November 2021 will be the historic month and period for EMAS Business School in Moscow, Russia and at all its paratner international partners around the world during which amongst others the leaders of the school introduced Code of Ethical Behaviour for all its community, students, graduates, teachers, guest lecturers consultants, employeees and related partners.
Managing human behaviour in general and sustaining such behaviour in a sort of standardized and acceptable culture is probably one of the challenging tasks an international institution such as the EMAS Business Schoolf can manage. This task can even be more challenging considering that the EMAS Business School - consists of different 70 nationalities and managing over 400 students from diverse background and different national legislations.
As readers of this post may know, many countries including my own, Namibia are grappling with reported high profile cases of perceived fraud, corruption or just of pure dishonesty including cases that are currently before high court in Namibia dubbed Fishrot which include former Ministers of Fisheries and Justice and other senior of officials of State Owned Enterprises. Infact the bail hearing of the former minister of fisheries will be in High Court on Monday, 29th November 2021 a few hours from now -(as I am writing this report). I am mentioning the Namibian Fishrot Case conscious of the fact that one is guilty until proven guilty. But, since there are charges of perceived corruption and dishonesty I am referring to that case. But, generally, issues of personal integrity and reputational guarding are not that easy to manage, both at personal and business level - inclding at academic level too.
This probably explains why the school introduced a Code of Ethical Behaviour which had to be adhered to by the EMAS Business School family in an attempt to remind the EMAS Business School family to conduct themselves in a manner that does not put the varsity in disrepute or discriminate fellow school family members on the basis of their creed, coloour, culture or skin as well as religion.
The Code of Ethical Conduct does therefore not only contain academic integrity, honesty and related behaviour such as avoiding issues of plagiarism, respecting intellectual property - it also refers to the values and ideals which ae not less important than the most advanced knowledge according to the EMAS Business School Rector in his message that is included in the Code of Ethics.
EMAS Business School Rector, Andrey Kolyada states that, "each of us has a personal responsibility to protech th reputation of EMAS. Everyone can strengthen it or conversely discredit it because we live in an age when the actions of each person matters and can change th world. An axiom that does not require proof is the fact that we must all adhere to a zero-tolerance policy for th manifestation of any discrimination, corruption, fraud, dishonesty and dishonest pay in business and life. In order to codify our values and worldviewe, we have adopted the Code of Ethics (herinafter- the Code), which covers the minimum basic standards of ethics and core values which each of us must adhere to in all circumstances. It should and nothing else-if we want to consider ourselves a part of a single EMAS family . The education and educational institution in which a person once studies is a story for his entire life".
Clause number 4 of the Code of Ethics deals with the compliance with the laws of Russia and other countries. The Code states that the EMAS Business School is governed by a number of national and international laws and regulations and that most of the standards established by the Code are based on legal requirements. The Code therefore hints that it is necessary to understand that non-compliance with the lawa can lead to serious consequences both legal and reputational terms. All employees, faculty, students, graduates and partners of EMAS must therefore comply with the law including but not limited to:
- Tax law
- Occupational Safety and Health
- Labour Relations
- Environmental protection and protection of wildlife
- Antimonopoly legislation
- Anti-Corruption legislation
On the highlighted values, the Code of Ethics points out the need for the Love for the Motherland, (Russia for Russians and citizens of other countries for their countries), not only in words but also in deeds, by our actions providing belief that our countries and peeople deserve all the best. On mutual respect, the Code highlights that the EMAS Business School family members must value each othr and representatives of all partis intersted in our activities such as our students, graduates, employees, teachers and partners. It says that we owe our success to corporate culture of diversity and an equal playing field in which everyone knows he or she has the opportunity to unleash his or her talent, thrive and reach his or her reach potential. It also touches on issues of responsibility - saying wee have a sense of responsibilit that is inherent in mature adults. And that we take responsibility of our own activitis, decisions and actions and for the overall impact of our work on society.
It clearly stipulates issues of honesty and decency, cheerfulness and positivity, curiousity and inquisitiveness and quality of education. It then referred to human rights and qual rights and opportunities, respect for people and friendliness and academic business honesty and intetrity such as cheating, plagiarism, infringement of copyright and intellectual property, presenting work for one course or module as for another coursee or module, creation without consent of EMAS of closed communitis and groups in all forms (channels, chats, groups in social networks, etc) whose existence is ensured by using the resources and activities of EMAS, business dishonesty, data falsification, unfair coopeeration, unjustified criticism, revenge for academic performance assessement. It touches on the responsibility of staff and teachers of the business school such as the academic freedom, adequate self-esteem and self -irony, honesty and decenty in this regard, mutual rspect, support and cooperation and maintaining the high status of an employee and tacher. The protection of EMAS Business School assets - alerting the school community that it is forbiddent to use the assets and resources of EMAS to commit any illegal or unethical actions.
Confidentiality among EMAS Business School is critical and it is the community's duty to protect the commercial and other secrets of EMAS, the secrets of our business partners, the prsonal data of our students, graduates, employees and teachers, awe well as the protection of confidential businss information that becomes known to us in the course of our activities. The Code confirms that disclosure of this information in an inappropriate manner may adversely affect the competitiveness of EMAS, entails economic damage and loss of trust of the members of the EMAS Community to each other. This also applies to Communication and public relations - and states that EMAS activity participates in open discussions, cooperations with various organizations in the implemetionation of initatives that are beneficial to society and also offers its experience to develop appropriate business and other solutions when appropriate. In other words, EMAS strives to contribute to the movemnt of society towards sustainable development.
On the Compliance of the Code, the policy guidelines state that every membr of the EMAS Bsuiness School is obliged to comply with the requiremnt of the Code. It says we are all responsible for preventing potential violations and reporting them in a manner using available ecommunication channels. The Code also warns against transmission of false messages which it says is prohibited. The Code ends with clear instructions that state that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against violators of the Code.
This post has been authored as part of my EMAS Business School Studies - which require students to promote school activities and related social events. 29 Nov 2021
