Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Manner

Institute for Advancing Education in Business and Management (IAEBM)

2. Standards for Obtaining, Maintaining, and Using IAEBM Certificates

• 2.1 Individuals must meet all academic, professional, and ethical requirements set by IAEBM to obtain certification and must provide accurate, complete, and honest information throughout the application and evaluation processes.
• 2.2 Applicants and certificate holders must uphold honesty and integrity, refraining from any misrepresentation of education, experience, or performance during the certification process.
• 2.3 IAEBM certificates recognize the completion of designated programs and assessments; certificate holders must understand that certification signifies academic or professional achievement but does not guarantee employment, promotions, or professional licensure.
• 2.4 Certificate holders must accurately represent their certification status in all communications and must not misstate the meaning, level, or implications of IAEBM credentials.
• 2.5 Certificate holders must continue to uphold IAEBM’s ethical and professional standards, recognizing that certification may be suspended or revoked if violations are found.
• 2.6 Certificate holders are encouraged to pursue ongoing professional development to maintain and enhance their competencies in business, management, academia, and policymaking.
• 2.7 Certificate holders must use IAEBM’s titles, designations, or certification marks properly, protect the reputation of IAEBM, and comply with any updates to certification standards or ethical requirements.

3. General Professional Standards

• 3.1 All IAEBM certificate holders and employees must exercise due diligence and professional care in all academic, business, and advisory activities, ensuring that their work is accurate, well-reasoned, and based on appropriate research or evidence.
• 3.2 Individuals must maintain objectivity and independence in judgment, avoiding bias, undue influence, or conflicts of interest that could compromise their professional decisions or recommendations.
• 3.3 Professionals must respect the autonomy and intellectual freedom of themselves and others, fostering an environment of open inquiry and responsible academic or business discourse.
• 3.4 All members of the IAEBM community must be familiar with and comply with applicable laws, regulations, institutional policies, and professional standards in all jurisdictions in which they operate or provide services.
• 3.5 Misrepresentation of facts, credentials, qualifications, data, or research findings is strictly prohibited. Communications must be truthful, clear, and not misleading in any public or private setting.
• 3.6 Individuals must respect the confidentiality of information acquired during professional or academic activities, and must not use such information for personal advantage or disclose it without proper authorization.
• 3.7 Any real or potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed promptly, and individuals must take appropriate steps to manage or eliminate such conflicts in accordance with ethical norms and IAEBM’s expectations.

4. Integrity of the Profession

• 4.1 Certificate holders must not engage in any form of deception, fraud, or unethical conduct that could undermine the integrity of their profession or the public’s trust in business, government, or academic institutions.
• 4.2 The use of nonpublic, confidential, or privileged information for personal gain or the benefit of others is strictly prohibited. Such information must be safeguarded and only used appropriately and lawfully.
• 4.3 Any attempt to manipulate markets, prices, data, public perception, or organizational decisions through misleading statements, omissions, or improper influence is unethical and unacceptable.
• 4.4 Discrimination, harassment, or unfair treatment based on race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic is strictly prohibited. IAEBM promotes fairness, inclusivity, and respect for diversity in all professional environments.
• 4.5 Certificate holders must be transparent in their communications and actions, disclosing relevant risks, limitations, or uncertainties when providing advice, research, or public statements.
• 4.6 Professionals are expected to avoid activities or associations that could bring disrepute to their profession, their organization, or the IAEBM community, and must act with the awareness that their conduct reflects on broader institutions.
• 4.7 Individuals must take appropriate action when encountering unethical behavior by others, including reporting misconduct when safe and appropriate to do so, in accordance with applicable laws and institutional protocols.

5. Duty to Clients

• 5.1 Certificate holders must act with loyalty, prudence, and care when serving clients, placing clients’ legitimate interests above personal or organizational gain where a professional duty exists.
• 5.2 Individuals must deal fairly and objectively with all clients, prospective clients, and stakeholders, without favoritism, discrimination, or improper preference.
• 5.3 Confidential information entrusted by clients must be protected with the utmost care and must not be disclosed or used for personal benefit or the benefit of third parties without proper authorization or legal obligation.
• 5.4 When presenting results, performance outcomes, forecasts, or evaluations to clients, professionals must ensure that communications are clear, accurate, complete, and not misleading.
• 5.5 Certificate holders must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could affect their judgment or the objectivity of their advice, and must manage such conflicts openly and transparently.
• 5.6 Professionals must set realistic expectations with clients, ensuring that representations about services, outcomes, or capabilities are truthful and supported by reasonable evidence.

6. Duty to Employers and Best Practices in Working Environment

• 6.1 Certificate holders must act with loyalty and professionalism toward their employers, safeguarding the organization’s interests while maintaining independent and objective judgment where professional integrity requires.
• 6.2 Individuals must foster a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive working environment, promoting open communication and fair treatment among colleagues, regardless of background or personal characteristics.
• 6.3 Professionals must refrain from engaging in activities that unfairly harm, compete with, or undermine the work of colleagues and must resolve differences constructively and in a manner that upholds organizational integrity.
• 6.4 When serving in supervisory, managerial, or leadership roles, certificate holders must act with fairness, diligence, and ethical responsibility, providing clear guidance, appropriate oversight, and support for the professional growth of those they supervise.
• 6.5 Individuals must protect confidential employer information, using it only for legitimate organizational purposes and refraining from unauthorized disclosure or personal exploitation.
• 6.6 Professionals must report unethical or unlawful activities within the organization when appropriate and act in a manner that supports the long-term health and ethical standing of their employer.

7. Standards for Analysis, Consulting, Business Decisions, and Policymaking

• 7.1 Certificate holders must exercise diligence, thoroughness, and independent judgment when conducting analyses, offering consulting advice, making business decisions, or formulating public policies.
• 7.2 All recommendations, conclusions, and actions must be supported by a reasonable basis, drawing on appropriate research, verified data, sound methodologies, and applicable professional standards.
• 7.3 Communication with clients, stakeholders, and the public must be clear, accurate, timely, and sufficiently detailed to allow informed decision-making, without omission of material facts.
• 7.4 Professionals must maintain appropriate records to support their analyses, decisions, and recommendations, and must protect the confidentiality of sensitive information unless disclosure is legally required.
• 7.5 When engaging in policymaking, regulatory consultation, or public service, individuals must prioritize the public interest and broader societal welfare, balancing stakeholder needs with ethical responsibilities to the communities they serve.

8. Conflicts of Interest

• 8.1 Certificate holders must exercise due diligence to identify, avoid, or appropriately manage conflicts of interest that could impair their objectivity, professional judgment, or duty to clients, employers, or the public.
• 8.2 All material conflicts of interest must be promptly disclosed to relevant parties, including clients, employers, colleagues, or other stakeholders, in a clear and understandable manner.
• 8.3 In situations involving competing interests, individuals must prioritize ethical responsibilities to the broader public and the principles of professional integrity, followed by the legitimate interests of clients, then employers, and lastly their own personal interests.
• 8.4 Certificate holders must take proactive steps to mitigate conflicts, including recusal from decision-making when necessary, transparent communication, and adherence to institutional policies and legal requirements.