Building Ethical Resilience: The Role of Educational Institutions

Abstract

The ancient adage "as you sow, so shall you reap”is an insight into the future based on the current efforts. Triumph is when one reaps the positive benefits of the endeavour, be it a simple action of empowering an under privileged,or conducting business legally and ethically. Unfortunately in today's highly competitive environment, beginning from their formative years, what one sees in practice, is contrary to what is said and taught. This dichotomy in words and actions poses challenges in the choice of ethical route to be institutionalized within an individual. The dynamic business environment is another major challenge to conduct business ethically and create one's own niche position. Where lobbying, corruption and bribery is on a rampage, educational institutions should take the lead in fostering an ethical environment in prospective leaders of tomorrow's businesses and ensuring the beacon directs them in an ethical path. The conflict of ethics and profits in a business environment is as old as recorded history, and challenges the ethical barometer of both institutions and individuals alike. India's corporate world needs dynamic and righteous workforce which will not just prove to the world that they too exist, but also iterate that we live up to the great philosophies taught by Swami Vivekananda who said "If the whole world stands against you sword in hand, would you still dare to do what you think is right?”. Educational institutions have a major role to play in developing this robust pool of virtuous human resource while building ethical resilience which is the need of the hour.