The Power of One - Organisational culture and values

In November 2015, ICAS launched its business ethics initiative: The Power of One. This fourth paper in The Power of One series of publications discusses “Organisational culture and values”.

In properly functioning capital markets, business, and society in general, trust is fundamental. Organisations must act in such a way that they are worthy of trust. If trust is lost it is very difficult to regain.

There is a need for the leaders of all organisations to engender an ethical culture where the integrity of the organisation’s employees is seen to transcend all other business objectives and strategies.

This paper recognises that for long-term success, organisations need to drive trust and ethical behaviour is key; that organisational values need to be “properly set, clearly stated and always lived”; and aims to provide practical guidance to this end. It also emphasises that CAs, at all levels, have an important role to play in embedding a culture of ethics within their organisation.

In 2025, to mark the 10th anniversary since the launch of The Power of One, ICAS issued a third edition of this paper.