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Human Resource Management: Meeting the Ethical Obligations of the Function
Author(s) -
SLOAN KEN,
GAVIN JOANNE H.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
business and society review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1467-8594
pISSN - 0045-3609
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8594.2009.00357.x
Subject(s) - function (biology) , business , ethical issues , ethical leadership , asset (computer security) , business ethics , human resource management , process (computing) , engineering ethics , human resources , knowledge management , public relations , political science , law , engineering , computer science , computer security , evolutionary biology , biology , operating system
Effective human resources management (HRM) is focused on the only dynamic asset of the organization, its people; and, behind every business issue ultimately lies a human issue. Thus, the ethical adequacy of responses to all business issues rests on judgments made by individuals. HRM has a role to play as organizations address ethical challenges and as many strive to become ethical organizations. This article outlines three key responsibilities of HRM with regard to supporting an organization's efforts to become an ethical organization: (1) to establish ethical HR practices; (2) to facilitate the change process as all functions move to ethical business practices; and (3) to create cultures that build individual ethical capability and commitment to the goal of becoming an ethical organization.