For some companies, ethical decision-making is considered to be the adversary to success. Ethics being the moral challenges faced within an environment, and in this case, related to a business setting. Take world-renowned company Monsanto for instance. Amongst numerous awards and recognitions, Monsanto was ranked as “One of the 40 Best Companies for Leaders 2013” by Chief Executive magazine but was also ranked number one in “The 12 Least Ethical Companies in the World” by the Huffington Post.
At the price of success, Monsanto raises criticism within its use of GMOs and involvement of lawsuits with small time farmers.
This raises the question, are companies subject to unethical choices at the price of success? I don’t believe so. While amplifying ethical choices within a company may be more costly due to safer materials, legal labor methods, environmentally friendly options etc. I believe that a business that adopts ethical behaviors will be more successful in the long run. Companies such as Monsanto may have done well in the past, but society is slowly directing itself towards companies that are sustainable, and that pursue honest customer well being. Just look at how well Whole Foods Market and UPS are doing!
http://www.monsanto.com/careers/Pages/company-awards-recognition.aspx