Essay on Implementation of Business Ethics in the Company

Essay on Implementation of Business Ethics in the Company Essay on Implementation of Business Ethics in the Company Essay on Implementation of Business Ethics in the CompanyAn active component of organizational ethics strategy is ethical audit. It is the procedure of systematic evaluation of the companys ethical performance and programs aimed at determining the effectiveness of ethics policies. The purpose of this paper is to choose a company, to check whether this company uses ethical audit, to examine the components of ethical audit if the company does use it and to draft a new plan for establishing ethical audits if the company does not use it.The chosen company is Walmart, a worldwide known retailer operating in 27 countries (Walmart, 2014). Walmart pays significant attention to ethics and has a special Global Ethics Office responsible for promoting Walmarts integrity. Furthermore, Walmart has own code of ethics, offers ethical training and uses ethical committees responsible for resolving ethical issues and enhancing ethical decision-making in the company.There is no information pointing out at the presence of a separate ethics audit procedure at Walmart. However, there are elements of ethics audit integrated in the companys culture. First of all, Walmart has an Audit Committee which is responsible for monitoring financial performance and integrity as well as the quality of independent audit (Walmart, 2014). The Audit Committee, in particular, reviews the compliance of corporate procedures and activities with the companys Statement of Ethics (code of ethics) (Walmart, 2014). Furthermore, ethics committees also ensure that ethical standards are maintained within the company and introduce measures for improving ethical climate. In addition, Walmart has a separate responsible sourcing audit process for suppliers; in this process, Walmart ensures that supplier practices meet or exceed Walmarts ethical requirements (Walmart, 2014).Therefore, using the criteria set by Parraga (2013), it is possible to see that Walmart has all important elements of ethical audit verification of the code of ethics and its implementation in the organization, ethical orientation of groups and individuals, ethical training, use of helplines and hotlines. Walmart even manages to expand its ethical standards to its supply chain. However, it would be better for Walmart to have a separate ethics audit including the above-mentioned elements.

Understanding the Fifth Amendments Protections

Understanding the Fifth Amendments Protections The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, as a provision of the Bill of Rights, enumerates several of the most important protections of persons accused of crimes under the American criminal justice system. These protections include: Protection from being prosecuted for crimes unless first legally indicted by a Grand Jury.Protection from â€Å"double jeopardy† - being prosecuted more than once for the same criminal act.Protection from â€Å"self-incrimination† - being forced to testify or provide evidence against one’s self.Protection against being deprived of life, liberty, or property without â€Å"due process of law† or just compensation. The Fifth Amendment, as part of the original 12 provisions of the Bill of Rights, was submitted to the states by Congress on September 25, 1789, and was ratified on December 15, 1791. The complete text of the Fifth Amendment states: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. Indictment By a Grand Jury Nobody can be forced to stand trial for a serious (â€Å"capital, or otherwise infamous†) crime, except in a military court or during declared wars, without having first been indicted - or formally charged - by a grand jury. The grand jury indictment clause of the Fifth Amendment has never been interpreted by the courts as applying under the â€Å"due process of law† doctrine of the Fourteenth Amendment, meaning that it applies only to felony charges filed in the federal courts. While several states have grand juries, defendants in state criminal courts do not have a Fifth Amendment right to indictment by a grand jury.    Double Jeopardy The Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment mandates that defendants, once acquitted of a certain charge, may not be tried again for the same offense at the same jurisdictional level. Defendants may be tried again if the previous trial ended in a mistrial or hung jury, if there is evidence of fraud in the previous trial, or if the charges are not precisely the same - for example, the Los Angeles police officers who were accused of beating Rodney King, after being acquitted on state charges, were convicted on federal charges for the same offense. Specifically, the Double Jeopardy Clause applies to subsequent prosecution after acquittals, after convictions, after certain mistrials, and in cases of multiple charges included in the same Grand Jury indictment. Self Incrimination The best-known clause in the 5th Amendment (â€Å"No person ... shall be compelled in a criminal case to be a witness against himself†) protects suspects from forced self-incrimination. When suspects invoke their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, this is referred to in the vernacular as â€Å"pleading the Fifth.† While judges always instruct jurors that pleading the Fifth should never be taken as a sign or tacit admission of guilt, television courtroom dramas generally portray it as such. Just because suspects have  Fifth Amendment  rights against self-incrimination  does not mean that they  know  about those rights. Police  have often used, and sometimes still use, a suspects ignorance regarding his or her own civil rights to build a case. This all changed with  Miranda v. Arizona  (1966), the  Supreme Court  case that created the statement officers are now required to issue upon arrest beginning with the words You have the right to remain silent... Property Rights and the Takings Clause The last clause of the Fifth Amendment, known as the Takings Clause, protects the peoples’ basic property rights by banning federal, state and local governments from taking privately owned property for public use under their rights of eminent domain without offering the owners â€Å"just compensation.† However, the U.S.  Supreme Court, through its controversial 2005 decision in the case of Kelo v. New London weakened the Takings Clause by ruling that cities could claim private property under eminent domain for purely economic, rather than public purposes, like schools, freeways or bridges. Updated by Robert Longley

