In an attempt to emphasize the extent to which finance manages ignore ethical consideration is by adhering to the following misconceptions in financial decision-making according to the author: Ethical considerations are idiosyncratic personal views and have no place in business decision-making.

Ethical considerations are only relevant if they create risks.

Sustainability of long-term investment is safeguarded by existing financial metrics.

The most important influencing variables are, according to the author, not always those set forth by watchdog agencies, rather by other influencing factors that are more internal and not usually committed to paper policy or disclosure statements. These internal factoring decision-making regimens are as follows:

The manner in which a financial manager gathers relevant data about a prospective business.

Does the manager rely solely on financial press information or on social and environmental risk information of both?

What financial information does the financial manager request from analysts when assessing a new prospective business?

When environmental risk does not show up on a business's financial statement how does the financial manager assess environmental risk?

The view that ethical considerations it the nemesis of financial decision-making and opportunity is held by many and, accordingly, limits the universe of possible investment opportunities. However, financial business decision-making in the absence of ethical considerations will eventually lead to market and investment distrust, weakened balance sheets, and...

Although both of the aforementioned statements were very clearly pronounced by the author little evidentiary support was given by way of scientific or research evidence.
Summary. Research, whether experimental, historical, clinical trial based, or case study formatted, when executed properly adds greatly to the content knowledge of the scientific world. On the other hand, when executed poorly offers little knowledge merit. The present article reviewed, although not typically considered a scientific investigation did offer the reader a great deal to think about with respect to ethics in business. Generally speaking the type of business information presented by the author is what is commonly known as social research wherein knowledge is the result of a systematic study and analysis of business action and interaction. As such, the information or evidence presented by this author was on the basis of authority, personal experience, and tradition. Inherent in this research approach is making use of fundamental frames of references and points-of-view, implicit assumptions, and theories that fit within certain business paradigms. Whether or not this particular article offers a significant content knowledge addition is dependent upon the readers own content knowledge level. For this reviewer the information presented offers a great deal of thought provoking information.

References

Berger, Charles (August, 2004). Disclosure of Ethical Considerations in Investment Product

Disclosure Statements: A Review of Current Practice in Australia. Working Paper. Victoria, Carlton: Australian Conservation Foundation.