The Orange County Management Society affiliated with BYU honored President Kim B. Clark, at its annual Community Service Awards Dinner on
Kim Clark is currently President of BYU Idaho and the former Dean of the Faculty at the Harvard Business School. He addressed a capacity crowd that included BYU and Marriott School alums as well as local business people from
In his remarks President Clark identified a dire need for ethical leadership in the business world. He apologized in advance for the first part of his presentation that quickly covered substantial economic data. President Clark used this data to explain “modularity” and to illustrate the rapid change and market disruption that has occurred as a result of technological innovation. He explained that Modularity is the unbundling of production of computer technology and that it has created an engine of progress that is unparalleled in history. He noted however, that with this great advance of progress, technology has eclipsed the controls and governance that was established in simpler times and has outstripped the ability of regulators to create and enhance laws, rules, regulations and restrictions in markets where technology is prevalent (nearly every market).
With the rapid increase in technology, markets have been disrupted and transactions costs significantly reduced. President Clark remarked that such conditions have “created an opportunity for mischief” and that with out of date controls, the gray area has increased and there are greater incentives to go there. He suggested that the logic of the market has become “if it is profitable, it is good.” As an example, he wondered what revenue could be generated for
President Clark called for a need for leaders – not just at the top but throughout and organization. He stated that leaders need integrity and that integrity is character. He defined character as matching “what you say” to “what you do.” He expressed his fervent belief that the need for leadership is one of the most important issues facing society and the continuation of stable markets. He encouraged all in attendance to be a “living standard of integrity and personal accountability” and “to educate and teach others.” He concluded by entreating everyone to set their heart on being a person of integrity that others will trust and assured that if that if a person will make a personal commitment to that objective, blessings of wealth and business success will follow.
Kim B. Clark is the current President of BYU Idaho and the former Dean of the Faculty at the
