Work Ethics Handout 2024-25 Sem 1 PDF
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This document provides important terms in ethics, such as norms, attitudes, behavior, and values. It also includes details about types of values, and how values develop. It discusses several aspects of work ethics, including individual responsibility and corporate social responsibility.
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IMPORTANT TERMS IN ETHICS: In order to understand the concept of ethics, certain terms and terminologies should be understood. The following are some of such terms. a. Norms ( ) المعايير b. Attitudes () المواقف c. Behavior () سلوك d. Values ( ) القيم (a)...
IMPORTANT TERMS IN ETHICS: In order to understand the concept of ethics, certain terms and terminologies should be understood. The following are some of such terms. a. Norms ( ) المعايير b. Attitudes () المواقف c. Behavior () سلوك d. Values ( ) القيم (a) Norms ( ) المعايير والعادات Norms are standards or expected social behaviour from members of society. These are informal guidelines about what is considered normal (what is correct or incorrect) social behaviour in a particular group or social unit. Norms form the basis of collective expectations that members of a community have from each other and play a key part in social control and social order by exerting a pressure on the individual to conform. For example, Omani men are supposed to wear Dishdsha and Khanjar while attending a social or an official function. (b) Attitudes ()المواقف السلوكية Attitude is the approach of an individual towards something, someone, someplace or events etc. Attitude may be positive or negative. It is influenced by values and norms. Attitude varies from person to person and time to time and situation to situation. When you use “like” and “dislike” you are expressing an attitude. Attitude normally affects behaviour but cannot be always used to predict behaviour. For example, One person likes some type of foods while others dislike the same food. (c) Behaviour: ()التصرفات واالفعال Behaviour is a component of attitude. Behaviour is what one does. In general, the behaviour is determined by attitude but in some cases due to situational factors behaviour may not reflect the attitude of the person. It is important to remember that if a behaviour is continuously followed against the attitude, it may affect the attitude itself. 39 For example Attitude of an employee towards his/her boss is positive; the employee would greet the boss. The attitude of an employee towards his/her boss is negative; the employee may still greet the boss. In this case, the behaviour is not reflecting the attitude of the person because allowing the attitude to be reflected in behaviour may result in a loss for the employee. (d) Values: Values are the important principles shared by the members of a society about what is good or bad and desirable or undesirable. Values have a major influence on a person's behaviour and attitude and guide individuals in all situations. Some common values are honesty, justice and equality. Values can be viewed as positive, negative or neutral. Positive Values: Anything which is good for the individual or society is called positive value. Examples: Mercy, justice, being truthful, being fair with others etc. Negative Values: Anything which is bad for the individual or society is called negative value. Example: Cheating, lying, stealing and greed etc. Neutral Values: Neutral values deal with what we like or desire. Example: Money, fame and status. TYPES OF VALUES: 1. Personal Values: Personal values are those values which are possessed by individuals. These values and belief lead to action. It reflects an individual’s behaviour, attitude and nature. Personal values can be positive, negative or neutral. Ex: Mr Salem reports to his duty five minutes early every day (Punctuality in his job) 2. Social Values: Social values are those beliefs which are based on the welfare and wellbeing of society. This may include equality, justice, liberty, freedom etc. Ex: Helping your friend, neighbour and others. 3. Economic Values: Values related to earning and spending money. Like spending money in the correct way and charging the correct price for the product etc. Ex: Mrs Muna keeps accounts of all her monthly income and expense regularly. 4. Spiritual Values: Values associated with the relationship of an individual with his God. In specific terms, it includes the mode of worship, beliefs etc. It depends on what 40 God had revealed. If a person is very much strong in spiritual value his action will be more ethical. Ex: Mrs Fatma gives away her Zakat every year on time 5. Technical Values: Values associated with the use of science and technology. Example; using nuclear science and other technologies for the benefit of human being and not for harming anyone. Ex: Mr Mazin uses the internet only for good purposes and he avoids misuse of it. 6. Legal values: Values associated with adhering to the laws of a country. Ex: Mrs Aziza takes all care to follow traffic rules while driving. 7. Aesthetic values: These are based on beauty and neatness. Example: not to destroy a colourful flower and keeping the classroom and office neat and clean. Ex: Mrs Shamsa always keeps her house clean 8. Ecological values: It is based on the living system and environment. It means not to pollute water, space or the environment. Ex: Sohar Aluminium Co. uses advanced technologies to minimize air pollution. 9. Psychological values: This is based on the personal satisfaction of an individual. It is a state of happiness with the available resources. Ex: Mr Abdul Rahman is satisfied with his low income. HOW DO VALUES DEVELOP? There are two main theories that help to explain how values are developed: Morris Massey Theory/ Approach I: Sociologist Morris Massey has described three major periods during which values are developed. 1. The Imprint Period (Role of FAMILY) Up to the age of seven, we are like sponges, absorbing everything around us and accepting much of it as true, especially when it comes from our parents. This is the reason why when a family is having good experiences and live in good ways the children also learn those things. 41 2. The Modeling Period (Role of EDUCATION) Between the ages of eight and thirteen, we copy people, often our parents, but also other people. Rather than blind acceptance, we are trying on things like a suit of clothes, to see how they feel. We may be much impressed with religion or our teachers. You may remember being particularly influenced by junior school teachers who seemed so knowledgeable maybe even more so than your parents. 3. The Socialization Period (Role of SOCIETY) Between 13 and 21, we are very largely influenced by our friends and teachers. As we develop as individuals and look for ways to get away from the earlier programming, we naturally turn to people who seem more like us. Other influences at these ages include the films and the books you read. Class Activity: List out any five values you possess and also identify in which period you got this value to your lifestream? Some of the values are given below. You can choose from that list or write your own value. Sr. Values/Norm/Attitude Stage in which acquired. How has it helped you /Behaviour {Imprint/modelling/socialisation} in your life 1 2 3 4 5 42 LIST OF VALUES – HUMAN VALUES!!! 43 Kevin Ryan Theory/ Approach II: According to Kevin Ryan (2000), values are not stable for all the stages of life. We develop values throughout our lives. Values also change with time. Some values are easy to change while others are difficult to change. There are various ways of developing values. Kevin Ryan (2000) listed six methods of imparting value are 1) Example ( ) أمثلة 2) Explanation ( ) شرح 3) Exhortation (praise) ( ) مدح 4) Ethos ( )شخصية 5) Experience ( ) تجربة 6) The expectation of Excellence ( ) تفوق 1. Teaching values through Examples and models: Human beings aren't born civilized; we have to learn almost everything important by example. Children like heroes and they want to be like their heroes. Their heroes include people they know, people they see on television, and people they read about or hear about. Children learn from their heroes which results in the development of positive values. 2. Teaching values through Explanation (rules, pronouncements, warnings): Just telling rules to children is not enough. The rules have to be explained in a language suitable for their age then children will learn quickly. The rules tell them what is right, what is wrong, what is good, what to admire, and so on. Values are also taught very directly when certain behaviours are expected in children. 3. Teaching values through Exhortation (stories with morals or lessons): Another way of approaching morals, values, and worldviews is through stories and examples that speak directly to particular values. A story is told with a lesson in it. Typically, the stories show how to behave or how not to obey in situations where a decision has to be made. Often in these stories right behaviours and actions are rewarded and, of course, wrong behaviours bring a negative result. 