Assignment 6 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Assignment 6 - Essay Example This wildfire also resulted in the death of 86 people. This wildfire was so devastating that it prompted the Congress to set aside funds to assist the National Forest Service prevent and fight wildfires. Despite the measures that have been put in place to prevent wildfires, the U.S. still, continue to suffer from the effects of wildfires. Causes of Wildfire Both human and nature are responsible for wildfires witnessed in the U.S. According to Hamilton (2010), about 90% of wildfires that burn the U.S. forests and lands are started by humans. Firstly, arson attack is responsible for most wildfires in the U.S. Arson attacks happen when an individual deliberately starts fire with the aim of destroying the land of a person perceived as an enemy. In 2010 alone, the U.S. fire department reportedly responded to about 260,000 wildfires intentionally started by arsonists (The National Fire Protection, 2013). These intentional fires resulted in at least 390 deaths, and left at least 1,340 peopl e with serious injuries. The fires also resulted in the destruction of property worth $1.2 billion. In fact, the wildfire that burnt more than 147,000 acres of land in Southern California in 2009 was caused by arson, according to the U.S. Forest Service report (CNN, 2009). This wildfire also destroyed many homes in the northern part of Los Angeles. Most wildfires in the U.S. are also caused by people burning debris. Most people in the U.S. have the habit of burning debris. However, sometimes the wind ends up blowing the debris to a dry grass and forest cover resulting in massive wildfires as has been the case in Michigan. The Michigan Fire department reveals that most wildfires in the state are caused by people burning debris (Hamilton, 2010). Smoking is also blamed for the rising incidences of wildfires in the U.S., according to Hamilton (2010). It has been observed that some wildfires are started by discarded burning cigarettes. When an individual discards a burning cigarette on a dry grass or forest, this sometimes ends up triggering a massive wildfire that result in the destruction of several acres of land. A small percentage of wildfires in the U.S. are caused by sparks from moving trains, vehicle exhaust, and heavy equipment. Some of the wildfires that burn the U.S. forests are caused by nature, such as lightning and lava. Silverstein, Silvertein, and Nunn (2009) reveal that whereas 90% of wildfires are caused by humans, the remaining 10% are caused by nature. Normally, when lightning occurs, electric currents are sent to the earth’s surface resulting in wildfires. For instance, report indicates that about half of all wildfires in Florida are stated by lightning. Lightning is also responsible for about 2% of all wildfires in Michigan. Volcanic eruption is also responsible for a significant number of wildfires in the U.S. When an eruption occurs, hot magma is through onto the earth’s surface that cools down to form lava. However, when the ho t lava encounters dry grass or leaves, this sometimes starts wildfires as noted by Silverstein, Silvertein, and Nunn (2009). The physical nature of wildfires The physical nature of wildfire is very complex and depends largely on fuel type, geographical location, humidity, moisture content, temperature of an area and topography. For a wildfire to occur, the necessary elements must be available. Firstly, an ignition source

You choose a topic Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

You choose a topic - Case Study Example High cost of drug abuse in work place is also a justification for workplace drug testing. The propensity of drug abuse in work place increases randomly the operational cost in an organization. Drug abuse in workplace reduces employees’ productivity, it also increases the insurance premium, and it as well leads to the increase in the number of employees who are fired or die as a result of drug abuse. Drug abuse in workplace also increases the administrative cost; it leads to decline in employees’ morale, increased theft cases, damage of properties in workplace as well as tarnishing the company public image. All this negative effect affects unconstructively the organization performance. To maintain the required performance in an organization, frequent workplace drug test is extremely critical. Workplace drug testing is also justified by increased conspicuous accidents resulting from drug abuse. The 1982 accident on the USS Nimitz was as a result of workplace drug abuse. Other accidents that are related to workplace drug abuse also include the 1987 locomotive accident which caused death of sixteen people while other 176 were injured. In 1989 large oil tanker spilled million of crude oil into water bodies in Alaska. The split led to the loss of animal life as well as the destruction of social and economic structure in the area. All this accident was a result of drug abuse in workplace. These accidents led to the introduction of omnibus transportation employees Act of 1991. The Act required alcohol and drug testing to all transport employees (William, 2002) The workplace drug testing has been blamed vehemently for violating employees civil rights. Drug testing especially urine test is seriously condemned for violating individual privacy rights. To avoid false positive results, employees are requested to state all the over –the- counter drugs and other prescriptions used within the last thirty days. This requirement exposes

