This chapter critically evaluates the conceptual, theoretical, and principles of Islamic ethics of workplace and presents various themes and critical discourses that underpin the sections within this chapter. History of business progression over several centuries suggests unprecedented improvements and creativeness during the journey to embark on the current status of scientific modernism. From barter, the only form of business transactions, to the digital economy of the 21st century, from mere farmhouses to today's digitalised multinational corporations (MNCs), from grain economy to internet of things (IoT), the transformation of the business world remained unbelievably overwhelming. Ethics is a subject of diverse views, opinions, and theories. However, the study of Islamic teachings suggests that Islamic ethics are founded on the concept that certain absolute truths apply everywhere. Universal values do transcend cultures to determine what is good or bad and right or wrong.
TopIntroduction
Despite all these glaring attainments, the corporate world needs to promptly respond to the fundamental concerns of contemporary workplaces regarding behavioural aspects of the workforce towards ethical standards and norms of organisations (Abbasi, 2008). Islamic ethics is based on the al-Qur’ān and Hadith and the whole process of business dealing is based on the eyes of faith. This chapter will offer a distinctive in its philosophy and link the concept of Islamic ethics through workplace as a notion of identity for both individual and organisation.
Islamic Ethics at modern-day workplace is increasingly becoming an important factor for the industry in the Muslim world. The major problem for managers is lack of understanding of organisational behaviour related to Islamic values, beliefs, and work ethics. Islam is a complete way of life for individual to follow work ethics set out by the Qur’an and Hadith. The one who follows Islamic way of life intends to follow organisational settings and workplace requirements as been stated by Ahmad and Owoyemi (2012, pp.117)
Islam lays great emphasis on work. In many places in the Qur’an and Hadith, it has been made clear that time should not be wasted. In the Qur’an, Allah draws attention to all the magnificent creations as an indication of the proper planning that leads to wonderful results—for Muslims believe that He creates nothing haphazardly.
Abbasi (2008, p.1) further argues that:
seventy per cent of organisations that have formulated strategies failed to execute them. A Fortune Magazine study has shown that 7 out of 10 CEOs, who fail, do so not because of bad strategy, but because of bad execution. In another study of Times-1000-Companies, 80% of directors said that they had the right strategies but only 14% thought they were implementing them well. Only 1 in 3 companies, in their own assessment, were achieving significant strategic success.
Statistics such as these are under our common observation with variations of some extents from sector to sector, country to country or over the time in the same society suggesting that “all that glitters is not gold”. The importance of effective implementation of a carefully articulated strategy is indeed fundamental to attain strategic success. However, there are variety of debates about how an organisation can guarantee realisation of strategies efficiently and effectively for long-term sustainability. Contemporary workplaces are subject to frequent ethical dilemmas. As it is too early to probe into a discourse on solutions, let us first consider some implications of the subject at hand.
Ethical behaviour of employees is a challenge around the world for contemporary organisations, and it is hard to disagree that, despite significant research still institutions are subject to substantial difficulties to manage ethical issues. According to Beekun (1997), in a survey of three hundred organisations from around the world over eighty-five percent of senior executives suggested that the following issues were among their top ethical concerns:
Fiorina (2001) stated the Islamic ethical legacy in these words,
Islamic civilisation created continental super-state, within its dominion lived hundreds of millions of people, of different creeds and ethnic origins. Islam created an enlightened leadership that nurtured culture, sustainability, diversity and courage that led to 800 years of invention and prosperity. The reach of their commerce extended from Latin America to China, and everywhere in between. In today ‘s ethical crisis we must affirm our commitment to building organisations that aspire to Islamic ethical values.
This chapter further discusses the importance of ethics in the workplace and playing a critical role in developing the individual person and the whole society. Development The development of ethical policies will enhance community cohesion, unity and efficiency within the workplace and society in large. In many places in Qur’an and Hadith states that ethics needs to implement within society. The Qur’an states that: