Wipro, one of the largest and well recognized Indian company involved in Information Technology, Consulting, Business Process Outsourcing services and other product manufacturing in the non-IT space (which they have decided to demerge) has been named as one of the most ethical companies in the world by a leading think-tank, Ethisphere Institute in their annual rankings.
Immediately my thought went to an Economic Times report on IT companies spending substantial amount of money in Lobbying. Then my grouse was whether the employees whose jobs depended on such activities complain about corruption in India.
Between January and March this year (2011), Wipro spent nearly $60,000 (Rs 27 lakh) to lobby lawmakers and other officials about restrictive visa rules and policies that favour local companies. - The ET report
However, many pitched in to 'educate' and 'enlighten' me that Lobbying was legal in the United States of America. But I couldn't take it - will a corporate bend back on its motto of maximizing shareholder's wealth to appease a stakeholder? I don't think so. Why then would a government bend back (fewer jobs at home for the general public) to appease the stakeholders (foreign/domestic investors/players)? And the process that assists this, lobbying, is legal? I can't buy it.
Ethics are absolute.
The Ethisphere Institute's website on the World's Most Ethical Companies Ranking website starts with this line. I don't think so. If two countries, India and USA, can have two different take on something as simple as lobbying on whether it is legal (Radia tapes and Walmart controversies), and am not even comparing USA and Venezuela (Comrade Chávez, RIP!). How then can ethics be absolute?
I believe ethics or for that matter any trait can only be relative. And the award can at best be named World's Most 'Legally Compliant' Companies Ranking.
DISCLAIMER
(I know the work ain't a 'Vishwaroopam' or as true and open about IIPM, still why take the chance in case someone brings it up as an Amicus curiae!)
- I have nothing against Wipro, in fact, I have become a fan of Mr. Azim Premzi with all his philanthropic activities and support for higher taxes and his choice of car (a Toyota Corolla 1.8 Petrol, I was told).
- I understand the pains and effort that has gone in putting up the list by the Ethisphere Institute. Really Commendable.
- I am an Indian and am proud an Indian company has figured in there.
