Final answer:
A Code of Ethics is a documented set of principles that guides the ethical and acceptable behavior within an organization, with an aim to align members' actions with legal standards and societal values.
Step-by-step explanation:
A written guide of acceptable and ethical behavior for a given organization is called a Code of Ethics. This is essentially a set of guidelines established by organizations to ensure ethical behavior and responsible decision-making by its members. Organizations, such as the American Sociological Association or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society (IEEE-CS), provide these ethical frameworks to guide professionals in their conduct, ensuring they operate within the bounds of legality and social responsibility. For instance, the Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice adopted by the IEEE-CS outlines ethical obligations for software engineers.While businesses are common issuers of such codes, non-profit professional groups like nurses, teachers, or sociologists also maintain Codes of Ethics. These codes not only help maintain legal compliance but also serve broader social and environmental values held by society. They tackle explicit issues such as bribery, discrimination, and include emerging concerns like cyberbullying and identity theft. Moreover, by setting high professional and ethical standards, these guidelines help individuals and corporations build trust and goodwill among their stakeholders and the public at large.Conclusion In summary, a Code of Ethics provides the norms and standards of conduct that organizations establish to govern the professional and ethical behavior of their members, reflecting both legal requirements and societal values.