cover image Managing Corporate Ethics

Managing Corporate Ethics

Francis Joseph Aguilar. Oxford University Press, USA, $30 (192pp) ISBN 978-0-19-508534-1

In this intriguing book, a Harvard Business School professor argues that ``ethical standards, set by top management and fostered throughout the organization, can act to supercharge the engine of corporate performance.'' Aguilar is less concerned with articulating the specifics of what a company's credo should be than with helping put it in place and making sure it sticks--and he provides numerous policies and case studies that illustrate his proposals. He realizes that no single action is the answer: senior management must develop an ethical sensitivity, but strong business leadership is equally important. ``Poor operating performance invites cutting close to the line of acceptable behavior.'' With senior management on board, he then turns to instituting a broad-based business ethics program and finally to attracting and fostering ethical employees. Aguilar's ideas and arguments are praiseworthy and a valuable addition to the growing literature on business ethics. Illustrations not seen by PW. (Mar.)