It is this elitist view of ethics – a rule-based perspective
that has conveniently overlooked the intent
of the principles that serve as the foundation of
business obligations – that has contributed to the loss
of trust in American business. Until those who play
key roles in American businesses incorporate a
principle-based perspective toward ethical duties,
the reputation and credibility of accountants and
auditors is unlikely to change.
Conclusion
Although some scholars and business leaders have
argued that ethics and morality are vague and fuzzy
concepts that are difficult to translate, we agree with
Paine (2003, 97) who has suggested that ethics and
morality are ‘‘a highly practical invention’’ because
society expects business and its leaders to fit within
contexts that ‘‘endow human activity with meaning,
prescribe standards of behavior, and establish
expectations for how we should treat one another.’’
In this paper we advocate that executives, financial
leaders, and auditors adhere to an ‘‘ethical system
(that) facilitates trust among its adherents and creates
the necessary foundation for a cooperative endeavor
(Paine, 2003, p. 97).’’ We therefore suggest that a
moral and ethical approach to business is ultimately
pragmatic and that society has imposed on corporate
leaders a set of moral obligations that includes
‘‘responsibilities, aims, values and commitments
(Paine, 2003, p. 98).’’