Have you guys heard about this "MBA Oath" that was started by some Harvard students? Basically it seems like a kind of Hippocratic oath for MBAs, saying to act with ethical concerns, and in a responsible manner, etc. etc... All to try to avoid another financial crisis, because, the oath writers say that personal pursuits of wealth cause these kinds of problems in the first place.

What do you think? Would you take the oath when you get your MBA? It's completely voluntary... I'm just wondering if this will make any kind of difference.

oh, how interesting! i am pasting it here so everybody can see it and discuss:

THE MBA OATH

As a manager, my purpose is to serve the greater good by bringing people and resources together to create value that no single individual can create alone. Therefore I will seek a course that enhances the value my enterprise can create for society over the long term. I recognize my decisions can have far-reaching consequences that affect the well-being of individuals inside and outside my enterprise, today and in the future. As I reconcile the interests of different constituencies, I will face choices that are not easy for me and others.

Therefore I promise:

* I will act with utmost integrity and pursue my work in an ethical manner.
* I will safeguard the interests of my shareholders, co-workers, customers and the society in which we operate.
* I will manage my enterprise in good faith, guarding against decisions and behavior that advance my own narrow ambitions but harm the enterprise and the societies it serves.
* I will understand and uphold, both in letter and in spirit, the laws and contracts governing my own conduct and that of my enterprise.
* I will take responsibility for my actions, and I will represent the performance and risks of my enterprise accurately and honestly.
* I will develop both myself and other managers under my supervision so that the profession continues to grow and contribute to the well-being of society.
* I will strive to create sustainable economic, social, and environmental prosperity worldwide.
* I will be accountable to my peers and they will be accountable to me for living by this oath.

This oath I make freely, and upon my honor.

i think that it is a nice idea - in the spirit of social responsibility. i don't think it would really catch, or if it will, that it would make any difference..... business is still mostly about making profit for a small group of people, and not about doing some good for the world - and it would probably stay like this forever(and actually, this is the engine behind economic growth). this is not to mean that in order to make profit to a small group you necessarily have to hurt other groups, but, to take this to the extreme - should coca cola think about Pepsi when doing business? after all they are competing over the same market, and ones success could mean profit loss and maybe people getting fired by the other company. and what about the costumer - are we not trying to get his money? if he has it, or not.... or should we start advertising with buy this, but only if you have some spare money.
ok, after this small bashing, i would like to add that i am for manager accountability and responsibility, and i see this oath as a nice juster, but i think the only think that would really make a change is if managers would have to account in court for their actions - only if people would know that taking an irresponsibly risk can lead to prosecution and jail, they would maybe stop and think about their actions. but this is also problematic.... oh! ethics is a though subject - i am glad i chose MBA and not philosophy ;-?)

Interesting indeed! However, there is a thin line between what is ethical and what is not. A small example, children in SE Asia making shirts for an apparel giant - is that ethical? Aren't kids supposed to go to school? Definitely! Without a doubt. But if that kid doesn't make that shirt, maybe he will not have food for the next 3 days!
I guess the highest judge of what is ehtical and what is not is the inside self of anyone. The inside self doesn't need an oath. It knows what is right and what is not.
Cheers
eFeedz
http://efeedz.wordpress.com/

* I will act with utmost integrity and pursue my work in an ethical manner.

this is a universal thing, true to any work type.

* I will develop both myself and other managers under my supervision so that the profession continues to grow and contribute to the well-being of society.
* I will strive to create sustainable economic, social, and environmental prosperity worldwide.

these two I'm not really sure of - is prosperity world wide a business goal of any companies you know off? i would say that most companies in the world don't really fall into that slot....

see this oath as a nice juster, but i think the only think that would really make a change is if managers would have to account in court for their actions - only if people would know that taking an irresponsibly risk can lead to prosecution and jail, they would maybe stop and think about their actions.