1 / 19

Defence Ethics Survey: The Impact of Situational Moral Intensity on Ethical Decision Making Sanela Dursun Major Rob Mo

International Military Testing Association 2003. 2. 1.I am tired of poor decision making and the associated misuse of limited CF resources (72.8%).2.I have lost faith in the CF leadership (69.1%).3.I want to increase my family stability by establishing roots in some community (67.7%)

cale
Download Presentation

Defence Ethics Survey: The Impact of Situational Moral Intensity on Ethical Decision Making Sanela Dursun Major Rob Mo

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

    1. International Military Testing Association 2003 1 Defence Ethics Survey: The Impact of Situational Moral Intensity on Ethical Decision Making Sanela Dursun Major Rob Morrow Good Morning. My name is Sanela Dursun, and I am a Defence Scientist representing Directorate of Human Resources Research and Evaluation and Social Science Operational Research Team I will be presenting on Ethical decision making in Canadian Forces, particularly the impact of situational moral intensity. This work was completed by a Major Rob Morrow and myself. I won’t go into discussion of the importance of ethical behavior and ethical decision making in Military, I am sure that’s more than clear to all of us…. However, I will show you one direct organizational outcome of ethical decision makingGood Morning. My name is Sanela Dursun, and I am a Defence Scientist representing Directorate of Human Resources Research and Evaluation and Social Science Operational Research Team I will be presenting on Ethical decision making in Canadian Forces, particularly the impact of situational moral intensity. This work was completed by a Major Rob Morrow and myself. I won’t go into discussion of the importance of ethical behavior and ethical decision making in Military, I am sure that’s more than clear to all of us…. However, I will show you one direct organizational outcome of ethical decision making

    2. International Military Testing Association 2003 2 1. I am tired of poor decision making and the associated misuse of limited CF resources (72.8%). 2. I have lost faith in the CF leadership (69.1%). 3. I want to increase my family stability by establishing roots in some community (67.7%). 4. I am taking full advantage of my pension and potential civilian salary (63.3%). 5. I do not want to be separated from my family (62.4%). I borrowed this slide from the researcher studying attrition in CF. These results are from the Exit survey designed to capture members’ reasons for leaving the CF. The data presented include 1109 members who left CF between Aug 2001 and June 2003. As you can see , 73 % of those who left, indicated ………………..as one of the reasons for leaving. I borrowed this slide from the researcher studying attrition in CF. These results are from the Exit survey designed to capture members’ reasons for leaving the CF. The data presented include 1109 members who left CF between Aug 2001 and June 2003. As you can see , 73 % of those who left, indicated ………………..as one of the reasons for leaving.

    3. International Military Testing Association 2003 3 Outline Background Determinants of ethical decision making Moral Intensity Current Study: Sample, Method, Measures Preliminary Results Implications I’ll start the presentation by giving you a background information on this study explaining Where we are now and How we got there I will briefly review a model of ethical decision making used in this study and I will then discuss the moral intensity construct and its dimensions. I will describe the current study, methodology used and preliminary findings Finally, I’ll suggest the implications of these findings. I’ll start the presentation by giving you a background information on this study explaining Where we are now and How we got there I will briefly review a model of ethical decision making used in this study and I will then discuss the moral intensity construct and its dimensions. I will describe the current study, methodology used and preliminary findings Finally, I’ll suggest the implications of these findings.

    4. International Military Testing Association 2003 4 Background In 1999 a comprehensive assessment was conducted of the ethical climate of the Canadian Forces and Department of National Defence (CF/DND) and the values used by members to make ethical decisions. In 1999 a comprehensive assessment was conducted of the ethical climate of the Canadian Forces and Department of National Defence (CF/DND) and the values used by members to make ethical decisions. A team of psychologist from Canadian Universities developed a model of ethical decision making to provide a theoretical foundation for the research An instrument, based upon the model, was constructed In 1999 a comprehensive assessment was conducted of the ethical climate of the Canadian Forces and Department of National Defence (CF/DND) and the values used by members to make ethical decisions. A team of psychologist from Canadian Universities developed a model of ethical decision making to provide a theoretical foundation for the research An instrument, based upon the model, was constructed

