Business Ethics

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!! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!! !! MAY GOD BLESS US ALL!!

BUSINESS ETHICS
Bayanihan
The term “Bayanihan” originates from the Philippines and refers to a core
Filipino value and cultural tradition that embodies communal unity,
cooperation, and mutual assistance for the common good. It is derived
from the Filipino word “bayan,” which means “community” or “nation.”

Bayanihan is often depicted as a collective effort, where members of a


community come together to help one another, particularly in times of
need or during challenging circumstances. This spirit of Bayanihan is
characterized by selflessness, unity, and shared responsibility.

Historically, Bayanihan was commonly observed in rural areas, where it


involved the physical act of moving a traditional Filipino house (bahay
kubo) from one location to another. Villagers would gather, lift the house
using bamboo poles, and transport it to its new site. This exemplified the
idea of shared labor and working together towards a common goal.

Bayanihan extends beyond physical acts and encompasses various forms


of assistance and support, such as financial aid, emotional encouragement,
or offering one’s skills and expertise to benefit others. It is deeply rooted in
Filipino culture, reflecting a strong sense of community, compassion, and
social cohesion.

Advantage of Bayanihan
Bayanihan promotes community spirit, cooperation, and mutual
assistance, leading to a more cohesive and resilient society. It is a valuable
practice that brings people together, fosters empowerment, and creates
positive social change.
The purpose of Bayanihan is to promote unity, cooperation, and mutual
assistance within a community. It aims to strengthen social bonds,
encourage active participation and responsibility, and address challenges
collectively. Bayanihan fosters a sense of belonging, empowers individuals,
and creates a more resilient and supportive community. It also serves to
preserve cultural heritage and values by passing on the tradition of
communal cooperation to future generations.

A simple example of bayanihan Is when neighbors come together to help a


family move to a new house. In this scenario, everyone in the
neighborhood pitches in to carry furniture, boxes, and other belongings
from the old house to the new one. They work as a team, helping each
other with the heavy lifting, navigating staircases, and ensuring that
everything is safely transported.

The simple advantage of Bayanihan in business is that it promotes


collaboration, which leads to mutual support, innovation, and increased
resilience in times of challenges.

MAÑANA HABIT
“Mañana” is a Spanish word that means “Tomorrow” or “Future” in
English. “Habit” means the behavior patterns of doing things, often
subconsciously. So, when we combine the two words to form the phrase
“Mañana Habit,” we can define it as the behavior pattern of doing things
tomorrow or in the future.

Mañana Habit is a bad habit of Filipinos where instead of doing the word
instead of doing the work assigned to them immediately, they do the work
when the deadline is near. It is also known as procrastination or
“Procrastination”
DELICADEZA
Delicadeza is a Spanish-derived term commonly used in the Filipino
language, which translates to ‘delicacy’ or ‘propriety’ in English. It is a
value deeply ingrained in the Filipino culture and refers to a sense of
appropriateness, decency, and discretion in one’s actions and decisions.

Delicadeza is about doing the right thing, even when no one is watching,
and it involves being sensitive to the feelings of others, being respectful,
and maintaining a sense of honor and integrity.

Delicadeza involves maintaining a sense of honor and integrity in all our


actions and decisions. It means doing the right thing, even when it is
difficult.

This sense of honor and integrity is crucial in building trust and


credibility, both in our personal and professional relationships.

It also involves being sensitive to the feelings of others. It means being


considerate and thoughtful in our actions and decisions, and being aware
of how they may affect others.

This sensitivity is important in maintaining harmonious relationships with


others and in fostering a sense of empathy and compassion.

Respect is a key component of delicadeza. It involves treating others with


kindness, consideration, and respect, regardless of their status or
background. It means being polite, courteous, and maintaining a sense of
propriety in our interactions with others.
The concept of ‘delicadeza’ shares similarities with values found in other
cultures. For example, the Japanese value of ‘Omotenashi’, which involves
a deep sense of hospitality and consideration for others, is somewhat
similar to ‘Delicadeza’. Both values involve being sensitive to the needs of
others, being considerate, and maintaining a sense of honor and integrity.
Omotenashi is already related to the Filipino value of malasakit.

While there are similarities, the way this value is practiced in the Filipino
culture is unique. In some Western cultures, for example, there is a stronger
emphasis on being direct and assertive, which sometimes can be perceived
as being insensitive or inconsiderate by Filipinos. ‘Delicadeza’ involves a
more subtle and nuanced approach to interactions, which is reflective of
the broader

Filipino cultural emphasis on harmony, respect, and consideration for


others.

The measure of a man’s real character is what he would do if he knew he


would never be found out.” – Thomas Babington Macaulay.

Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our
manners.” – Laurence Sterne.

Family orientation

Being family-oriented means more than just loving your family—it’s a


conscious decision to structure your life around your loved ones, lean on
them for support when making decisions, and focus on their health and
happiness.
Being family-oriented means valuing your family and putting their needs
before your own. It means being supportive of your loved ones, and
always being there for them. It also means taking care of each other during
good times and bad.

PAKIKISAMA/PAKIKIPAGKAPWA-TAO
Another Filipino characteristic is loyalty, or pakikisama. That is a shared
understanding of the other person’s personality and consciousness. It
involves treating others equally, with respect and integrity.

This is simply a realistic translation of the pakikipagkapwa-tao in industry


since the aim is to deliver useful products and services to others so that
their standard of living would get better.

