Conflict and Ethics

Question 1

Define conflict

Answer 1

When the actions of one system interact with another system in such a way that they cannot attain their outcomes.

Question 2

Low conflict vs high conflict?

Answer 2

Too low:
stagnant and lack of innovation e.g. maturity stage of business life.

Too high:
Disruptive and uncooperative.

Question 3

What are the 5 way to avoid conflict?

Answer 3

1) Avoiding and pretending the issue doesn’t exist.
2) Competing: High assertiveness by the boss, used when quick decision needed.
3) Accommodating: One party placing interests of other party above their own.
4) Compromising: Each party gives up something.
5) Collaboration: When both parties acknowledge the other party has a point. Work to achieve both.

Question 4

Define diversity!!

Answer 4

All the ways people differ.

Question 5

What are the 2 attitudes towards diversity?

Answer 5

Monoculture: Caused by ethnocentrism, culture that accepts only one way of doing things and one set of values and beliefs.

Pluralism: Caused by ethnorelativism. Org that accommodates and fully integrates several cultures.

Question 6

Define ethics

Answer 6

The morals and values that influence our day-to-day decisions.

Question 7

Define ethical dilemma

Answer 7

A moral situation in which there is a clash of ethics, making decision-making difficult.

Question 8

What are the 3 most well-known ethical theories?

Answer 8

1) Virtue ethics + ethics of care
2) Deontological
3) Teleological

Question 9

Define virtue theory and ethics of care

Answer 9

Virtue Theory: Proposed by Aristotle, must develop virtues to being an “excellent” person.

Ethics of care: caring for others using feminine virtues such as empathy, selflessness and caring.

Question 10

Define deontological theories

Answer 10

Focused not on consequences, but the duty we have to others.

Question 11

Define teleological theories

Answer 11

Moral rightness is determined by the consequences.

Question 12

Examples of Virtue Ethics?

Answer 12

Company buying materials from unethical places. Making sure workers are in correct work conditions.

Question 13

Criticisms of Virtue Ethics

Answer 13

• Cannot call a person virtuous based on 1 action.

- No straightforward guidance on how to react to ethical scenarios. Depends on what we view as virtues.

Question 14

Examples of ethics of care

Answer 14

Using example of unfair working conditions, consider in terms of equality, how it would feel if it were you.

Question 15

Criticisms of ethics of care

Answer 15

Similar to virtue ethics, no straightforward guidance.

May value those closer to us.

Question 16

Define Kant’s ethics

D

Answer 16

Treat others as you would want to be treated. e.g. making a promise with no intention of keeping it is not morally right, because then promises would have no use.

Question 17

Example of Kant’s ethics

Answer 17

A company marketing a product that would be unsafe if used by unknowing consumers. Would you want this product marketed if you were one of these consumers? Back to exploited workers, you would not want to be exploited, therefore it is wrong to exploit workers.

Question 18

Limitations to Kant’s ethics

Answer 18

Too restrictive. You wouldn’t want to kill, but what if millions of lives would be saved?

Question 19

Define W.D. Ross’ ethics

(D)

Answer 19

We all have moral obligations, but we also have more important obligations as individuals.

Question 20

Define Egoism

(T)

Answer 20

Act is morally right if it affirms one’s long-term interests.

Question 21

Example of Egoism?

Answer 21

Using egoism, the exploited workers may further one’s position in the company if it works out.

Question 22

Define Utilitarianism

(T)

Answer 22

An action is right or wrong based on the amount of good produced for the most people.

Question 23

Criticisms of utilitarianism?

Answer 23

Morally grey.