Ethics and Rationalization Techniques - Chapter 1
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason why human rights must be protected, according to the content?

  • They allow for the sacrifice of individuals for the collective good.
  • They protect individuals from being treated as mere means to an end. (correct)
  • They ensure that overall social happiness is maximized.
  • They establish rules that can be disregarded for better outcomes.

Why is child labor considered ethically wrong, despite potential social benefits?

  • It contributes to economic disparities.
  • It does not produce valuable goods.
  • It violates legal regulations on labor.
  • It infringes on the rights of young children. (correct)

What is an example of an ethical principle mentioned in the content?

  • Minimizing resources
  • Upholding contracts (correct)
  • Maximizing profit
  • Enhancing productivity

What role do legal rules play in ethical decision-making?

<p>They provide guidelines that must be followed even if undesired. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a business context, what is a potential consequence of disregarding role-based duties?

<p>Erosion of trust and respect among stakeholders. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can ethical principles be characterized based on the content?

<p>As definitive rules that bind individuals to certain behaviors. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when utilitarianism is not supplemented with ethical principles?

<p>It prioritizes social happiness over individual rights. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What duty arises from a teacher's role regarding student assignments?

<p>To read and assess assignments carefully regardless of their impact. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key determinant of process fairness?

<p>The behavior of decision makers towards those impacted (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one negative impact of being transparent about decision-making processes?

<p>It can create uncomfortable situations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does process fairness affect employee support for new initiatives?

<p>It is likely to generate greater support for new strategies. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding fair process?

<p>It reduces legal costs and employee turnover. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What belief may lead to a failure in following fair process?

<p>Tangible resources are prioritized over decent treatment. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is an example of practicing process fairness in management?

<p>Communicating employee preferences on new initiatives. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of poor process fairness?

<p>Greater employee theft and turnover. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is expressing genuine concern for employees considered affordable?

<p>It can enhance employee loyalty without high costs. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of preconceptions in the human brain?

<p>To expedite information processing (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes implicit biases?

<p>They operate outside our awareness and control. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does implicit prejudice affect decision-making?

<p>It leads to decisions based on unconscious stereotypes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is in-group favoritism?

<p>The inclination to favor those who are similar to us. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of implicit prejudice?

<p>Assuming a teacher is effective based on their age. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to recognize implicit biases?

<p>To understand how unconscious thoughts influence actions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of making associations through implicit prejudice?

<p>Trusting associative memories that may not be accurate. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which concept refers to the unintentional discrimination against those not in one's social group?

<p>In-group favoritism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for executives to be seen as fair?

<p>It builds trust and improves employee engagement. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one key benefit of practicing process fairness?

<p>Minimization of conflicts and enhancement of value. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the task force in the Strategic Fitness Process (SFP)?

<p>Gathering feedback and formulating major themes. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What common misconception might prevent managers from practicing process fairness?

<p>Tangible resources are prioritized over fair treatment. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of operational autonomy in fostering creativity and innovation?

<p>It empowers employees to control their work methods. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can hinder the implementation of fair process?

<p>Corporate policies that restrict openness. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should managers be advised about regarding the practice of fair process?

<p>Negative emotions may be experienced during the process. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might the belief that 'knowledge is power' affect a manager's support for process fairness?

<p>It can make them reluctant to involve others in decision-making. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is group polarization primarily characterized by?

<p>A tendency to make more extreme decisions in a group. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a strategy to mitigate group polarization?

<p>Always rely on the majority rule principle. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT contribute to employees' reluctance to speak up?

<p>Confidence in their speaking abilities. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can an organization implement to foster psychological safety for employees?

<p>Encourage openness and personal development. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following ethical issues is NOT associated with AI decision-making?

<p>Employee morale. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one way to reduce stereotype threat in workplaces?

<p>Encourage diverse perspectives and mentorship. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can be a consequence of group polarization on decision-making?

<p>The emergence of risky shifts in decisions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which intervention can help mentor minority members in an organization?

<p>Ensure access to training and structured mentoring. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for top managers when assessing risk factors in their organization?

<p>Identifying rationalization and socialization risks (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should organizations prioritize once ongoing rationalization and socialization are uncovered?

<p>Reversing unethical practices (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it problematic when unethical acts are discovered in organizations?

<p>It often encounters strong resistance and denial (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do external change agents play in organizations facing unethical practices?

<p>They are more likely to successfully reverse corruption (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of denial and unwillingness to act when unethical behavior is uncovered?

