INTHEBLACK September/October 2025 - Magazine - Page 46
F E AT U R E
Workplaces with a strong
ethical culture tend to be more
productive, financially successful
and better at retaining talent.
Building and maintaining
an ethical culture requires
robust leadership, structure
and self-reflection.
Ethics are a shared responsibility.
Both organisations and
individuals must be proactive
in upholding standards.
THE POWER
OF ETHICAL
CULTURE
In a dynamic business environment, ethics are more
than rules — they are a foundation for long-term
organisational success. Here’s how to create
an ethical workplace culture that will reap rewards.
WORDS BETH WALLACE
W
orkplace ethics are integral to an
organisation’s success. Research from
the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
shows that ethical businesses are more
productive and perform better financially than those
with unethical cultures.
Ethical businesses are also more likely to attract
and retain talent and build trust with employees,
customers and the public.
46 INTHEBLACK Sep/Oct 2025 SPECIAL EDITION
Conversely, perceived unethical behaviour
can discourage employee engagement, leading
to reputational damage and even legal problems.
Although no one single factor defines an ethical
culture, organisations that excel in this area tend
to have one thing in common — a clearly stated
set of core values and principles tied to a defining
purpose, says Dr Simon Longstaff AO FCPA,
executive director at The Ethics Centre.