    5. International Military Testing Association 2003 5 Determinants of ethical decision-making The model developed has its core that ethical decision making proceeds through a process of recognizing ethical issue, making ethical judgement, forming ethical intent , and, finally behaving in a ethical fashion. In turn each and every stage of this process is influenced by three classes of predictors – characteristics of individual (which includes individual values, the bases for ethical –decision making used (individual ethical ideologies) and stages of ethical/moral development), characteristics of he situation/issue (the moral intensity of the issue) and ethical climate of the organization. Some parts of the model were examined (some worked well, others not so well). The measurement of moral intensity was not successful and the new approach was developed to measure moral intensity. In this presentation I will focus on the part of the model – impact of situational moral intensity on three stages of ethical decision making process, from recognition that an issue represents an ethical dilemma to deciding whether to engage in a particular action. The model developed has its core that ethical decision making proceeds through a process of recognizing ethical issue, making ethical judgement, forming ethical intent , and, finally behaving in a ethical fashion. In turn each and every stage of this process is influenced by three classes of predictors – characteristics of individual (which includes individual values, the bases for ethical –decision making used (individual ethical ideologies) and stages of ethical/moral development), characteristics of he situation/issue (the moral intensity of the issue) and ethical climate of the organization. Some parts of the model were examined (some worked well, others not so well). The measurement of moral intensity was not successful and the new approach was developed to measure moral intensity. In this presentation I will focus on the part of the model – impact of situational moral intensity on three stages of ethical decision making process, from recognition that an issue represents an ethical dilemma to deciding whether to engage in a particular action.

    6. International Military Testing Association 2003 6 Moral Intensity Jones (1991) described six dimensions of moral intensity as: magnitude of consequences social consensus probability of effect temporal immediacy proximity concentration of effect What is moral intensity? Moral Intensity relates exclusively to characteristics of the ethical issue or dilemma as perceived by a decision maker and it includes 6 dimensions The moral intensity dimensions should influence all stages of EDM process, from recognition that an issue is a ethical dilemma to deciding whether to engage in a particular action. Individuals who are confronted with an issue perceived as having a high level of moral intensity will be more likely to recognize the issue as having an ethical component, to judge issue as less ethical and they will be less likely to form behavioural intentions to act in a similar manner.What is moral intensity? Moral Intensity relates exclusively to characteristics of the ethical issue or dilemma as perceived by a decision maker and it includes 6 dimensions The moral intensity dimensions should influence all stages of EDM process, from recognition that an issue is a ethical dilemma to deciding whether to engage in a particular action. Individuals who are confronted with an issue perceived as having a high level of moral intensity will be more likely to recognize the issue as having an ethical component, to judge issue as less ethical and they will be less likely to form behavioural intentions to act in a similar manner.

    7. International Military Testing Association 2003 7 Magnitude of consequences refers to the sum of harms (or benefits) resulting from the moral act in question. Social consensus refers to the degree of social agreement that a proposed act is ethical or unethical. Probability of effect refers to both the probability that the act in question will happen, and the probability that the act in question will actually cause the harm predicted. The present study looks specifically at five moral intensity dimensions: Magnitude of consequences refers to the sum of harms (or benefits) resulting from the moral act in question. An act that causes 1000 people to suffer an injury is of greater magnitude of consequences than an act that causes 10 people to suffer the same injury Social consensus refers to the degree of social agreement that a proposed act is ethical or unethical. Individuals in a social group may share values and standard, which influence their perception of ethical behaviour. A high degree of social consensus reduces a level of ambiguity one faces in ethical dilemmas. An act that most people feel is wrong is of greater moral intensity than an act about which people’s opinions vary. Probability of effect refers to both the probability that the act in question happen an, and the probability that the act in question will actually cause the harm predicted. The more likely an act is to cause harm, the greater the propensity of an individual to view the act as unethical. The present study looks specifically at five moral intensity dimensions: Magnitude of consequences refers to the sum of harms (or benefits) resulting from the moral act in question. An act that causes 1000 people to suffer an injury is of greater magnitude of consequences than an act that causes 10 people to suffer the same injury Social consensus refers to the degree of social agreement that a proposed act is ethical or unethical. Individuals in a social group may share values and standard, which influence their perception of ethical behaviour. A high degree of social consensus reduces a level of ambiguity one faces in ethical dilemmas. An act that most people feel is wrong is of greater moral intensity than an act about which people’s opinions vary. Probability of effect refers to both the probability that the act in question happen an, and the probability that the act in question will actually cause the harm predicted. The more likely an act is to cause harm, the greater the propensity of an individual to view the act as unethical.

    8. International Military Testing Association 2003 8 Moral Intensity Temporal immediacy refers to the length of time between the act in question and the consequences resulting from the act. Proximity refers to the feelings of nearness that the moral agent holds for the target of moral act. Temporal immediacy refers to the length of time between the act in question and the consequences resulted from the act. In other word, an act that will have negative consequences tomorrow is more morally intense than an act that will have negative consequences in ten years. Proximity refers to the feelings of nearness that the decision maker hold for the target of moral act. The action which will negatively affect people in my unit is of grater intensity than an action which will affect people outside my unit . Temporal immediacy refers to the length of time between the act in question and the consequences resulted from the act. In other word, an act that will have negative consequences tomorrow is more morally intense than an act that will have negative consequences in ten years. Proximity refers to the feelings of nearness that the decision maker hold for the target of moral act. The action which will negatively affect people in my unit is of grater intensity than an action which will affect people outside my unit .

