• New here? Register here now for access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Plus, stay connected and follow BP on Instagram @buckeyeplanet and Facebook.

"Hippocratic Oath" for MBAs

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes
MaxBuck;1483400; said:
Interesting idea. The bottom line seems to be, "Create value while causing no harm."
Click to expand...

The oath is only a "Hippocratic Oath for MBAs" by analogy. The actual oath lacks the first principle of the Hippocratic Oath - do no harm. If it had included this principle, it would indeed be laughable, as Martins has suggested, because it would ignore the "creative destruction" inherent in value creation. Creative of added value, but destruction nonetheless, including destruction inflicted on innocent parties.

Still, the oath is a worthwhile expression of a number of core principles for ethical business practice. It is reproduced below.


Harvard Business School?s ?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 build 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 difficult choices.

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.
 
Upvote 0
HineyBuck;1490538; said:
The oath is only a "Hippocratic Oath for MBAs" by analogy. The actual oath lacks the first principle of the Hippocratic Oath - do no harm. If it had included this principle, it would indeed be laughable, as Martins has suggested, because it would ignore the "creative destruction" inherent in value creation. Creative of added value, but destruction nonetheless, including destruction inflicted on innocent parties.
Click to expand...

The suggestion that wealth can only be created by destroying others is hysterical. If you're that far afield it would be a complete waste of my time to even begin to explain the folly in it.

Still, the oath is a worthwhile expression of a number of core principles for ethical business practice. It is reproduced below.


Harvard Business School?s ?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 build 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 difficult choices.

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.
Click to expand...

The part in red is plain, old liberal socialist politics thereby giving the oath an agenda.

Thankfully, this silliness wasn't around when I got mine years ago. As for "ethics", my license requires education and attestation every 3 years after having passed the exam in the first place...and I didn't have to make a political commitment to do it.
 
Upvote 0
"The suggestion that wealth can only be created by destroying others is hysterical."

I would agree with that. (not the hysterical part) That type of thinking comes from a negative point of view. Like it's unavoidable. It just doesn't have to be that way. It would seem an attempt to balance out the recent greed seen in business. Noble attempt, but perhaps too far.
Teach ethics. But have regulations in place to protect the little guy.
Greed............is not good!

Of course the Oath has an agenda! It reflects current thinking and social values.
 
Upvote 0
Jake;1490877; said:
The suggestion that wealth can only be created by destroying others is hysterical. If you're that far afield it would be a complete waste of my time to even begin to explain the folly in it.
Click to expand...

I am that far afield? This is grounded in Joseph Schumpeter's theory of capitalism, which is in turn derived from Adam Smith's theory of division of labor. What field are you in that it would be folly to disregard the teachings of such as these?

I will strive to create sustainable economic, social, and environmental prosperity worldwide.

Jake;1490877; said:
The part in red is plain, old liberal socialist politics thereby giving the oath an agenda.
Click to expand...

Ok, if you are against sustainable prosperity, what kind of prosperity are you for?
 
Upvote 0
HineyBuck said:
I am that far afield? This is grounded in Joseph Schumpeter's theory of capitalism, which is in turn derived from Adam Smith's theory of division of labor. What field are you in that it would be folly to disregard the teachings of such as these?

I will strive to create sustainable economic, social, and environmental prosperity worldwide.



Ok, if you are against sustainable prosperity, what kind of prosperity are you for?
Click to expand...
my guess is the modern central planning application of that phrasing. just a guess...
 
Upvote 0
Taosman;1490883; said:
"The suggestion that wealth can only be created by destroying others is hysterical."

I would agree with that. (not the hysterical part) That type of thinking comes from a negative point of view. Like it's unavoidable. It just doesn't have to be that way.
Click to expand...

technically speaking everything is avoidable. but lets make this a little more simple. do you believe that everyone can be wealthy at the same time?
 
Upvote 0
First, on the oath, there is a simple rule I teach MBAs: If you wouldn't feel comfortable discussing your behavior on your local investigative television program (e.g., 60 minutes), then avoid it.

As for the environmental sustainability statement, the famous Johnson & Johnson Credo enshrines values such as these. Robert Wood Johnson invented the social responsibility concept as "enlightened self-interest" and J&J have been among the most profitable companies in the world the last century year after year. Being socially responsibly didn't stop a company that sold Band-Aid from becoming bigger than Coke.
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top