Transcript Chapter 12 Greenberg - University of Toronto

Moral Values Versus Ethics
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Type of Ethics Rightness is defined by…
Basis of actions
End Results
-effect/consequences it has --Actions are aimed to promote
-utility of ends
(collective) happiness,
--Actions that promote more
happiness are more right
Duty
Social
Contract
-obligations to apply
universal standards in all
situations
-intentions of actor rather
than effects
--Customs or norms of a
community
Personal-isitc
One’s conscience
--Actions that promote virtue rather
than pleasure
--behaviour should be based on
principles/rules
--Community defines morality which
defines right & wrong
--Duty binds individual to community
--What is best for community is
ultimate standard
-stand up for what one believes
-no absolute formulas for living
Sources determining Managerial Ethics
Org. Culture –
Rituals, slogans,
symbols, etc.
External
Stakeholders –
Government,
clients, market,
etc.
Personal ethics –
Beliefs, moral
development, etc.
Org. Systems –
Code, reward
system, rules, etc.
Managerial
Ethics
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Causes of Unethical Behaviour -- I
• Gain
– Anticipation of healthy reinforcement for following an
unethical course of action, especially if no punishment
is expected.
• Role conflict
– “Bureaucratic” role as an organizational employee is at
odds with one’s role as the member of a profession.
• Competition
– Stiff competition for scarce resources.
– Temptation to make unethical decisions in situations in
which essentially no competition exists.
Causes of Unethical Behaviour – II
• Personality & Values
– Certain personality types are more prone to unethical
behaviour (e.g., economic values, high need for
personal power).
Bottom line mentality - financial success is the only value
to be considered
Exploitative mentality - use people in a way that promotes
stereotypes and undermines empathy and compassion
Madison Avenue mentality - anything is right if the public
can be made to see it as right
Workers emulate the unethical behavior of their superiors
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Causes of Unethical Behaviour – III
• Other individual factors
– There are individual differences in the degree of
sophistication that people use in thinking about moral
issues.
– Less disengagement and more attentiveness is
associated with more ethical behaviour
– Individual differences in cognitive moral development.
Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development
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Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.,
publishing as Prentice Hall
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Causes of Unethical Behaviour – IV
• Organizational and Industry Culture
– Aspects of an organization’s culture (and its
subcultures)
• Corporate cultures that reward unethical behaviour.
• A culture of greed and exclusive focus on positive
financial results.
 Stonewalling
 Counternorms
– Corporate codes of conduct might have an impact
on culture and ethical decision making.
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Pearson Canada Inc.
12-9
Guidelines
for
Determining
Ethical Action
Ethical
Yes
Question 3
Does the activity conform
to standards of equity and
justice; is it fair?
Yes
Question 2
Does the political activity
respect the rights of the
individuals affected?
Question 1
Will the political tactics
promote purely selfish
interests (as opposed to
also promoting organ-izational goals?)
No
Yes
No
Unethical
No