The Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario, Ontario Canada introduced an oath to adhere to sound business ethics for graduates a few years ago. The oath is taken at a "ring" ceremony in which all who make the pledge receive an Ivey ring, a visible reminder to the oath taker and the public of the pledge. This works well in Canada as there is a precedent. For decades, students graduating in engineering have taken an oath and received a ring upon graduation.

Shouldn't a moral compass be a standard feature on a base-model MBA, and not an optional upgrade? http://blog.vanno.com/

The MBA is undoubtedly a good program but is very similar to the undergraduate, except that much more extensive. There are many young graduates in MBA. To be top executive, it´s necessary more than that. The experience provides a very substantial to withstand the pressures that come with responsibility. The required maturity for every executive, is not acquired at the business school, is achieved at the front line . Therefore I ask for some complementary language that I call MBS. MBS is not more knowledge. MBS is a corporate life philosophy that allows for a thorough understanding of management in any organization, based on a common language that is simple, objective and precise plus a set of personal values and commitments that are intended to make all employees and the organizations an example of education, culture and rationality.
The problem is attitude, not aptitude. Attitude is the big problem. It is not required being an MBA to be a good CEO or Chairman, but you must be an MBS in the fullest sense to be successfull anywhere. You have to know and understand all attitudes and aptitudes of your employees and lead them to run MBS. My advice to Anderson: check yourself how are you prepared to practicing full MBS. There is no need to swear anything, it is just preaching and practicing this concept.
MBS available at the web in Five Star Manager.

The organizers intend to create an online community where those who pledge can come to their peers anonymously with ethical dilemmas they encounter in the workplace.
Online accounting degree | Online business school | Law school

I really gathered much from this.Thanks for sharing.
Telecommunications degree | Online Multimedia degree

The idea of taking oath before working in the corporate seems to be inspiring but far-fetched. What I believe is, that oaths are nothing more that mere words unless they are spoken from the heart. In other words, until we accept internally that ethical path is beneficial for all, this oath cannot restrict or force us to act in a certain manner.

Although every vision appears to be a fantasy initially, it can be a beginning of a new era, an era of ethics. An era where overall social benefit is put before personal benefit. My idea is to preach the followers of the oath, that how can they achieve success and face problems, being ethical at the same time. Also sometimes during our life race we don't realise that we are acting unethical, unless someone gets hurt by it. So we have to keep our eyes open to awareness.

Ravi Banwari
Roll No.07
IMDR, PUNE

The idea of taking oath before working in the corporate seems to be inspiring but far-fetched. What I believe is, that oaths are nothing more that mere words unless they are spoken from the heart. In other words, until we accept internally that ethical path is beneficial for all, this oath cannot restrict or force us to act in a certain manner.

Although every vision appears to be a fantasy initially, it can be a beginning of a new era, an era of ethics. An era where overall social benefit is put before personal benefit. My idea is to preach the followers of the oath, that how can they achieve success and face problems, being ethical at the same time. Also sometimes during our life race we don't realise that we are acting unethical, unless someone gets hurt by it. So we have to keep our eyes open to awareness.

Ravi Banwari
Roll No.07
IMDR, PUNE

Courses like MBBS and LLB have the oath taking ceremonies at the end but what is the relevance of such an oath. People today can get a fake medical certificate any time and lawyers are the ones who break the laws the most, therefore an oath for an MBA course does not make mmuch of a sense to me. People who have an ethical approach towards business need no oath to carry out the process with integrity.
The concept of a community to deal with the ethical issues at workplace is indeed an excellent platform to discuss the issues by remaining anonymous but the membership should not be restricted to ones who pledge, anybody who is facing a dilemma should be taken in a s a member. The course is definitely inder fire but pledging is not a way out.
The course content should be such that it evokes introspection from time to time, some real food for thought for budding managers or some Emotional Intelligence workshops for the already existing managers to make them realise that how emotions and humanity are still relevant in this mechanical and money oriented world.An ability to question ones own actions and take corrective measures is what needs to be developed.Compulsory Yoga and meditation sessions during or before/after work hours might help as healthy mind lives in a healthy body.
Oath or a pledge may bring a feeling of being connnected but how good this connection serves the purpose is a question.
Megha Arora (03)
PGDM II
IMDR,Pune

The ‘8 points: MBA oath’ is really good initiative but it is not feasible. I don’t think we should feel sorry for not having those oaths like doctors, lawyers, etc have. I am a MBA student and I don’t think just by writing or reading it will make any difference to what actually we are doing.