    9. International Military Testing Association 2003 9 Current Study – Sep 03 Using: Four relevant scenarios involving ethical situations; A fifth scenario to assess ethical decision making in an operational environment. This study examined the relationship between perceived moral intensity dimensions and three stages of the ethical decision making process. This survey was administered in July-Sept 03. four scenarios involving ethical situations were used. The military version of the questionnaire contained one additional scenario, in order to assess ethical decision making in an operational environment. All scenarios were adopted from the compilation of the focus groups findings (study conducted in 2001) in which the CF members and DND employees identified the ethical issues with which they were exposed. An initial selection of ten scenarios was pilot tested to ensure the salience of the stimulus for both civilians and military. This study examined the relationship between perceived moral intensity dimensions and three stages of theethical decision making process. This survey was administered in July-Sept 03. four scenarios involving ethical situations were used. The military version of the questionnaire contained one additional scenario, in order to assess ethical decision making in an operational environment. All scenarios were adopted from the compilation of the focus groups findings (study conducted in 2001) in which the CF members and DND employees identified the ethical issues with which they were exposed. An initial selection of ten scenarios was pilot tested to ensure the salience of the stimulus for both civilians and military.

    10. International Military Testing Association 2003 10 Overall 1824 participants 1309 Military (72%) 515 Civilians (28%) With the respect to moral intensity, no significant differences were found between military and civilians. With the respect to moral intensity, no significant differences were found between military and civilians.

    11. International Military Testing Association 2003 11 Measures Recognition of moral issue “Do you believe that there is a moral or ethical issue involved in the above action/decision?” 7-point scale from 1 (completely agree) to 7 (completely disagree) After exposure to each scenario, recognition was measured by asking the respondents to respond to a single item, A single statement was used for each component of perceived moral intensity. As moral intensity is a situation-specific construct, it was measured separately for each of the five scenarios. Ethical intention After exposure to each scenario, ethical intention was measured by asking the respondents to indicate the likelihood “that you would make the same decision described in the scenario” on a 7 point scale with 1 representing “Definitely would” and 7 representing “Definitively would not”. (see Appendix B) After exposure to each scenario, recognition was measured by asking the respondents to respond to a single item, A single statement was used for each component of perceived moral intensity. As moral intensity is a situation-specific construct, it was measured separately for each of the five scenarios. Ethical intention After exposure to each scenario, ethical intention was measured by asking the respondents to indicate the likelihood “that you would make the same decision described in the scenario” on a 7 point scale with 1 representing “Definitely would” and 7 representing “Definitively would not”. (see Appendix B)

    12. International Military Testing Association 2003 12 Measures Ethical judgement Eight-item semantic-differential measure developed by Reidenbach and Robin (1998, 1990). Ethical judgement Respondents’ judgements about the morality of the actions in each scenario were assessed with a 7-point, eight-item semantic-differential measure. The ethical judgment scale has been used in several empirical studies and has demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties, with reliability coefficients in the .70 to .90 range. In this study alphas ranged from .90 to .95 across 5 scenarios.  Ethical judgement Respondents’ judgements about the morality of the actions in each scenario were assessed with a 7-point, eight-item semantic-differential measure. The ethical judgment scale has been used in several empirical studies and has demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties, with reliability coefficients in the .70 to .90 range. In this study alphas ranged from .90 to .95 across 5 scenarios.  

    13. International Military Testing Association 2003 13 The scenarios used conveyed a range of unethical behavior Scenario 1 deals with not reporting a member who damaged some equipment by accident (nobody likes a rat) Scenario 5 – While on UN duty, a member gets the required goods and services from the dealer at the black market Scenario 3 – contracting an agency which hired a member on LWOP who previously developed the contract Scenario 2 A career manager does not select the best person for the job, but rather the outspoken one who complained about unfairness and threatened to go to the press. Scenario 4 –A leader overlooked a fake claim for 1,500 that was submitted by a subordinate who will be retiring in a weekThe scenarios used conveyed a range of unethical behavior Scenario 1 deals with not reporting a member who damaged some equipment by accident (nobody likes a rat) Scenario 5 – While on UN duty, a member gets the required goods and services from the dealer at the black market Scenario 3 – contracting an agency which hired a member on LWOP who previously developed the contract Scenario 2 A career manager does not select the best person for the job, but rather the outspoken one who complained about unfairness and threatened to go to the press. Scenario 4 –A leader overlooked a fake claim for 1,500 that was submitted by a subordinate who will be retiring in a week

