Ask for recommendations from people who have read or researched the topic of business ethics.
To choose the best business ethics books, identify the primary purpose you need the books for and look for publications that directly address your interest in the topic. Research authors’ credentials to determine if they are experts in the areas they cover, and check publication dates to make sure the books are recent editions. Get recommendations from people you trust or who are knowledgeable about the subject, such as college professors of business ethics, and review the books you’ve selected to determine if they will provide the information you need.
Clarify why you need the books, as this will help you choose the best business ethics books for your needs. This could simply be to learn more about the topic of business ethics, either for your personal information or for school courses. If you’re a business owner, you may need information on ethical issues you should know about or help dealing with a situation you’ve been through.
Consider the focus and subject matter of the books you find to determine which book or books will be right for your needs. Topics such as ethical principles, professional business conduct, and business values are common themes in the best business ethics textbooks. Some books focus on specific areas of business ethics, such as transactional, participatory, or recognition ethics.
Research authors to learn about their qualifications and experience. The best business ethics books are those written by people with experience in the field, especially if they specialize in an area such as business ethics or business values. For example, authors with internal review board experience are good candidates to write business ethics books on professional ethics, including conflicts of interest, ethical networking practices, and employee harassment.
Many companies prepare corporate business values charts for their employees, who hope to incorporate the values into their daily business and work lives. Corporate business values generally encompass the company’s business code or approach to dealing with customers and employees, employee behavior, honesty and integrity. Business ethics books on these aspects of the business environment should provide useful information on how to manage unethical practices should they occur.
Ask for recommendations from people who have read or researched the topic of business ethics. Colleagues, family members, and friends with business experience may have encountered situations that prompted them to explore the topic and may recommend the business ethics books they came across. If you’re a student at an educational institution, professors and lecturers in various business disciplines can recommend books for you to consider. Lawyers working in the business environment are also likely to know the right books to recommend.