The Ethics and Factors Influencing Employees Working in the Slovak SME Sector

Abstract

The roots of the dynamically changing relationship between ethics and entrepreneurship can be found in the past. The ethics of individuals in connection to issues with economic nature had been addressed by Aristotle in ancient Greece. Activities of economic nature and getting wealthy were distinguished. He argued that money cannot serve a purpose to become wealthy, as it is unethical and against the rules of nature. The relationship between ethics and entrepreneurship was first mentioned in the work of Adam Smith (The Wealth of Nations) – “Wise formulation of law has to guarantee that even those who do not possess ethical thinking would act wisely in a fair manner in economic issues”. This is the reason why we have developed interest in the relationship of ethics and economy. Herein, we examine 3 hypotheses, formulated as a part of our research, based on 581 obtained responses. The results show that the size of an enterprise influences the existence of ethical institutions. Furthermore, the ethics of the individual, is also influenced by the qualification, while no “real” relationship was detected between the size of company and unethical behavior. Introduction of a Code of Ethics, is strongly advised for the companies.