Final answer:
Creating a corporate culture of honesty and openness is best achieved by hiring honest people (a) and having a well-understood and respected code of ethics (d), making e) both a and d the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factors that contribute to creating a corporate culture of honesty and openness include hiring honest people and having a well-understood and respected code of ethics. Therefore, the correct answer here is e) both a and d. Hiring employees who have strong ethical principles is the foundation of creating an honest workforce.
Nevertheless, even honest people can be tempted to stray from their values if the corporate culture does not support and encourage ethical behavior. This is why a code of ethics that is not only well-articulated but also deeply ingrained within the company’s practices is vital to maintaining integrity throughout the organization.
While performing criminal background checks can certainly be considered a part of a thorough hiring process, it alone does not necessarily translate to a culture of openness.
Moreover, having an open-door policy is more about accessibility and communication rather than honesty and therefore is not directly related to the creation of such a culture. It's the combination of selecting individuals predisposed to ethical behavior and establishing a clear ethical framework that truly helps reinforce honesty and openness.