Post on 13-Jan-2016
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Values and Ethics
Dr. Fred Mugambi MwirigiJKUAT
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Preamble
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with
reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”
Article 1 of the 1948 UN “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”
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Definitions Ethos: Greek word for “character” and “customs”
(traditions)
Ethic: “a set of moral principles; a guiding philosophy; a consciousness of moral importance (a work ethic, a conservation ethic)”
Ethics: “the discipline of what is good or bad, with moral duty / obligation; principles of conduct governing an individual or group”
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Definition of Ethics Principles that guide an individual’s conduct in
his/her day-to-day operations and his/her relationship with the environment within which he/she exists and operates.
The rules of conduct that guide the moral personality of an individual or enterprise and their interface with their operating environment.
A group of moral principles, standards of behaviour or set of values regarding proper conduct
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Definition of Values Fundamental belief systems that form the basis
for the development or adoption of ethical patterns of behavior.
The bedrock upon which an ethical personality is built.
Moral justifications of all the actions that a person decides to take (or not to take) in the course of his/her operations.
Human values emphasize the responsibilities that enable the aspiration of the organization to be protected, safeguarded, and fulfilled.
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Ethics and Performance Ethics influences the way people:
Perform duties at and away from work Enact attitudes Enact behavior Make decisions Relate to others Carry out your responsibilities Plan for the future
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How widespread is the problem of Ethics?
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Approaches to Ethics
1. Teleological theories
2. Deontological theories
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Teleological Approach Teleological approach emphasizes the
amount of good or bad embodied in the consequence of behaviors.
Teleology focuses on the consequences of the actions or behaviors of the individual
In order to make correct moral choices, we have to have some understanding of what will result from our choices.
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Contd. When we make choices which result in the correct
consequences, then we are acting morally; when we make choices which result in the incorrect consequences, then we are acting immorally.
Conforms to the maxim ‘the ends justify the means’
Explored by Plato, Aristotle and later Emmanuel Kant
Also called consequentialism
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Deontological Approach Deontological approach deals mainly with the
inherent righteousness of a behavior. Deontologists look for conformity to moral
principles to determine whether an action is ethical or not.
Deontological moral systems are characterized primarily by a focus upon adherence to independent moral rules or duties.
Conforms to the maxim ‘the means justify the ends’
Also called moral absolutism
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Sources of Ethical Norms
Fellow Workers
Family
Friends
The Law
Regions of Country
Profession
Employer
Society at Large
Seniors at work
Religious Beliefs
The Individual
Conscience
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Ethics and the Law Law often represents an ethical minimum Ethics often represents a standard that exceeds
the legal minimum
Ethics Law
Frequent Overlap
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Source of Behavior
Values
Attitudes
Behavior
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3 Models of Management Ethics
1. Immoral Management—A style devoid of ethical principles and active opposition to what is ethical.
2. Moral Management—Conforms to high standards of ethical behavior.
3. Amoral Management Intentional - does not consider ethical factors Unintentional - casual or careless about ethical
considerations in business
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3 Models of Management Ethics
Three Types Of Management Ethics
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Management Morality
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Elements of Moral Judgment
Amoral Managers Moral Managers
Moral ImaginationMoral IdentificationMoral EvaluationTolerance of Moral Disagreement and AmbiguityIntegration of Managerial and Moral CompetenceA Senses of Moral Obligation
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Ethical Issues in organizations
1. Character compromise2. Conflict between personal values and
organizational goals 3. Conflict between organizational goals and social
values4. Lying5. Withholding needed information6. Abusive or intimidating behavior toward
employees7. Misreporting actual time or hours worked8. Discrimination
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Ethical Relations Employee-Employer Relations Employer-Employee Relations Company-Customer Relations Company-Shareholder Relations Company-Community/Public Interest
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Personal Ethics Personal ethics is a branch that determines the
code of conduct one adheres to. Its a course of action an individual decides to take
up in order to reach the ultimate truth. Following a personal code of ethics brings
accountability and responsibility to life. It gives a purpose and direction, bringing out a
meaning to life. Personal ethics are huge determining factors of
ethics at the workplace.
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Important Acts of Ethics1. Honesty
2. Commitment
3. Loyalty
4. Management of rights
5. Confidentiality
6. Respect
7. Positive self regulation
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Honesty Honesty among employees is key to the growth of an
organization since it makes customers develop a strong trust in the organization and its people
Many employees sometimes find truth inconveniencing. Dishonesty may have some benefits in the short term but it
has far-reaching negative implications on the long term for both the employee and the organization.
Dishonest people cannot be trusted. Trust is a state of mind created and reinforced by particular behaviors
Always: …say what you mean … do what you say
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Dishonest employees: Exaggerate information Over-promise on what they and the
organization can deliver Cover-up important information Circumvent important organizational
processes
Ø “Remember, the best liars tell the truth most of the time.”
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Commitment Whereas some employees are very committed
others have a lot of commitment phobia commitment phobia traps you within yourself,
stealing the truth from you that you can commit. Commitment towards your workplace is the
biggest motivating ingredient. Commitment has to come from within
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Loyalty Loyalty is faithfulness towards your work. Loyalty builds a sense of trust among the
employees. It is a quality that one always wishes to find in a friend or life partner.
Disloyalty can quickly destroy an otherwise beneficial relationship between an employee and the boss or between employees themselves
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Management of Rights In national laws, each and every citizen of the
land has the right to liberty, life and property. Each one of us has a right to do what we want. However, these rights are governed by a set of
rules formed due to conditioning of the mind. These rules are called ethics. Rights must be enacted within a set of ethics Sometimes your rights and my rights might
conflict
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Respect Respect has been defined in the corporate world
as the recognition and esteem given by all employees to their seniors, superiors and colleagues.
It is professional courtesy It is the sum total of the way we think about others
and the way we treat others Respect helps to create a friendly professional
connection between hierarchies Respect in the workplace helps the organization to
function as one single body
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Confidentiality It is the employee's responsibility to treat all information
that he comes across in the organization with respect An employee should know what files or materials he is
permitted to access in the office and should adhere to that. Under no circumstances should the materials in the office
be given to outside people. Data pertaining to hiring, managing and paying employees,
should be kept secret at all times Maintaining confidentiality in the workplace is very
important as not doing the same can sometimes cause huge financial losses to the business.
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Costs of compromised ethics
Reduced Morale Reduced Productivity (Sloughing off,
Illness) Employee turnover Direct financial loss Loss of creativity and innovation
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Five Broad Ethical Traps
The false-necessity trap(convincing yourself that no other choice exists)
The doctrine-of-relative-filth trap(comparing your unethical behavior with someone else’s even more unethical behavior)
The rationalization trap(justifying unethical actions with excuses)
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The self-deception trap(persuading yourself, for example, that a lie is not really a lie)
The ends-justify-the-means trap(using unethical methods to accomplish a desirable goal)
Five Broad Ethical Traps
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Specific ethical pitfalls Abusive or intimidating behavior toward other
employees Misreporting of hours worked Withholding needed information from other
employees Discrimination Stealing, theft, or related fraud
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Specific ethical pitfalls (cont.)
Sexual harassment Falsifying financial records or reports Giving or accepting bribes, kickbacks, or
inappropriate gifts Others
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External Sources of Good Ethics
Religious values Philosophical values Cultural values Legal values Professional values
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Internal Sources of Ethics
Respect for the authority structure Loyalty Conformity Performance Results
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Are there ethical employees?
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In summary
“True ethical behavior means holding yourself to the highest level of behavior
because you want to - not because you’re afraid of getting caught and
punished”
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Thank you