Davos Questions:Should executives have a code of conduct?

[AliseShepard]

I feel like the ideas are really good, but I don't think that business will regulate itself unless forced to. Consumers and workers need to have a voice in the decision making process. Here is where a code of ethics with a governing body would have some say.

[sepowens]

We agree in purpose but my worry is that any code broad enough to cover all industry would be too broad for enforcement, which is not addressed at all by the Davos question. Executives can be held criminally liable under current law but no major company has ever been convicted even when they caused multiple deaths and injury in such a way that executives would have to be willingly ignorent. Get the pay formula right and they will see each choice they make as play nice or punish themselves.

[AliseShepard]

I think that you have a good idea, but how are we going to enforce the pay differential. I have suggested the same suggestion to attract doctors to my community, but I think it is going to be a long time before that happens.  I understand your theory more, maybe there is a middle ground that the code of ethics can use your model as part of its policies.

[AliseShepard]

very intelligent, even though I disagree...with some of it. I think that the ideas are really practical.

[sepowens]

Alise, Which parts do you disagree with. I find I gain the most from listening to those who do not agree with me.

[mrktwn]

Ahh so maybe shareholders need a "code of ethics"! Seriously though, Americans need to quit eating our young.