Title: Ethical awareness in Lebanon: promoting or hindering business development?

Authors: Yusuf M. Sidani, Imad J. Zbib, Zafar U. Ahmed, Tarek N. Moussawer

Addresses: Olayan School of Business – American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. ' Olayan School of Business – American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. ' Texas A&M University at Commerce, Commerce, Texas, USA. ' Olayan School of Business – American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

Abstract: Corporations have increasingly become more aware of the need to inculcate issues of ethics, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable development in their decision making. Unethical corporate and managerial behaviours and practices are posing serious obstacles in the move towards development and prosperity. The main objective of this paper is to assess the levels of awareness towards business ethics among Lebanese workers. Lebanese respondents displayed mixed responses to various scenarios of unethical behaviours. Such gaps lead to the conclusion that some decision makers may prefer bottom line indicators over issues of transparency, stakeholders| rights, human capital development and similar concerns. Strategies and intervention mechanisms should be implemented to improve the current situation and pave the way towards growth and sustainable development across Lebanon.

Keywords: business ethics; ethical awareness; sustainable development; business development; Lebanon; Middle East.

DOI: 10.1504/WREMSD.2006.009892

World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2006 Vol.2 No.3, pp.258 - 269

Published online: 31 May 2006 *

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