Enterprise Excellence 1

Values Added

Each set of ezines will highlight an exemplary statement of principles or 'code of ethics' of a major corporation.

This is not to imply that Transforming Business wishes to give blanket endorsement of the 'corporate social responsibility' agenda. Neither is it to equate good intentions and high aspirations with good behavior - ethics do not only concern moral principles but moral action.

Statements of principles do, however, often reflect the 'ethos', the 'culture', the 'DNA' the 'soul' or the 'spirit' of a company and provide a benchmark by which the company can be held to account by civil society. As such, they reflect the company's spiritual capital and form an important part of its 'licence to operate'.

The first statement of principles in this serious comes from Anglo American, a global leader in minding and natural resources with major operations in the developing world. The company claims to be 'committed to operating in a profitable, sustainable and responsible way' and seeks to unpack this commitment in a statement entitled Good Citizenship: Our Business Principles.

In the preamble to this document the company makes the following claims: 'Our business success brings with it obligations of good stewardship and ethical behaviors. Our surrounding them are stable and prosperous...We need to show that we use our resources and influence in society to the good...Whilst we operate in many countries and in widely differing conditions, our values and principles have universal application...Our Business Principles apply to every business we manage, everything we do and to every part of the world in which we operate. We will ensure that theses principles are properly understood and observed'. For the full text, click here: www.angloamerican.co.uk