Ethical responsibility: Companies are under pressure!

Ethical responsibility: Companies are under pressure!

The book “Corporate Ethics: Power, Excessiveness, Morality” by Prof. Dr. Jürgen Weibler and Dr. Thomas Kuhn sheds light on the ethical responsibility of companies in the modern economy. The assumption is expressed that many companies implement ethical measures primarily for image reasons, often in the context of environmental protection, a phenomenon also known as greenwashing. The discussion about ethical standards in corporate practice is more current than ever.

In January 2025, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, contributing to a change in the attitude of major technology companies. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, distanced himself from previous ethical standards for platform regulation in a video message. Current developments show that a “good weather ethic,” as Prof. Weibler describes it, often places economic opportunism above value orientation.

The importance of business ethics

Business ethics play an important role in a globalized economy, often exerting more influence than states themselves. Weibler and Kuhn argue that business administration should be viewed as part of the social sciences in order to think about business and society together. Historically there has been little serious discussion of ethics in economics; It was not until the 1980s that the topic was integrated into business administration.

The pressure on companies to act ethically has increased significantly in recent years due to market economy failures and their negative effects. It is becoming increasingly clear that ethics should be more than a marketing tool. The assumption that ethical behavior leads to a better image is widespread. This dynamic is also reinforced by consumers' increasing interest in ethical trading.

Corporate social responsibility and its challenges

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a central term in economic and business ethics research as well as in practice. Over the last thirty years, CSR has significantly shaped the debate about business ethics. Almost every major company has now implemented a CSR program. A comprehensive CSR toolkit has been developed to ensure that companies meet generally accepted standards of conduct and contribute to the community.

However, the handling of CSR in corporate practice is increasingly criticized. Critical non-governmental organizations accuse companies of using CSR mainly to whitewash their behavior and to distract attention from morally questionable practices. Honorable business practices are often viewed not as a moral obligation, but as a strategic tool to improve reputation.

• Die Integration von CSR in Unternehmensstrategien fördert Ansehen und nachhaltige Entwicklung.
• Unternehmerisches Handeln sollte CSR und ethische Prinzipien miteinander verknüpfen.
• CSR ermutigt Unternehmen, über wirtschaftliche Ziele hinaus Verantwortung zu übernehmen.
• Eine transparente Kommunikation fördert das Vertrauen und die Loyalität der Kunden.
• Mitarbeiter sind motivierter, wenn sie für Unternehmen mit hohen ethischen Standards arbeiten.

Weibler emphasizes that smaller, unlisted companies in particular can play an important role in ethical responsibility. These companies, often run by individuals, experience greater emotional connection and autonomy, which promotes ethical behavior. The call for companies to consider planetary ethics is more relevant than ever in times of climate change and social change.

Overall, it shows that CSR and business ethics are not only crucial for the image of companies, but also for economic success. Consumers, especially young talent, are increasingly placing more value on corporate values ​​and social responsibility. This means that ethical orientation is becoming a more important success factor in today's economy.

In the current issue of zfwu, the criticism of CSR is examined under the title “CSR between greenwashing and ethical reflection”, which points to the ongoing tensions between ethical action and economic interests. It is clear that the road to more ethical integrity and sustainable action is still rocky - for both large corporations and smaller companies.

Distance University of Hagen reports that greater consideration of the biosphere in business ethics is urgently needed. The focus on sustainability is increasingly seen as an integral part of responsible corporate governance. Companies that incorporate sustainable practices can gain trust and strengthen their market position.

In conclusion, it can be said that linking CSR and business ethics is essential for the long-term success of companies. Ethics should not only be viewed as a tool for image cultivation, but as a foundation for authentic and responsible action.