Introduction Ethical behavior in business has remained a major subject of discussion in almost every business environment and company boardroom. Many company managers and businessmen invest heavily in programs that are aimed at instilling and nurturing reputable business behavior to augment good business performance, image and winning the loyalty of customers. Despite these efforts, cases of unethical behavior are frequently reported in countless companies around the world (Ronald, 1992). For instance, former chairman of NASDAQ, Bernie Madoff was arrested in Namibia for unethical conduct. Hewlett Packard, a respected company in the world found Patricia Dunn to be the mastermind of several unethical scandals in the company. The list for companies that have had to suspend managers and employers for unethical behavior is endless and grows daily. In every direction we face in the business world, we encounter an array of ethical scandals affecting companies, individuals and businesses. Is it possible to maintain ethical behavior? Maintaining ethical standards is possible and crucial for every business through corporate efforts and holistic management approach. This research paper critically analyses ethical behavior in business, how it can be realized and nurtured among other issues commonly discussed in the context of the topic. Ethical behavior in business The concept of ethics is well described with reference to philosophical approach of thinking and defining human behavior and how we make decisions based on what we believe and accept to be morally right. Although such decisions may be made independently, they may have far-reaching impact on individuals or the entire group of people involved. Importantly, decisions in business are not only governed by rules and regulations but also by ethical practices that may have been nurtured for years by an organization or business (Boatright, 2009). This is usually aimed at promoting fairness and equity in ensuring that business activities are carried out within the confines of moral standards. In defining business ethics, many analysts concur that they are usually professional regulations adopted and observed by a company or business organization and play a major role in decision-making especially during management crises. Business ethics therefore refer to general aspects that define business conduct and are essential in shaping the behavior of not only individual employees but also the entire business organization (Boatright, 2009). Additionally, business ethics is associated by both descriptive and normative dimensions. The field is commonly referred to as normative due to its core role in career specialization. On other hand, business ethics are well understood by academicians form a descriptive point of view. Overview of ethical business behavior In appreciating the role of ethical business behavior, it is imperative to underscore the fact that these moral standards may vary from one organization to another and from period to period. This to say that ethical issues being faced by one company may not be similar to those being experienced by another. Nevertheless, the common issues experienced may have certain similarities in terms of how they are