Ivanka Avelini Holjevac

Business ethics in tourism – As a dimension of TQM

The aim of the paper is to emphasise ethics as a dimension of TQM, as well as a dimension of the quality of a community and the quality of life and work. This paper focuses on business ethics and the social responsibility of business enterprises and tourism. After providing the definitions of ethics, business ethics and the social responsibility of business, the paper gives an example of ethics and social responsibility in the tourism and hotel industry, which is one of the worlds greatest industries and also a social phenomenon with a great tendency to expand and develop further. The ethical components of the tourism and hotel industry are important due to the industrys great international importance. The main goal of managers is to generate profits, but only within the legal framework and bearing in mind the rule: ‘Never cheat the customer.’ Business ethics prescribes profit making, but with respect for ethical principles and standards. Business ethics increases the reputation and market competitiveness of an enterprise. Croatia wants to join the European Union. The prerequisite is to meet European standards in all fields of work and life and all social areas. Among those standards are also business standards and business ethics. One of the weaknesses of Croatian economy and society is a high corruption index. The aim of this paper is to prove the importance of business ethics in tourism in helping Croatia approximate EU standards.