Understanding Unethical Decisions: An Ethical Learning Module
In this module, we explore the concept of unethical decisions, utilizing insights from the Ethics Learning Module film. Participants will engage in a hands-on exercise, documenting their responses to ethical dilemmas and computing averages for comparison. A group discussion will analyze areas of agreement and disagreement regarding ethical choices. The module emphasizes the cultural, organizational, and individual influences on ethical behavior, and introduces various ethical models such as the Utilitarian, Moral Rights, and Justice models. We conclude with reflections on promoting ethical behavior in the workplace.
Understanding Unethical Decisions: An Ethical Learning Module
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Presentation Transcript
Day 2 • Discuss Ethics Learning Module • What makes a decision unethical? • Use notes in film
Hands on Exercise (p 30) • On a separate sheet of paper, write down your response and compute your average. • Compare/discuss your answers on items where there is disagreement. • Were there more or less items where group members agreed? Disagreed?
Ethics • Study of moral issues and choices • Moral implications spring from virtually every decision . . . on and off the job
2-12 Figure 2-5 A Model of Ethical Behavior in the Workplace Cultural Influences - Family - Education -Religion - Media/entertainment RoleExpectations Individual - Personality - Values - Moral principles - History of reinforcement - Gender Organizational Influences - Ethical codes - Organizational culture - Role models - Perceived pressure for results - Rewards/punishment system Ethical behavior Political/legal/ economic influences
Approaches to Ethical Situations • Ethical decision tree • Ethical Models: Approach to ethical situations requiring an understanding of relevant stakeholders and criteria for deciding on “ethics” of a situation
Ethical Models • Utilitarian model: An ethical decision is one that produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people. • Moral rights model: An ethical decision is one that best maintains and protects the fundamental rights and privileges of the people affected by it. • Justice model: An ethical decision is one that distributes benefits and harm among stakeholders in a fair, equitable, or impartial way.
Fourth Quarter Deal and IBM • What are the similarities and differences between these two situations? (Ignore the scope of the transaction and focus on the questions on Fig A-2.)
General Moral Principles • Dignity of human life • Autonomy . . right to self determination • Honesty . . the truth should be told to those who have the right to know • Loyalty . . fidelity, keep promises, etc. • Fairness • Humaneness • Common good
Ethical Behavior – Additional Thoughts • Hiring right people, firing undesirables, modeling behavior, etc. not sufficient. • Example: Women in SUNAT and police women in Peru • Reduce opportunities for unethical behavior (through design of control systems and processes)
