Values & Principles

Responsible digitization is value-based. It follows the basic principle of treating individuals, society, and the environment respectfully.


Best Practices

Beschreibung

Digitization complicates and challenges existing terms and conditions of decision-making processes. However, the increasing complexity should not be disadvantageous towards the compliance with digital ethics. The formulation and integration of predefined values is a crucial step, allowing the derivation of practical action-guiding and identity-forming principles on digitization.

Internal Stakeholders: Investors, owners, partners, shareholders, management, board members, supervisory board members, CSR and digitalization officers, and employees.

External Stakeholders: Customers, users, and society in general.

  • Documentation of an approved set of values
  • Guidelines on responsible digitization (e.g., data usage)
  • Value discourse procedure (handling compliance and conflict)
  • Commonly agreed communication strategy on values
  • Authentic “exemplification” of digital ethics by higher executives and leaders
  • Regular monitoring (e.g., independent external auditor)

  • Identifying CDR values and principles: Deriving values based on corporate values
  • Discussion on the values and principles with internal and external stakeholders
  • Internal and external communication of the values
  • Integration of the values into the management handbook
  • Establishing processes and responsibilities for value and principal development
  • Encouraging self-commitment at the micro and macro level
  • Promotion of a cross-company dialog on value-oriented digitization

  • SDGs
  • BVDW “Minimum criteria for responsible digitization”
  • ISO 26000
  • Principles of the common good economy
  • DNWE
  • General standards on business ethics (value management)
  • HDM Stuttgart, Chair for Digital Ethics