Understanding Business Ethics
KPMG has created a practice-oriented publication about business ethics. It explains the topics and the core issues in a straightforward way and shows that the attempt to arrive at the right definition of ethics is one of philosophy's oldest and most disputed questions.
Audit, Tax and Advisory. Each of our business services - in addition to specialized knowledge and capabilities - has an ethical background and a moral perspective.
The history behind the word ethics
Since time immemorial, human beings have attempted to define the term ethics and to find moral principles.
Integrative business ethics or: in search of economic reason
Economic management is a social activity - a self-evident concept that all but vanished from today's economic thinking.
Guest contributor: Prof. Peter Ulrich, Institute for Business Ethics, University of St. Gallen, Switzerland
A case of morals
In the space between the terms legitimacy and legality rage the moral battles of daily life.
Guest contributor: Prof. Kurt Imhof, Center for Research on the Public Sphere and Society (fög), University of Zurich, Switzerland
Living Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility means that a corporation is accountable for its conduct within the company as well as in its interaction with the community.
Test: Ethics in everyday situations
If it were easy to behave in an ethically correct manner in everyday life, then it would be no problem to give the right answer to each test question. Try it for yourself.
Fundamental ethical questions
Whether at a philosophical level or in everyday situations, the same fundamental questions about ethics frequently arise.
Glossary of terms used in ethics
An explanation of the key terms that repeatedly appear in discussions about ethics and business ethics.
The role of the auditor
With their systematic reviews of financial data, audit firms make their own key contribution to Corporate Governance. It identifies the correct path to follow through various conflicting areas, and then takes a stance.
Tax ethics are social policy
No one pays more taxes than they have to for ethical reasons. The aim of proper tax advisory services is to adhere clearly to - and fully utilize - the provisions of the law.
Advisory - the basis for risk management
Ethical conduct begins even before an engagement is accepted and accompanies every phase of its execution. By using defined processes, potential problem areas are analyzed and included in the evaluation.
Inspiring confidence in Switzerland as a financial center
Accounting scandals and corporate meltdowns in Switzerland and abroad have highlighted the need for credible auditing.
Living corporate culture as a means of prevention
It takes years to build a reputation, and wrongful conduct by a single employee can be enough to cause it lasting damage. Prevention is much more important than trying to catch misconduct after the fact.
Audit, Tax and Advisory - in addition to the specialist knowledge and skills we provide - these services always have an ethical background and moral viewpoint that also must be considered. By means of a glossary, an historical overview and articles based on real-life situations, we aim to do our part to promote the understanding of business ethics. (The publication is also available in German.)
Date: 02/28/2008 | Size: 670,82kB
Turning knowledge into value: We acknowledge our accountability to our clients, our communities and our people.