RT Article
T1 The ethical implications of corporate records management practices and some suggested ethical values for decisions
JF Journal of business ethics
VO 9
IS 2
SP 81
OP 92
A1 Ruhnka, John C.
A1 Weller, Steven
A2 Weller, Steven
LA English
YR 1990
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1785600281
AB While the ethical implications of corporate actions have received increasing attention, one important area overlooked by both researchers and corporate codes of ethics is the significant ethical implications of corporate records management practices. This article discusses the operational and strategic purposes of modern corporate records management programs—including “scorched earth” programs which seek to reduce exposure to potential liability by eliminating documentary evidence from corporate files that could be used to establish culpability in future governmental investigations or in litigation by persons injured by corporate actions. As a first step toward developing relevant ethical guidelines and decision criteria for socially-responsible records management practices, the ethical values of freedom of choice and avoidance of harm are applied to various corporate decisions as to (1) which information should be retained as records and for how long, (2) subsequent disclosure or non-disclosure of that information and to whom, and (3) decisions as to when information in corporate records may properly be destroyed.
K1 Ethical Guideline
K1 Decision Criterion
K1 Management Program
K1 Management Practice
K1 Economic Growth
DO 10.1007/BF00382657