Introduction<\/p>\n
Having integrity means you live in accordance to deep values and honestly. Integrity is a high valued trait especially in leaders. By making a commitment to become a totally honest person, one will be doing more to ensure their success and happiness in life than anything else. Integrity should be in important part of business. Organizations should use integral practices and should also include this foundation in the mission, vision, values, and overall culture. The bible also speaks of integrity as someone\u2019s character.<\/p>\n
The Power of Business Integrity<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is important for an organization to make a profit and grow the business. However, it is also just as important to obey the law and play by the rules of fair competition. This is where integrity and ethics comes to play. According to Gamble et al. (2019), business ethics is the application of ethical principles and standards to the actions and decisions of business organizations and the conduct of their personnel. There is not a special set of rules to apply to unethical behavior, however, if dishonesty occurs then that qualifies as unethical and immoral behavior. If being ethical entails adhering to generally accepted norms about conduct concerning what is right and wrong, then managers must consider such norms when crafting and executing strategy.<\/p>\n
The single most important quality that someone can develop is the value of integrity. Integrity enhances all the other values within an organization. The quality of something is determined by how well the values are lived up to. According to Safta (2018) increasing integrity, reducing vulnerabilities and corruption risks in the business environment is a strategic goal. Integrity in business is an essential ingredient for sustainable, long-term, business growth and success. There are many reasons why business integrity is sustainable, but some important factors to note are giving your business a competitive edge, helps save face during a crisis, and it makes difficult decisions easier. Trust is not earned easily these days as clients are becoming warier of the businesses they choose to interact with. For that reason, big organizations put plenty of effort and resources into proving they conduct business in a morally sound way.<\/p>\n
God\u2019s Perspective on Business<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Christians have a strong theological and Biblical case to challenge the dominant secular view that businesses only exist to maximize short-term profits and shareholder wealth. While profits are a critical component and are necessary to secure the capital needed to serve the community, profits are not the reward, they are the means. Christians must treat business and its various stakeholders with a long-term, holistic, and servant-minded perspective. Jesus asked his followers \u201cWhat good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?\u201d (Mark 8:36, NIV). This verse can teach a powerful value that every Christian leader should follow. Additionally, in order to exhibit ethical leadership, it is beneficial to cultivate a personal spirituality (the moral manager) which provides philosophical, emotional, and spiritual sustenance to ethical leadership in practice, without which ethical leadership is more likely to succumb to situational pressures (Mel\u00e9 Dom\u00e8nec & Joan, 2017).<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Keller and Alsdorf (2016) describe how life\u2019s work can be centered around God\u2019s plan for Christians. Almost everyone has to work for at least part of their life, and as the world grows more and more complicated, the idea of work has become increasingly complex and troubled with stress and anxiety. Keller and Alsdorf (2016) bring up several key issues with how humans perceive work through Christian lenses. The first issue addressed is why a person would want to work. In the book of Genesis, God\u2019s creation of the earth is described as work and creates an aspiration for people. This work creates joy and fulfillment in contributing to the good of others. However, work is not the sole source of meaning. \u201cSo God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation\u201d (Genesis 2:3, NIV). By God resting on the seventh day, shows that even the most fulfilling work must be balanced with meaningful rest.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Unfortunately, work has another aspect which is written about in Genesis when Adam and Eve fall into sin. This makes work transfer from fulfillment to one of agonizing labor. When people are no longer working for the good of others, work becomes unsatisfying and lonely. According to Keller and Alsdorf (2016), work becomes unmotivating and set up with false idols of self-image and profit. Once work becomes an obligation rather than a calling, it changes the minds of people as a way to get ahead instead of self-sacrificing and serving others.<\/p>\n
Decision Models<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When reading about God\u2019s purpose for vocation, one key decision model that aligns with the discussion of Keller and Alsdorf (2016), is the Personal Performance Model. According to Krogerus et al. (2018), many people are unhappy in their jobs. This model can help evaluate job stations by measuring dissatisfaction. The model states, every three weeks ask the following questions and input answers in the model on a scale of one (doesn\u2019t apply at all) to ten (totally applies). Have to \u2013 to what extent are my current tasks being imposed on me or demanded of me? Able to \u2013 to what extent do my tasks match my abilities? Want to \u2013 to what extent does my current task correspond to what I really want? After three weeks, analyze the shapes of the different \u201csails\u201d. If they are \u201cmoving\u201d, then the job offers variety. If they are the same, then ask the following questions: what do you want? Are you able to do what you want? What are you able to do? Do you want what you are able to do?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 My current decision models have changed depending on which one was appropriately aligned with the topic of business. For example, each decision model can assist an organization with strategy according to several points on a strategic planning scale. Using the Personal Performance Model aligns with how happy a person is in their job. If they use this decision model in association with biblical perspective, there could be a better understanding of God\u2019s purpose for the work.<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In conclusion, having business integrity is an important focus for any organization. When developing strategy, and organization should consider the use of the world integrity to incorporate into their mission, vision, values, and culture. Biblical perspective in business is also necessary to align with integrity. If integrity is presented as a guide for a business, it will serve in a way to direct which path to take. \u201cThe integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them\u201d (Proverbs 11:3, NIV). Lastly, using decision models to assist in the reasoning of why working is considered a calling is beneficial. When people are no longer working for the good of others, an organization suffers.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
References<\/p>\n
Gamble, J., Thompson, A. & Peteraf, M. (2019).\u00a0Essentials of strategic management: the quest<\/p>\n
for competitive advantage. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education<\/p>\n
Keller, T., & Alsdorf, K. L. (2016).\u00a0Every good endeavor: connecting your work to God’s work.<\/p>\n
Penguin Books.<\/p>\n
Krogerus, M., Tsch\u00e4ppeler, R. & Piening, J. (2018). The decision book: fifty models for strategic<\/p>\n
thinking.\u00a0New York: W.W. Norton & Company.<\/p>\n
Mel\u00e9 Dom\u00e8nec, & Joan, F. (2017). Christian Ethics and Spirituality in Leading Business<\/p>\n
Organizations: Editorial Introduction: JBE.\u00a0Journal of Business Ethics, 145(4), 671-679. http:\/\/dx.doi.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu\/10.1007\/s10551-016-3323-3<\/p>\n
New International Version Bible.\u00a0(2011). The NIV Bible. https:\/\/www.thenivbible.com (Original<\/p>\n
work published 1978)<\/p>\n
Safta, M. (2018). Integrity in the business environment.\u00a0Juridical Tribune Journal = Tribuna<\/p>\n
Juridica, 8(3), 811-822. http:\/\/ezproxy.liberty.edu\/login?qurl=httpswww.proquest.comscholarly-journalsintegrity-business-environmentdocview2275043540se-2accountid12085<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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