Defining the Business Ethics Program (Excerpt from September 1998 Circuit)

What role does ethics play in the business environment? How does a subject rooted in 2,000 years of history serve the contemporary business mission?

Business ethics is about achieving organizational objectives. Simply, business ethics sets standards of conduct and identifies appropriate behavior for the enterprise. By growing the desired corporate culture, the business ethics program pulls us all together to focus on organizational goals.

The Electronic Sensors and Systems Sector’s Ethics program is not about changing people to fit a particular corporate mold, and it does not espouse sameness among employees. Rather, the ES³ Ethics program is about creating a culture of self-governance and quality at the sector, as well as ensuring equity amid workforce and workplace diversity.

The Ethics program, like the Northrop Grumman corporate values, defines how the company and the sector want to be perceived by business partners, customers and the public. Implementation of the Ethics program contributes to the sector’s reputation in industry and in the community.

As ES³ embarks on its business challenges, the Ethics program will be further defined and refined to better achieve these fundamental objectives in a changing business environment. While the Ethics office assists the business segments in maintaining compliance elements required by government customers, this office is equally tasked to advance workforce performance within the sector.

To assure continued confidence in the success of ES³'s Ethics program, Vicki Spira, ES³ Ethics director has appointed Donna Davis as manager of Ethics.

According to Spira, "Donna brings extensive compliance knowledge to the office and, as importantly, enthusiasm for the talent, accomplishment and potential of our employees. I urge all employees to give her their support. Working together we will establish our Ethics program as best in class."

In addition to managing Ethics office operations, Davis is assuming responsibility for the Circuit Ethics Corner and Ethics OpenLine inquiries. The OpenLine continues to be available by calling (410) 765-1919.