Mission Statement for International Business Machines
Mission Statement for International Business Machines
International Business Machines is a world leader in the technological industry. The company has plants all over the world including Ireland, Germany, Italy, and the United States. The company builds everything from Servers to the design of programs.
General Company Information
IBM has the motto “helping to build a smarter planet.’ According to International Business Machines (2012), this means it “takes a systematic view of the world”(para. 3), which includes the economy and society as a global system. IBM believes in working with not only its customers, but also with their communities. IBM strives in helping the world work better together by, assisting with victims of natural disasters, addressing food shortages, making energy grids more efficient, improving educational opportunities, preservation of at-risk waterways, developing new models for community service, and planning the growth of our communities.
Type of Ethical System
IBM has a goal-based ethical system in place. In their mission statement their “goal” is to bring together “communities, clients, and individuals” throughout the world. This goal is to expand not only technology globally but communication as well. IBM wants to be the company to bring the world together into the technology future. Based on the Business Conduct and Ethics, IBM also has a duty-based ethical system in place due to patents and government contracts. Within these areas, IBM has a legal obligation to report on any misuse and/or violations. As an example of using the duty-based ethical system, while I was employed at IBM, I was in a position where a co-worker arrived to work and was clearly intoxicated. I had the moral obligation to alert my supervisor. This co-worker was about to operate heavy machinery and needed to be stopped. The worker was escorted to the plant’s clinic where he was given a blood test. He was later terminated for violation of the IBM’s business conduct and ethics policy.
Code of Ethics in Use
Employees. IBM employees are trusted to follow the policies of the company, and at the same time take responsibility for making sure that everyone around them is following those same policies. The employees have a moral obligation to “consult their management immediately if they have any questions whether their actions could violate an IBM guideline” (International Business Machines, 2012). Employees of IBM also need to promptly and voluntarily disclose any violations that concern government procurement laws. These violations are to be reported to the appropriate government officials. The code of ethics for employees should be used anytime any employee is conducting business on IBM grounds, or is conducting business with clients,