Which of the following defines organizational ethics codes?

Organizational ethics codes refer to internal standards established by a company that provide guidelines for acceptable behavior within the organization. These codes are designed to outline the values, principles, and norms that the company expects its employees to uphold in their professional conduct. They serve as a framework for decision-making and behavior, helping to ensure that all staff members understand the organization’s commitment to ethical practices and how to act in various situations.

For instance, an organization might include provisions on topics such as integrity, respect, accountability, and compliance with laws. These principles help create a culture of ethical behavior and can contribute to the company's reputation, employee morale, and overall success.

By contrast, general societal behavior encompasses broader ethical norms that are not specific to any single organization, while personal guidelines adopted by employees tend to vary between individuals and may not align with the collective standards of the organization. External regulations imposed by the government are compliance-based requirements that organizations must follow but do not inherently define the internal ethical standards that guide employee behavior. Therefore, the correct choice highlights the importance of having a distinct set of ethical guidelines that apply specifically within the context of the organization.