How we are going to do business will not depend on whether we follow 2/8 or 7/8 points of MBA oath. One cannot be forced to follow something in which he does not believe at all. If (say) someone is in a really tight situation and he has to take some decision for his company/himself. What do you think; will he see those MBA oaths and follow what is written there? No. He will follow what he thinks is right. And these ‘Right’ things come from within himself. What he believes in and not what you imposed on him.

Business Ethics cannot be taught or followed just by taking some oath. It comes from within. How that person follows his own life is what matters the most.

Krunal Balpande (06)
PGDM II
IMDR, Pune

I really liked the idea of introduction of the MBA oath.It's not about the 'MBA' but the 'OATH'.It's not whether a graduate course like MBA should have an oath or not.It should be judged by whether it really inspires the MBA graduates to work ethically or not.I disliked why the present financial crisis was related to oath taking? Is it that only during the crisis one needs to be ethical and can take the privilege to be unethical otherwise? Also people tend to be very judgmental about ethics depending upon the situations they are facing. One might defend himself saying that one thing (that is unethical) was ethical at a particular situation according to him. So what directs the ethics at work? Yes, if the oath is taken seriously by every MBA it would definitely provide everyone with the right direction towards being ethical.The introduction of such a directive oath is definitely a beneficial initiative which can be made successful by spreading its awareness and importance to one and all. Once the oath is taken , people should respect it and judge their decisions based on it. Then only we can involve business ethics at work places and curb the negatives like corruption,exploitation etc.

Many around are just not aware about ethics and the others just don't find it important.And hence, ethics are mostly not followed at workplaces. Thus, just an online community can not solve the purpose. One needs to think of other ways like moral policing to spread its awareness. It must be enforced to create mass awareness.

One more thing to add to this, I also liked the concept of a ring ceremony at the time of oath taking. Can't it happen that the ring in your hands always keeps you reminded of the oath and the ethics related to it? This if taken seriously by everybody can definitely lead to that awareness.

Niharika Vishwakarma (65)
PGDM II
IMDR

Well i think this kind of oath taking ceremony will be really good as it will bring sense of understanding in people for their own self as well as society.Though i know its difficult to enforce these kind of things on anyone but having some set guidelines will enable one to know how one is taking part in an initiative which is not only good for him but also for the people who are looking forward to change this world and make it a better place to live.

I must say this oath taking thing should have happened earlier as it would have benefited people a lot.Like every organisation has its vision,mission statement in the same way there should be an oath which should be present in order to make people realise that they are not only looking into self means but also wish to work for better future.

Raveesh Khullar
IMDR,Pune

What i think is it a very good idea of oath. But there are several factors which we need to see to make it successful.
Both doctor and lawyers profession are based directly on society i.e Doctor work for good health of society and lawyers work on maintaining law and order.In both the profession maintaining oath is easy as it is very close to there work.
But for a mba many other factor comes in between. To carry on ur oath u also need to work in such a corporate which have same ethical structure as of ur.

What if the corporate work against enviornment. How can u can maintain ur oath. Ofcourse u can switch jobs. U can take those jobs which are more ethical. But in recession time like rgt now what u can do. U need a job. The first thing at this time will go is ur oath. U will keep it aside n then start ur job. If we can attach our oath with our profession n corporates then it can work well.

Raman Dhaliwal
Roll No 30
IMDR

The idea of introducing a oath really appeals to me. But an oath makes sense only if its going to be followed strictly. MBBS and LLB degrees have laws. But how many lawyers and doctors follow their oaths strictly? We see most of them are frauds.
The oath mentions that a Manager will conduct his work in ethical manner. But wouldn't ethics change from person to person? And as per that a person would be conducting the business or working. The oath is a good idea only if we get ethics standardized, which I think is almost impossible.
taking an oath would just probably make it standardized. It wont make it a rule. People wont follow it as they would follow a Law.
Probably some people would take this as awareness and probably others would turn a blind eye towards it. As being Unaware is the human tendency.

