PROFESSIONAL ETHICS CODES

1.2. Purpose of ethics codes

The purpose of ethics codes is to establish the relationships among members of a profession or organization and to mediate their interactions with society. Behavioral standards function not only within the internal operations of the organization but are also intended for a broader audience (e.g., customers, suppliers, patients, clients). If an organization has an ethics code, it indicates that it demonstrates the profession's responsibility to society and strives for more transparent and fair practices among its representatives.

Objectives of an ethics code:

- Encourage ethical behavior and deter misconduct.

- Assist in decision-making processes.

- Serve as a tool for combating corruption.

- Manage conflicts of interest.

- Control and regulate behavior (through self-regulation).

- Promote competence (professional development).

- Maintain a positive image and reputation for the organization/profession.

- Help gain a competitive advantage and foster fair competition.

- Encourage socially responsible activities.

Practical assignment 5.1. Read the following case study carefully and answer the multiple-choice, true/false, and short-answer questions based on the scenario in the test given below.