That is the focus of The Journal Report in today’s WSJ. The section provides some interesting insights into the dollars and cents of ethical behavior.

Such questions, however, miss the point: if ethical behavior didn’t pay, should it be abandoned? What’s the alternative?

I know business professionals are interested in the implications of ethical behavior, and as an economist I find the data fascinating. But the best reason to be ethical is because it is the right thing to do–whether or not it increases the bottom line.