The purpose of the article is to explore the ethical perceptions of accountants in selected Slovene organisations towards ethicallysensitive scenarios. The article explores ethical perceptions among 'internal accountants' and those working in companies operating as providers of external accounting services. Since external accounting services companies are not specifically regulated by the profession, we hypothesise that accountants working in external accounting service companies are more lenient to ethically-sensitive scenarios. Moreover, we analyse if ethical perceptions differ between accountants having a professional certificate and those that do not. We believe those that have a certificate are harsher towards ethically-sensitive scenarios. For the purpose of our analysis a questionnaire was distributed to accounting professionals. Our analysis is made on a large sample of 451 accountants. Results of ordered probit regression support the first two hypotheses, despite the fact that not all of the vignettes resulted as statistically significant. Our study contributes to the literature in that the ethics of accountants from countries with non-regulated markets of accounting services have not yet been investigated in the literature.
Proponents of the financial theory of the firm generally argue that other constituencies should either protect themselves (workers can bargain for safer working conditions, for example) or seek regulatory protection by means of occupational safety and health laws. On the financial theory of the firm, the responsibility for upholding ethical standards, forcing the internalization of costs, and so on, belong ultimately to government, not to corporate managers. The main argument for this position is that corporate managers have neither the right nor the ability to pursue multiple, nonfinancial goals.By contrast, stakeholder theory contends that the list of corporate constituencies includes all those who have a legitimate interest in the activities of a firm, regardless of any interest that the firm takes in them. Furthermore, the interests of these stakeholder groups merit consideration for their own sake, not because of their usefulness to the firm. Stakeholder theory has not been developed as a full-fledged alternative to the financial theory, and it is questionable whether it is necessarily incompatible with it. SWM is justified on the financial theory for its benefits to the whole of society, which includes all stakeholder groups. Corporate managers need not consider the interests of all stakeholders as long as these interests are adequately protected by some means, such as government regulation. In addition, managing a corporation with attention to stakeholder interests may be an effective means for maximizing shareholder value. Some very successful companies are driven by philosophies that put employees or customers first.
Rawls' completely original argument of »justice as fairness« is always up to date as modern ethics and political philosophy are faced with the so called procedural ethics where everything is arranged and determined with adequate procedures, legal legislation, acts and regulations, but very often there is a lack of »ethical humus« of why and how these things should be done. Particular situation of a certain local area is often too dependent on capital and under too much pressure by its power. All of the above makes Rawls' theory a great challenge as well as ethical and legal humus of how to form local self-government where all basic principles of fairness, freedom, dignity of every individual and social aspect of interpersonal relations are considered, where there is particular stress on caring for all those who are in the worst position, who are the most fragile, most vulnerable, most overlooked and for whom nobody cares.
The roots of ethical relativism in philosophy of liberalism is in the growing radicalness of anthropocentrism being characteristic of modern thinking. The scientific intellect applying itself to external objective phenomena and based on a very narrow empiricist-analytical conception of science contains man’s desire for emancipation. The central question of liberalism is the fundamental emphasis on individualism and liberty. In such society is much more urgent to create the code of ethics in modern society in very differente level of society and modern life. Philosophical foundation of code of ethics in local Self-Government and management at all levels of social and personal life is more urgent and necessary than ever, if we want to preserve the basic dignity of human life, the fact that man respects himself, keeps his word, does not manipulate others nor allows being manipulated, keeps his personal freedom and self-confidence, self-respect and integrity. In Slovenia, management is responsible for preparation and fair presentation of financial statements in accordance with accounting standards, and within the requirements of the Slovenian Companies Act and in accordance with the code of ethics.
Past several decades management has become a vital concern to society. If we look at pools, we notice that the public does not have good opinion abouth management ethics and business. For the management community to turn this situation around, significant efforts are required. It should be understood what management ethics means, why it is important and how it should be integrated into decision making. Principles of ethics from moral philosophy and management theory are available to inform interested managers. Next challenge is to avoid immoral management, transitioning from an amoral to a moral management mode of leadership, behavior, decision making policies and practices. Moral management stands on ethical leadership. It requires that managers search out those vulnerable situations in which in which amorality may reign if careful, thoughtful reflection is not given by management. Further requires that managers understand, and be sensitive to, all the stakeholders of the organization and their stakes. If the moral management model is to be achieved, managers need to integrate ethical wisdom with their managerial wisdom and to take steps to create and sustain an ethical climate in their organizations. When all that will be done, the desirable goals of moral management will be achievable.
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