ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses general concerns that create opportunities for competitive advantage across a broad range of legal matters. It encompasses three types of resources: legal resources that can help one to seize competitive advantage, management tools that are useful when he work with law-related business matters and resources that enable him to create an ethical corporate culture. In each of these areas, many companies have developed specific ways to address legal problems. But they may have overlooked big picture issues that become apparent with a trip to the balcony. Recognizing the link between an ethical culture and competitive advantage, most companies have embraced business ethics management in recent years. Research on ethics programs frequently distinguishes between a compliance approach and an integrity approach. The compliance approach is said to be lawyer-driven, with an emphasis on preventing legal liability. The integrity approach is management driven, with a goal of encouraging responsible conduct that extends beyond avoiding liability.
