Harmony Biosciences Inc.
Harmony Biosciences Holdings Inc. is a pioneering pharmaceutical entity with a steadfast commitment to advancing patient care within the realm of sleep and neurological disorders. Established on principles of integrity, excellence, and patient-centricity, the company is committed in its mission to enhance the well-being of individuals grappling with challenging health conditions. Evident in its comprehensive Ethics and compliance program, Harmony Biosciences ensures that all facets of its operations adhere to the highest ethical standards, underscoring its dedication to principled business practices (HB, 2023b).
At its core, Harmony Biosciences embodies a dynamic and inclusive culture that nurtures collaboration, diversity, and a shared dedication to positively impacting patients' lives. The company's culture, emphasizing teamwork and ongoing learning, empowers its workforce to flourish personally and professionally (HB, 2023c). Guided by a leadership team of accomplished professionals with diverse expertise, Harmony Biosciences strategically propels the organization to pursue innovative solutions for unmet medical needs (HB, 2023d).
Through a fusion of scientific acumen, ethical governance, and a dynamic corporate culture, Harmony Biosciences occupies a leadership position in healthcare innovation, dedicated to reshaping the healthcare landscape and instilling hope in those seeking transformative solutions (HB, 2023a).
The influence of industry structure on organizational culture and ethical conduct is a multifaceted dynamic that significantly shapes the behaviour of companies. This critical evaluation explores how industry structure affects these aspects, drawing on insights from various scholarly sources and the Code of Conduct of Harmony Biosciences.
Roszkowska and Melé (2021) proposed "organizational moral structure" as a lens to understand the interplay between industry structure and ethical behaviour. The nature of the pharmaceutical industry, driven by patient-centric missions, inherently shapes the moral structure of companies like Harmony Biosciences. The company's emphasis on improving patient lives is evident in its mission and values (HB, 2023a).
The leadership and organizational culture within an industry influence ethical conduct (Saha et al., 2020). Harmony Biosciences is committed to ethical leadership and transparent communication (HB, 2023c; 2023e). The alignment of leadership values with the industry's mission fosters a culture of integrity.
Soomro and Shah (2019) highlight the impact of entrepreneurial orientation on job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Fostering an entrepreneurial culture can positively influence ethical conduct in industries like pharmaceuticals, characterized by innovation and risk-taking. Harmony Biosciences' commitment to innovation aligns with this perspective (HB, 2023e).
Al-Swidi et al. (2021) discuss the impact of green human resource management on employees' behaviour. While the focus is on environmental practices, the broader application suggests that organizational initiatives, such as those promoting ethical behaviour, can shape the conduct of employees. Harmony's commitment to diversity and inclusion aligns with organizational behavior influences (HB, 2023f).
To fortify its commitment to ethical practices, Harmony Biosciences can strategically implement recommendations, drawing upon industry insights and its own Code of Conduct.
● Enhanced Training Programs: Harmony Biosciences should invest in comprehensive and ongoing training programs focused on ethical decision-making. Workshops and simulations can be designed to provide employees with practical scenarios that reflect real-world ethical challenges. This initiative reinforces the importance of the company's Code of Conduct and equips employees with the skills and knowledge to navigate complex ethical dilemmas effectively. Regular training sessions can foster a culture where ethical considerations become ingrained in everyday decision-making processes.
● Strengthening Reporting Mechanisms: The effectiveness of reporting mechanisms is crucial for the success of any ethical framework. Harmony Biosciences should actively communicate the reliability and confidentiality of its reporting channels (HB, 2023d). This includes ensuring employees feel safe and supported when raising concerns about potential ethical violations. Strengthening these mechanisms contributes to a culture of openness and accountability, reinforcing the company's commitment to ethical conduct.
● Promoting Inclusivity and Diversity: Harmony Biosciences should continue championing inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. Diverse teams bring various perspectives, fostering a culture of accountability and ethical decision-making (Al-Swidi et al., 2021). Promoting an inclusive environment where every employee feels valued and heard contributes to a culture that respects varied viewpoints and encourages ethical behaviour.
