Abstract

This study aims to identify the impact of business ethics and social responsibility in achieving competitive advantage through survey of respondents of managers working in senior management in industrial companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange. The study population includes all industrial companies listed in the Amman Stock Exchange, shares of (84), The sample contains (65) directors working in senior management in the companies included in the study.

The study finds that there is a statistically significant effect for Business Ethics (independence and objectivity, honesty and integrity, impartiality and transparency) to achieve competitive advantage (lower cost, innovation and renewal) in the Jordanian industrial companies. The results of the study also shows the presence of a statistically significant effect of social responsibility (responsibility towards the environment, responsibility towards consumers, responsibility towards the community) to achieve competitive advantage (lower cost, innovation and renewal) in the Jordanian industrial companies.

The study recommends the development and promotion of business ethics, and the need for the Jordanian industrial companies to identify ethical policies to be distributed across the company, and training of staff to enhance their ability to cope with difficult ethical problems.

Key words: business ethics, corporate social responsibility, competitive advantage, industrial companies