Radhika Dhoot
PGDM II
IMDR,Pune

Lawyers and doctors take an oath or a promise to be loyal with their job or work. But they really do this?? All of them follow this?

Ethics should be in the mind of the person. Anyone can’t be force to act ethically. Any such kind of promise can’t be helping anyone to become ethical. Many of the MBA’s behave ethically without promising also.

I think behave ethically is recommended can’t be force to act or can’t be followed with any kind of promise. Any kind of such oath reading can’t make any difference.

Priyanka Patil (45)
IMDR,Pune

The concept of taking oath for MBA is definitely good but the first and foremost question that arises is that such techniques be really helpful?

Author gave the examples of doctors and lawyers does all they behave in loyal manner after taking oath. Does the oath ensures the ethical behavior and allows others who are not taking oath to behave in nonethical manner.

The oath can’t control the behavior of individual but it is the individuals goodness or kindness which enforced or compelled him/her to behave in ethical behavior.

Anup Phate(46)
IMDR,Pune.

At first place an idea worth appreciating, because atleast someone has taken up an intiative for (if really absorbed in real terms) would produce far-fetching results. As human-beings we are able to identify what is ethical behavior, but still we do not reflect an ethical behavior. In addition to this what may seem ethical to one may not necessarily mean ethical to the other, given to the kind brought-up, enviornment etc. So it is really good to jot-down a few structured guidelines(an oath here) which may help. But the most vital issue is how long or how far will we take our words as an oath, this needs to be seriously addressed.

Amit Khemnani
IMDR, Pune.

Theoretically, the concept of taking an oath looks awesome but do you think the so called inspiration derived from the oath would last long enough our career or probably even a week. I hardly remember the oath which I took after my graduation. Even in the court of Law, people take pledge of speaking the truth, but it hardly matters to many.
Instead of this two mins ceremony, we should focus on the two year course structure, as what is being taught and where is it leading us to?

Theoretically, the concept of taking an oath looks awesome but do you think the so called inspiration derived from the oath would last long enough our career or probably even a week. I hardly remember the oath which I took after my graduation. Even in the court of Law, people take pledge of speaking the truth, but it hardly matters to many.
Instead of this two mins ceremony, we should focus on the two year course structure, as what is being taught and where is it leading us to?
Anil Deshmukh(15)
IMDR,Pune

Theoretically, the concept of taking an oath looks awesome but do you think the so called inspiration derived from the oath would last long enough our career or probably even a week. I hardly remember the oath which I took after my graduation. Even in the court of Law, people take pledge of speaking the truth, but it hardly matters to many.
Instead of this two mins ceremony, we should focus on the two year course structure, as what is being taught and where is it leading us to?
Anil Deshmukh(15)
IMDR

Theoretically, the concept of taking an oath looks awesome but do you think the so called inspiration derived from the oath would last long enough our career or probably even a week. I hardly remember the oath which I took after my graduation. Even in the court of Law, people take pledge of speaking the truth, but it hardly matters to many.
Instead of this two mins ceremony, we should focus on the two year course structure, as what is being taught and where is it leading us to?
Anil Deshmukh(15)
IMDR

For some people taking an oath by MBA students will be just a reading of some sentences together but what I think, it could create responsibilities among the managers. Mainly oaths are taken in the profession like Doctors, Defense Officers etc. They put up the frame of oath or certificates in there offices. It could lead to create a sense of responsibilities and make them aware about there duties or code of conducts in professional life. In the same way when each and every MBA graduate student will recite the oath or put up in there offices, it will be visualized time and again. Though in the short run it won’t seems to be fruitful, in the long run it will definitely make managers aware about there duties.

