Let me continue the thread about sustainable business started in the posts “GLOBALLY RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP” and “3 IN 1”. This time I offer you to look at integrity – the concept widely discussed in the corporate and non-corporate world nowadays. For instance, it was one of the core topics at the Daimler World Dialogue 2011 organized in October 2011 by the well-known manufacturer of the Mercedes-Benz cars Daimler AG.
So, what is integrity? And why does it receive so much attention? Here is my opinion.
Integrity is one of the essential components of globally responsible leadership. Being consistent in own vision, mission, expectations, goals, values, principles, methods, actions, etc. allows your organization to progress steadily in the desired direction and earns trust from the side of share- and stakeholders and other economic agents. This trust is the foundation of the long-term successful cooperation, which, as has been mentioned, is necessary to address all international and global issues.
Integrity is also related to the holistic, or systemic approach, when, for instance, international business is viewed not only as “sell – buy” relationships between the organization and its clients in different countries, but as a complex system of economic agents, processes, methods, principles, the environment, etc. and interrelations between them. Operating as part of such system requires the previously-mentioned consistency.
Another aspect of integrity in international business is represented in incorporating the socially accepted norms, values, morality, and other elements of ethics into the decision-making and operations of the organization. But, considering the international character of affaires here, the organization should be consistent with ethical principles and norms not of a single country or region, but of a global society. Truly, a huge challenge, but very awarding indeed!
And last, but not least, integrity means not only acting consistently with vision, values, methods, etc., but also providing trustworthy information in a timely and transparent manner. An organization incorporating integrity in its information delivery actions has a consistent and unambiguous image among clients, partners, competitors, policy-makers, and other agents.
Image is taken from here.
Posted by shurikx 
