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Silvija Vik
Episode · #393

EKUMENA I ETIKA U POSLOVANJU Silvija Vig

Guest Silvija VikHosted by Augustin BačićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

The idea of "business ethics" often sounds like a contradiction, an "oxymoron" as Silvija Vik puts it, combining the pursuit of profit with moral principles. Yet, for any company looking to operate beyond its local borders, integrity is no longer optional—it's the foundation of successful international engagement. Dr. Silvija Vik, an expert in business compliance and ethics and author of the textbook "Poslovna etika," has spent years bridging this perceived gap. She explains how ethics, often seen as a purely theoretical philosophical discipline, can and must be implemented practically within organizations. Readers will understand not just the definitions, but the tangible differences in ethical practice between local and global enterprises, and why a clear ethical framework is essential for any business aiming for long-term viability.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Silvija Vik points out that 'business ethics' can feel like an 'oxymoron,' a contradictory pairing of profit and principles. This apparent tension, however, underscores her central argument: integrity is no longer optional, but indispensable for any business aiming for international success.
02
Ethics defines external rules of societal behavior, but moral principles are the internal force that guides self-initiated, principled action. While ethics sets the public standard, the guest explains that true integrity stems from an individual's innate moral compass, which is a more fundamental driver of behavior.
03
The book 'Poslovna etika' was written to 'demystify ethics,' as Vik says, making it applicable for businesses rather than just a philosophical concept. Her aim was to bridge a perceived 20-year gap with more developed markets, showing companies concrete steps to implement ethical programs for tangible benefits.
04
Companies operating internationally, especially those supplying multinationals or listed on foreign exchanges, face different ethical demands than those focused solely on local markets. These external pressures often compel stricter anti-corruption and ethical compliance, demonstrating how market orientation directly shapes a company's ethical framework.
05
Lawrence Kohlberg's theory suggests only 20-25% of the population reaches the highest levels of ethical reasoning, with a mere 5-6% at the absolute peak. This statistic implies that organizations cannot rely on inherent individual morality alone; robust ethical frameworks are essential because advanced ethical reasoning is not a universal trait.
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