t the European Marketing and Management Association (EUMMAS), our mission has always been clear: to connect leaders, empower communities, and promote ethical, inclusive, and sustainable development. But in a world increasingly marked by complexity, rapid change, and global interconnectedness, good intentions are not enough. That’s why we’ve gone a step further by formalizing our values and expectations in the EUMMAS Code of Ethics and Conduct—supported by a robust framework of implementation procedures.
In this article, we explain why we created these documents, what they cover, and how they shape our global activities. Whether you’re a long-time member, a partner organization, or someone newly discovering EUMMAS, this article will help you understand what these documents represent—and why they’re essential for our community.
Why a Code of Ethics and Conduct?
The EUMMAS Code of Ethics and Conduct is not just a formality or a legal checkbox. It is a living, breathing commitment to integrity, fairness, and excellence in everything we do—from academic research and teaching to consulting, leadership, and public engagement.
This Code was created to:
- Define shared ethical and professional standards across our diverse, international network.
- Foster a culture of trust, inclusion, and responsibility among members and partners.
- Prevent misconduct and provide clear procedures for addressing ethical concerns.
- Align EUMMAS’s work with global standards like ISO 26000 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Our community includes university professors, students, researchers, consultants, business leaders, policy experts, NGOs, and volunteers. Bringing these different stakeholders together under one ethical umbrella ensures we’re all held to the same high standards, regardless of geography or role.
Built on Core Values: The EDES Framework
Our ethical vision is grounded in four core values: Ethics, Diversity, Equality, and Sustainability (EDES). These values are not abstract ideals—they inform how we design programs, run events, choose partners, and evaluate performance. For example:
- Ethics means acting with integrity and transparency.
- Diversity means embracing different cultures, disciplines, and voices.
- Equality means creating fair access and opportunity for all.
- Sustainability means thinking long-term and acting responsibly—for people and planet.
Who Is Covered?
The Code applies to all individuals and organizations affiliated with EUMMAS. That includes:
- Individual members: professors, students, consultants, volunteers.
- Institutional members: universities, training centers, companies.
- Forums: Women’s Forum, Youth Forum, Development Forum.
- Governing bodies: the Leadership Team, Honorary Board, and Advisory Board.
- Event participants, project partners, and delivery centers worldwide.
No matter your title or task, being part of EUMMAS means being part of an ethical ecosystem.
Topics Covered in the Code
The Code of Ethics and Conduct addresses a wide range of scenarios and behaviors, including:
- Academic and Research Ethics: integrity in research, plagiarism prevention, ethical teaching.
- Business Conduct: consulting standards, anti-bribery, conflicts of interest.
- Diversity and Inclusion: promoting equity, preventing discrimination.
- Digital Behavior: social media use, data protection, communication ethics.
- Partnerships and Public Engagement: ethical collaboration, responsible representation.
- Environmental Responsibility: sustainable operations and education.
- Youth and Women Empowerment: creating real leadership opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Each section includes practical guidance for daily decision-making, ensuring our ethics are not just theoretical, but operational.
Backed by Clear Procedures
To bring the Code to life, we’ve developed the EUMMAS Procedures for Implementation and Enforcement. These procedures outline exactly how we:
- Train new and existing members on ethics standards.
- Report and handle ethical concerns or violations.
- Investigate claims through a structured, fair process.
- Apply Sanctions ranging from warnings to expulsion, depending on severity.
- Protect Whistleblowers who report in good faith.
- Review and Improve our practices through annual reports and triennial audits.
These procedures apply globally but allow for local adaptation in line with national laws and cultural norms.
How You Can Engage
If you are a member, partner, or affiliate of EUMMAS, here’s how you can actively support our ethical vision:
- Read the Code and Procedures: They’re publicly available at eummas.net.
- Complete Training: New members must take a short onboarding course within 30 days. Refresher training is done annually.
- Report Issues When Needed: Use our secure and confidential reporting channels.
- Lead by Example: Whether you’re a student ambassador or a university dean, your behavior sets the tone.
- Encourage Dialogue: Ethics is a conversation. Use our forums and events to reflect on real challenges and dilemmas.
A Global Standard for a Global Community
EUMMAS operates across borders—both literally and figuratively. That’s why having a shared code is so critical. It ensures consistency while respecting cultural diversity. It gives our members a sense of security, our partners a sense of trust, and our stakeholders a sense of purpose.
This Code—and the values it represents—help us build more than just programs or publications. They help us build a community rooted in integrity. And in today’s world, that’s not just a nice idea. It’s a competitive advantage.
Final Thoughts
Ethical leadership is not something we talk about once and forget. It’s something we practice daily. At EUMMAS, we are proud to have codified this commitment. But more than that, we are proud to live it—through our projects, partnerships, publications, and people.
If you’re part of our network, this Code is for you. If you’re not yet part of EUMMAS, we invite you to join a community where excellence meets ethics.
More at: https://eummas.net/our-values
Ethics Review Committee
