The Business Paradox: Exploring the interaction between the Business Clock and the Sustainable Development Goals through an ethical, sustainable and well-being prism

Abstract

This research focuses on the need for companies to improve in various areas of performance and achieve positive outcomes. Twelve key variables were identified, including ethics, global leadership, teamwork, effective communication, education/training, technology, sustainability, negotiation, financial management, productivity, decision-making, and corporate happiness, which are essential for the balanced growth of any organization. These variables represent the twelve hours of the corporate clock and, when properly managed, balancing the tangible and intangible aspects, they lead to long-term prosperous results. Additionally, connections were analyzed and established between these variables, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and Mercader's Ethical Values Taxonomy. Questionnaires were administered to graduate professionals, using a Likert scale, to assess the need for these variables in companies. A total of 4,207 responses were obtained, which were analyzed along with the participants' gender. The results provide an understanding of the priorities, realities, and relevance of the studied business variables. This research is novel, as it has not been previously conducted in its entirety or reflected upon the empirical data obtained. Despite their apparent simplicity, these data represent the realities and effects within the organizational and business environment. Therefore, this study is highly relevant for entrepreneurs, professionals, traders, entrepreneurs, educators, and others, as it enables self-analysis, the application of new experiences, and the attainment of benefits