<p>A loss of stakeholder confidence leading to a death spiral (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do external change agents benefit organizations in crisis?

<p>They bring fresh perspectives and diverse social networks (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What must executives manage according to the content provided?

<p>Contradictory goals and difficult real-time decisions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor enhances the likelihood of cooperation from employees during changes?

<p>Involving credible external change agents (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Human Rights

Basic rights that should not be violated, even if it increases overall social happiness.

Utilitarian Approach

An ethical approach that focuses on maximizing overall happiness or well-being.

Ethical Principles

Rules or guidelines that dictate how we should act, regardless of consequences.

Ethical Duties

Obligations to act or decide in certain ways, based on ethical principles.

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Role-Based Duties

Ethical duties stemming from roles or institutions you participate in.

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Business Ethics

Ethical decision-making considerations within business contexts; rules or guidelines for business practices.

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Child Labor Objection

Child labor is ethically wrong because it violates the right to be treated with respect.

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Legal Rules

Rules enforced by the law; ethical duties associated with laws.

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Rationalization and Socialization

These are ongoing processes within an organization that can lead to unethical behavior. They lead to a normalization of problematic actions.

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Reversal of Corruption

Taking swift action to reverse unethical practices in an organization.

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External Change Agents

Outsiders brought in to implement organizational changes, often to address unethical issues.

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Resistance to Change (denial)

Organizations' reluctance to acknowledge unethical behavior.

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Loss of Stakeholder Confidence

A decline in trust from important groups (e.g., investors, customers, employees) due to organizational issues

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Death Spiral

A downward trend of an organization, often caused by a significant loss of confidence from stakeholders.

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Insiders' limitations

Existing employees may struggle to initiate and implement the right changes, due to their ingrained relationships within the organization.

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Ambitious and Contradictory Goals

Executives constantly face complex issues with incomplete information.

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Process Fairness

Treating employees fairly during decision-making, regardless of the outcome. It involves giving employees input, transparency, and respectful treatment.

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Outcome Fairness

The perceived fairness of the final result of a decision.

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Fairer Process = Less Cost?

Implementing fair processes (like giving input and being transparent) often reduces costs in the long run. This is because employees feel more respected and are less likely to leave or engage in negative behaviors.

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What influences Process Fairness?

Employees' perceptions of process fairness are impacted by how much input they feel they have, their understanding of how decisions are made, and the managers' behavior towards them.

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Why might Fair Process be Ignored?

Some organizations may prioritize tangible resources (money, rewards) over treating people decently, leading to unfair processes.

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Negative Impacts of Transparency

While transparency is essential for fair process, some organizations may fear negative consequences like: -Employees feeling overwhelmed by information -Uncomfortable situations during discussions -Unwanted scrutiny of decisions.

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Fair Process vs. Outcomes

While fair process doesn't guarantee everyone gets what they want, it does create a sense of fairness and respect, fostering a more supportive and innovative culture.

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Balancing Tangible Support and Fair Process

While process fairness is important, providing tangible support (like rewards) is also necessary. Balancing both is key to maximizing employee satisfaction.

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Implicit bias

An unconscious bias that relates to social groups and identities. It operates outside of our awareness and control.

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Explicit bias

A conscious bias that is related to social groups and identities. It is something we are aware of and can control.

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What are unconscious biases?

Preconceptions that our brain uses to quickly make sense of the world. They are mental shortcuts that can lead to biases related to social groups.

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Implicit prejudice

Making decisions based on unconscious stereotypes, often related to age, race or other social groups.

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In-group favoritism

A tendency to favor people who are similar to us, such as those sharing our race, religion, or interests.

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How can implicit bias lead to blind spots?

Unconscious biases can blind us to situations where our associations are inaccurate, leading to unfair judgments.

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How do associations influence bias?

Our brains automatically associate things that commonly go together, leading to the assumption that they always coexist.

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Can in-group favoritism lead to discrimination?

By preferring our 'in-group', we might unintentionally discriminate against those who are different from us.

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Group Polarization

The tendency for groups to make decisions that are more extreme than the average individual member's initial inclination.

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Confirmation Bias

The tendency to favor information that confirms pre-existing beliefs and ignore or downplay contradictory evidence.

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Common Knowledge Effect

The tendency for groups to focus on information that everyone knows, even if it's not the most important.

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Psychological Safety

A work environment where employees feel comfortable expressing their opinions and ideas without fear of reprisal.

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Why Employees Don't Speak Up?

