Transcript Developing an Organisational Culture

Integrity:
The individual in the
organisation
David Long
Canterbury Christ Church University
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IPW Helsinki Metropolia Business School, Finland
May 13 – 17 2013
Individual Integrity
‘an adherence to moral principles or
values... a consistency in one’s
beliefs or action that endures,
despite inducement or temptation to
deviate from them.’
(Crane and Matten 2007)
Integrity:
some philosophical perspectives
Confucian view: the virtue of jen – more than
compliance to a set of rules
Buddhist-Christian view – focus on what is
eternally significant, rather than on the ‘self’
Virtues approach – doing the right thing.
Modified from Koehn D. (2005) JBE 58; 125-136
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Integrity as a Business Asset
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Integrity is not well defined
Compliance with moral norms and expectations?
Business view that integrity has market value
Avoiding short-term thinking?
Maintaining healthy relations with all stakeholders
Selling products and services that are genuinely valuable?
Having prudence to avoid unwise courses of action
Respect for diversity.
Koehn D. (2005) JBE 58; 125-136
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The Importance of Integrity
• Rules do not necessarily encourage ethical
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behaviour
No single right answer to many ethical dilemmas
A good person will take the right action
The importance of Professionalism
Sense of moral responsibility is a pre-requisite
for moral action (Trevino & Nelson 2011).
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Aristotle’s Virtues
– Courage
– Self-control
– Generosity
– Magnificence
– High-Mindedness
– Gentleness
– Friendliness
– Truthfulness
– Wittiness
– Modesty.
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Views of Joseph Desjardins
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Ethical dilemmas are fundamentally ambiguous
Human character has been neglected in favour of the application
of general principles to specific situations
The ability to apply lessons learned from the past to new
situations in the present
The application of reasoning of situations, rather than forced use
of preconceived categorisation
A ‘good ‘person (virtuous) will have practical wisdom to do the
right thing (Phronesis).
(Virtues & Business Ethics, Joseph Desjardins, cited in Chryssides & Kaler 1993)
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Compliance versus Integrity
Compliance:
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Rule-based
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Legal approach
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Prevention of misconduct
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Sanctions for violations
Integrity:
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Values-based
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Encourage commitment
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Guiding principles
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Self-governance approach
(Lawtion et al, 2013)
Obedient
Virtuous
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Characteristics of a ‘Professional’
Person
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Knowledgeable
Proficient
Masterly
Autonomous
‘Business-like’
Emotionally detached
Honourable
Trustworthy
Ethical?
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Common Features of Professional
Groups
• Educational path
– University degree?
• Training and development
– Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
– Codes of practice
• Membership of a Learned Society or Institute
– Specific professional qualifications  competence
– Licensed practitioners
– Maintaining proper standards
• Research and development in particular field
• Acknowledged reputation in society?
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Role of Professional Societies
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Accredit individual professional competence and integrity
Advise governments and society of matters related to the
profession
Initiate debate on issues of importance
Set standards for:
– Work
– Education
Provide opportunities for networking and sharing problems and
solutions
Enable specialist groups to develop
Most importantly, set standards for professional conduct ...
Compliance?
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Doing Well v Doing Good
Integrity in the workplace involves acceptance of ‘socialised power’
A professional working with integrity will :
Believe in the importance of centralised authority
Have a keen sense of justice and rewards hard work
Feel responsible for developing the organisation
Use power for common good
Create a good working climate
Help others succeed and commits them towards organisational
goals.
(Curtis 2003
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Towards an Ethical Agenda:
What British people think needs changing
Source: IBE 2013
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Challenges to Integrity in Business
Constantly changing business environment
Pressures on costs and revenues
Intensive competition – traditional markets
under attack
Markets – local, national and global
Customers becoming more demanding.
Towards an Ethical Outcome
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Gather the facts
Define ethical issues
Identify affected parties
Identify consequences
Identify obligations
Consider your character and integrity
Think creatively about potential actions
Check your gut feeling
(Trevino and Nelson 2007)
Any questions?