Business Ethics for SMEs

Why think about business ethics?

Few directors of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) will deny the importance of good, trusting relationships with customers, employees, suppliers and the community. The success of their company depends on it. Also, due to requirements higher up supply chains, smaller firms are increasingly asked about their social and environmental credentials during tendering processes with large corporations.

SME owners and managers will also recognise the importance of trust and ethics in business when on the ‘receiving end’ of unethical business practice; for example, when suppliers deliberately do not meet agreed terms and conditions.

This briefing from the Institute of Business Ethics explores what business ethics means for small to medium-sized business enterprises and how they can introduce and support high standards of business practice.