Business ethics

Late next week, you’re going to notice some changes around here. We’re about to unveil a new design and structure for Harvard Business Publishing’s Web properties. You’re probably familiar with two of our Web sites- one (HBR.org) focused primarily on content from the print Harvard Business Review, and the second (HarvardBusiness.org) showcasing mostly Web-native content […]

For the first 40-plus years of their existence, the federal securities laws did not require or prohibit specific managerial practices in the operation of business, other than a business in one of a handful of closely regulated industries. But with the passage of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the SEC is equipped to […]

Sex in the workplace doesn’t just hurt those parties involved. Sure, Mark Hurd’s recent scandal produced three obvious casualties: Mark Hurd, Hewlett Packard and its shareholders, and even, to an extent, Jodie Fisher. But in the barrage of press attention since the news broke, little mention has been made of a large group of other […]

Jim Whitehurst, CEO of Red Hat, explains how to inspire, motivate, and empower people at all levels to act with accountability.

As American companies and unions mobilize to organize Political Action Committees (PACs) with an eye to the upcoming mid-term elections, it is worth taking a step back to ask: Does it pay to donate to political candidates? Such a question might seem touchingly naïve, but in reality, the empirical evidence on this issue is much […]

It’s up to the league to lay down the law.

You are an up and coming leader and have just found the perfect stretch job opportunity. How much can you "dress up" your resume to make yourself as strong...

Since September I have been watching uneasily as Kraft has upped the stakes in its takeover bid for Cadbury, Britain’s favourite confectioner. After repeated rebuffals, Cadbury this week dismissed the US food conglomerate’s $16bn offer as “derisory” and set out higher profit targets in an effort to persuade investors that the company would be better […]

From Volkswagen's emissions fiasco to Wells Fargo's deceptive sales practices to Uber's privacy intrusions, corporate scandals are a recurring reality...

Language reveals how we frame our beliefs and decisions.

Senior leaders face a range of ethical and reputational risks in implementing blockchain projects. This article looks at four risks - the lack of third-party...

Look hard at the economics, but don't stop there.

What holacracies have in common with 18th-century pirates.

Inspired sales ploy or ethical breach?

I believe we have a moral obligation to increase the power and presence of technology in the world, but not everyone believes that — to put it mildly. Many believe the opposite: that we have a moral obligation to reduce the power and presence of technology. I want to fully understand those arguments so I […]

You are an up and coming leader and have just found the perfect stretch job opportunity. How much can you “dress up” your resume to make yourself as strong a candidate as possible without crossing the ethical line of deception? Consider a few conflicting thoughts: Over 50% of people lie on their resume. A Monster.com […]

Treating it as a niche concern exposes your company to huge risks. Here's how to get people to buy in.

This post is part of our in-depth look at Obama's First 90 Days in office. What a difference a few days can make to the trajectory of a transition. At...

There are many stunning moments in the documentary “Inside Job,” which brilliantly demystifies the story behind the global financial crisis that began in 2008. For me, the most powerful was something the CEO of a large bank said to his fellow guests at a party held by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson at the height of […]

What to know before your next negotiation.