The Center for Business Ethics at Bentley College, Celebrates 30 Years

Business Wire, Dec 12, 2006

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Bentley College celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Center for Business Ethics (CBE), honoring three decades of business ethics education and research. Led by W. Michael Hoffman, founder and executive director, the CBE has made significant contributions to the advancement of the business ethics movement, providing expertise to business ethics educators, CEOs, their management teams and boards of directors, as well as offering insight to news reporters from around the globe.

At a time when ethical lapses continue to plague today's business environment, the CBE's efforts have never been more important or timely.

"Many people think business ethics means the ethics of individuals, but it is much more than that," says Hoffman. "Good people can be brought down by bad organizations and good organizations can be brought down by bad people. It is vital for organizations to constantly remind employees that succeeding in financial goals is important, but not at the expense of values and ethical propriety."

The CBE was founded in 1976 and has evolved into an internationally recognized educational and consulting organization whose vision is a world in which all businesses contribute positively to society through ethically sound and responsible operations.

The center is known for its research, surveys, conferences, scholarships, corporate ethics seminars and lectureships. In 2005, as part of the Bentley Alliance for Ethics and Social Responsibility, the center embarked on a multi-year partnership with State Street Corporation to establish the Global Business Ethics Symposium, in honor of the late Timothy B. Harbert '76, alumnus and trustee. The symposium brings together international experts, corporate leaders, academics and media, among others, for in-depth discussions of best practices and challenges in business ethics and education.

Hoffman is a co-founder and the first executive director of the Ethics and Compliance Officer Association (ECOA). For the past decade, the CBE has partnered with ECOA to provide an executive education course called "Managing Ethics in Organizations."

For more information on the Center for Business Ethics go to www.bentley.edu/cbe.

Bentley is a national leader in business education. Centered on education and research in business and related professions, Bentley blends the breadth and technological strength of a university with the student focus of a small college. Enrolling approximately 4,000 full-time undergraduate and 1,270 graduate students, Bentley is located in Waltham, Mass.