44 4. Teaching values through Ethos: A very important aspect of teaching values to anybody is to create an environment of positive values. For example, if parents tell their children not to lie but parents themselves lie than it is not possible for the child to learn positive values. An environment of positive value has to be created by doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong so that it is easy for the others to follow. If everybody is doing right, it becomes difficult to do wrong. 5. Teaching values through Experience: One of the ways that teachers can help children to develop their values is to give them experiences. The students may be given situations where they may be asked to make ethical decisions. Also, examples of what others have done in such situations can also help in developing values. 6. Teaching values through Expectation of excellence: One of the most important methods of teaching values is through creating the expectation of excellence. Such expectation will lead the child to perform better initially it can start from academic excellence and later or can be tied up to character excellence. Class Activity: (10 mins) Write down as many values developed in you by use of any methods listed above? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 45 APPLICATION OF ETHICS IN REAL LIFE: Ethical behaviour is a very prominent feature of human life. We can see its application in every aspect of our lives; personal, professional or social. In real terms over our evolution we have set up various codes of ethics that guide our day to day living which is mentioned below: Personal Ethics: Personal ethics is a category of philosophy that determines what an individual believes about morality and right and wrong. Personal ethics can affect all areas of life, including family, finances and relationships. Personal ethics are constructed from a person's beliefs and expectations, and it differs from person to person. It is largely influenced by religion, culture, tradition and philosophy that an individual follow. For example, I will keep my promises and honour my commitments; I will treat people as I want to be treated myself. Professional Ethics: Professional ethics is a set of values and principles that guide a profession and the ethics of decisions made within the profession, such as ethics in engineering, law, management, medical, nursing etc. For example: *A professional engineer should not certify the safety of a project which is not safe. *A professional doctor should not be negligent or make the wrong diagnosis. *A professional accountant is expected unbiased report about the company’s financial affairs. Business Ethics: Business Ethics is the application of ethical and moral principles in a business environment. It deals with what is right and what wrong while doing business. It is 46 also called as corporate ethics. These are the written and unwritten codes of principles and values, determined by an organization's culture, that govern decisions and actions within that organization. For example: * A Company uses a certain percentage of profit for charity or social development. * A Company providing the correct information about its products to the customer Class Activity: (10 mins) List as many ethical and unethical practices you may have come across in Business, Profession or Work: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Work Ethics: Work ethic is a set of values based on hard work and carefulness. These are the ethics which employees practice inside and outside their organizations during their job. Work ethics include not only how one feels about their job, career or vocation, but also how one does his/her job or responsibilities. This involves attitude, behaviour, respect, communication, and interaction; how one gets along with others. Work ethics demonstrate many things about whom and how a person is. For example: To come at work on time; to help your co-workers to perform better. 47 Definition of Work Ethics: Work ethics involve a set of moral principles and values that influence how individuals approach their work, interact with colleagues, and contribute to the overall success of the organization (Ciulla, 2004). Key Components of Work Ethics: The key components of Work Ethics are: 1. Responsibility and accountability 2. Professionalism 3. Integrity 4. Respect for others 1. Responsibility and Accountability: Work Ethics means, taking ownership of one's tasks and actions and being accountable for the outcomes of one's work (Beauchamp & Bowie, 2004). The following examples illustrate how responsibility involves recognizing and fulfilling one's duties, while accountability involves being answerable for the outcomes, whether positive or negative, of those duties. Together, they form the foundation of strong work ethics. a. Meeting Project Deadlines: Imagine a project manager is assigned to lead a crucial project with tight deadlines. Responsibility in this context involves the project manager acknowledging their role, understanding the importance of the project, and committing to delivering results within the specified timeframe. Accountability comes into play when the project manager is answerable for the project's success or failure. They must take ownership of the tasks, ensure the team is on track, and be transparent about any challenges faced. This example illustrates how responsibility and accountability go hand-in-hand in meeting project deadlines. b. Financial Integrity in Accounting: Consider a financial analyst responsible for managing the company's financial records and ensuring accuracy in reporting. Responsibility involves the analyst understanding the ethical standards and financial regulations governing their role. Accountability comes into play when the analyst is answerable for the accuracy of financial statements and compliance with accounting principles. If an audit reveals discrepancies, the analyst must take responsibility for any errors, provide explanations, and work towards rectifying the situation. This example highlights the importance of responsibility and accountability in maintaining financial integrity. c. Workplace Safety Compliance: In a manufacturing setting, an employee is responsible for adhering to safety protocols and ensuring a secure work environment. Responsibility entails the employee actively following safety guidelines, using protective equipment, and reporting any potential hazards. 48 Accountability comes into play when the employee is answerable for their actions in case of an incident. If there is a safety violation, the employee must take responsibility, provide an account of their actions, and work towards preventing future occurrences. This example emphasizes the significance of responsibility and accountability in maintaining workplace safety. 2. Professionalism: Work Ethics involves demonstrating a high level of professionalism in dress, communication, and conduct. It also includes respecting organizational policies and standards (Kidwell, Martin, & McFarland, 2000). The following examples illustrate how professionalism is demonstrated through effective communication, punctuality, time management, and adherence to workplace standards. Professional behaviour not only enhances an individual's reputation but also contributes to a positive and thriving work environment. a. Effective Communication: Professionalism in the workplace often manifests through effective communication. Consider a scenario where a team is working on a critical project with members from diverse backgrounds. Professionalism, in this context, involves clear and respectful communication. Team members should express ideas professionally, actively listen to others, and provide constructive feedback. This ensures a positive and collaborative work environment, fostering understanding and contributing to the overall success of the project. b. Punctuality and Time Management: Being punctual and managing time effectively is a fundamental aspect of professionalism. Suppose an employee consistently arrives on time for meetings, adheres to deadlines, and allocates time efficiently for tasks. This showcases a commitment to professionalism. Punctuality and effective time management not only demonstrate respect for colleagues' time but also contribute to increased productivity and the smooth functioning of the team and the organization. c. Dress Code Adherence: Adhering to a specified dress code is a visual representation of professionalism. Consider an employee who consistently follows the organization's dress guidelines, presenting a neat and polished appearance. Professionalism, in this case, extends beyond the quality of work to the employee's outward representation of the company. Maintaining a professional appearance contributes to a positive organizational image, fosters a sense of unity among employees, and creates a professional atmosphere within the workplace. 