To some people, business and ethics are about as compatible as water and oil. They simply do not mix. Like Orange County, California, where speculative investments have the county on the brink of bankruptcy, or Great Britain, where similar risky investments recently brought down Baring PLC bank, or on Main Street, USA, where firms are struggling with issues of worker privacy and a company's right to know. And ethical behavior has become even more important as a result of a fundamental shift in business practices. Responsibilities of workers are broadening.
Employees work in teams.
Companies rely heavily on suppliers. Without trust, these organizations will fail. The center was established to help Iowa State students learn about thorny ethical issues in business today and to support research in business ethics. Center activities include a fellowship program, speakers and conferences. In the first Bacon-sponsored research project, Shrader and graduate student Holly Brower are attempting to assess the moral climate of the boards of directors of 12 Iowa organizations.