Sandeep Magar
Roll No. 35
PGDM-2
IMDR

Hey guys I don’t think this oath will work. It’s not like I am not thinking optimistically but its reality. MBA, a master’s degree in business administration prepared graduates to undertake professional occupations in businesses and business whatever people say is ultimately done to earn profit or profit is somewhat a major issue. So it’s all about money, honey. And when money comes into picture…..then who the hell remembers this MBA oath. These oaths are not remembered by the doctors who directly deal with human body. If these oaths will have any impact then the kidney scandals by the doctors were never in the news.
When personal interest comes into picture, nobody remember this MBA oath. Does U.S president is ethical in not signing G8 treaty whereas he might have taken many such oaths in his life. There are some organizations that are doing this ethical business or pretending to do such. E.g. Tata industries. But I think they all are doing just 4 the sake of fame or making some reputation in the market.
This MBA oath is not a new thing guys. Don’t look too far. In our own college IMDR, during convocation of the MBA guys all graduates are given their degrees after they take such kind of oath. This oath has not made any change till now while doing business 4 our seniors. So I am bit skeptical about this will that do any change in future also?????

Hey guys I don’t think this oath will work. It’s not like I am not thinking optimistically but its reality. MBA, a master’s degree in business administration prepared graduates to undertake professional occupations in businesses and business whatever people say is ultimately done to earn profit or profit is somewhat a major issue. So it’s all about money, honey. And when money comes into picture…..then who the hell remembers this MBA oath. These oaths are not remembered by the doctors who directly deal with human body. If these oaths will have any impact then the kidney scandals by the doctors were never in the news.
When personal interest comes into picture, nobody remember this MBA oath. Does U.S president is ethical in not signing G8 treaty whereas he might have taken many such oaths in his life. There are some organizations that are doing this ethical business or pretending to do such. E.g. Tata industries. But I think they all are doing just 4 the sake of fame or making some reputation in the market.
This MBA oath is not a new thing guys. Don’t look too far. In our own college IMDR, during convocation of the MBA guys all graduates are given their degrees after they take such kind of oath. This oath has not made any change till now while doing business 4 our seniors. So I am bit skeptical about this will that do any change in future also?????
Neha Garg
Roll no 17
IMDR Pune

Hey guys I don’t think this oath will work. It’s not like I am not thinking optimistically but its reality. MBA, a master’s degree in business administration prepared graduates to undertake professional occupations in businesses and business whatever people say is ultimately done to earn profit or profit is somewhat a major issue. So it’s all about money, honey. And when money comes into picture…..then who the hell remembers this MBA oath. These oaths are not remembered by the doctors who directly deal with human body. If these oaths will have any impact then the kidney scandals by the doctors were never in the news.
When personal interest comes into picture, nobody remember this MBA oath. Does U.S president is ethical in not signing G8 treaty whereas he might have taken many such oaths in his life. There are some organizations that are doing this ethical business or pretending to do such. E.g. Tata industries. But I think they all are doing just 4 the sake of fame or making some reputation in the market.
This MBA oath is not a new thing guys. Don’t look too far. In our own college IMDR, during convocation of the MBA guys all graduates are given their degrees after they take such kind of oath. This oath has not made any change till now while doing business 4 our seniors. So I am bit skeptical about this will that do any change in future also?????
Neha Garg
Roll no 17
IMDR Pune

Do taking an oath makes any difference? How many of us do really believe in the oaths? we can clearly find many doctors and lawyers around us who have taken an oath and even than are putting forward fake evidences in court of giving fake medical certificate. Cant we see that people who really want to do things honestly don't need support of mere words? Also may be some things that are ethical for one person might not be so for other. Lets say there is a person working in a company, may be according to him taking adequate actions for the profit of company in whatever manner its achieved is the only ethical thing and for another person working truthfully might be the ethical things.

Nitesh Sharma
Roll No. 54
IMDR Pune

Do taking an oath makes any difference? How many of us do really believe in the oaths? we can clearly find many doctors and lawyers around us who have taken an oath and even than are putting forward fake evidences in court of law or giving fake medical certificates. Cant we see that people who really want to do things honestly don't need support of mere words? Also may be some things that are ethical for one person might not be so for other. Lets say there is a person working in a company, may be according to him taking adequate actions for the profit of company in whatever manner its achieved is the only ethical thing and for another person working truthfully might be the ethical things.

