Ethics and Values
• Define “Ethics”– This is about what we think we “Should”
• Definition: ?
• Define “Values”– This is about what we “Actually” embrace
• Definition: ?
Ethics
• What is this really?– Take a look – a pretty good look at ….. Ethics from
Santa Clara• http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/whatisethics.html
But knowing what it is doesn’t explaine “Why to Human Beings Do What They Do?”
• To Start to Understand ….– We begin with psychological contributions
• There are 4 areas of contribution– 1. Values– 2. Attitudes– 3. Perception – 4. Learning
• Attitudes, Perceptions, and Learning fit into a different part of our understanding ….
…but Values are well worth exploring!
Values
• Define Values?• Basic convictions – one mode of conduct is preferable
to another• Judgmental element carrying individual’s ideas about
right, good, or desirable (and the opposites)
What are Value Systems?
• They prioritize individual values– The weight assigned to values such as:
• Freedom• Pleasure• Self-respect• Honesty• Obedience• Equality
– Or the rank ordering you did earlier with the 34 items.
Kohlberg (researcher)
Stages of Moral Development as a Basis for Moral Education
• Level One – Self Centered• Obedience and Punishment orientation
• Avoid physical punishment
• Instrumental Purpose and Exchange – • Following rules when in my interest
• Level Two – Conformity• Interpersonal Accord – Mutual Expectations
• Good behavior -- peers and those close to you
• Social Accord & System Maintenance• Fulfilling duties -- contributing
Kohlberg2
Stages of Moral Development as a Basis for Moral Education
• Level Three – Principled– Social Contract – Individual Rights
• Aware people hold a variety of values• Relative to the group
– Universal Ethical Principles• Following self-chosen ethical principles of justice and
rights• Law vs. principles – act in accordance with principles
Ethical FrameworksBelow are the most modest descriptors of the Frameworks
• Take a moment with a search engine and expand the descriptors….
• Utilitarianism – greatest good
• Individual Rights – personal entitlements
• Justice Principle – fairness, equity, impartiality
• Caring Principle – well being of others
• Environmentalism – person–land relationships
Does a person’s generational standing or other identifier make a difference in values?
• You saw the generational chart earlier…• Now group people by some broad brush
strokes………. And ask ourselves about
• Age?• Nationality?• Region of upbringing? (south, east, midwest, west,…)• Politics?• Education?
Again, another look at Dominant Values in Today’s workforce
Robbins
• Veterans» 65+ Hardworking, conservative,
• Loyal to organization
• Boomers» 40’s – 60’s Success, achievement, ambition, dislike authority
• Loyal to career
• Xers» 30’s – 40’s Work/life balance, teams, dislike rules
• Loyal to relationships
• Nexters» Under 30 Confident, $ success, self-reliant ,
• Loyal to both self and relationships
Is there a logical line of thinking that might help to explain or answer the question?:Has there been a decline in Business Ethics? (because it seems like it)
Possible Partial explanation
• Vets leave Loyalty to employer• Best for the organization
• Boomers take over Loyalty to career• Best for #1
• Xers coming up Loyalty to relationships• Implications of actions
So… can other values issues be explained as well (or possibly explained)?
• How about values around the world?– Do different cultures have different values?
• Well, yes! (I think …. Don’t I?)
– How would you find out? (easy way is look it up on the internet – but I want you to think about how you would find out? Not what someone thinks, but what we know because we have tested it out)
Geert HofstedeNot his son, Gert
• Google him – take a quick look at Wikipedia (I know it isn’t what I recommend but really….)
• So the big study he did …– IBM employees– 116,000– 40 countries– Produced 5 dimensions
• What are they? Look it up
• Power – distance • Acceptance of distribution of power
• Individualism/collectivism• Prefer to act ……
• Achievement/Nurturing
• Uncertainty avoidance• Structure vs. unstructured
• Long Term / Short Term
Finally … Here are some steps to Ethical Decision Making:
• Define the problem accurately• Define the problem from the other side• State the historical background to events• Consider where are your loyalties• What do you want to accomplish
– Compare intention with probable results
• Whom could get injured (multiple definitions)
• Can you discuss with parties involved• Valid over long time frame• Can you disclose• Exceptions?
Nash – Ethics without the sermon -- HBR
Attitudes• Attitude is a hypothetical construct – it is made up
• Cannot be directly observed – we look at what people do and infer what their attitude is – (think of an ice berg, we only see
10% of what is actually there)
• Attitude directs Behaviour
• Attitudes are persistent – until something changes them
• Attitudes range from very favourable to very unfavourable.
THREE COMPONENTS OF ATTITUDES
• Cognitive Component – The opinion or belief segment of an attitude.
• Affective Component – The emotional or feeling segment of an attitude.
• Behavioral Component – An intention to behave in a certain way towards someone or something.
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CHANGING ATTITUDES• Barriers to changing attitudes:1. Prior commitment2. Insufficient information• Methods to overcome barriers and change attitudes:1. Providing new information2. Use of fear3. Resolving Discrepancies4. Influence of friends and peers5. The co-opting approach
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Attitudes(just briefly)
• Are evaluative statements• They reflect how we feel about something
» Objects, people, events
• OB focuses on job-related attitudes– Job involvement – how involved are people and why– Organizational commitment – how committed are
people to the organization – – Job satisfaction – how satisfied are people with
their job.» Most attention is placed on Job Satisfaction
Determinants of Job Satisfaction
• Mentally challenging work
• Equitable rewards
• Supportive working conditions
• Supportive colleagues
• The following slide is a simple model of the interrelatedness of Values, Attitudes and other factors and how they impact an individuals behavior.
Values
Attitudes
Personality
Ability
Motivation
Perception
Learning
IndividualBehavior
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