Good Ethics = Good Business?

Many people believe that good ethical behavior is good for business. I've seen that written in employee handbooks and on web sites.

And it always makes me uneasy.

Why?

I have several concerns. First, I've seen situations in which high ethical behavior loses contracts and promotions which rogues achieve. Will this be the case in the long run? Perhaps not, but many a weasel is able to carry the advantage long enough to make a career.

A second concern is the underlying message that good business is a reason for adopting good ethics. Does that mean that if it could be clearly demonstrated that poor ethics produced a solid advantage in the business world then decent behavior should be tossed aside?

My final concern is that people will assume that since good ethics equals good business, then good business equals good ethics. The hubris exhibited by far too many executive teams is a by-product of the self-satisfied belief of "We are such bright and caring people that if we decide something is right and proper, then it is right and proper."

Do I believe that high ethical behavior is desirable in the workplace? Absolutely, but because of its own virtue and not because of any competitive edge.