The ASM (ASM) recently completed its fifth year in collaboration with the Samaritan Counseling Center with the announcement of the 2005 New Mexico Ethics in Business Award recipients. The awards recognize three for-profit businesses, one not-for-profit organization and one individual who promote ethical conduct in the workplace and in their interaction with customers, suppliers and within the community.
Photo: Professor John Ackerman
The awards were founded for three reasons including:
* to foster a climate of ethical integrity in New Mexico;
* to heighten awareness of the Samaritan Center within
the business community;
* to raise funds for the Samaritan Center's healing work.
The 2005 award recipients are: Avila Retail Development & Management in the for-profit large business category; Baca Valley Telephone Co., for-profit medium business; Bobby Joe's Auto Service, for-profit small business; PB&J Family Services Inc., not for profit; and Judy Zanotti, individual.
The Anderson Schools have been in collaboration with the Samaritan Counseling Center since 1999 when Samaritan approached The Schools about the collaboration. The program began in 2000. Involvement from the Anderson School of Management students is an integral part in the process to select award recipients from a large pool of highly qualified nominees. It is the only recognition/award in New Mexico to include such an in-depth evaluation process.
“It’s the only component in the state with the kind of independent research we provide,” said Professor John Ackerman, who oversees The Schools’ participation. “The students travel to cities across the state to conduct interviews with nominees and stakeholders. The interviews take an average of hour-and-half. They also perform media and Internet research as part of the process. It’s a great opportunity for students. It gets them out of the classroom and into the community.”
About 125 students enrolled in ASM’s Ethical, Political and Social Environment of Business course comprised of two different sections get together in teams and interview 35-40 nominees statewide. Twenty percent of the winners come from some else in New Mexico other Albuquerque.
During the semester, students work cooperatively in small groups to research public information sources, conduct interviews, and compose a comprehensive final report containing evaluation, analysis and qualifications. To provide a balanced analysis and well-supported conclusion, students interview not only the award nominee, but also the nominator and many stakeholders who are familiar with the nominee.
Stakeholders may include suppliers, customers, competitors, board members, and employees who are able to provide the students with evidence and examples of exemplary ethical conduct demonstrated by the nominees.
Students interviewed this year’s nominees (19 businesses, 10 nonprofits and nine individuals) about their attitudes regarding ethical behavior and workplace practices and wrote 12-16 page reports on each one.
The final student reports are provided to the selection committee to assist members by offering background information, stakeholder perspectives and student input. The reports were passed on to an 11-member selection committee of business and community people in December. In January, they held two four-hour meetings to discuss and pick the recipients.
“There is also monetary success for The Schools from the banquet,” said Ackerman. “Ten percent of the net proceeds from the banquet go to The Schools. We’re endowing financial support for student scholarships and programs. The Anderson Schools also benefit in that aspect. It’s great program.”
The awards banquet will be held at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday at the Sheraton Old Town in Albuquerque. For more information, call 842-5300 or visit: Ethics in Business Banquet.
Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821
Posted by scarr at April 19, 2005 09:35 AM