Values & Ethics in Business

Door to your Personality

http://www.slideshare.net/humn abilal/business-ethics-lecture-23-12621969

Values

Abstract ideals that shape an individuals thinking and behavior a moral compass
Instrumental values certain way of behaving is appropriate in all situations means.

Terminal values enduring belief in the attainment of a certain end state ends.

A moral compass

These abstract ideals can result from

Religion Philosophy Family teachings

Instrumental values
As the means to an end they become the ingrained ways of behavior:

Rituals Good habits

Terminal values
With the end always in sight:

Heaven Respect Financial Success Personal Independence Power

Ethics

The study of moral obligation involving the distinction between right and wrong.

Business Ethics: right or wrong in the workplace value management.

Two Areas of Business Ethics

Obvious mischief
Moral mazes RIGHT vs. RIGHT

Common Misconduct in Organizations

Misrepresenting hours worked Employees lying to supervisors Management lying to employees, customers, vendors or the public Misuse of organizational assets Lying on reports/falsifying records Sexual harassment Stealing/theft Accepting or giving bribes or kickbacks Withholding needed information from employees, customers, vendors or public

Common Causes of Unethical Behavior

Pressure Fear Greed Convenience

Causes of Unethical Behavior (contd)

Following bosss directives Meeting overly aggressive business/financial objectives Helping the organization survive Meeting schedule pressures Be a team player (group think) Resisting competitive threats Advancing own career

Ethical Dilemmas
Making decisions under stress or dealing with complex issues that have no clear indication of what is right or wrong.

There are NO simple ethical dilemmas all have layers of meaning and effect.

What is an ethical dilemma? It is a Conflict between ...

ones personal and professional values two values/ethical principles two possible actions each with reasons strongly favorable and unfavorable two unsatisfactory alternatives ones values/principles and ones perceived role
the need to act and the need to

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reflect

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Can ethical avoided?

dilemma

be

You avoid ethical dilemmas! But...

You cannot

can

completely avoid ethical

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dilemmas!

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You can avoid ethical dilemmas! An Example

Your placement is in a school, you should

give prior thought to how you would respond when a child reveals abuse or neglect. Find out how your field instructor wants you to handle these situations. What information does the school expect you will share with concerned teachers? The principal?
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You cannot completely avoid ethical dilemmas!

It is best to prepare them

yourself for

by examining your own values from time to time

and learning all you can about: how past ethical problems in your placement settings were resolved.
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The simple step of a simple courageous man is to not take part in the lie, not to support deceit. Let the lie come into the world, even dominate the world, but not through me. -- Alexander Solzhenitsyn