3. Integrity: Integrity in Work ethics means upholding honesty and transparency in all professional dealings. It includes avoiding deceptive practices and maintaining trust (Schminke, 49 Ambrose, & Miles, 2003). The following examples highlight how integrity in the workplace involves honesty, ethical decision-making, and a commitment to confidentiality and data security. Employees who consistently act with integrity contribute to a positive work environment built on trust and ethical principles. a. Honesty in Reporting: Integrity in the workplace involves honesty and transparency, especially when reporting on tasks or projects. Consider a situation where an employee discovers an error in a report they have prepared. Acting with integrity, the employee acknowledges the mistake, informs relevant stakeholders, and collaborates on rectifying the error. This demonstrates a commitment to truthfulness and ethical behaviour, contributing to a culture of trust within the organization. b. Ethical Decision-Making: Integrity often comes into play when employees are faced with ethical dilemmas. For example, suppose a manager is aware of a potential conflict of interest in a business deal. Acting with integrity, the manager chooses to disclose the conflict, recuses themselves from the decision-making process, and ensures that the best interests of the company are prioritized. This exemplifies ethical decision-making and upholding principles even when faced with challenging situations. c. Confidentiality and Data Security: Maintaining confidentiality and ensuring data security are integral components of workplace integrity, especially in roles dealing with sensitive information. Consider an IT professional responsible for handling customer data. Acting with integrity, this professional implements robust security measures, refrains from unauthorized access to confidential information, and follows established protocols for data protection. Upholding confidentiality demonstrates a commitment to integrity and safeguards the trust of clients and colleagues. 4. Respect for Others: Respect for others includes valuing diversity and treating colleagues, superiors, and subordinates with respect (Kultgen, 1988). It results in creating an inclusive and supportive work environment. The following examples illustrate how respect for others in the workplace extends to inclusive communication, recognition of diverse talents, and professional courtesy. Fostering a culture of respect enhances teamwork, morale, and overall job satisfaction. a. Inclusive Communication: Respecting others in the workplace involves promoting inclusive communication. Consider a team meeting where participants come from diverse backgrounds and have varied communication styles. Respecting others in this context means actively listening to different perspectives, valuing each team member's input, and ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to express their thoughts. This fosters a culture of inclusivity and demonstrates respect for the unique contributions of each team member. 50 b. Recognition of Diverse Talents: In a work environment, respect for others entails recognizing and appreciating the diverse talents and skills that each individual brings to the team. For example, suppose a project requires a combination of technical expertise and creative problem-solving. Respecting others involves acknowledging and valuing both the technical and creative contributions, ensuring that each team member's strengths are recognized and utilized effectively. This recognition contributes to a positive and collaborative work atmosphere. c. Professional Courtesy: Respecting others in the workplace involves demonstrating professional courtesy in interactions. For instance, imagine a busy office where colleagues are working on tight deadlines. Respecting others in this scenario means being mindful of noise levels, maintaining a clean and organized workspace, and avoiding unnecessary disruptions. Professional courtesy contributes to a harmonious work environment and shows consideration for the well-being and productivity of colleagues. Importance of Work Ethics: The importance of good Work Ethics is that it promotes: 1. Organizational Success 2. Professional Reputation 3. Team Collaboration 1. Organizational Success: Work ethics contribute to the achievement of organizational goals and success. Furthermore, employees with strong work ethics enhance productivity and efficiency (Giacalone & Thompson, 2006). The following examples illustrate how work ethics, encompassing values such as responsibility, accountability, and professionalism, directly contribute to organizational success by fostering productivity, shaping a positive culture, and enhancing the organization's reputation. a. Increased Productivity: Work ethics play a pivotal role in enhancing overall productivity within an organization. When employees adhere to strong work ethics, they are more likely to be committed to their tasks, meet deadlines, and strive for excellence in their work. This commitment to quality and efficiency directly contributes to increased productivity. Teams that embrace a strong work ethic collectively work towards achieving organizational goals, ensuring that projects are completed on time and with a high level of quality. b. Positive Organizational Culture: A positive work ethic helps shape and maintain a healthy organizational culture. When employees value responsibility, accountability, and professionalism, it creates a positive atmosphere where collaboration and mutual respect thrive. This positive culture fosters employee engagement, loyalty, and a shared commitment to the organization's goals. As a 51 result, teams work cohesively, leading to higher morale, increased job satisfaction, and a more conducive environment for achieving organizational success. c. Enhanced Reputation and Stakeholder Trust: Work ethics significantly impact how an organization is perceived by external stakeholders, including clients, customers, and partners. Organizations that prioritize integrity, honesty, and ethical conduct build a strong reputation for reliability and trustworthiness. This positive reputation, in turn, attracts clients and customers, fosters long- term relationships, and enhances the organization's standing within the industry. Stakeholders are more likely to trust and engage with an organization that demonstrates a commitment to strong work ethics, ultimately contributing to its long-term success. 2. Professional Reputation: Good work ethics enhance an individual's professional reputation and credibility. A positive reputation can lead to career advancement opportunities (Dubinsky & Loken, 1989). The following examples illustrate that good work ethics enhance an individual's professional reputation and credibility through the consistent delivery of high-quality work, being reliable and dependable, and demonstrating ethical conduct and integrity. These qualities contribute to a positive perception by colleagues, superiors, and the professional community at large. a. Consistent High-Quality Work: One of the primary ways good work ethics enhance an individual's professional reputation is through consistently delivering high-quality work. When an individual consistently produces work that is accurate, well-executed, and meets or exceeds expectations, it establishes a reputation for reliability and competence. Colleagues and superiors will view the individual as someone who can be trusted to deliver results, enhancing their professional credibility. b. Reliability and Dependability: Individuals with good work ethics are often seen as reliable and dependable team members. They meet deadlines, fulfill commitments, and can be counted on to complete tasks with diligence. This reliability builds trust among colleagues and superiors, contributing to a positive professional reputation. When others know they can depend on an individual to get the job done effectively and efficiently, it strengthens the individual's credibility within the workplace. c. Ethical Conduct and Integrity: Good work ethics include a commitment to ethical conduct and integrity. Individuals who consistently demonstrate honesty, transparency, and ethical decision-making contribute to a positive professional reputation. Colleagues and superiors value professionals who operate with integrity, as it establishes trust and credibility. A reputation for ethical behavior not only enhances an individual's standing within the organization but also extends to the broader professional community. 