Abstract
There are three essential building blocks of responsible business and earning trust. These are: (1) Clear boundaries around what is appropriate behavior and ethical conduct that are firmly embedded in culture and values. (2) A consistent tone from the top, built on a solid governance foundation with a strong control framework and consequence management. (3) A proactive approach to defining and mitigating risks, taking a holistic, 360-degree view that includes broad stakeholder engagement. A strong Code of Conduct or Code of Ethics, together with a robust governance framework and clear accountability, strengthens the foundation and makes an organization more resilient to weather challenges. Scania, Electrolux, Ericsson, Telia Company, and Volkswagen share insights and lessons learned on navigating ethical dilemmas and, in some cases, how they managed to win back trust after a serious breach of ethical conduct.
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Notes
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Henriksson, H., Weidman Grunewald, E. (2020). How to Earn Trust. In: Sustainability Leadership. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42291-2_5
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