Businessworthiness
The perspectives linking business to peace through ethical business practise imply a strong and growing business case for ethically aware business practices. Perspectives that interplay with general moral business principles and competencies that are followed in close business relationships. Such business principles and competencies constitute the rationale for the concept of Businessworthiness.
These principles are believed to be universal and to characterize the moral essence of what is practiced in the best business relationships. We have outlined a draft document with twenty corresponding principles and competencies. This document is currently being discussed and refined by working groups of business people with different cultural backgrounds, representatives from various NGOs, and other stakeholders. The aim of this work is to sum up practical and universal ethical business "rules" relevant for the day-to-day conduct of business.
"Businessworthiness could very well serve as a litmus test for ethical business practices".
The concept of Businessworthiness should serve as a communicating metaphor to business people. This is linked to the concept of Creditworthiness, as understood by every businessperson. Being Worthy the Business of your relationships; your customers and suppliers, your co-workers, and the communities you act within, seems to be a relevant concept for conduct in a modern business environment. Businessworthiness could very well serve as a litmus test for ethical business practices.
The UN Global Compact Principles might be seen as the inspiration for the concept of Businessworthiness, motivated by a desire to inspire towards and challenge corporate responsibility. The concept of Businessworthiness complements this by focusing on encouraging and influencing ethical practices of the businessperson.