Nitesh Sharma
Roll No. 54
IMDR Pune

The idea of taking an oath after an MBA course seems brilliant but the things really matters is what we do in our future whether we have taken an oath or not. Its better not to take an oath than to forget it in few days time.
If, by any circumstances the oath-taking people would have been serious regarding ethics then I think no crime would have escaped from the eyes of law.
I don’t think that ethics could be taught or implemented by a few minutes oath ceremony but it’s a gesture that is imbibed originally.
It could make sense only when we have an oath where we constantly remain in touch with the pledging words throughout our life as a token of rememberance.

AKHIL AGARWAL(01)
PGDM II
IMDR

For some people taking an oath by MBA students will be just a reading of some sentences together but what I think, it could create responsibilities among the managers. Mainly oaths are taken in the profession like Doctors, Defense Officers etc. They put up the frame of oath or certificates in there offices. It could lead to create a sense of responsibilities and make them aware about there duties or code of conducts in professional life. In the same way when each and every MBA graduate student will recite the oath or put up in there offices, it will be visualized time and again. Though in the short run it won’t seems to be fruitful, in the long run it will definitely make managers aware about their duties and responsibilities.

Sandeep Magar
Roll No. 35
PGDM-2
IMDR

It's really appreciable that someone came forward and given an idea of having oath for our MBA community. This idea of having am oath for MBA's is really good, but if we compare it with professions like doctors and lawyers in which oath is of utmost important because their professions deals with the life of several people. Though there are also certain ethical aspects in corporate world, but taking a simple oath will never create a difference. It depends upon the person how he handles things around him, he should be pretty clear about the ethical and unethical things and decide whether to perform a task or not. Before having this idea of oath one should make a proper line between the ethical and unethical thing, then this oath will help in changing at least views of some of the managers but certainly it will leave behind a community of managers who will take oath but will not performs their jobs with that seriousness.

Ashish Batho(09).
PGDM II.
IMDR, Pune.

What I think is that if you want to work ethically, you’ll do. Even after taking oath it is not a guarantee that you will work ethically.
Doctors and lawyers do great things; this is not the only thing to be learned.
It is also possible that in these recessionary times, the students of this college are using their management funda to market themselves and if this is not true, they don’t need to take oath to show they are ethical.

Prabal Rathore (49)
IMDR, Pune

The concept of taking an oath seems real good in the article. But asking oneself really of we would want to follow it, the answers no. Maybe one can want to, but CAN he? The demands and the perceptions of people are never the same. One cannot live the same way. And no two people think or act the same way. Ethics change too. The definition changes individually.
An oath would be soon forgotten.

The concept of taking an oath seems real good in the article. But asking oneself really of we would want to follow it, the answers no. Maybe one can want to, but CAN he? The demands and the perceptions of people are never the same. One cannot live the same way. And no two people think or act the same way. Ethics change too. The definition changes individually.
An oath would be soon forgotten.

Nitin Joshi(29)
IMDR,Pune

The concept of taking an oath seems real good in the article. But asking oneself really of we would want to follow it, the answers no. Maybe one can want to, but CAN he? The demands and the perceptions of people are never the same. One cannot live the same way. And no two people think or act the same way. Ethics change too. The definition changes individually.
An oath would be soon forgotten.

Nitin Joshi(29)
IMDR,Pune

A mere oath can’t change the mindset of a person. As in case of doctors and lawyers, even though they take oaths and pledges, there are numerous no. of instances where they have committed wrong deeds. There are many people who serve to the society with integrity and honesty without any pledge or oath. But the oath sometimes can serve as a reminder to the people about their duties and responsibilities. So in my view an oath can’t change the thinking of people but it can sometimes influence people to think of their responsibilities.

