Chapter 6: Ethics and Social Responsibility

Question 1

Ethics

Answer 1

Code of moral principles that governs whether a person’s behaviour is right or wrong

Individuals are not born with a particular understanding of a shared ethical makeup: they are born into a societal ethical system and then learn it as they grow and mature.

Question 2

Ethical Perspectives:1) What is good for me

Answer 2

Focuses on each person and his or her behaviour.

Ethical egoism - Perspective that suggests the right behavior is one that creates the greatest good for the individual

In other words people should do what in their own best intrest. They do not think selfishly only think for themselves they at times can promote the greater good.

Question 3

Ethical egoism

Answer 3

Perspective that suggests the right behavior is one that creates the greatest good for the individual

Question 4

Ethical Perspectives : 2)What’s good for the greatest number of people

Answer 4

That individuals should so what’s creates the best benefit for the general good – as opposed to focusing on individual needs.

Utilitarian approach - Perspective that suggests people should do what creates the best benefit for the greatest number of people

Question 5

Utilitarian approach

Answer 5

Perspective that suggests people should do what creates the best benefit for the greatest number of people

Question 6

There are two main types of utiliarium:

Answer 6

1. Act utilitarian – the focus is on which actions are likely to result in the greater good for most people. The focus centres on the specific situation – which is the best thing for the greatest good.

Situational ethics – an approach that recognizes that contexts change, and actions that are superior in one particular situation may not be as effective in a different situation.

2. Rule utilitarianism – rather than focusing on actions or situations, this approach asks for individuals to consider what general rule should be in place that will result in the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Question 7

Ethical Perspectives : 3)What action respects the moral rights of everyone involved

Answer 7

Holds that each individual has the ability to decide freely how they choose to live their lives and a duty to respect others in the same way.

Question 8

Moral right approach

Answer 8

Perspective that suggests equal respect must be given to all people regardless of whether this results in greater utility

Question 9

Categorical imperative

Answer 9

Perspective proposed by Immanuel Kant that states a person should consistently take the same morally right action, no matter the consequences

Question 10

Ethical Perspective: 4) What you believe is good for you: what I believe is good for me

Answer 10

Focuses on rules or actions that respect the moral rights for everyone.

Question 11

Relativist perspective -

Answer 11

Perspective that acknowledges multiple approaches to ethical behavior based on different cultural norms

Question 12

Ethical Perspective:5) What would an ethical person do?

Answer 12

Asks the question – what would an ethical person do?

Question 13

Virtue ethics

Answer 13

Perspective that focuses on individuals and their character traits, traits worthy of praise

Question 14

Ethical Perspective:6) Is it fair?

Answer 14

-Justice approach

Question 15

Justice approach

Answer 15

Perspective grounded in the notion of equality and fairness

• Distributive justice
• Procedural justice

Question 16

Distributive justice -

Answer 16

Principle that refers to individual perceptions of the fairness of outcomes people receive for what they do

Question 17

Procedural justice

Answer 17

Perception of fairness in the procedures used to make organizational decisions

Question 18

Ethical dilemma

Answer 18

Problem or situation for which a person must choose alternative actions that in some cases may compromise an ethical principle

Question 19

Ethical decision-making (EDM) model

Answer 19

Four-step process to assist individuals with making appropriate moral decisions

• Awareness
• Judgement
• Motivation
• Behavior

Question 20

Moral awareness

Answer 20

Recognition that a person’s response to a specific situation could affect their interests as well as those of others in beneficial or harmful ways and that a moral perspective is valid

Question 21

Socialization

Answer 21

– the process by which individuals learn about values and traditions of some larger group. These are based on family values, company values or societal values.

Question 22

Issue firming

Answer 22

refers to the way in which information about a problem is presented.

Question 23

Moral Judgement

Answer 23

Person’s ability to generate and assess options to deal with a situation that is raising moral awareness by considering choices and potential consequences to determine an ethical course of action

Factors that affect it:
- Age
- Experiences
- Rules and laws
- High levels of moral thought
- Cognitive moral development

Question 24

Moral Motivation

Answer 24

Person’s intention or commitment to take action considered ethical in nature over other competing interests

Question 25

Moral behaviour

Answer 25

Person’s ability to act in a manner consistent with an ethical course of action and follow through with an ethical decision

Question 26

Moral intensity

Answer 26

The degree to which a person views a specific situation as an ethical issue

Several factors impact the level of moral intensity:

• Magnitude of consequences: The degree to which a person views a specific situation as an ethical issue
• Social consensus: The degree of agreement in a social group that the decision maker’s potential actions are bad or good.
• Probability of effect: The probability the act will take place and whether it will cause harm or benefit.
• Temporal immediacy: The length of time from the decision makers actions to the concequences experienced by others.
• Proximity: How close the decision maker is to those affected by his or her decisions.
• Concentration of effect: The number of people affected by the decision makers actions

Question 27

Bad apple perspective

Answer 27

suggests that unethical behaviour is a result of a couple bad apples in a group.

We focus on 2 more comm considerations:
1. Cognitive moral development
2. Loss of control

Question 28

1. Cognitive moral development

Answer 28

Framework developed by Lawrence Kohlberg that identifies six stages individuals go through to develop moral reasoning

Preconvention level:
- Focused on self interest or personal consequences
- Rewards and avoiding punishment are very affective here
- Not limited to kids
- Also called instrumental morality

Conventional level:
- Also includes society, family and peers

Postconvention level:
- About the values they subscribe to regarding justice and reasoning rather than the influence of others.

Question 29

2. Loss of control

Answer 29

Extent to which individuals believe they have control over events in their lives

Question 30

Internal control

Answer 30

when one believes that outcomes are a result of ones efforts

Question 31

External control

Answer 31

when one views events in life as beyond their control and base don fate, luck or destiny.

Question 32

Bad barrels perspective

Answer 32

suggests that the organizational context is the reason for unethical behaviour. Organizational reward systems, corporate culture, and lack of enforcement of rules have been identified as contributing to unethical behaviour.

Question 33

Whistle-blower

Answer 33

Person who reports misconduct by an organization or other employees to the public or a higher authority

Question 34

Code of ethics

Answer 34

Formal statement of expected behavior that serves as the rules of conduct in an organization

Question 35

Ethical leadership

Answer 35

A leader’s ability to conform to laws and regulations; treat others fairly, honestly, and respectfully; and use power so as not to exploit others or put one’s self-interest ahead of others

Question 36

Corporate Social Responsibility -

Answer 36

A leader’s ability to conform to laws and regulations; treat others fairly, honestly, and respectfully; and use power so as not to exploit others or put one’s self-interest ahead of others

Question 37

Stakeholders

Answer 37

Any individual or group who is impacted by the organization

Question 38

Stakeholder theory

Answer 38

Principle that suggests all those affected by organizations have a right to participate in directing their actions