www.rtbrain.com/ethics/today/et_v2n90504.html -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 5/1/2004
Last Visited: 9/19/2007
In this previously published article, ERC Principal Consultant Frank Navran considers the issues of independence, conflict of interests, individualism and transparency, using Boards of Directors and auditors as timely examples.
He posits that independence can never be absolute because any decision is made in a societal context and society has standards and expectations."We cannot escape the reality that every pragmatic, altruistic or idealistic action and decision has the potential for personal impact," he says."Therefore absolute independence is a myth."Frank does not suggest that individualism is necessarily bad.Indeed, he says, "when personal goals are congruent with idealism, pragmatism and altruism it strengthens one's resolve to do the right thing"