● Integration of Ethical Considerations in Innovation: The pharmaceutical industry, driven by innovation, demands a proactive integration of ethical considerations in developing and commercialising new medicines. Harmony Biosciences should establish frameworks for ethical impact assessments, ensuring that potential ethical challenges are identified and addressed throughout the innovation process. This strategic approach aligns with the company's mission to bring hope to patients by introducing new, innovative medicines (HB, 2023a; Rakova et al., 2021).
By diligently implementing these recommendations, Harmony Biosciences can solidify its commitment to ethical conduct, fostering a workplace culture that meets industry standards and exceeds them, setting a benchmark for responsible business practices in the pharmaceutical sector.
Examining Harmony Biosciences as a case study illuminates the intricate relationship between industry structure, organizational culture, and ethical conduct. The pharmaceutical sector's inherent focus on patient well-being shapes the moral fabric of companies like Harmony Biosciences, evident in their commitment to advancing patient care through innovative medicines. The alignment of leadership values with industry missions fosters an entrepreneurial culture that positively influences ethical behaviour. The company's emphasis on diversity and inclusion also resonates with broader organizational behaviour influences.
To address ethical challenges and fortify its commitment to ethical practices, Harmony Biosciences can implement practical recommendations. These include enhancing training programs, reinforcing reporting mechanisms, promoting inclusivity and diversity, and integrating ethical considerations into innovation processes. By taking such steps, Harmony Biosciences can continue to exemplify ethical leadership within the pharmaceutical industry, upholding integrity, transparency, and patient-centricity. This nuanced understanding of the interplay between industry dynamics and ethical conduct offers valuable insights for organizations navigating the complexities of ethical decision-making within their specific sectors.
HB, 2023a. About. [online] Harmony Biosciences. Available at: <https://www.harmonybiosciences.com/about-us> [Accessed 28 Nov. 2023].
HB, 2023b. Ethics & Compliance. [online] Harmony Biosciences. Available at: <https://www.harmonybiosciences.com/about-us/ethics-and-compliance> [Accessed 28 Nov. 2023].
HB, 2023c. Our culture. [online] Harmony Biosciences. Available at: <https://www.harmonybiosciences.com/about-us/our-culture> [Accessed 28 Nov. 2023].
HB, 2023d. Our leadership. [online] Harmony Biosciences. Available at: <https://www.harmonybiosciences.com/about-us/our-leadership> [Accessed 28 Nov. 2023].
Roszkowska, P. and Melé, D., 2021. Organizational factors in the individual ethical behaviour. The notion of the “organizational moral structure”. Humanistic Management Journal, 6, pp.187-209.
Al-Swidi, A.K., Gelaidan, H.M. and Saleh, R.M., 2021. The joint impact of green human resource management, leadership and organizational culture on employees’ green behaviour and organisational environmental performance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 316, p.128112.
Soomro, B.A. and Shah, N., 2019. Determining the impact of entrepreneurial orientation and organizational culture on job satisfaction, commitment, and employee performance. South Asian Journal of Business Studies, 8(3), pp.266-282.
Saha, R., Shashi, Cerchione, R., Singh, R. and Dahiya, R., 2020. Effect of ethical leadership and corporate social responsibility on firm performance: A systematic review. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 27(2), pp.409-429.
HB, 2023e. Our culture. [online] Harmony Biosciences. Available at: <https://www.harmonybiosciences.com/about-us/our-culture> [Accessed 28 Nov. 2023].
HB, 2023f. Our leadership. [online] Harmony Biosciences. Available at: <https://www.harmonybiosciences.com/about-us/our-leadership> [Accessed 28 Nov. 2023].
Rakova, B., Yang, J., Cramer, H. and Chowdhury, R., 2021. Where responsible AI meets reality: Practitioner perspectives on enablers for shifting organizational practices. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 5(CSCW1), pp.1-23.