52 3. Team Collaboration: Work ethics promote a collaborative and harmonious team environment. Furthermore, effective teamwork relies on shared values and a commitment to excellence. (Mulki, Jaramillo, & Locander, 2006). Work ethics foster a collaborative and harmonious team environment by promoting open communication, mutual respect, a shared commitment to goals, and a culture of accountability and trust. Teams that prioritize these principles are better positioned to overcome challenges, capitalize on opportunities, and achieve collective success. a. Open Communication and Respect: A strong work ethic contributes to open communication and mutual respect within a team. Team members with good work ethics value each other's perspectives, actively listen to ideas, and engage in constructive dialogue. This fosters an environment where everyone feels heard and respected, creating a collaborative atmosphere. When team members communicate openly and respectfully, it strengthens relationships and promotes a sense of harmony within the team. b. Shared Commitment to Goals: Work ethics involve a commitment to shared goals and objectives. Team members with a strong work ethic are dedicated to the success of the team and the organization. They prioritize the team's mission over individual interests, fostering a collaborative mindset. When everyone in the team is aligned with a shared commitment to achieving common goals, it creates a sense of unity and purpose, contributing to a harmonious team environment. c. Accountability and Team Trust: Good work ethics include a sense of accountability for individual and collective responsibilities. Team members who take ownership of their tasks and deliver on commitments contribute to a culture of trust within the team. When each team member can rely on others to fulfill their duties, it builds trust and enhances collaboration. A team that operates with a strong work ethic is more likely to support each other, share responsibilities, and work cohesively toward shared objectives. Challenges to Work Ethics: The challenges faced by workers include: 1. Work-Life-Balance 2. Ethical Dilemmas 1. Work-Life Balance: Balancing work demands with personal life can be a challenge therefore, employers and employees must collaborate to create supportive work environments (Greenhaus & 53 Beutell, 1985). The following examples highlight some of the common challenges individuals face in balancing work demands with personal life, including workload pressures, expectations of constant availability, and the impact of travel or commuting. Achieving a healthy work-life balance often requires intentional effort, boundary-setting, and effective time management strategies. a. Workload and Time Constraints: Balancing work demands with personal life becomes challenging when individuals face heavy workloads and tight deadlines. In certain professions or during busy periods, the pressure to meet work-related commitments may lead to extended working hours, leaving limited time for personal activities or family responsibilities. This imbalance can result in stress and fatigue, affecting overall well-being. b. Expectations of Availability: In today's interconnected world, the expectation of constant availability can create challenges in achieving a work-life balance. With the advent of technology, individuals may find it difficult to disconnect from work even during personal time. Emails, messages, and work-related calls may encroach on personal hours, making it challenging to fully disengage from work responsibilities and enjoy quality personal time. c. Travel and Commuting: For individuals who need to travel extensively or have long commutes, achieving a balance between work and personal life can be demanding. Long hours spent commuting or frequent business trips can reduce the time available for personal activities, leisure, or spending time with family. This physical separation can strain relationships and make it challenging to maintain a satisfactory work-life balance. 2. Ethical Dilemmas: Employees may encounter ethical dilemmas that test their work ethics, therefore establishing a framework for ethical decision-making is crucial (Rest, 1986). The follwoing examples illustrate how employees may encounter ethical dilemmas that challenge their work ethics, involving conflicts of interest, whistleblowing, and pressure to compromise ethical standards. Negotiating these dilemmas requires careful consideration of ethical principles, organizational values, and the potential impact of decisions on various stakeholders. a. Conflicts of Interest: Employees may encounter ethical dilemmas related to conflicts of interest. For instance, a situation may arise where an employee has a personal relationship with a supplier or a client. Balancing the personal relationship with professional obligations can be challenging, as it may involve decisions that impact the business. Employees must navigate these situations 54 with integrity, ensuring that their personal connections do not compromise the fairness and objectivity of business decisions. b. Whistleblowing and Organizational Wrongdoing: Ethical dilemmas may emerge when employees witness or become aware of wrongdoing within their organization. This could include issues such as financial misconduct, safety violations, or unethical practices. Employees may face the dilemma of whether to remain silent to protect their job security or to blow the whistle to expose the wrongdoing. This situation tests their commitment to ethical principles and may involve weighing the potential consequences of their actions on both personal and organizational levels. c. Pressure to Compromise Ethical Standards: Employees may encounter ethical dilemmas when pressured to compromise their ethical standards to achieve specific business outcomes. This could involve requests to manipulate data, mislead stakeholders, or engage in unethical practices for short-term gains. Employees may face the dilemma of adhering to their ethical principles or succumbing to organizational pressures. This situation tests their commitment to maintaining integrity and ethical conduct even in challenging circumstances. Cultivating and Sustaining Work Ethics: Work Ethics can be developed and maintained through: 1. Leadership Example 2. Training and Development 3. Recognition and Reward 1. Leadership Example: Organizational leaders play a crucial role in setting ethical expectations. Leading by example promotes a culture of integrity (Brown & Treviño, 2006). Organizational leaders shape ethical expectations by establishing a code of ethics, modelling ethical behaviour, and providing training and resources for employees. Their commitment to fostering an ethical culture sets the tone for the entire organization, influencing the behaviour and decisions of employees at all levels. a. Establishing a Code of Ethics: Organizational leaders play a crucial role in setting ethical expectations by establishing a comprehensive code of ethics. This code outlines the values, principles, and expected behaviors that employees should adhere to. It serves as a guiding document that communicates the organization's commitment to ethical conduct. Leaders lead the development and implementation of this code, ensuring that it reflects the organization's values and aligns with legal and industry standards. b. Modelling Ethical Behaviour: Leaders serve as role models for ethical behaviour within the organization. By consistently demonstrating integrity, transparency, and adherence to ethical principles in their decision-making and 55 actions, leaders set a standard for others to follow. When employees see their leaders consistently prioritizing ethical conduct, it creates a culture where ethical behaviour is valued and expected. c. Providing Ethical Training and Resources: Leaders play a crucial role in ensuring that employees have the necessary training and resources to make ethical decisions. This involves organizing training programs, workshops, or seminars on ethical conduct. Leaders ensure that employees are aware of the organization's ethical expectations, understand potential ethical dilemmas, and have the skills to navigate such situations. By investing in ethical education, leaders empower employees to make responsible and principled choices. 2. Training and Development: - Providing employees with training on ethical conduct as continuous learning reinforces ethical values (Treviño, Butterfield, & McCabe, 1998). By providing employees with training on ethical conduct improves work ethics by increasing awareness of ethical standards, enhancing decision-making skills, and reinforcing organizational values. This investment in ethical education contributes to the development of a workplace culture that prioritizes ethical behaviour and principles. a. Increased Awareness of Ethical Standards: Providing employees with training on ethical conduct enhances their awareness of the organization's ethical standards and expectations. Training sessions can cover the company's code of ethics, industry regulations, and relevant legal frameworks. This increased awareness helps employees understand the boundaries of acceptable behaviour and promotes a shared understanding of ethical norms within the organization. b. Enhanced Decision-Making Skills: Ethical conduct training equips employees with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate ethical dilemmas. Through case studies, scenario-based learning, and discussions, employees can develop a deeper understanding of how to make ethical decisions in various situations. This enhanced decision-making capability contributes to a workplace culture where employees feel confident in their ability to apply ethical principles to real- world challenges. c. Reinforcement of Organizational Values: Ethical conduct training serves as a platform to reinforce and align employees with the organization's core values. Leaders can emphasize the importance of values such as integrity, transparency, and accountability during training sessions. By consistently communicating and reinforcing these values, organizations create a work environment where employees are more likely to embody and uphold the ethical standards set by the organization. 