Lipscomb adds Dean Institute for Corporate Governance and Integrity

David Lipscomb Adds Ethics Training in Business to MBA Program:

Amidst the ethical trouble on Wall Street and in the housing market, David Lipscomb is creating the Dean Institute for Corporate Governance and Integrity in their School of Business Administration. Randy McClain of the Tennessean reports:

“There’s evidence all around that money and power as it creeps in tends to corrupt. It behooves all of us to constantly be on guard,” Dean said, adding that Lipscomb’s program can help spark the public discussion.

The article continues:

“It’s hard to argue against the timing with all that’s happened,” said T.K. Kerstetter, president and CEO of Board Member Inc., which produces Corporate Board Member trade magazine. “On the surface people might call integrity, ethics and (corporate) culture a soft issue. But I’d argue it goes to the core of how a company is successful for the long term.”

David Lipscomb website highlights:

Unlike other programs on corporate ethics and regulatory issues, Lipscomb’s Dean Institute will approach governance from a faith-based perspective and address the root issues at play, namely how character and integrity inform the decisions, actions and culture of corporations. The institute will examine the guiding principles and factors that inspire honesty and transparency, even when those qualities may have undesirable short-term consequences.

“We developed the Institute for Corporate Governance and Integrity with the understanding that, beyond legal and governmental requirements, corporate leaders have a responsibility to their employees, shareholders, consumers and society as a whole to act honorably and justly,” said L. Randolph Lowry, President of Lipscomb University. “At this seminal moment in American history, Lipscomb University is proud to take a leadership role in helping corporate executives and board members explore how they can build organizations of integrity while still ensuring strong business performance. We look forward to working regionally and nationally in this worthy endeavor.”

The article further suggests:

“Time and again, we see that our clients are more profitable and more successful in the long run when leaders make decisions that are transparent and fair,” Blankenship said. “Consistent integrity in the corner office and the boardroom is always good business and a long-term value proposition.”

Interesting and vitally needed. I think its great that the Business Administration department at Lipscomb is taking the lead in creating an ethics program.

What can companies, individuals, and academics do to increase corporate governance and integrity?

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