Evaluating a Company’s Budget Procedures Essay Example for Free

Evaluating a Company’s Budget Procedures Essay Springfield Corporation operates on a calendar-year basis. It begins the annual budgeting process in late August, when the president establishes targets for the total dollar sales and the net income before taxes for the next year. The sales target is given to the Marketing Department, where the marketing manager formulates a sales budget by product line in both units and dollars. From this budget, sales quotas by product line in units and dollars are established for each of the corporation’s sales districts. The marketing manager also estimates the cost of the marketing activities required to support the target sales volume and prepares a tentative marketing expense budget. The executive vice president uses the sales and profit targets, the sales budget by product line, and the tentative marketing expense budget to determine the dollar amount that can be devoted to manufacturing and corporate expenses, and then forwards to the Production Department the product-line sales budget in units and the total dollar amount that can be devoted to manufacturing. The production manager meets with the factory managers to develop a manufacturing plan that will produce the required units when needed within the cost constraints set by the executive vice president. The budgeting process usually comes to a halt at this point because the Production Department does not consider the financial resources allocated to be adequate. When this standstill occurs, the vice president of finance, the executive vice president, the marketing manager, and the production manager meet to determine the final budgets for each of the areas. This normally results in a modest increase in the total amount available for manufacturing costs, while the marketing expense and corporate office expense budgets are cut. The total sales and net income figures proposed by the president are seldom changed. Although the participants are seldom pleased with the compromise, these budgets are final. Each executive then develops a new detailed budget for the operations in his or her area. None of the areas has achieved its budget in recent years. Sales often run below the target. When budgeted sales are not achieved, each area is expected to cut costs so that the president’s profit target can still be met. However, the profit target is seldom met because costs are not cut enough. In fact, costs often run above the original budget in all functional areas. The president is disturbed that Springfield has not been able to meet the sales and profit targets. He hired a consultant with considerable experience with companies in Springfield’s industry. The consultant reviewed the budgets for the past four years. He concluded that the product-line sales budgets were reasonable and that the cost and expense budgets were adequate for the budgeted sales and production levels.

The Death of Adolf Hitler :: Nazi Germany Adolf Hitler Essays

On 1 May, at 9.30 in the evening, Hamburg radio warned the German people that "a grave and important announcement" was about to be made. This was immediately followed by several excerpts from a number of Wagner's operas and the slow movement of Bruckner's Seventh Symphony. Then at 10.20 pm, came the voice of Grand-Admiral Karl Donitz, Commander-in-chief for the north of Germany. In sombre tones, he announced the death of Hitler and his own succession as Fuhrer of the Reich. Hitler had fallen "this afternoon," he said, fighting "at the head of his troops". This statement was believed by many. The Times of London printed Hitler's obituary next day. President Valera of Ireland sent his condolences to the German ambassador in Dublin. But it was untrue. Hitler, as the world was later told, had died the previous day and had not fallen in action, as a heroic martyr, but had committed suicide without leaving the Bunker under the Reichschancellery where he had been since 16 January 1945. Donitz perhaps had more than one reason for releasing the story he did. He may not have been aware of all the facts, but in any case he must have wondered how the German troops would have reacted if they had been told that their leader had not died a glorious death but had taken his own life. Whatever Donitz's reasons, this erroneous story, combined with the complete silence on the part of the Russians regarding what they had or had not found in the Reichschancellery and the absence of a body - either Hitler's or Eva Braun's - did not convince many people. On the contrary, throughout the summer of 1945 the rumours that Hitler was still alive gathered pace. There were many sightings. Among the first, it was reported that Hitler had been seen living as a hermit in a cave near Lake Garda in northern Italy. Another report had it that he was now a shepherd in the Swiss Alps, a third that he was a croupier at a casino in Evian. He was seen at Grenoble, St Gallen and even off the Irish coast. Viewed from this distance, each of these accounts appears fantastic and incredible. But that was not how they were seen at the time. Not all of the accounts were so fantastic. In July 1945, the us Office of Censorship intercepted a letter written from someone in Washington.

