DISCUSSION 7 2
Business Integrity, God’s Perspective, and Decision Models
Introduction
Business integrity is essential as a company’s actions, processes, and products significantly
affect stakeholders and the public. Since the 2000s, the US has witnessed a series of company
scams and frauds, including Enron, WorldCom, and Adelphia, among others leading to
businesses needing to uphold workplace ethics. Poor products and packaging have led to severe
illness and even death of consumers. This has led to the call for due diligence in the workplace.
According to Ma (2015),the duty of diligence is important for protecting the interests of
shareholders and the company.
The Power of Business Integrity
Fawcett (2014) writes that integrity is adhering to moral actions, including honesty, truth,
uprightness, and sincerity, and a culture of integrity pays dividends beyond any business plan or
strategy. Fawcett (2014) states that a survey by Corporate Executive Board showed that high-
integrity companies have 12% greater employee productivity. And the benefits of integrity go
beyond productivity. Organizations with higher integrity scores have significantly fewer
observed instances of misconduct, and substantially higher reporting rates, where misconduct is
observed. A culture of integrity creates a reputation for ethics and goodwill, directly impacts
financial performance, and drives business performance. Tracy (2016) writes that great leaders
never compromise their honesty and integrity by cheating; they do the right thing because it’s the
right thing to do and are not afraid of telling the truth. According to Tracy (2016), leaders with
integrity always err on the side of fairness, especially when other people are unfair. The true
mark of leadership is how fair you can be when others are maltreating you.
God’s Perspective on Business Integrity
DISCUSSION 7 3
Keller (2017) writes that Christians in business will see profit as only one of several bottom lines
but work passionately to serve the common good and make God the main thing in their work.
Christian faith affects our work, and we should follow scripture, including the ten
commandments. Keller et al. (2012) discuss adhering to Christian morals, values, and virtues.
Since we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-28), our work should mirror our creator’s
work. Work is a powerful instrument of God’s providence and how he sustains the human world
(Keller, 2012). Scripture upholds virtues and integrity over and over again, including“the
righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him” (English Standard
Version Bible, 2001, Proverbs 20:7). Another scripture states that “the integrity of the upright
guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them” (English Standard Version
Bible, 2001, Proverbs 11:3).
Decision Models
Ethics and integrity are needed for sound decision-making. At the same time, there are several
ethical decision models. One that ties into the Christian way is the divine command approach.
According to Brown University (2023), this approach sees what is right as the same as what God
commands, and ethical standards are the creation of God’s will. Following God’s will is the very
definition of what is ethical. Since God is omnipotent and possessed of free will, God could
change what is now considered ethical, and God is not bound by any standard of right or wrong
sort of logical contradiction.
Canales (2014) writes that four models of Christian leadership are all found throughout Jesus’
life and public ministry and should be followed by Christian leaders: (1) servant leadership, (2)
moral leadership, (3) spiritual leadership, and (4) transformational leadership. Of the four, the
moral leadership model stands out for this discussion. According to Canales (2014), moral
DISCUSSION 7 4
leadership helps followers to see the fundamental conflict between competing values, the
inconsistencies between espoused values and behavior, and the need for realignments in values,
changes in behavior, or transformations of institutions.
Conclusion
Integrity in business is essential for sustainable, long-term business growth and success. Integrity
can be defined as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, and when you
act with integrity, you do so in all scenarios. Doing the right thing positively influences the
business in various ways, including financially, a sense of belonging, and building trust from
consumers and stakeholders. As Christians, we are also called to hold these values personally
and in our business since we represent God in the workplace as we are images of him.
1. Annotated Bibliography
Ma, F. (2016). Business integrity v. business efficiency: The corporate opportunity doctrine in
China.Journal of Financial Crime, 23(1), 201-215. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-05-2014-
0025
Summary of Key Points
The article aims to assess the application of the nascent corporate opportunity doctrine in China
by comparison with a more established system in the United Kingdom. It evaluates whether the
balance between business integrity and efficiency has been achieved. The researchers argued that
the scope of application of the corporate opportunity doctrine in China should be extended, and
the rules on the burden of proof should be amended. The researchers call for a stricter approach
by the Chinese judiciary to protect the company’s interests and enhance business integrity.
Evaluation of the Quality of the Publication
The article was published in a reliable journal, “Journal of Financial Crime”. The article is peer-
reviewed.
DISCUSSION 7 5
Evaluation of the Quality of the Author(s)
The article is written by a respectable researcher who has written other peer-reviewed articles.
Where this fits into the discussion
The article discusses the importance of business integrity, the cornerstone of this week’s
discussion.
2. Annotated Bibliography
Malan, D., Taylor, A., Tunkel, A., & Kurtz, B. (2022). Why business integrity can be a strategic
response to ethical challenges.MIT Sloan Management Review, 63(4), 1-4.
Summary of Key Points
In this article, the researchers explore how leading companies demonstrate a holistic approach to
ethical and responsible business. They state that governance has been overshadowed by
discussions of its counterparts, environment, and sustainability, despite being a source of
strategic advantage. While many companies view investment in governance simply as a means of
staying out of trouble, proper corporate governance can--and should--drive company
performance. To turn this idea into reality, many companies are moving toward a more holistic
approach to ethical and responsible business. This involves aligning and coordinating across
critical integrity functions, reducing box-ticking, and thinking holistically about ethical behavior,
risk management, and value creation. To address today's complex ethical challenges, companies
must break down internal silos to create strategic alignment and collaboration and build a culture
of integrity.
Evaluation of the Quality of the Publication
This is published in a world-renowned journal (MIT Sloan Management Review)
Evaluation of the Quality of the Author(s)
DISCUSSION 7 6
Daniel Malan is an assistant professor in business ethics at Trinity College Dublin's Trinity
Business School and is co-chair of the B20 Integrity & Compliance Task Force. Alison Taylor is
the executive director of ethical systems and a senior adviser at BSR (Business for Social
Responsibility). Anna Tunkel is the executive director and head of global strategic initiatives and
partnerships at APCO Worldwide. Birgit Kurtz is a fellow of the World Economic Forum's
Partnering Against Corruption Initiative. Malan, Taylor, and Tunkel are members of the World
Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Transparency and Anti-Corruption and the B20
Integrity & Compliance Task Force.
Where this fits into the discussion
The article discusses ways to improve ethical standards and integrity in the workplace, which is
the primary reason for this discussion as I lay out the power of business integrity.
References
Canales, A. D. (2014). Models of Christian leadership in youth ministry.Religious Education,
109(1), 24-44. https://doi.org/10.1080/00344087.2014.868207
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. https://esv.literalword.com/
Fawcett, M. (2014). Never underestimate the power of corporate integrity. Retrieved from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/netapp/2014/06/18/power-corporate-integrity/?
sh=4f64a1bc470e
Keller, T. & Alsdorf,K. (2012). Connecting your work to God’s work: Every good endeavor.
Penguin Books
Ma, F. (2016). Business integrity v. business efficiency: The corporate opportunity doctrine in
China.Journal of Financial Crime, 23(1), 201-215. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-05-2014-
0025
DISCUSSION 7 7
Malan, D., Taylor, A., Tunkel, A., & Kurtz, B. (2022). Why business integrity can be a strategic
response to ethical challenges.MIT Sloan Management Review, 63(4), 1-4.
Tracy, B. (2016). The importance of honesty and integrity in business. Retrieved from
https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/the-importance-of-honesty-and-integrity-in-
business/282957
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