|
|||
 |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||
Thanksgiving is once again a time for being
grateful, showing respect to the earth for
providing us with rich resources, and
reminding us of our connections to the people
in the world.
It is a time to remember that our
organizations, as well as we individually,
have social, and environmental
responsibilities. Ethical responsibility in
organizations has become a fashionable mantra
in our discourse and thinking.
Some companies have a social manifesto or
environmental codes of conduct; others are
involved in local and global community
projects (e.g. Ben & Jerry). These are
commendable initiatives, although their
unstated goal may too often be increased
market share.
The ethical aspects of an organization may be
considered the responsibility of a particular
office or individual (leader), such as the
offices of HR and affirmative action, or the
recycling and energy unit. As such an
artificial organizational disconnect and
tension is created between the "ethical"
decisions and behavior of these units and the
organization's overall economic, market, and
client value.
Yet, it does not have to be a choice between
two mutually exclusive alternatives. It can,
in fact must be, both; there needs to
be a balance. All elements are part of the
complex, interconnected ecosystem in which we
live.
For the non-profit organization, a social
and/or environmental responsibility is often
part of its mission. But objectives can
become short-term and survival-focused. The
values that a non-profit agency promotes do
not always coincide with the values that
under-gird its internal structure, climate,
and policies.
Some non-profits focus exclusively on one
particular aspect of responsibility (e.g.,
health care or education), while neglecting
other aspects such as environmental awareness
(e.g., alternative energy and socially
correct food sources).
People managing organizations need to realize
that the problems we face in health,
education, climate, economy, and politics are
not just local or national challenges. They
are the responsibility of all, requiring
collaboration as never before.
Collaboration must be more than a fashionable
and profitable thing to do or a reaction to
public pressure or governmental regulations.
Collaboration not only creates viable
organizations, it also engenders sustainable
economies, cultures, communities and societies.
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our
heritage. It is also a time to reflect on
what we as individuals and as a collective
can contribute to the well being of future
generations.
KCR/jgj |
||||
|
||||
|
||
|
INNOVATION TIPS is a monthly letter
provided by
PARTNERS for INNOVATION, INC.
To subscribe, please use the Sign Up
button
at the top of the page.
To unsubscribe, please click on the
Safe/Unsubscribe
link at the bottom of this page.
Innovation Tips may be used, with permission, in
company or association newsletters, providing
that
Partners for Innovation is given credit for
the article.
Please email your request to info@partnersfi.com to
receive formal permission to reproduce the
copyrighted article.
Know of someone else who would be interested in
this newletter? Feel free to forward
this issue
of Innovation Tips to anyone else. Just use the
Forward email link at the bottom of
this page.
|
||
|
|
||
|
Partners for Innovation is in the business of
helping you create organizations that thrive
on creativity and social capital. We write
these articles to support your work in
building vital and resilient organizations.
Please tell us what else you would like to
learn. We depend on you for our subject
matter, and as the subject of our work, you
matter!
Please send the editor an
email
to let us know what
you would like to learn in these essays.
|
||
|
|
||
|
Innovation Tips may be used, with permission,
in company or association newsletters,
providing that Partners for Innovation is
given credit for the article. Please email
your request to info@partnersfi.com to
receive formal permission to reproduce the
copyrighted article.
|
||
|
|
|
|
Partners for Innovation, Inc.
email:
info@partnersfi.com
phone:
419.872.7140
|
|
