Introduction
In a continuance of the differences between B2B vs. B2C web sites, this week's paper will cover how the sites manage ethical, legal and regulatory issues.
Ethical Issues facing B2B and B2C sites
There are several definitions of the work ethics. One definition of ethics is the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation. It can also be defined as a set of moral principles or values, a theory or system of moral values and the principles of conduct governing an individual or group, such as professional ethics. (www.m-w.com, 2005).
B2B (Business to Business) web sites share mutual information with each other, so ethics in this situation are important. Privacy is important and should be protected through whatever technical and legal means possible. In the business environment, there are codes of ethics that are developed by the organizations, such as trade unions, which have developed them. For example the ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct were created by the Association for Computing Machinery. It is stated in the Preamble that Commitment to ethical professional conduct is expected of every member (voting members, associate members, and student members) of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). (P. Mateti).
The ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct also includes information covering B2C web sites. The information that would cover ethical actions that would relate directly to the public is covered in Section 1.2 Avoid harm to others, paragraph 1:
"Harm" means injury or negative consequences, such as undesirable loss of information, loss of property, property damage, or unwanted environmental inmates. This principle prohibits use of computing technology in ways to result in harm to any of the following: users, the general public, employees, employers. Harmful actions include intentional destruction or modifications of files and programs leading to serious loss of resources or unnecessary expenditure of human resources such as the time and effort required to purge systems of "computer viruses." (P. Mateti).
The ACM Code of ethics is a good guideline for all businesses to follow. After reading it over, the importance of trust and honesty as a definition of ethical behavior stands out the most. If all web sites follow this guideline, there would be less of a chance of harm coming to anyone.
Legal Issues facing B2B and B2C sites
A code of ethics is essential in today business world, and customers honestly base a company’s reputation on these bases. Simply defined a code of ethics is a set of core values designed to help professionals manage a business that is honest and possess integrity. For example, a code of ethics document should highlight the mission and the values of a business. As well as, illustrate how professionals should approach issues, the ethical principles based on the company’s core values, and caliber to which the professionals are held. It is highly critical that a company like the Cheesecake Factory withholds an ethical and socially responsive code of conduct.
Code of ethics is to be utilized by AIHMA members, agencies, consumers, and others who choose to embrace it as a frame of reference. (AHIMA, 2014)
Chesseman, Henry R. Legal Environment of Business: Online Commerce, Business Ethics, and Global Issues. 8th ed. N.p.: Pearson Education, Inc. , 2016. Print.
This organization has been setting ethical standards and publishing the Code of Professional Conduct for the profession since the early 1900s. A Code of Professional Conduct is necessary for any profession to help maintain strict ethical standards. This organization is the basis of ethical reasoning in the accounting profession because of what the Code of Professional Conduct covers. The code is comprised of a preamble and six articles. The preamble and the six articles serve as a foundation to provide guidance and guidelines for accountants to overcome any emerging ethical issues with ease on a daily basis. The six articles’ purpose is to protect the public, investors, and creditors. The AICPA Code of Professional Conduct consists of: Responsibility, Public Interest, Integrity, Objectivity and Independence, Due Care, and Scope and Nature of
"Code of Business Conduct and Ethics." Priceline.com. priceline.com incorporated, 12 April 2007. Web. 26 Mar 2014. Pdf.
• Always follow the ethical guidelines as stated above and throughout this code of ethics program
In today’s global society, a Code of Ethics policy is used to label established, acceptable behaviors among that industry’s business associates, potential investors, and the corporation’s executive officers and employees, and most important, the consumer (Ethics Resource Center, 2003). In an attempt to promote an increased efficiency and productivity potential level, among employees and prospective clients, a corporation’s standard Code of Ethics should guide its members toward a more in-depth examination of their personal moral activity, and how these actions affect the people or acquaintances they encounter. A company should utilize this strategy as a model for the professional behaviors and responsibilities of its constituents, and proves the occupational advancement of that business. Ethics are important in every level of a corporation, but specifically in the day-to-day actions of its members, and the image the company broadcasts to its associates is fundamental in building a stable business foundation. These pledges are a vital communication tool used to covey the firm’s standards for business operations, and predominantly, its relationships with the surrounding communities (Ethics Resource Center, 2003).
The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct is a guideline designed to assist early childhood educators and other professionals who may work in infant and toddler programs through kindergarten. It also includes childcare centers and family childcare homes .It is organized into four sections that gives standard of principles, ideals values and responsibilities. This helps the educators work with a station that may be difficult they can fall on the code for assists.
Some of the guidelines in AACC code of ethics are similar to those in the ACA code of ethics. The AACC code of ethics also addresses the issues of confidentiality, consent, and compassion (American Association of Christian Counselors, 2014, pp. 13-25). Each of these are important in the counseling relationship.
... is not easy to develop and in the development of the AACC Code of Ethics, the AACC Law and Ethics Committee had the additional task of encompassing specific Christian concerns. The ACA and AACC codes provide a comprehensive look at areas and concerns in the counseling environment that requires specific guidelines. Although the documents differ in certain areas and in depth of content, the overall focus of both documents is the well being and of clients and dedication to professionalism.
Ethics or rather morals entail mechanisms that defend, systematize as well as recommend conceptions of right or wrong. Many organizations develop ethical codes to ensure employees and employers understand the difference in doing good or bad. In that respect, ethics are an essential aspect of successfully running of any organization or government. Ethics ensure employee’s productivity levels are up to the required standards. It also assists them to know their rights and responsibilities. Additionally, employers, as well as any persons in management, are guided by them to ensure they provide transparent leadership. Ethics also defines how customers should be handled. Ethical codes govern the relationship between customers and an
The code of ethics are a guide of principles designed to help professionals conduct business honestly and with integrity.1Most organization have codes of ethics that its members are required to follow and it lays out the rules and acceptable behavior of its the members of ethics and which actions are acceptable or not acceptable business practices. One industry where professional codes of ethics is important is health care. Most health care workers belong to an accredited organization of their profession, such American Medical Association (AMA), American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), and American Nurses Association. They may also be required to have additional certification and rules they must follow based on the laws of the individual
Ethical standards that evolved over the history of Western civilization deal with interpersonal relationships. What is right or wrong? What one should do and not do when dealing with other people. Ethical behavior in a business environment has not been as clearly defined. When businesses were small and the property of a few individuals, traditional ethical standards were applied to meet different situations. However, as businesses became larger, the interpersonal ethical relations did not provide any clear behavioral guidelines. Likewise, the principles of ethical relationships were even less pertinent to the corporate environments.
Ethical business practices include assuring that the highest legal and moral standards are observed in your relationships with the people in your business community. This includes the most important person in your business, your customer. Short term profit at the cost of losing a customer is long term death for your business.
Stead, B. A., & Gilbert, J. (2001). Ethical issues in electronic commerce. Journal of Business Ethics, 34, 75-85.