What is Corporate Social Responsibility? - InnoTrain CSR

implementation of codes of ethics remains an exemplified corporate culture in the
professional routine in which employees even dare to voice ethical concerns.
As voluntary self-commitment, the contents and design of codes of conduct and
ethics are in the hand of the companies which are claiming this tool for their benefit.
But the corporate code is only credible if it meets at least the requirements of
industrial codes and standards. In addition, it should be ensured that the employees
are addressed adequately in a code of conduct and ethics document so that the
content-related requirements are absorbed with the corresponding effect in the
business routine.
Example
The "Code of conduct and ethics for Deutsche Bank" provides a compact and clear
description of the ethical principles of the company on 12 pages. Moreover, the code
is also used as a communication tool drawing the employees' attention to other CSR
areas of the company. This is illustrated by the design of the code, reproduced here
with its headlines:
� Part 1: Self-commitment opposite our customers and the other market
participants
� Part 2: Self-commitment opposite Deutsche Bank
� Part 3: Self-commitment of the management
� Part 4: Self-commitment opposite colleagues
� Part 5: Self-commitment opposite our society
Discussion 6.5. (approximately 10 minutes)
Discuss with your participants about following controverse questions:
� Do codes of conduct and ethics make sense?
� How do you estimate the code of conduct and ethics of Deutsche Bank?
Additional information and resources
Deutsche Bank AG
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Deutsche Bank Group
http://www.db.com/ir/en/content/code_of_ethics.htm
The project "InnoTrain CSR" is organized by GILDE GmbH and has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the
views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 12/2010
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InnoTrain CSR
www.csr-training.eu