Romania: Where Ethics and Corruption Collide. Is ISO 26000 the Answer?

Romania: Where Ethics and Corruption Collide. Is ISO 26000 the Answer?

The history

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the moral principles and values that guide human behavior. Ethics can also refer to the standards of conduct and practice that are expected from different professions, organizations and individuals in society. In this blog post, we will explore some aspects of ethics in Romania, such as:

- The historical and cultural background of ethics in Romania
- The main ethical issues and challenges faced by Romanian businesses and professionals

- The role of education and research in promoting ethical awareness and development in Romania

 

Historical and cultural background

Romania is a country located in Southeastern Europe, with a population of about 19 million people. It has a rich and diverse history, influenced by various civilizations and cultures, such as the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Soviet Union. Romania became an independent state in 1878, after the Russo-Turkish War, and a republic in 1947, after World War II. In 1989, Romania experienced a violent revolution that ended the communist regime and ushered in a period of political and economic transition. In 2004, Romania joined NATO and in 2007, it became a member of the European Union.

The historical and cultural heritage of Romania has shaped its ethical values and norms, which are influenced by various sources, such as:

- The Christian Orthodox faith, which is the predominant religion in Romania and which emphasizes the importance of personal morality, social justice and charity

- The rural tradition, which is based on the values of family, community, solidarity and respect for nature

- The urban modernity, which is characterized by the values of individualism, rationality, innovation and competitiveness

These sources of ethical values can sometimes create tensions and contradictions in Romanian society, especially in times of rapid social change and globalization.

Main ethical issues and challenges

Romania faces many ethical issues and challenges in various domains, such as:

- Business ethics: According to Transparency International, Romania ranks 69th out of 180 countries in terms of perceived corruption in 2020. Corruption is one of the main ethical problems that affects the business environment in Romania, undermining trust, fairness and accountability. Other ethical issues that concern Romanian businesses include corporate social responsibility, environmental protection, consumer protection, labor rights and tax evasion.
- Professional ethics: Romania has different categories of lawyers, who are bound by client confidentiality rules and who must be members of a regional bar associated with the National Union of the Romanian Bars. Other professions that have specific ethical codes or regulations include doctors, journalists, teachers and public servants. However, some professions lack clear or enforceable ethical standards or face ethical dilemmas due to conflicting interests or pressures.
- Educational ethics: Education is a key factor for ethical development and awareness in Romania. However, the educational system faces many challenges, such as low quality, high dropout rates, academic dishonesty and unequal access. Moreover, there is a need for more ethical education and training at all levels of education, from primary to higher education.

- Research ethics: Research is another important area for ethical advancement and innovation in Romania. However, research ethics is still an emerging field in Romania, with limited institutional support or resources. Some of the main ethical issues that affect research in Romania include plagiarism, informed consent, data protection and animal welfare.

Role of education and research

Education and research play a vital role in promoting ethical awareness and development in Romania. They can help to:

- Raise ethical consciousness among students, teachers, researchers and professionals
- Develop critical thinking and moral reasoning skills
- Foster ethical values and attitudes
- Encourage ethical behavior and practice
- Create ethical codes and standards
- Monitor and evaluate ethical performance
- Resolve ethical conflicts and dilemmas

- Enhance ethical leadership and culture

Therefore, education and research should be seen as strategic priorities for advancing ethics in Romania. They should be supported by adequate policies, funding and infrastructure. They should also involve collaboration among various stakeholders, such as academic institutions, professional associations, civil society organizations, media outlets and public authorities.

ISO 26000 Standards

ISO 26000 is an international standard that provides guidance on social responsibility for organizations. It covers seven principles that organizations should follow to contribute to sustainable development and ethical conduct. These principles are:

- Accountability: Organizations should be accountable for their impacts on society, the environment and the economy.
- Transparency: Organizations should be transparent in their decisions and activities that affect society, the environment and the economy.
- Ethical behavior: Organizations should behave ethically and in accordance with the values of society.
- Respect for stakeholder interests: Organizations should respect, consider and respond to the interests of their stakeholders.
- Respect for the rule of law: Organizations should respect the laws and regulations of the countries where they operate.
- Respect for international norms of behavior: Organizations should respect the international norms of behavior that are relevant to their activities.

- Respect for human rights: Organizations should respect human rights and recognize their importance and universality.

In this blog post, I will discuss how these principles apply to the situation of ethics and corruption in Romania, a country that has been struggling with these issues for decades. I will also provide some recommendations on how Romania can improve its performance in terms of social responsibility and anti-corruption.

Ethics and Corruption in Romania

Romania is a member of the European Union since 2007, but it still faces many challenges in terms of economic development, social cohesion and democratic governance. One of the main obstacles to Romania's progress is the widespread corruption that affects all levels of society, from public administration to private sector, from politics to judiciary, from media to civil society.

According to the Corruption Perceptions Index 2020, published by Transparency International, Romania ranks 69th out of 180 countries, with a score of 44 out of 100, where 0 means highly corrupt and 100 means very clean. This places Romania among the most corrupt countries in the EU, along with Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland.

The causes of corruption in Romania are complex and multifaceted, but some of the main factors are:

- The legacy of communism, which created a culture of nepotism, clientelism and lack of accountability.
- The weak institutional framework, which allows for political interference, lack of independence and inefficiency in public administration, judiciary and law enforcement.
- The low level of civic engagement, which results in low trust in institutions, low participation in elections and low demand for transparency and accountability.
- The lack of education and awareness, which leads to low ethical standards, low integrity and low respect for the rule of law.

The consequences of corruption in Romania are severe and far-reaching, affecting not only the economic performance, but also the social welfare, the environmental sustainability and the human rights of its citizens. Some of the negative impacts are:

- The loss of public resources, reduces the quality and availability of public services such as health care, education and infrastructure.
- The distortion of market competition, favors unfair advantages for certain businesses and individuals over others.
- The erosion of democratic values, undermines the legitimacy and credibility of political institutions and leaders.

- The violation of human rights, exposes vulnerable groups such as minorities, women and children to discrimination, exploitation and abuse.

How to Apply ISO 26000 Principles to Romania

In order to address the problem of ethics and corruption in Romania, it is essential that all organizations operating in the country adopt and implement the principles of social responsibility as defined by ISO 26000. These principles can provide a common framework and a common language for all stakeholders to engage in dialogue, cooperation and action towards a more ethical and sustainable society.

Here are some examples of how each principle can be applied to Romania:

- Accountability: Organizations should report on their social responsibility performance and disclose any incidents or allegations of corruption or unethical conduct. They should also establish effective mechanisms for internal control, external audit and stakeholder feedback.
- Transparency: Organizations should provide clear and accurate information about their activities, policies and decisions that affect society, the environment and the economy. They should also ensure that this information is accessible, timely and understandable for all stakeholders.
- Ethical behavior: Organizations should adhere to the highest standards of honesty, fairness and integrity in all their interactions with stakeholders. They should also promote a culture of ethics within their organization and among their partners and suppliers.

- Respect for stakeholder interests: Organizations should identify their stakeholders and understand their expectations and needs. They should also engage with them in a constructive

Conclusion

Ethics is a complex and dynamic phenomenon that affects all aspects of life in Romania. Ethics reflects the historical and cultural background of Romania as well as its current challenges and opportunities. 

Ethics requires constant education and research to foster ethical awareness and development in Romania. It also demands collective action and responsibility to create an ethical society in Romania.