Ethical Decision Making Process

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Questions and Answers

What is the first step in the decision-making process and why is it important?

The first step is moral awareness, which is important because it helps individuals recognize and identify moral issues that may arise in their decisions.

How can peers influence an individual's recognition of a moral issue?

Peers can influence recognition by considering the issue morally problematic and by using moral language when discussing the problem.

List two components of sound ethical decision-making.

Gathering the facts and defining the ethical issues are two essential components of sound ethical decision-making.

What role do organizational culture and norms play in unethical behavior?

Organizational culture and norms can create an environment where unethical behavior is rationalized and overlooked, often influenced by group pressure and the idea that 'everyone’s doing it.' Signup and view all the answers

Explain one cognitive bias that can affect fact gathering in ethical decision-making.

Overconfidence about one’s knowledge of the facts can lead individuals to overlook critical information and skew their understanding of the situation. Signup and view all the answers

What does social contracts theory propose regarding moral agreements?

It suggests that moral agreements are created by people coming together to form a consensus. Signup and view all the answers

Identify one major pro and one major con of social contracts theory.

A major pro is its adaptability to local norms, while a major con is the vagueness of local norms that can lead to excessive flexibility. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the ethic of care, what decision rule should be prioritized?

The focus should be on relationships and responsibilities within the community. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of the ethic of care approach?

An advantage is the protection of the weak, while a disadvantage is the potential neglect of justice. Signup and view all the answers

Define a corporation based on the provided content.

A corporation is a legal entity chartered by the state that has rights and responsibilities separate from its owners and employees. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two perspectives on a corporation's roles and responsibilities?

The two perspectives are Shareholder Value, which focuses on maximizing profits, and Stakeholder Theory, which prioritizes the interests of all stakeholders. Signup and view all the answers

According to the Shareholder Value perspective, what do shareholders own?

Shareholders own a part of the corporation and are entitled to profits, as long as it adheres to legal and ethical standards. Signup and view all the answers

How do local norms impact the decision-making process in social contracts theory?

Local norms can provide context but may also be vague, affecting the flexibility of moral decisions. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three levels of moral development according to the framework discussed?

Level 1: Rewards/punishments and exchanges, Level 2: Shared norms and societal obligations, Level 3: Principled and autonomous. Signup and view all the answers

How does an internal locus of control influence an individual's moral development?

An internal locus of control encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions, fostering higher moral reasoning. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of ego strength in moral decision-making?

Ego strength helps individuals maintain a healthy self-esteem and resist negative influences, supporting stronger ethical principled actions. Signup and view all the answers

What is moral approbation, and how does it differ across individuals?

Moral approbation refers to the desire for moral approval, which can be categorized into three types: praise, blame, and self-approval. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of society in shaping moral obligations at Level 2 of moral development.

At Level 2, moral obligations are shaped by shared norms and societal expectations, influencing individuals to conform to communal values. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does moral development influence a person's approach to ethical dilemmas?

Moral development impacts how individuals prioritize values, interpret situations, and make decisions based on ethical principles. Signup and view all the answers

How do individual differences in moral development manifest in professional settings?

Individual differences in moral development can lead to varying approaches in workplace ethics, influencing decisions, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Signup and view all the answers

What challenges might arise from differing levels of moral development in a group setting?

Differing levels of moral development can lead to misunderstandings, conflict, and conflicts in decision-making processes within groups. Signup and view all the answers

What is one major critique of the moral development theory?

One major critique is that it may overly simplify complex moral reasoning and overlook cultural variations in ethical understanding. Signup and view all the answers

How might a person at Level 3 of moral development approach a controversial ethical issue?

A person at Level 3 would likely analyze the issue based on principled reasoning, considering the wider implications and values at stake. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Decision Making Process

Moral awareness is the first step in ethical decision-making
Recognizing a moral issue is more likely when peers consider it problematic, or if the issue involves potential harm to others.
Gather the facts, define the ethical issues, and identify the affected parties.
Consider the potential consequences including obligations and your personal character.
Consider creative actions and check your gut feeling.

Organizational Level Factors

Group Norms: "Everyone's doing it" mentality influences behavior.
Rationalizing unethical behavior occurs under pressure.
Organizational rewards and punishments, roles, and diffusion of responsibility impact decision-making.
Organizational culture, formal systems (selection/training, performance management, authority structure), and informal systems (role models, norms, rituals, myths, stories) affect organizational outcomes.

Individual Characteristics

Cognitive Biases: Overconfidence about knowledge and the confirmation bias.
Falling into the confirmation trap and thinking about ways to be wrong are important.
Consequences for self and others need to be considered.

Moral Judgment 1- Utilitarianism

Maximize common good, consequences only.
Replace partiality with science
The means don't matter are associated with negative aspects.

Moral Judgements 1- Nozicks

Focused on the means that it takes to get to consequences (not solely the consequences themselves).

Moral Judgements 1- Rawls Justice Theory

Greatest benefit to the least advantaged.
Unbiased approach to social justice.
Denies free will and meritocracy.

Integrates global norms and local norms.
Created by people coming together to form moral agreements.
Action does not violate global hypernorms or local authentic norms; respect dignity and human rights.
Surveys local norms, adapting to variations in limits while adhering to global ideals.
Adapts to local variations while respecting global limits.
Local norms being vague may give actors too much flexibility.
Examples include Levis Strauss and underage workers in Bangladesh.

Moral Judgements II- Ethic of Care

Focus on relationships and responsibilities, including those in the relationship and responsibilities.
Protecting the weak and dependent.
Neglects aspects of justice

Corporate Responsibility

Definition: Legal entity chartered by the state with rights and responsibilities separate from the individuals working for the corporation.
Two Perspectives: Shareholder Value (maximize profits within the law) and Stakeholder Theory (advance all stakeholder interests).
Shareholder Value: Maximize profits, legal and moral constraints.
Stakeholder Theory: Advance all stakeholder interests (even at the expense of profit).
Stakeholder Theory (includes employees, customers, shareholders, the community, and suppliers).
Ethical Justification: Corporations can help reduce global inequalities, consider non-Western ways of thinking, and ensure a strong economy.
Normative CSR: Corporations should engage in CSR programs due to moral obligations, even at the expense of profit.
Arguments against Normative CSR include violating property rights and weakening management accountability.
Impact and concerns of Normative CSR were also mentioned.

Whistleblowing

Whistleblowing "triggers": truth, employee/customer rights, trust, and harm, (your personal and organizational reputation)
Precursors: dealing with serious issues, assembling the facts, ensuring accuracy, seeking advice from colleagues/managers.
Steps: talk with boss, family, keeping records, next-level managers, ethics officer, and finally, a lawyer.

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Description

Explore the key components of the ethical decision-making process, including moral awareness and the factors at the organizational and individual levels that influence choices. This quiz emphasizes the roles of group norms, cognitive biases, and organizational culture in shaping ethical behavior.