by Anup Dixit

Created on: March 30, 2009

I am absolutely positive that no society will tolerate unethical business practices endlessly. At least I wouldn't, and am quite hopeful that most of my readers wouldn't either. Reason is simple - we humans demand equality in everything (especially respect). However, we also accept that certain special talents deserve special rewards and recognition, but when we observe that such special recognition is going to undeserving entities, it is normal to revolt such decisions. We may not be open in our such displeasure (due to various reasons), but at least we keep it in our mind. Gradually, as we interact with other people (like I am doing now) and share our ideas, we realise that there are so many other like-minded people. Then we further understand that it is OK to be open about expressing our thoughts and opinions, as a group. We feel much safer, as a group. At the same time when the unethical people start realising that there is a big group opposing their malpractices, they will also be compelled to take remedial measures.

Success in any business or enterprise depends on consistency in sound performance. To be consistent, it becomes imperative to ensure acceptability by society at large. No individual is bigger than society, and therefore if society rejects some practice for whatsoever reason, then such practice becomes redundant. Unethical business practices can only provide with short term gains, but will probably close down in the long run. It is not for nothing that the concept of SAFETY has acquired tremendous importance in most of the big business houses. For example, consider a construction company where heavy metallic objects can fall from a height, and God forbid, if it falls on some worker, who is unfortunately, not wearing a helmet, then ...... ! Please answer to yourselves, who will you hold responsible - the less educated worker, or the highly professional Management of the said Company, who has not ensured their workers' safety. Now, if this is a genuine accident, then we can understand it as hard luck. But if such instances are regular then there is bound to be a public outcry, sooner or later. There could be court cases - now did the shareholders start this company to earn money, or fight endless cases in courts? Who loses in the end - Unethical business practices, of course.

Dear readers, if you search the Internet, probably you can find scores of cases where unethical business practices have lost out to society - either the business houses have been shut down, or the malpractices have stopped. In some cases, even the defaulting officers have been booked under the law. I am not citing any particular examples, because in my individual opinion only, it would be unethical to take names in an open forum like this one.

My basic point is that Social Responsibility is imperative for the success of any business. This is a realisation, and I don't think any book can teach this. You have to think deeply about the consequences of unethical practices, and probably you may get a better understanding of this article.

Learn more about this author, Anup Dixit.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.