3. Recognition and Rewards: Acknowledging and rewarding employees who exhibit exemplary work ethics reinforces positive behaviour (Latham & Pinder, 2005). By acknowledging and rewarding 56 employees who exhibit exemplary work ethics improve overall work ethics by providing positive reinforcement, cultivating a positive work environment, and reinforcing alignment with organizational values. This approach creates a workplace culture where ethical behaviour is recognized, valued, and actively promoted. a. Positive Reinforcement and Motivation: Acknowledging and rewarding employees who exhibit exemplary work ethics serve as a form of positive reinforcement. When individuals receive recognition and rewards for their dedication, responsibility, and commitment to ethical behaviour, it motivates them to continue demonstrating these qualities. This positive reinforcement contributes to a culture where employees are inspired to maintain high work ethics, knowing that their efforts are valued and appreciated. b. Cultivation of a Positive Work Environment: Acknowledging and rewarding employees for their exemplary work ethics contribute to the cultivation of a positive work environment. When ethical behaviour is celebrated and recognized, it sets a standard for others to emulate. This positive reinforcement fosters a culture where employees support each other, collaborate effectively, and collectively contribute to a harmonious and ethical workplace. c. Alignment with Organizational Values: Acknowledging and rewarding employees for their work ethics reinforces the alignment of individual behaviours with organizational values. Organizations often have core values that emphasize integrity, accountability, and professionalism. Recognizing and rewarding employees who embody these values reinforces the importance of ethical conduct within the organization. It sends a powerful message that upholding these values is not only expected but also celebrated and rewarded. Conclusion: Work ethics are fundamental to the success of individuals and organizations. By prioritizing responsibility, professionalism, integrity, and respect, employees contribute to a positive work culture that benefits everyone involved. Academic Ethics As part of the academic community, Students should be aware of level of academic ethics they should adhere to. Important topics that every student should understand are the academic integrity, unethical academic practices and cheating. This part is design to discuss in details these relevant issues consequently. 57 Academic Integrity Academic Integrity is the shared responsibility of the entire academic community. Teachers and students are expected to follow the fundamental principles of academic integrity and to uphold these principles for the advancement of academic scholarship and the continued building of knowledge. It is important that a degree, diploma or certificate should be achieved without compromising one’s own integrity as well as upholding University’s academic integrity standards. A degree thus obtained is a true representation of all the hard work and dedication put into studies. One can rightfully be proud of the achievement as well as maintaining their reputation and that of University. It prepares a person for success in their career as they have put the necessary time and effort into their work, gained much knowledge and developed many valuable skills, such as research, critical thinking, writing skills and much more. Six fundamental values of Academic Integrity The International Centre for Academic Integrity (2013), defines Academic Integrity as a commitment to uphold six fundamental values in the academic community, even when faced with adversity: honesty trust fairness respect responsibility courage Honesty: honest students respect University policies, follow the instructions of their professors and do their work on their own, without any unauthorized help. Dishonest behaviour, such as lying, cheating, fraud, theft, impersonating another person, falsification of data and the like, which are morally and ethically not acceptable to a person of integrity. 58 Example: Your friend asks you if you want to meet up and do an online quiz together. Somehow you feel uneasy about this. What should you do? Complete the quiz together Check the course outline to check if you can work together on the quiz Ask another student if this is allowed Ask your professor if this is allowed Trust: if you are always honest, you will be able to build a relationship of trust both with your peers and with your instructors. Trust is established over time and is based mostly on your actions. Example: Charlotte has a difficult time writing her essay. She asks you if she can just have a quick look at yours to see how you went about it. As she is your friend, you want to be helpful, and give it to her before you leave for your job. Charlotte is tired and thinks to herself: “I just want to be done with this. I’m going to change a few things. That should be enough to submit it.” Why do you think Charlotte made this choice? To get a better grade To finish the essay The essay is too hard for her to do on her own She believes the changes make it her own work 59 Fairness: a person of integrity is fair. You are fair to your peers when you do your own work, to authors when you acknowledge their work you use by citing it, to the University when you respect and follow academic integrity standards, and to alumni when your behaviour helps to support the value of their degree. Example: You are a new student and are juggling to keep up with your courses while also working a part-time job. You are a bit stressed about your upcoming exam. A student who is a year ahead of you offers you a copy of the exam questions to one of your courses. What action would be acceptable? Take the exam copy to help you prepare Decline the offer and keep studying Don't take the exam copy, but ask to just take a look at the type of questions asked Take the exam copy and look at it, but don't study from it Respect: you show respect when you adhere to your assignment instructions, when you actively participate in learning and show interest in gaining new knowledge, when you contribute your thoughts to the academic discourse while accepting that others may disagree with you, when you credit others for their ideas, and when you show that you are putting your best efforts forward. Example: At the end of your class your instructor says: “Don’t forget your assignment is due next class. Remember, this is an individual assignment. You are meant to work on this alone!” You think, “Oh no, I already completed half of the assignment with Jason and Harpreet!” What should you do? Finish the rest of the assignment with Jason and Harpreet Complete the last half of the assignment on your own Ask Jason and Harpreet what they want to do Start the assignment over on your own Consult with your instructor about your situation 60 Responsibility: you show responsible behaviour when you lead by example, when you resist negative peer pressure, and when you discourage others from violating academic integrity principles. Being responsible means being accountable to yourself and others and to do your work to the best of your abilities. Example: You have difficulties with your studies, especially in one of your courses. You have been stuck on your essay for a whole week already. You are afraid that you may fail the course if you can’t turn this situation around. What should you do? Ask your friends for advice Drop the course in which you are not doing well Make no change and hope to pass Spend more time on campus Get a sample paper from an online service Take advantage of the support the University offers Courage: to uphold academic integrity standards requires courage to resist temptations for the “easy way out” and to speak up against wrongdoing. Example: You are entering the room to write your final exam. You see a sign that reads “No electronic devices permitted. Please leave them at the front. You may pick them up after you have finished the exam”. As you enter, you see your classmates put their phones in their pockets. What might you do? Do what your classmates did and put it in your pocket Ask if you can take your phone to keep it safe and mention that others are doing so Leave it in your bag under your seat Bring it with you in case of emergency 61 Key Takeaways as a student you are a part of the scholarly community all members of this community must uphold the six principles of academic integrity: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage Avoid any act of falsification, misrepresentation or deception that: is dishonest and compromises the worth of other’s work undermines the trust between students and professors is unfair to students who pursue their studies honestly disrespects professors and the institution as a whole is irresponsible to yourself, because it prevents you from meaningfully reaching your own scholarly potential it is your responsibility to uphold academic integrity standards. integrity violations can have severe academic consequences Unethical Academic Practices Dishonest or unethical practices in teaching, learning and research include: Plagiarism Misrepresentation Contract Cheating Collusion Copying and Pasting Recycling Plagiarism You’ve probably heard about the term plagiarism before. You know it’s bad news and that, if you plagiarize, you may get a zero on your assignment or fail a course. So avoiding plagiarism is important, right? 