Industrialize or Perish

â€Å"Industrialize or Perish† Industries refer to units that are engaged in the business activity of converting raw materials or semi-finished goods into finished or final goods, which are then made available to the final consumers. For any economy to flourish industrialization is very essential. Industries act as major accelerators of economic development in a country. There are many advantages of having a good industrial system functioning in a country. Especially in a developing country like India, Industries are of utmost importance.They provide the vast population with better employment opportunities, better standard of living, better supply of goods and services and so on. However, in a vast country like India it is important that the functioning of these industries be monitored. Here comes the need for a strong and efficient Industrial Policy. In order to see to that the industries function in the desired manner it is essential that these industries be kept under obser vation and also the government works on the functioning of these industries. Industrial Policy is an important document which lays a wide canvas and sets the tone for implementing promotional and regulatory roles of the government. † – K. Aswathappa Thus, it is clear from the above definition that an Industrial Policy lays down a definite framework that governs and monitors the functioning of the industries in a country. It is essential to understand the importance or reasons behind having a strong and efficient Industrial Policy in any country: a. Balanced Development of industries b. Meet National Priorities c. Regulate Expansion of Private Industries d. Prevent Concentration of Wealth in Few Hands e.Monitor Foreign Trade Three Major Industrial Policies in India: There have been three major industrial policies in the Indian Industrial context. The first was Industrial Policy Resolution of 1948. This resolution soon after the independence focused on accepting the role of both private and public sector units in the country, role of small and cottage industries and also remarked that the small and cottage industries are major employing industrial units. This resolution also divided the industries into four categories – Industries where state had monopolies, mixed sector, the field of government control and the field of private enterprise.This resolution did not give much importance for the welcoming of foreign capital. Second important industrial policy was Industrial Policy of 1956. This policy focused on accelerating the rate of economic growth and speeding of industrialization, importance of public sectors, prevent monopolies and reducing income disparities. This policy was highly criticized for giving importance for the development of public sector units rather than the private enterprises. Third and the most important is the Industrial Policy of 1991. This year is also called as the year of economic reforms in India.This marked the majo r shift of the Indian Economy from closed to open economy. Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization was introduced in the economy in order to encourage competition in the economy. This policy focused on the following spheres Abolishing Industrial Licensing, Encouraging Foreign investment and foreign trade agreements, reducing the importance of public sector units and liberalizing the restrictions on the working of industries. Recent Developments in Industrial Policy: Change is inevitable and nothing can escape change. So are the industrial sector and the industrial policy.Over the years the industrial policy has gone through many changes and developments. Some of the recent developments in Industrial sector Policy are as follows: a. Liberalization: The Industrial Policy of earlier years focused more on stringent rules and regulation. The tariff policies, trade regulations etc were strict and prevented the development of industries. This policy was used in order to protect som e industries. However, now after the reforms in 1991 the scenario has completely changed. The economy is now more liberal in terms of tariff and foreign trade rules.This has increased the investment in certain sectors and has also increased the overall national income. Liberalization has also enabled the economy to be self sufficient. This will reduce the dependence of the domestic economy on foreign economy. b. Globalization: Today the Indian market is merged with the global market. This has increased the competition for domestic industries leading to better quality goods, efficient working of the organization and also reduced prices. Globalization has added on more jobs for the citizens within the country.Now global markets have made it possible for the consumers to choose from a wide variety of products. It also increases the foreign trade of the country. c. Reduced Role of Public Sector: The role of public sector over the years has reduced. Due to this there is a reduction in hi ndrances such as Bureaucracy and Red-Tapism. Thus, the reduced role of public sector has certainly helped the economy to grow and develop efficiently and effectively. This has also reduced the burden on the government budgets. Also, many sick units have now been converted into private enterprises.Thus, this has also increased the revenue of the country. d. De-licensing: There was a license raj before the introduction of the 1991 reforms. Now the economy is relived of this. The government in order to encourage investment has abolished the compulsory licensing for all industries except a few that are strategic and defense related and which seek governmental supervision. De-licensing is the major change that has improved the total investment in the economy. Larger investment means better services and better supply of goods. Also, de-licensing has increased the scope for more and more industrial units to be set up. . Foreign Technological Agreements: In recent times there has been a gre at importance given for foreign technological agreements. Due to import of foreign technology into the country the efficiency of the domestic industries have improved. Also, this has helped the domestic companies flourish not only within the geographical boundaries of a country but also globally. f. Consumer is King: Due to the increase in competition for domestic industries the consumers have been benefited a lot. The consumers have a vast range of products to choose from and also globalization has put a stop for the expansion of Monopolies. . Autonomy to Private Sector: Over the years there has been many measures adopted in order to give more autonomy for private enterprises. Some of the measures are disinvestment, privatization, etc. h. Importance of Small Scale Industries: The importance of the small and cottage industries are highlighted in all the industrial policy resolutions. The small scale industries are encouraged for the numerous benefits they provide the economy with su ch as, employment, increase in the national income, increase in exports, etc. i.Importance of Information Technology: In recent years the importance of IT sector has increased tremendously. This has led to flourishing of Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPOs). Thus, these were some of the recent development or trends in the Industrial Policy of India. Reference: 1. Essentials of Business Environment – K. Aswathappa 2. en. wikipedia. org 3. Study on Industrial Policy and Services – European Commission 4. What is the importance of industries to our country? – Saptarshi Dutta (PreserveArticles. com)