ABSTRACT
In this applied chapter and the next, the analysis deals with community-related issues for governance ethics in healthcare organizations. Here, the ethics paradigm is applied to discuss board oversight of community benefit. First, the foundation component of the ethics paradigm deals with the identity of an organization, reflecting the leitmotif who we are. This component highlights board engagement as a hallmark of governance ethics for community benefit. In turn, this hallmark denotes an associated moral imperative of board oversight of the standing committee structure. Second, the process component of the ethics paradigm addresses the accountability of the organization, reflecting the leitmotif how we function. This component highlights effective communication as a hallmark of governance ethics. In turn, this hallmark denotes an associated moral imperative regarding board oversight of community needs assessment. Third, the practice component of the ethics paradigm engages quality in an organization, reflecting the leitmotif what we do. This component highlights board oversight of organizational performance as a hallmark of governance ethics. In turn, this hallmark denotes an associated moral imperative regarding board oversight of continuous improvement.
