The influence of ethics on auditing Research Paper

The influence of ethics on auditing - Research Paper Example On a broader perspective, Gillan and Starks (2008) refer to corporate ethics as a system of rules, factors and laws affecting a company’s operations. Irrespective of the definition taken up, it is common for researchers to categorize corporate mechanisms into two groups; those that are internal to firms, and those that are external to firms. Ethics is charged with the responsibilities and duties of a firm’s board of directors in managing the firm in addition to the relationship they have with the firm’s shareholders as well as stakeholder groups (Duska, Duska & Ragatz 2011). Issues of corporate governance arise in a company with the presence of two conditions. First is in the event that there is a conflict of interest or an agency problem involving members of the company who might be the workers, consumers, or managers. The second condition is that the transaction costs are such that the problem dogging the agency cannot be ameliorated via contract. Another defin ition of corporate ethics is more comprehensive in that it argues ethics is involved with mechanisms through which a company’s stakeholders are able to exert control over corporate management and insiders in such a manner that their interests are protected (John and Senbet 2008). It is imperative to note that the term shareholders does not only refer to shareholders, but also debt holders in addition to non-financial stakeholders like suppliers, customers, employees, as well as other interested parties. A review of corporate ethics’ various definitions clearly highlights that they all allude to the presence of conflicts of interest between outsiders and insiders, hailing from the separation of control and ownership. The recent past has seen a growth in interest in corporate governance. Prevalent governance mechanisms have been questioned with intensified debates following business failures and financial scandals, and more recently, several accounting frauds of high vis ibility that have allegedly been perpetuated by managers (Gillan & Starks 2008). Underlying concepts of good corporate ethics Fairness Fairness refers to equitable treatment with the stakeholders in entirety. Equitable does not mean equal. It means treating each entity as much as they deserve; suppliers, customers, and stakeholders need to be categorized accordingly and afforded treatment on an equitable basis (Shleifer & Vishny 2007). Values and systems that underpin the organization need to be balanced by considering every individual with a legitimate interest in the organization and respecting their respective views and rights. Transparency/Openness Transparency alludes to the clear and open disclosure of pertinent information to shareholders as well as other stakeholders, and also entails not withholding information in the event that it may out rightly affect decisions. It means a default position with regard to the provision of information instead of concealing it, and open dis cussion on an issue of concern. Transparency includes all possible voluntary disclosures. Certain circumstances may however warrant the concealment of information and may be justified. They include confidential discussions about individuals, discussions regarding future strategy, and discussions that result in an agreed position that is consequently made public (Shleifer & Vishny 2007). Independence As a concept, independence is important to directors. Reports on corporate governance have increasingly stressed the pertinence of independent directors. They ought to be in a

St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves Essay

St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves - Essay Example Russell uses vivid description to develop the different aspects of her story. A close analysis of the story reveals that she explores multiple gender issues. In a bid to analyze this gender issue, this paper will offer a gender perspective analysis of her work. In addition, it will also consider the historical and the cultural perspective portrayed by the author as she developed her story. In her story, Russell tackles certain critical gender issues that are of interest to many literary analysts. One of them named Natalyalc commenting of Russell’s book online said, â€Å"The story also seems to have gender roles as the main theme†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She continues to say, â€Å"Because they have separate homes for male and female wolves and furthermore taught differently.† The fact that the story is centered on 15 wolf girls struggling to acculturate and assimilate into the human society introduces a gender based perspective. She mentions that, brothers of the girls were in a separate home. The fact that girls and boys did not learn the new culture in an integrated system is an emphasis on the existing gender differences, and the conservative nature of the society concerning the gender roles. The 15 girls undergo a rigorous transformational process as the nuns struggle to shape civilized women out of them. Most of the activities they indulge in are defined by the gender roles evident in the society. One nun tried to help Mirabella conform to feminine behavior as Russell describes when she says, â€Å"Shed sit down with Mirabella and pry her fingers apart. â€Å"You see?" shed say softly, again and again. "What are you holding on to? Nothing, little one. Nothing† (Russell 241). For example, they were expected to learn how to walk with composure as ladies. Moreover, the nuns make efforts of combing the hair in order to give them a feminine look evident when the narrator says, â€Å"The sisters swept out hair back into high, bouffant