Transformation of business ethics in the social and cultural process

Business ethics is described by means of a system approach. Based on the analysis of Russian and international research and statistics, the author identifies the theoretical foundations, historical patterns, and development prospects of ethics in the modern business world. The problems of business relations are considered as well. The basic concept stems from the fact that, on the one hand, the ethical behavior of a company is a reflection of its culture, a common set of values and guidelines entrenched in a company. On the other hand, ethical behavior and culture are regarded as a part of corporate identity. The author concludes that the transformation of business ethics in the social and cultural process implies changes in its content and functioning (initially as a labor organization’s mechanism), a confrontation with business interests. Nowadays, business ethics is a worldview framework for effective entrepreneurship.