Transparency in business refers to the openness and clarity with which a company shares information about its operations, decisions, and financial performance. It involves being honest and forthcoming with stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors, and the public. When a business operates transparently, it builds trust and facilitates informed decision-making.
The word "transparency" comes from the Latin root "transparens," meaning "to show through." The prefix "trans-" means "through," and "parens" means "to appear." The concept has evolved in modern usage to describe both the physical property of materials and the metaphorical quality of clarity in communication and operations.