Page 15 - index
P. 15
RESEARCH, ANALYSIS & TRENDS
Do morals matter in the digital age?
Both greed and morality have been poured into the guide us through the choppy moral waters of commer-
foundations of capitalism’s highways, but it is greed that cial benefit? How do we ensure that free-market capi-
has eaten away at the roadside. The same voracity that talism in the digital age remains morally in-check when
once paved the birthplace of empires can later leave we currently lack the navigation chart?
them coughing and choking in their own dust; empires Modern-day scholar and Harvard professor, Michael
rise and empires fall from the insatiable human appetite Porter, proposes the concept of shared value as an
for more.
imperative tool to steer us through the future competi-
Look no further than 2001’s Enron scandal – a stunning tive frontier. Digital infrastructure has produced work
example of ethical transgression and financial immorali- environments that cheerlead multidisciplinary, cross-
ty of unprecedented levels against their employees and sectional collaboration. Similarly, this sense of intercon-
clients alike. Their downfall also reinforced a good nectedness leaks into the social landscape, promoting
thing: the corporate playground still has rules. Thankful- a sense of corporate social responsibility and engage-
ly, lawmakers, regulators and legislature have been the ment. Corporate leaders are increasingly acknowledg-
referee up until now; when they blow the whistle, people ing the fact that what’s good for their stakeholders is
listen. Over hundreds of years, common and legislative ultimately good for them too.
laws have been honed, perfected and applied to the Social problems present both considerable constraints
understood principles and modus operandi governing a and immense opportunities for growth. And so, by pull-
capitalist society. Now, however, the rules of engage- ing back the lens to include the multi-layered dynamics
ment are changing. The furious pace of technology is that steadily contribute to the bottom-line crunch, big
transforming the business landscape at unprecedented business is beginning to question former processes of
rates, and captains of industry are incontrovertibly en- productivity. Sizable companies are starting to move
tering unchartered waters where our lawmakers are away from an exploitive bulldozing technique to a more
slow to catch up. In our new digital economy, are we inclusive, long-term approach that fulfils both parties’
heading off the grid on matters of legal precedence and interests. Invariably as they seek value-based solutions
ethical objectivity? What happens when we gain ‘first for their own company, there is a spin-off effect on
mover advantage’, capturing a corner of a new emer- shareholders. The result: mutual edification and an ob-
gent market in disruption, but there are no rules to
vious win for both sides.
15 MediaBUZZ Pte Ltd - Independant ePublisher for Asia
Do morals matter in the digital age?
Both greed and morality have been poured into the guide us through the choppy moral waters of commer-
foundations of capitalism’s highways, but it is greed that cial benefit? How do we ensure that free-market capi-
has eaten away at the roadside. The same voracity that talism in the digital age remains morally in-check when
once paved the birthplace of empires can later leave we currently lack the navigation chart?
them coughing and choking in their own dust; empires Modern-day scholar and Harvard professor, Michael
rise and empires fall from the insatiable human appetite Porter, proposes the concept of shared value as an
for more.
imperative tool to steer us through the future competi-
Look no further than 2001’s Enron scandal – a stunning tive frontier. Digital infrastructure has produced work
example of ethical transgression and financial immorali- environments that cheerlead multidisciplinary, cross-
ty of unprecedented levels against their employees and sectional collaboration. Similarly, this sense of intercon-
clients alike. Their downfall also reinforced a good nectedness leaks into the social landscape, promoting
thing: the corporate playground still has rules. Thankful- a sense of corporate social responsibility and engage-
ly, lawmakers, regulators and legislature have been the ment. Corporate leaders are increasingly acknowledg-
referee up until now; when they blow the whistle, people ing the fact that what’s good for their stakeholders is
listen. Over hundreds of years, common and legislative ultimately good for them too.
laws have been honed, perfected and applied to the Social problems present both considerable constraints
understood principles and modus operandi governing a and immense opportunities for growth. And so, by pull-
capitalist society. Now, however, the rules of engage- ing back the lens to include the multi-layered dynamics
ment are changing. The furious pace of technology is that steadily contribute to the bottom-line crunch, big
transforming the business landscape at unprecedented business is beginning to question former processes of
rates, and captains of industry are incontrovertibly en- productivity. Sizable companies are starting to move
tering unchartered waters where our lawmakers are away from an exploitive bulldozing technique to a more
slow to catch up. In our new digital economy, are we inclusive, long-term approach that fulfils both parties’
heading off the grid on matters of legal precedence and interests. Invariably as they seek value-based solutions
ethical objectivity? What happens when we gain ‘first for their own company, there is a spin-off effect on
mover advantage’, capturing a corner of a new emer- shareholders. The result: mutual edification and an ob-
gent market in disruption, but there are no rules to
vious win for both sides.
15 MediaBUZZ Pte Ltd - Independant ePublisher for Asia
