Role of ethics
in business examined
A Chick-fil-A executive and two business ethics professors from New Mexico took center stage at the School of Business Administration in early March for a two-day public event examining the role of ethics in business.
The discussions were part of Ethics Week, which was started by the business school in 2010 in response to ethical failures on the part of some businesses that caused or worsened the financial crisis that began in 2007, said Ken Cyree, business school dean. On the opening day, O.C. and Linda Ferrell, who both hold the title of Bill Daniels Professor of Business Ethics at the University of Mexico, discussed topics related to business ethics and social responsibility.
The next day, William Dunphy, Chick-fil-A director of field operations for the coastal region, talked about the restaurant chain’s corporate culture, as well as the story of how Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy was inspired to start the popular food establishment. The presentation also focused on the purpose and philosophy of the Chick-fil-A corporation and employees who put heavy emphasis on community involvement, said Lance Reed, the Oxford Chick-fil-A franchise owner.
“I think in anything we do, we at Chick-fil-A are inspired to give back to the community and to find ways to be involved,” Reed said. “Participating in this program with the business school is just one way that we want to give back to the university and the community. We feel very blessed to be here in this community, and we are blessed to be able to be a blessing to others.”
Scott Vitell, Phil B. Hardin Professor of Marketing at the UM business school, helped plan Ethics Week activities.
“Ethics is important for many reasons, but, besides the moral issue of ‘doing the right thing’ in the long run, good ethics is definitely good for a business,” said Vitell, a recognized expert on business ethics. “Look at the cost to BP for last year’s oil spill in the Gulf. Apart from the obvious moral issues here, wouldn’t it be better for firms to have done whatever was necessary to avoid catastrophes? Wouldn’t it have been better for the success of their business?”
Cyree praised both guest lectures as entertaining and informative.
“Ethical decision making is an important part of business and society, and I think these presentations were beneficial for anyone who is interested in these topics,” he said.