Abhinandan Jena(27)
IMDR, Pune

I think oath is a good way by which a person can be made to work for a purpose seriously but the seriousness depends on the connection of the person towards the matter or subject for which he has taken the oath. In professional life I think taking oath is just like one of the formalities that is completed. Take the example of relationship of a husband and wife. At the time when they marry they also take the oath to make each other happy and they do it although they may not fulfill the oaths taken in their professional life.
As far as MBA is concerned the process of taking oath comes at the end . but if a person has done his full MBA seriously and meanwhile has imbibed in himself all the qualities which he was supposed to, then I think even without taking oath he could give to his organization his best .
RATIKA MAHESHWARI
ROLL NO 36
IMDR, PUNE

What I think is medical and lawyers take oath because they are mostly independent professionals and onus of others life lie on their shoulder. Oath taking ceremony doesn’t ensure ethical practice in their profession but a sense of importance of their profession in savings others life. So oath taking ceremony doesn’t give guarantee that they will perform their duty ethically but makes them realize the sense of responsibility they are shouldering. In professions like MBA why we probably don’t take oath is our work directly doesn’t effect others life. Also the decision taking powers doesn’t lie on single person in most of the time and is collective responsibility of all. We can learn from past that in spite of taking oath, people behave unethically. Taking oath in MBA will definitely help us in realising the importance of our duty towards society. Also importance should be given to set of values that will help in decision making when issues of integrity arise.

Sandeep Panpalia(42)
PGDMII
IMDR, Pune

I think that the professions that have “Oath” as an integral part are those who have more critical responsibilities to take care for the “Society”. For e.g., the doctors have the responsibility to save the life or a police officer to take care of the Society or an army to take care of the nation as a whole. The oaths that people take in these kinds of professions bring the belongingness and they feel that they play a critical role in the lives of other human beings.

In the same way, if MBA’s can have oath as an integral part then the idea of belongingness will bring more seriousness to this profession. But the idea of being ethical in the profession can not be taken care by any oath only until the professionals himself doesn’t feel for it. But the idea of “Oath” is appreciable at the first place.

Abhishek Sharma
Roll No: 53
PGDM-II
IMDR

The first thought after reading the idea of voluntary pledge by MBA graduates aiming to lead in the interests of greater good was: Isn’t it like a paradox?? Doesn't MBA oath like this imply that MBAs are evil or unethical?
I think actions speak more than words. Taking such oaths can’t guarantee an ethical behavior by an MBA (and who is here to decide what is ethical and setting a benchmark for so called GOOD in business). Idea of taking oaths among politicians in front of whole country is a common practice and what good it does we all know. When there is no stick to punish non conformity to principles who will be acting like God Mahavira in world of hypocrites. There is a need of self realization created among MBA to create value responsibly and ethically.
There should be some kind of thought provoking activities and team building exercises that can help people to adhere to integrity and realize importance of ethical behavior in the business world during their MBA course.
Such oaths can be a symbolic 1st step helping to provide a base level for mutual trust and reward but before that every individual should understand the impact of their actions on society and people.

Shelly Jain (24)
IMDR, Pune

bjk

What comes to mind when one says a doctor or a lawyer , they are generally involved in activities in which they are a major part and they are decision maker customer comes there and they do not go to customers like in an MBA. Generally what I believe is that doctors and lawyers as they work individually most of the times and are the head of the case what they are taking and are accountable only to their clients most of the times while an MBA who just passes out from a institute getting an entry level job does not have a free hand on what he wants to do he is responsible to both the organization as well as customers or he might only be responsible to the head so when this is the case what do you think is a manager has got the right to take a final call or his head who approves it.
Although both are professional courses but one is where the customers are in problem or in pain such as the case of lawyer or a doctor whereas same is not the case with an MBA , he is dependent on lot of other people also there are certain guidelines both for doctor as well as for lawyers they cannot change those things but in case of an MBA these are the concepts there is nothing like right or wrong or ethical or unethical even if it is there who decides. For lawyers there is a way to find out what is legal and what is not rules are rules they cannot modify it. So I suppose oaths for MBA is just for a new addition or something to fancy about but practicality it is very much questionable?

Akshay Lodha(34)
PGDM II
IMDR,PUNE