    14. International Military Testing Association 2003 14 Multilple regression analysis was performed No strong predictors of “recognition” Distribution of “recognition” highly positively skewed: No variability in participants’ responses Problem either with the measure (question) or with the scenarios Leading question Do you believe that there is a moral or ethical issue involved in the above action/decision. Completely agree (1) Completely disagree (7)Multilple regression analysis was performed No strong predictors of “recognition” Distribution of “recognition” highly positively skewed: No variability in participants’ responses Problem either with the measure (question) or with the scenarios Leading question Do you believe that there is a moral or ethical issue involved in the above action/decision. Completely agree (1) Completely disagree (7)

    15. International Military Testing Association 2003 15 The proportion of variance explained by these predictors Scenario 1: 44% of the variance was explained by these predictors Scenario 2: 46% Scenario 3: 64% Scenario 4: 36% Scenario 5 : 53% Regression analysis suggest that perception of the social agreement is a #1 predictor When respondents felt that other people in unit/organization condoned the action they were more likely to judge the action as unethical. Magnitude of consequences and probability of effect also appears to be very important in predicting ethical judgment. When they perceived possible serious consequences of the action and likelihood that the action will produce consequences, they were more likely to judge the action as unethical. By contrast, relatively little emphasis was given to timing (temporal immediacy) or proximity. There is reason for this, which I can speak to in discussion if anyone is interested. The proportion of variance explained by these predictors Scenario 1: 44% of the variance was explained by these predictors Scenario 2: 46% Scenario 3: 64% Scenario 4: 36% Scenario 5 : 53% Regression analysis suggest that perception of the social agreement is a #1 predictor When respondents felt that other people in unit/organization condoned the action they were more likely to judge the action as unethical. Magnitude of consequences and probability of effect also appears to be very important in predicting ethical judgment. When they perceived possible serious consequences of the action and likelihood that the action will produce consequences, they were more likely to judge the action as unethical. By contrast, relatively little emphasis was given to timing (temporal immediacy) or proximity. There is reason for this, which I can speak to in discussion if anyone is interested.

    16. International Military Testing Association 2003 16 Moral Intensity Dimensions Overall proportion of variance explained ranged (Adjusted R- squared) Scenario 1: 32% of the variance was explained by these 3 predictors Scenario 2: 36% Scenario 3: 52% Scenario 4: 30% Scenario 5 : 56% Similar pattern was found for ethical intent. Social consensus is the the most important predictor, followed bymagnitude of consequences and probability of effect. Overall proportion of variance explained ranged (Adjusted R- squared) Scenario 1: 32% of the variance was explained by these 3 predictors Scenario 2: 36% Scenario 3: 52% Scenario 4: 30% Scenario 5 : 56% Similar pattern was found for ethical intent. Social consensus is the the most important predictor, followed bymagnitude of consequences and probability of effect.

    17. International Military Testing Association 2003 17 Preliminary Results Based on the observed results, it appears that social consensus was the most important dimension for the subject in this study. It is followed by magnitude of consequences and probability of effect. What people think about an issue and how they intend to behave is influenced by: Based on the observed results, it appears that social consensus was the most important dimension for the subject in this study. It is followed by magnitude of consequences and probability of effect. What people think about an issue and how they intend to behave is influenced by:

    18. International Military Testing Association 2003 18 So, what?! This study makes several contributions to the moral intensity literature, both in terms of the measurement of moral intensity dimensions, and the exploration of their relationship with three stages of EDM process, but that’s not who pays my salary This study makes several contributions to the moral intensity literature, both in terms of the measurement of moral intensity dimensions, and the exploration of their relationship with three stages of EDM process, but that’s not who pays my salary

    19. International Military Testing Association 2003 19 To create or revise policies which clearly outline unacceptable behaviour and the consequences of those behaviours which will help to develop the consensus among members about what is ethical and what is unethical Ethics programs and training efforts should focus on: ………………………… In other words, the more that people agree that an act or a behaviour is unethical, the more likely it will be generally viewed as unethical, and they will be less likely to form intentions to engage in the action themselves. At the same time, the more likely that people perceive that severe harm will result from the act in question, the more likely people will view that it is an unethical act. One approach which DEP in Canada is trying to implement The groups of organizational peers should discuss the issues they commonly face and with leadership guidance come to a consensus about which issues are unethicall. To create or revise policies which clearly outline unacceptable behaviour and the consequences of those behaviours which will help to develop the consensus among members about what is ethical and what is unethical Ethics programs and training efforts should focus on: ………………………… In other words, the more that people agree that an act or a behaviour is unethical, the more likely it will be generally viewed as unethical, and they will be less likely to form intentions to engage in the action themselves. At the same time, the more likely that people perceive that severe harm will result from the act in question, the more likely people will view that it is an unethical act. One approach which DEP in Canada is trying to implement The groups of organizational peers should discuss the issues they commonly face and with leadership guidance come to a consensus about which issues are unethicall.

    20. International Military Testing Association 2003 20 Appendix

More Related