62 Several definitions are out there for Plagiarism. Some include: To "steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own"; To "commit literary theft"; To "present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source"; (Merriam-Webster, n.d.) To present "another person's ideas, information, expressions, or entire work as one's own"; (Modern Language Association, 2016. P.6) The "unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work". (“Plagiarism.” 1987. P.1479) Basically, in plain English it means that you must: Do your OWN work; Submit ORIGINAL work; Contribute your OWN thoughts and ideas; Quote and paraphrase PROPERLY; GIVE CREDIT to all works and ideas that you borrow always. How to avoid plagiarism? 1 Time Management: Here are some pointers to help keep you on track. We know student life can be challenging. Juggling all your academic work - the papers, projects, assignments, and exams you get throughout the semester - with a job, responsibilities at home, and your social life is a lot to take care of. It can be tempting to take “dangerous shortcuts”, like: Buying a paper online; Copying ideas from your friend’s essay; Reusing a paper, you wrote before; Cutting and pasting information without giving credit. But honestly, what will you learn by doing any of these things? ZERO … and this is exactly what you will get on your assignment plus a permanent note of plagiarism on your academic record. So, instead: Learn to manage your time more effectively and avoid procrastination by watching some of our helpful videos on the Learning Centre Time Management playlist. This will allow you to stay honest and still enjoy time with your family or an evening out with your friends. 63 2 Research Help You look through your assignment and projects requirements and you feel that it may as well be written in a foreign language. You know you are not supposed to use Wikipedia or rely on Google search results, but how DO you find acceptable sources? No worries, we’re here to help! Check out the Library Subject Guides on the library homepage for suggested resources in your area of study and our Research Help Guide with lots of information on how to search for books, e-books, articles and videos, and get one on one help from a librarian! 3 Writing Help: You have done your research. Let the creative process begin! Don’t panic. It’s not unusual to feel a bit overwhelmed when trying to organize your research, develop your own points and pull it all together to create a good paper. Rest assured, the more you do it, the easier it gets – and we’re always here to help! The Learning Centre has Peer and Faculty tutors who are available for one-on-one sessions that you can book for up to two hours per week. These are REAL tutors who will help you with quoting and paraphrasing properly as well as provide feedback on your work. They will support you in doing your own work and doing so honestly. There are even two options for submitting your writing assignment online: Write-Up and Write-Away (tlc.kpu.ca and writeaway.ca). The writing tutors on these platforms will review your work and provide feedback within three business days. 4: Citation Help: Finally, you developed and revised your paper. Now you have to make sure you cited all your sources properly! Yes, EVERYTHING! Words, images, music, videos, websites, Fb posts, Tweets, and more… well, unless you came up with it by yourself or it’s something that is commonly known by most people. Some examples of commonly known facts include that H2O = water, that Ottawa is the capital of Canada and that apples, bananas and oranges are a type of fruit. Check out the APA citation style guides for examples on how to cite many sources, how to format your paper, and to see a sample paper. If you need further help, you can connect with a librarian by phone, email, or chat! As you can see, avoiding plagiarism is achievable if you: Manage your time effectively; Get research and citation help from librarians; and get writing help from authorized University tutors. To find out more about academic integrity and plagiarism, please check out our press-book. Best of luck with your writing assignments this semester. You’ve got this! 64 Misrepresentation: There are various levels of misrepresentation, ranging from intentional to accidental. The most common ones are. A. Contract Cheating B. Collusion C. Copying and Pasting D. Recycling A. Contract Cheating The most severe form of misrepresentation of something as your own is called Contract Cheating or Ghost-writing, which happens every time a person completes an assignment for a student, and the student then submits it as their own. It will have the most severe consequences. Contract cheating includes: submitting a paper from a so-called “tutoring” service or “essay mill” as your own, for which you paid submitting a paper that someone else wrote for you (for example, a friend or a family member) as your own, no matter if you paid for it or not swapping papers with another student, and submitting each other’s papers as your own, even if you made some changes producing a work for a fellow student (with or without being paid), and they submit it as their own. In this case, you are deliberately aiding another student to behave fraudulently, and both of you will be subject to disciplinary actions B. Collusion You collude when you submit shared work as individual work. Collusion includes: working on individual assignments with a classmate discussing online quizzes and exams with others sharing computer code that is intended to be individually written receiving unauthorized help from a tutor or other person to complete assignments in group projects, misrepresenting the individual contributions of the group members 65 Contract Cheating and collusion both defeat the purpose of the assignment. An assignment helps instructors evaluate your understanding, so if you don’t do your own work, your instructor cannot give a fair evaluation nor an accurate grade. By not doing the work yourself, you are also putting yourself in an unfair advantage over your fellow students who put in the effort and did their own work. Lastly, it makes your own education less effective as you will not improve your skills, and it devalues your credentials. Collaboration versus Collusion – what is the difference? Collusion = working together with others although explicitly being told to work individually. This is not acceptable and an academic integrity violation. Collaboration = working together on an assignment as a group as explicitly permitted or required by your instructor. This is acceptable. Important: In group work, you must clearly indicate what is the group’s work and what are your own individual contributions. C. Copying and Pasting It is ok to use other information to support your arguments as long as you quote, paraphrase or summarize properly and cite your sources. However, copying and pasting whole chunks of information is poor scholarship and does not reflect any learning or understanding on your part. This will get you a very poor grade, even if you cite your sources. If you do not cite at all, this is also plagiarism. Plagiarism due to copying and pasting includes: The Clone: directly copying and pasting everything (from one or from multiple sources) without citing The Mosaic: directly copying and pasting passages (from one or from multiple sources) without citing and adding some original thought Copy, Paste, Replace: copying and pasting everything or passages (from one or from multiple sources) without citing, then replacing a few words to make it sound different; maybe adding some original thought too 66 Reusing a specific structure that someone else created without acknowledgement. For example, using a template, outline, form, the exact same headings, same number of sentences, and covering exactly the same concepts of a sample report given to you by your instructor (unless explicitly permitted by your instructor). D. Recycling You are expected to submit your own work and this work must be new and original. Recycling is a form of plagiarism called self-plagiarism. It refers to: Submitting your own previous work, entirely or partially, in another course as new and original Common Knowledge There is only one exception to the rule about citing information from others, and that is common knowledge. What is common knowledge? General common knowledge is information: That can be verified easily and consistently in several different sources That many people are believed to know Examples: o capital cities, important historical dates and persons, basic mathematics, common sense observations This information does not need to be cited Cheating in Examinations Cheating in exams refers to any intentional or unintentional form of academic misconduct that provides certain exam-takers an unfair advantage over others. It is a 67 serious violation of disciplinary rules, leading to severe consequences for students and exam-giving educational centers. An exam is a test at which you demonstrate your individual qualifications and skills within the framework and on the conditions laid down by the university for the relevant exam. If you – intentionally or unintentionally – act in such a way as to improve your exam conditions compared