Global Economic Health and Quality of Life Analysis

Ethics

Moral principles and standards that guide behavior and decisions about right and wrong.

Transparency

Openly and honestly sharing information so stakeholders can see and check a company's actions and decisions.

Insider trading

Illegally buying or selling stock using material information that is not available to the public.

Code of ethics

A written statement of a company's values and the ethical behavior expected of its employees.

Whistle-blowing

Reporting illegal or unethical behavior within an organization to authorities or the public.

Ethical lapse

A situation in which a person fails to act ethically or makes an unethical choice.

Factors influencing ethical behaviors

Personal values and character, family and peers, culture, company culture and leadership, pressure to meet goals, and laws.

Ethical dilemma

A situation where a choice must be made and every option has ethical consequences, with no clear right answer.

Conflict of interest

When a person's personal interests interfere with their professional duties or judgment.

CSR

Corporate social responsibility: a business's obligation to act in ways that benefit society, the environment, and stakeholders, not just make a profit.

Strategic CSR

Socially responsible activities that are aligned with a company's business goals so both society and the company benefit.

Philanthropy

Donating money, goods, or time to charitable causes to improve the well-being of others.

Cap and trade

A system where the government limits total pollution and gives companies allowances that they can buy and sell.

Sustainable development

Meeting present needs without harming the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Consumerism

A social movement that seeks to protect and strengthen the rights and power of consumers.

Identity theft

Stealing someone's personal information, such as a Social Security number, to commit fraud.

Discrimination

Unfair treatment of people based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion, or disability.

Affirmative action

Policies that aim to increase opportunities for groups that have been historically discriminated against.

Vision statement

A statement describing what a company hopes to become or achieve in the long term.

Mission statement

A statement describing a company's purpose: what it does, who it serves, and how.

CSR - Ethics

CSR is a company's responsibility to society, while ethics are the moral standards guiding individual and company decisions. Ethical behavior is the foundation of CSR.

Transparency (in business)

Being open and honest about business practices, finances, and products to build trust with customers, investors, and the public.

Labor unions

Organizations of workers that bargain collectively with employers for better wages, benefits, hours, and working conditions.

Sweatshops

Factories with very low pay, long hours, unsafe or unhealthy conditions, and little worker protection, often involving child or forced labor.

Poverty rate

The percentage of a country's population living below the poverty line.

Unemployment rate

The percentage of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but do not have a job.

Income inequality (Gini Index)

A measure of how unevenly income is distributed in a country, from 0 (perfect equality) to 100 or 1 (maximum inequality).

Labor force participation rate

The percentage of the working-age population that is employed or actively looking for work.

Type of economy (mixed economy, market economy)

A market economy is driven by supply and demand with little government control. A mixed economy combines private enterprise with government involvement.

Inflation rate

The percentage increase in the general price level of goods and services over time, reducing purchasing power.

Life expectancy

The average number of years a person is expected to live, often used to measure a country's health and quality of life.

Infrastructure quality (low, moderate, high rating)

The condition of a country's roads, utilities, communications, and transportation systems that support economic activity.

GDP per capita

A country's total economic output (GDP) divided by its population, used to gauge average income and standard of living.