Which term refers to the internal standards guiding behavior and interactions both inside and outside an organization?

• A. Core Values
• B. Legal
• C. Social Support
• D. Culture

Answer: (A)

Internal standards that guide how people behave and interact, both inside and outside the organization, are core values. They act as the organization's moral compass, showing what matters most and what behavior is acceptable. These values shape decisions, shape how leaders respond to situations, and influence everyday conduct as well as how the organization presents itself to others. While culture is the broader environment created by shared beliefs and practices, the underlying standards themselves are the values that drive that behavior. Legal refers to external rules and obligations, which are important but different from the internal priorities that steer choices and interactions. Social support describes networks of help rather than the guiding principles behind actions. So, the term that best captures those internal standards is core values.