to what was intended, you are cheating to obtain an incorrect assessment. If you help someone else obtain an undue advantage at an exam, this also constitutes cheating. Furthermore, attempts at cheating at exams will be dealt with in accordance with the rules regarding exam cheating, regardless of whether the attempt at cheating is successful or whether you actually intended to cheat. The rules regarding exam cheating are applicable irrespective of the type of exam. UTAS Examination Committee has prepared a leaflet, which provides several examples of what the university regards as cheating Some common unfair means used for cheating are listed below (though not exhaustive): Presenting someone else’s work entirely or partially as the student’s own, i.e. plagiarism, including lack of reference to sources and/or clear marking of quotations from sources on the web, other people’s theses or assignments, textbooks, articles, etc. Taking an answer paper from the Internet, etc. and submitting all or part of it as one’s own work 68 Presenting one’s own previous work without reference (self-plagiarism) Submitting work of a practical or artistic nature created by someone other than the student Unauthorized cooperation or communication between candidates or groups Changing an answer paper after submitting it Using or having access to illegal aids during the relevant examination, for example: o a calculator or PC with content/programmability beyond the limits of what is allowed o software installed in connection with an examination that makes it possible to access illegal exam support material o a mobile phone or other digital aid (this must be kept in the designated place during the exam) o loose sheets, notes, a memory stick with curriculum-relevant content o text relevant to the subject that is written or pasted into permitted exam support material such as dictionaries or collections of formulae o students’ own sheets of rough paper with a “draft text” that has been written beforehand, textbooks from the curriculum or other relevant academic books o illegal exam support material available in areas outside the examination room, for example, in toilets o illegal exam support material discovered in checks before the exam Unauthorized use of permissible aids Improperly getting access to the exam The student gets someone else to attend the exam in their place or gets another person to write their answer paper The student gets someone else to sign for them in connection with compulsory attendance Through dishonest behaviour before the examination, the student obtains access to the exam question paper The student aids or abets another student to cheat Otherwise acting in a way that could provide wrongful advantages in connection with assessment or compulsory activities 69 Cheating in online examinations With the current use of online assessment, academic dishonesty has assumed new proportions. Some of the commonly used methods are (not exhaustive): Impersonation Cheating using external resources Abetting cheating Impersonation: Impersonation is one of the most common forms of examination malpractice, wherein students, instead of taking the exam themselves, ask others to take the exam on their behalf. For example, if A has enrolled for an exam, he/she sends B to take it to gain an unlawful advantage, which counts as impersonation. Two interventions where impersonation can occur while giving an online exam are impersonation before the exam and impersonation during the exam. Use of External Resources: Students have become highly sophisticated in cheating. And some cheating masterminds tend to find a way to bend the rule, especially during online exams. That is why they don’t shy away from manipulating external resources to fool the system. Here’s how cheating is undertaken using external resources: Seeking help from friends and family present in the room Seeking help by remotely using software Using sophisticated microphones and earpieces Storing answers on smart devices 70 Cheating Using the Internet: Misusing navigation privileges Cheating using their own system Purposely disrupting the test Abetting Cheating Sometimes a student can indulge in cheating without realizing his actions. For example, a miscreant releasing a question paper before the exam or an applicant sharing the question with another applicant as the former has already taken it. Fraudulently discussing the answers to an upcoming exam or copying the questions and distributing them to other test-takers also accounts for cheating in online exams. ONLINE EXAMINATIONS GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS (UTAS) 1. The student is fully responsible for the preparation for all materials (software, periodic table, calculators, etc.) needed for the course examination before the schedule of the assessment. 2. Place your device near the Wi-Fi router / modem to prevent signal interruption. 3. Position your device in such a way that your entire face is clearly and properly captured in your web camera throughout the duration of the examination. 4. Refusal to switch on web camera during the examination is not acceptable and it will be reported to the INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE for necessary action. 5. Device to be used must be fully charged, equipped with microphone and camera. 6. Microphone should be set in average volume and unmuted during the entire exam. 7. Make sure you log in to the Exam Portal and MS TEAMS at least 20-25 minutes before the start of the exam, as no latecomer will be allowed after the start of the exam. 8. Keep your student ID on hand for presentation purposes, if required by the Teacher / Invigilator. 9. Read and understand the directions / specific instructions for the exam. Any concerns must be addressed to the Teacher / Invigilator who facilitates assessment through MS TEAMS Private Chat / Messages. 10. You are reminded that you are strictly not allowed to take or share the screenshots of other students. a. Photos, screenshots, video recording during the entire exam is not allowed and would be treated as a malpractice. b. Sharing of such photos, screenshots, video recording in any social media is NOT allowed c. Both a & b of the introduced practices may be considered as offence by end users and you may be a victim of the Oman Cyber Crime Law. 71 3 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Outcomes Covered: Function in a moral and ethical manner in his/her life Learning Objectives: This chapter will help the student to understand the importance of social responsibility and its different aspects. The student will be able to understand these concepts and would understand its practical application in the real world. Topics COVERED : 1. Introduction to Social Responsibility 2. Individual Social Responsibility (ISR) 3. Responsibilities as Individuals and Citizens 4. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 5. Difference between ISR & CSR 6. Class Activities 75 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY The MEANING OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ()مسؤولية اجتماعية: Social responsibility is an ethical theory, in which individuals are accountable for fulfilling their civic duty ( واجب ;)مدنيthe actions of an individual must benefit the whole of society. In this way, there must be a balance between economic growth ( )النمو االقتصاديand the welfare of society and the environment. If this balance is maintained, then social responsibility is accomplished. Social Responsibility can be seen as Individual Social Responsibility (ISR) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). INDIVIDUAL SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (ISR): Individual Social Responsibility (ISR) is about an individual becoming responsible in his/her actions that have an effect on communities outside his/her immediate circle. The immediate circle being family and friends and the outside circle includes neighbours, related organizations and various aspects of the society. There can be an argument about also including family and friends, but it would be rather pertinent to include them as part of Individual Personal Responsibility. Thus, every individual has a responsibility to act in a manner that is beneficial to society and solely to the individual. As a member of a community, we should understand the village, the small town or the residential complex in the big city, where lives every one of us. In this way, every one of us understands the problems of a community and could take part to overcome such problems in different ways. 76 Examples: (1) Being an individual we can take part in the cleaning of the street on which he lives. (2) We can take part to organize some events connected with the history of the town or the village or by rendering social services to children without parents or elderly people. (3) The individual social responsibility could also be expressed in making donations for significant for the society causes – social, cultural or ecological. There are many ways of donating, for example donating of goods or donating money through a bank account or online". 