Business Ethics in Society

Abstract

Purpose

Cyrus the Great produced the first human rights declaration. Now two millennia later we have a lesser one, adapted through compromise. This leads to people suggesting that the world would be better if we were better people.

Design/methodology/approach

Game theorists have already given a disappointing answer to concern: The world would not be a better place if we were all better people! This chapter examines this answer in the context of business behaviour and ethics.

Findings

Ethical discussions show that the pursuit of maximum welfare can be considered to provide the basis for the capitalist systems and its reliance upon the market and individual endeavour.

Research limitations/implications

The research is at a theoretical level and based upon games theory; it can therefore be extended.

Practical implications

It is our argument that ethics cannot be removed from any analysis of behaviour without disastrous consequences and this is a flaw with the game. And consequently a flaw with societal behaviour which has been so legitimated: both need changing. This requires a new form of analysis within games theory predicated in a new definition of utility.

Originality/value

This develops our understanding of ethical behaviour within organisations through a novel mode of analysis.

Citation

Seifi, S. and Crowther, D. (2014), "Business Ethics in Society", Ethics, Governance and Corporate Crime: Challenges and Consequences (Developments in Corporate Governance and Responsibility, Vol. 6), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 253-267. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2043-052320140000006010