Employees may choose not to voice concerns due to factors like lack of confidence, fear of retaliation, or belief that their input will be ignored.

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AI Bias

Bias in AI systems that results from the data they are trained on, reflecting the biases of the people who created or curated the data.

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AI Transparency

The ability to understand and explain how AI systems make decisions, revealing the underlying logic and reasoning behind their output.

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AI Risk of Harm

The potential for AI systems to cause physical or emotional harm, either intentionally or unintentionally, to humans or the environment.

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Seen as Fair

Being fair isn't enough; leaders must also appear fair in their actions to build trust and achieve positive outcomes.

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Strategic Fitness Process (SFP)

A model for achieving process fairness that involves engaging employees, capturing their insights, and building consensus on strategy execution. It helps organizations capture value by getting employees to buy in to strategies.

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Operational Autonomy

The freedom for employees to decide how they complete their work tasks, leading to increased creativity, innovation, and motivation.

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Why Process Fairness is Ignored? (1)

Some managers mistakenly believe that tangible resources are more important to employees than fair treatment, overlooking the value of process fairness.

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Why Process Fairness is Ignored? (2)

Many managers find it easier to avoid uncomfortable situations and conversations when dealing with fairness concerns, leading to inaction.

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Why Process Fairness is Ignored? (3)

Corporate policies (e.g., by legal departments) can hinder open communication about decisions, preventing fair process implementation.

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Why Process Fairness is Ignored? (4)

Managers who believe knowledge is power might resist involving others in decision-making, fearing loss of control. This can hinder the practice of process fairness.

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Study Notes

Chapter 1 - General

  • Greed, omnipotence, cultural numbness, and justified neglect are reasons why people choose not to be good.
  • Rationalization techniques, such as denying responsibility, injury, or the victim, help people justify unethical behavior.
    • Denial of responsibility ("My arm is being twisted")
    • Denial of injury ("No one was really harmed")
    • Denial of the victim ("They deserved it")
  • These techniques are frequently used in situations involving intense pressure from top management to meet numeric targets.

Rationalization Techniques

  • Techniques involve convincing oneself of unethical behavior's lack of harm or the undeserving nature of the victim.
    • Justifying participation in corrupt acts due to circumstances
      • "Everyone does it" mindset
    • Viewing actions as morally acceptable
    • Often adopted when under intense pressure
  • Social weighing: Claiming "You have no right to criticize us" can occur in two ways: Condemning the condemners and selective social comparisons.
  • Appeal to higher loyalties: "I would not report it because of my loyalty to my boss."
  • Balancing the ledger: "We have earned the right."
  • Incrementalism: "It is such a small thing, no big deal."
  • Compromise: “Let me compromise my morals to keep business coming”

Socialization Processes

  • Corruption sustains if newcomers start exhibiting the same behaviors.
  • Cooptation: rewards induce attitude change that encourages unethical behavior.

The Internal Pillars of Our Moral Foundation

  • Care/harm: Responding to signs of suffering and need.
  • Fairness/cheating: Reaping cooperation rewards without exploitation.
  • Loyalty/betrayal: Forming and maintaining coalitions with others.
  • Authority/subversion: Forging relationships within social hierarchies.
  • Sanctity/degradation: Avoiding bodily and spiritual contamination.

Reading Notes (Article 1)

  • Ethical traditions reflect ways to think about how to live ethically.
  • Utilitarianism (consequentialism): Maximizing overall good (e.g., child labor is beneficial if it benefits the majority).
    • Ethical decisions depend on the outcomes of actions
    • Criticisms: Difficulty measuring overall good, end doesn't always justify the means, doesn't account for the minority.
  • Principle-based frameworks/deontology (duty-based): Fundamental rights and duties are guiding principles- no matter the consequences (e.g., violating rights of children).
    • Focuses on ethical duties and principles
    • Criticisms: Disagreement about principles, potential conflicts between principles.

Reading Notes (Article 2)

  • Rationalizing corruption: People view their crimes as non-criminal.
    • Denial of responsibility (circumstances, pressure)
    • Denial of injury (low damage, not impacting anyone)
    • Denial of victim (deserving of the harm)
    • Social weighting (condemning the condemners, comparisons)

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Description

Explore the factors that lead individuals to engage in unethical behavior, such as greed and cultural numbness. This quiz covers rationalization techniques that justify such behaviors, including denial of responsibility and injury. Understand how these techniques often manifest under pressure from management to achieve targets.

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