In business, for example, Pedro is a sole proprietor. His cousin approached


him and was trying to borrow P5,000 for an emergency reason. Because he
had no personal cash that time, out of pakikisama, he got the amount of
P5,000 from his business collection and lent it to his cousin.

PADRINO SYSTEM (Patronage/Palakasan)


The Padrino System, commonly associated with nepotism or
favoritism, is happening in various contexts such as in politics, business,
and social circles. This practice can result in inefficiency and inequality. For
instance, in politics, a padrino could leverage their influence to obtain
positions or favors for their relatives or close allies, regardless of their
qualifications. Likewise, in business, a padrino may distribute
opportunities or resources unfairly, prioritizing personal connections over
qualifications or performance.
This Filipino value should also be avoided since this has been the source of
many controversies and corruption. The padrino system in business may
negatively affect dealings and financial obligations to the government such
as taxes may be influenced between the business owner and the
government official.

Padrino System in the Filipino culture, business industry, and politics is


the value system where one gains favor, promotion, exemptions, or
political appointment through family affiliation (nepotism) or
friendship (cronyism), as opposed to one’s merit.

The following are the effects of nepotism and cronyism in the business.

1. Disruption of the workforce. Workers have low morale, less


motivated, and are dissatisfied with performing diligently if they feel
that promotion is undermined by nepotism.

2. Loss of productivity. Usually, employees who are promoted because


of their relationship with the management are underqualified which
can lead to loss of leadership skills and eventually leads to inferior
output.

How does this Filipino Value influence Business Practices?


Someone gains favor or promotion through family affiliation (nepotism) or
friendship (cronyism), as against one’s worth
It has been the root cause of many controversies and corruption
NINGAS COGON
NINGAS = ALAB O APOY
COGON = URI NG DAMO NA MABILIS MASUNOG

From a negative standpoint, ningas cogon can be seen as a waste of


potential or as a characteristic of inconsistency. It suggests a lack of
commitment or discipline, hindering progress and productivity. People
who exhibit ningas cogon may start projects with great fervor but then
abandon them when faced with challenges or when initial enthusiasm
wanes. This behavior can lead to unfinished tasks, unfulfilled promises,
and missed opportunities.

On the other hand, some may view ningas cogon in a more positive light.
They may see it as a sign of creativity, spontaneity, and the ability to
generate ideas and excitement. Starting something with a burst of energy
can be beneficial in certain situations, especially when it sparks inspiration
or motivates others to take action. Furthermore, some argue that ningas
cogon is better than not starting anything at all, as it at least demonstrates
initiative and ambition.

Palabra De Honor
“Palabra de honor” is a Spanish phrase meaning “word of honor” in
English. It refers to a solemn pledge or promise made by an individual,
emphasizing trustworthiness and integrity in fulfilling verbal agreements
or commitments.
HIYA
Is a complex concept encompassing shame, propriety, and social
responsibility. It guides Filipinos’ actions to ensure respectful exchanges
and avoid causing offense to others. It’s like an internal compass that
promotes mindful communication and fosters harmony in the workplace.

In Filipino society, it’s considered a serious social misstep to “lose face” or


cause embarrassment to yourself or others. “Hiya” acts as a protective
mechanism against such situations, encouraging individuals to be mindful
of their words and actions to avoid causing offense or disrupting social
harmony.

This cultural emphasis on preserving face and maintaining social harmony


is deeply ingrained in Filipino values, influencing communication styles,
conflict resolution approaches, and overall workplace dynamics.

Now, here’s the twist. Embracing “Hiya” isn’t about being shy or avoiding
conversations. It’s about creating a safe space for open communication
where everyone feels heard and valued.

LAKAS NG LOOB
“Lakas ng loob” is a Filipino term that translates to “strength of character”
or “courage” in English. It refers to the inner strength and boldness to face
challenges, take risks, and stand up for what is right, even in the face of
adversity or fear.

1. Personal Challenges: “Lakas ng loob” can be seen when an individual


faces personal challenges, such as overcoming fears, pursuing dreams,
or making difficult life decisions. It involves having the courag to step
out of one’s comfort zone and take action, even when faced with
uncertainty or potential failure.
2. Speaking Up: In social or professional settings, “lakas ng loob” can
be demonstrated by speaking up against injustice, discrimination, or
unethical behavior. It involves having the courage to voice one’s
opinions, advocate for others, and stand up for what is right, even if it
goes against popular opinion or risks personal consequences.

3. Taking Risks: In the business context, “lakas ng loob” can be seen


when entrepreneurs or business leaders take calculated risks to
pursue innovative ideas, start new ventures, or disrupt existing
industries. It involves having the confidence and resilience to face
uncertainties, learn from failures, and persist in the pursuit of success.

4. Making Tough Decisions: “Lakas ng loob” can also be


demonstrated when individuals make tough decisions that have
ethical implications, such as terminating an employee for misconduct,
implementing necessary cost-cutting measures, or prioritizing long-
term sustainability over short-term gains. It involves havi 5-7/9 moral
courage to make difficult choices that align wit… one’s values and
have a positive impact on others, even when they are not popular or
easy.

Ultimately, “lakas ng loob” encompasses the inner strength, bravery,


and determination to act in line with one’s principles, even when
faced with challenging circumstances. It is about facing fears,
embracing risks, and making choices that uphold integrity and
contribute to personal growth, social progress, and ethical behavior.

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