3.2.1.1 Classification of Individual Social Responsibility: Individual responsibility can be classified into 4 broad categories which include: Economic responsibility: This involves responsibility towards the problems of the economy in terms of income inequality, unemployment, prices of goods & services etc. Social responsibility: This involves responsibility in dealing with the problems of society like old-age pensions, discrimination, nepotism, divorce problems etc. Civic responsibility: This involves responsibility in promoting community activities, voting rights, respecting and following laws, use of community resources etc. Environmental responsibility: This involves responsibility towards preserving and protecting the environment from any harm or damage. 3.2.1.2 ISR and Philanthropy ()اإلحسان Is ISR only about philanthropy ( ?)اإلحسانISR is not restricted to act of charity only but it should go beyond the philanthropy. Being an individual we should also stand as a campaigner ()حملة, volunteer ( ) تطوعand activist ( ) ناشطto supports issues affecting the society. 77 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR): Corporate responsibility refers to fulfilling the responsibility or the obligation that a company has toward its stakeholders (Stakeholders – Employees, Customers, Suppliers, Community, and Environment etc.). CSR is all about how companies manage the business processes to generate profits to itself and produce an overall positive impact on the society from where it obtains all the resources – human, financial, material and others. CSR is concerned with public interest or societal wellbeing. “Corporate social responsibility is a commitment to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of our workforce and their families as well as the local community at large”. We can also say, “It is a concept whereby organizations take responsibility for their impact on society and the environment”. Example: The Zubair Corporation established a number of educational facilities, including the Fire and Safety Engineering College and Bait Al Zubair Foundation and Museum. The latter regularly holds art exhibitions from which the proceeds are donated to non- government organization and charities such as Dar Al Atta's. Special emphasis is also put on the Omani youth. Yearly, scholarships in a range of fields are awarded to students that demonstrate potential and a drive to succeed. Recipients are not only given assistance in selecting suitable universities and covering their expenses, but they are also offered jobs within The Corporation after completing their education. Furthermore, the Zubair Small Enterprises Centre (Zubair SEC) is one of the initiatives which emanated from The Zubair Corporation’s CSR strategic vision towards the Omani society. The vision reflects the corporation’s belief in the importance of small enterprises (SMEs) in enhancing the national economy and contributing to sustainable socio-economic development. Established in 2013, Zubair SEC is envisioned to be more than an incubator and accelerator for small businesses. 78 3.3.1.1 Classification of Corporate Social Responsibility 1. Responsibility towards self: - Every corporate’s primary duty is towards increasing its organizational efficiency, attain growth, expansion, stability and thus earn profits. 2. Responsibility towards employees: -Employees are an integral part of any organization. The responsibilities of an organization towards its employees are providing a hygienic environment, fair and impartial treatment to all its employees, timely payment, health care, career enhancement. 3. Responsibility towards shareholders: - safeguarding the shareholders’ investment and providing a reasonable return on their investment is the responsibility of every organization. 4. Responsibility towards customers: - this responsibility should be fulfilled by maintaining high-quality standards at reasonable prices; it should not resort to malpractices such as hoarding and black-marketing. 5. Responsibility towards State: - the state is entitled to certain share out of the profits the company makes in the form of income tax. Utmost transparency has to be maintained in accounting statements. 6. Responsibility towards the environment: - it is the responsibility of the organization to contribute to the protection of the environment, produce environment-friendly products, taking care of industrial waste management, etc., 79 3.3.1.2 ISR vis-à-vis CSR: 1. ISR is at the roots of CSR because a corporate / organizations are run by individuals and hence determines the social responsibility culture it follows. 2. As CSR is being increasingly viewed as a tool to make organizations socially responsible so a greater need for ISR is expected. 3. If ISR becomes a way of life CSR may be an automatic end result. SOCIAL MEDIA RESPONSIBILITY Social media is online content created by people using highly scalable and accessible publishing technologies. It’s a shift in how people discover, read and share news, information and content. It transforms monologues (one to many) into dialogues (many to many) and transforming people from content readers into publishers. Social media allows people to connect in the online world to form relationships for personal, political, and business use. Ethics In Social Media Unlike any other human activity, Social media platforms users have freedom and unlimited access to the virtual space to communicate with anyone. However, the lack of public awareness related to ethics in social media will prompt some social problems. Mostly the users are blinded by the fraudulent news and activities on social media. Here are some important things related to ethics in using social media especially in communication, sharing information, privacy and using other’s work. As a consequence, the unethical use of social media has caused the violation of individual privacy and impacts both physical and information security. 80 Social Media Ethics and Etiquette: In social media, the right ethic equals the right perception and the right thinking on 1. how to influence social media appropriately and 2. how to engage people in the right manner. Etiquette is a code of behaviour within the context of our society In social media, the right etiquette equals acting the right way It is very important to remember that whenever you connect with a social media network, you are joining a community 1. appropriate time 2. respect and kindness. The three main principles of social media ethics and etiquette are: Authenticity: people will respond positively if you are sincere. Transparency: having hidden agendas will only count against you. Communication: getting to know people as people and letting them get to know you. Social Media Addiction The imbalance between Technology and life such as the use of social media platforms is likely to cause many problems. the overuse of Social media is called behavioural Addiction which can cause many psychological issues; that is characterized as being excessively concerned about social media, driven by an overwhelming desire to use social media, and giving so much time and effort to social media that it harms other important life areas. The constant engagement in social media leads to multiple interpersonal problems eventually, such as ignoring real-life relationships, work or school responsibilities, and physical health, creating face images that may in the end to worsening the individual’s undesirable moods. A study by California State University found that “individuals who visited any social media site at least 58 times per week were 3 times more likely to feel social loneliness and depression compared to those who used social media fewer than 9 times per week.” This effect individuals perception of themselves and how they want people to see them 81 or think of them. A study suggests that “Social media allows users the ability to manage their presence to their audience. Individuals normally choose to exhibit an ideal self- image on social media.” The researchers noticed that people choose to share things that are self-enriching with their virtual friends on social media. However, they seem to self-authentication (such as admitting weaknesses or embarrassing information) primarily when considering close friends as the primary audience. Discussion exercise: o Why do you use social media? o How do you use social media? o What are the ethics and values you follow when using social media? CLASS ACTIVITY: Activity 1: Divide the class into groups of four or five individuals. Let them identify a company of their choice local or foreign company. Ask the students to find all the information related to CSR Practices undertaken by such company. Ask them to classify such activities into - economic; - social; and - environmental responsibility. Invite the groups to share their ideas with the rest of the class. Initiate a class discussion. Encourage the students to talk about why organizations might choose to introduce CSR strategies. Invite them to pose questions about how CSR affects various stakeholders like employees, customers, society, government etc. Ask the students to then submit a report on their activity which includes the following: a brief outline of the organization; a description of how the organization is socially responsible; and an outline that explains in what was being socially responsible benefits: the company or organization; 82