Ethical code

Ethical codes are adopted by organizations to assist members in understanding the difference between 'right' and 'wrong' and in applying that understanding to their decisions. An ethical code generally implies documents at three levels: codes of business ethics, codes of conduct for employees, and codes of professional practice.

Code of ethics or a code of conduct? (corporate or business ethics)

Many companies use the phrases 'ethical code' and 'code of conduct' interchangeably but it may be useful to make a distinction. A code of ethics will start by setting out the values that underpin the code and will describe a company's obligation to its stakeholders. The code is publicly available and addressed to anyone with an interest in the company's activities and the way it does business. It will include details of how the company plans to implement its values and vision, as well as guidance to staff on ethical standards and how to achieve them. However, a code of conduct is generally addressed to and intended for employees alone. It usually sets out restrictions on behavior, and will be far more compliance or rules focused than value or principle focused. Also this code is good for the Non Governmental Organization.

Business ethics

Business ethics (also corporate ethics) is a form of applied ethics or professional ethics that examines ethical principles and moral or ethical problems that arise in a business environment. It applies to all aspects of business conduct and is relevant to the conduct of individuals and entire organizations.

Business ethics has normative and descriptive dimensions. As a corporate practice and a career specialization, the field is primarily normative. Academics attempting to understand business behavior employ descriptive methods. The range and quantity of business ethical issues reflects the interaction of profit-maximizing behavior with non-economic concerns. Interest in business ethics accelerated dramatically during the 1980s and 1990s, both within major corporations and within academia. For example, most major corporations today promote their commitment to non-economic values under headings such as ethics codes and social responsibility charters. Adam Smith said, "People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices." Governments use laws and regulations to point business behavior in what they perceive to be beneficial directions. Ethics implicitly regulates areas and details of behavior that lie beyond governmental control. The emergence of large corporations with limited relationships and sensitivity to the communities in which they operate accelerated the development of formal ethics regimes.

Code of Ethics (band)

Code of Ethics was a primarily 1990s band that wrote and performed many genres including new wave and pop.

History

Code of Ethics formed in the early '90s with Barry Blaze and Eric Switzer. The duo released Visual Paradox as a self-published project, which was later picked up by indie label R.E.X. Music in 1991. In the early 1990s, the band's music was quite unique in that they were one of the few Christian music artists performing a Europop style. With their early sound being largely reminiscent of New Order, their later works became simultaneously more progressive and more tame in nature. Many fans believe their mid-90's pop-leanings were forced by their involvement with major label ForeFront Records, as evidenced by the underground release of an industrial-leaning mix of the "Satellite Babies" project which was obscured by the mainstream release of the same recording in tamed-down form.

With a new label came new pressures and Eric decided to exit the band. Rick Brainer, Scott "Skippy" Chapman, and Scot Kifer then joined for a self-titled second album released in 1993. During the recording of the self-titled album, Code of Ethics asked to be released from R.E.X. Music based on a default in payment from R.E.X. Music. Don Wrenn the band manager spearheaded the move and negotiated a deal with ForeFront Records with Famed Attorney Sam Chappel. Code of Ethics then went back into the studio to remix the album in Nashville and Memphis under the direction of John Jaszcz. After getting the self-titled album remixed, then went to Chicago and filmed a video for "Satellite Babies" that was never released by ForeFront, and garnered their first No. 1 single at radio, "Something Real". Kifer left by the end of the year. Later, Jeff Anderson would join for 1995's Arms Around the World, an album that would not only give Code two more No. 1's, but also let Code of Ethics receive its first Gospel Music Award Nomination in 1997.