Business ethics

Values & Ethics in
Business
X420 Discussion Session #80
Kelley School of Business

Values
 Abstract ideals that shape an individual’s
thinking and behavior – a moral compass
 Instrumental values – certain way of
behaving is appropriate in all situations –
“means”.
 Terminal values – enduring belief in the
attainment of a certain end state –
“ends”.

A moral compass
These abstract ideals can result from
 Religion
 Philosophy
 Family teachings

Instrumental values
As the means to an end they become
the ingrained ways of behavior:
 Rituals
 Politesse
 Good habits

Terminal values
With the end always in sight:
 Heaven
 Respect
 Financial Success
 Personal Independence
 Power

Ethics
 The study of moral obligation
involving the distinction between
right and wrong.
 Business Ethics: right or wrong in
the workplace – value
management.

Two Areas of Business
Ethics
 Moral mazes
RIGHT vs. RIGHT
 Obvious mischief

Common Misconduct
in Organizations
 Misrepresenting hours worked
 Employees lying to supervisors
 Management lying to employees,
customers, vendors or the public
 Misuse of organizational assets
 Lying on reports/falsifying records
 Sexual harassment
 Stealing/theft
 Accepting or giving bribes or kickbacks
 Withholding needed information from
employees, customers, vendors or public

Common Causes of
Unethical Behavior
 Pressure
 Fear
 Greed
 Convenience

Causes of Unethical
Behavior (cont’d)
 Following boss’s directives
 Meeting overly aggressive
business/financial objectives
 Helping the organization survive
 Meeting schedule pressures
 Be a team player (group think)
 Rationalizing that others do it
 Resisting competitive threats
 Advancing own career

Ethical Dilemmas
Making decisions under stress or
dealing with complex issues that
have no clear indication of what is
right or wrong.
There are NO simple ethical dilemmas…
all have layers of meaning and effect.

Business Ethics Myths
 Business ethics is a new fad.
 Business ethics – religion vs.
management.
 Business ethics is obvious – “do
good!”
 Business ethics is good guys
preaching to bad guys.

“Whistleblower’s”
Reluctance
 Didn’t believe action would be
taken.
 Feared retaliation from mgmt.
 Didn’t trust confidentiality.
 Feared not being a team player.
 Feared retaliation from co-workers.
 Didn’t know who to contact.
 Nobody cares, why should I?

Business Ethics Myths
(cont’d)
 Ethics can’t be managed.
 Being legal = being ethical.
 Managing ethics has little practical
relevance.

Ethical Tips for
Organizations
 Develop a code of ethics.
 Communicate code and bake it
into culture top-down.
 Treat ethics as a process.
 Create open lines of
communication.
 Set good examples.
 Educate employees – frame issues
through storytelling.
 Value forgiveness.

Benefits of Managing
Ethics in the Workplace
 Improves society.
 Maintains a moral course in
turbulent times.
 Cultivates employee teamwork,
productivity, morale and
development.
 Acts as an insurance policy.

Benefits of Managing
Ethics in the Workplace
(cont’d)
 Establishes values for quality
management, strategic planning
and diversity management.
 Promotes strong public image.
 It is the RIGHT thing to do!

Ethical Tips for
Individuals
 Establish personal values.
 Be aware of ethical events.
 Develop critical thinking
techniques.
 Be reflective.
 Make it a priority every day.

“The simple step of a simple
courageous man is to not take
part in the lie, not to support
deceit. Let the lie come into the
world, even dominate the world,
but not through me.”
-- Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Puzzling things out….
As we watch the video vignettes,
keep these questions in mind:
1) What is the ethical dilemma?
2) What is the apparent cause of the
unethical behavior?
3) Is there an ethical resolution to the
problem portrayed?
4) If so, who should do what?

EVALUATION QUESTIONS:
Values and Ethics in Business - #80
 USE:
 a. Strongly agree
 b. Agree
 c. Disagree
 d. Strongly
disagree
 e. Don’t know
1. I found the presentation material
easy to understand.
2. This Advantage session increased
my knowledge of the subject presented.
3. I will be able to use some of the
information from this session in the
future.
4. The presenter was well prepared for this Advantage session.
5. This presentation should be repeated in future semesters.

Business ethics

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