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The modern world has become increasingly aware of the need to ask questions about the ethical values which are at the base of economic actions. Asking questions about the aims of economic action, once profitability objectives have been achieved and maintained daily. This responsibility could indeed be described as an operating practice which is determined above all by ethical imperatives. These imperatives are the basis of business ethics.
The capitalistic form of business, does not, in fact, mean that companies are exempt from assuming responsibility for issues which are not related to economy. Because this is essentially the problem: a business may have certain aims which are, once the corporate purpose which demands the production of capital value is achieved, also a part of the concrete traditional nature of the business itself, and which cannot be reduced into terms of economy.
Much work has been necessary to affirm this conception which is still not well understood in Europe, and in Italy in particular. In our continent, along with a poor awareness of the strategic importance of separation and balancing of power in economy, there is also ignorance of the fact that a strong economic system must base itself on the contemporary evolution of a social system which is increasingly more equal and full of opportunity for the persons who live in it. And which is therefore based on the joint presence of utilitarian aims and altruistic inspirations. On the other hand, the market cannot make laws by itself: it needs support ethics, which operate steadily thanks to the strength of institutions and the free expression of the altruistic sentiments of individuals.
Companies needs support ethics too. And not only: they are organisations which can act ethically without damaging - and, on the contrary, can strengthen - their economic aims. It all depends on the entrepreneurial or managerial culture which exists and is and spread within the organisation. The international experience of large companies shows us the profound truth and fruitfulness of this assumption.
By creating business value which is not necessarily in the form of profits or economic amounts, the UniCredito Italiano group has posed itself the aim of changing, both internally and externally, the consolidated cultural approach which on the one hand looks at the social side of things and on the other the business logics of economic growth. Unidea is the concrete result, which affirms the principles and value of regaining a social, ethical and value-making dimension, which continues to maintain its ability to understand external needs on the one hand, and its own operations on the other, and which, finally, addresses issues by making concrete actions. |
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