensure the organization has a set ethical standard that can be integrated with strategic objectives (Gnazzo, 2011). The function of the Chief Ethics Officer not only promotes the success of all the ethics goals. Institutionalization of the company’s function is critical for establishing sustainable, ethical goals and integrating them into the company’s strategic goals (Terris, 2013). Major violations in ethical requirements leading to criminal investigations and lawsuits can be avoided through this role’s structural functions (Cavico, & Mujtaba, 2017).
