Generally, ethics is defined as the rule for carrying out certain behaviors by distinguishing between acceptable and unacceptable behavior (Resnik, 2015). In other words, ethics assists in determining whether a decision is right or wrong when given a choice. As a matter of course, decision-making is first predisposed by personal ethic that is constructed on personal experience and conscience (Fritzsche & Oz, 2007) . It tends to be affected by family and friends (Ferrell & Gresham, 1985). Not only does personal ethics guide human behavior but also social ethics (Shaw, 2002).
Understanding and awareness of ethical issues have been referred to in various studies as one of the attributes of an ethical leader [3, 20, 22, 33, 34]. Furthermore, the ability to differentiate between ethical and unethical cases has also been confirmed in other studies as part of ethical sensitivity [4, 5, 7, 35, 36]. Kim et al. believe ethical sensitivity requires insight, intuition, and moral knowing, and an ability to identify moral issues in various situations[9]. On the other hand, participants believed that ethical leaders adhere to ethical principles and values such as honesty, confidentiality and justice.
Kinicki (2017, p.106), outlines that “ethics are the standards of right and wrong that influence behaviour while ethical behaviour is the behaviour accepted as “right” as opposed to “wrong” according to those standards”. In any organisation, it is important that the stakeholders and management focus on the ethics of the business while trying to make profits and becoming productive as this can tarnish the business reputation and performance.When uethical behaviours are ignored they can create serious problems. Managers therefore need to behave ethically as this has a great impact on the business's efficiency and effectiveness. Managers need to realize that they are seen as the role models for their company. Their behaviour will
Since social workers work with a variety of populations, they experience some dilemmas during delivering their services to clients, hence the need for ethical conduct. According to Barker (2003) an ethical dilemma refers to a situation that occurs when two or more moral values seem to be equally legal but contradictory and the practitioner is required to make the best possible choice from among them. So it is important to have ethics that will help in taking ethical decisions. Barker (2003) defines ethics as a system of moral principles and perceptions about right versus wrong and the resulting philosophy of conduct that is practiced by a
What does being ethical mean? Ethical basically means to do the right thing based on your morality. Ethics can be summed up as a standard of behavior. This means you must apply these standards of behavior to the way we live in both our personal and work lives. These standards of behaviors are set by government, professional bodies, organizations and community groups.
Such values and beliefs, when supported by various operating norms and rituals, can exert a decisive influence on the overall ability of the organization to deal with the challenges that it faces (Morgan, 1997). Ethics are the principles that will tell us the right thing to do, or what things are worth doing. Ethics refers to a set of standards governing behavior; it refers to broader-based, value driven rules (Sims, 1992; Jansen and von Glinow, 1985; Kubal, Baker and Coleman, 2006). There is evidence that there is an interaction between individual values and the organizations’ value systems. Thus, when an individual is faced with an ethical dilemma, his or her value system will color the perception of the ethical ramifications of the situation.
In everyday life we make decisions, which in some way affect those around us, but should those decisions benefit us as an individual, or should they benefit the “greater good”? Utilitarianism, based on utility, states that we should, in fact, act for the greater good of the greater majority, rather than what we consider to be best for ourselves. The ethical theory of Utilitarianism was proposed by John Stuart Mills from a qualitative hedonistic view which states that there is only “one foundational good” (Burnor and Raley). Because Utilitarianism states that there is only one right moral standard, it falls under the view of Objectivism, in which there is only one universal moral standard. According to Utilitarianism, Popular Relativism
Deontology and Utilitarianism are similar in that the tenets of each aims at promoting the well-being of others by doing good. However, there are several differences between Deontology and Utilitarianism. Deontology focuses on the moral intention of an act. Utilitarianism focuses on the consequences of an action. Deontological approaches focus on the morality of an action on an individual basis.
This ethical policy usually reveals the ethical standards that are expected in the different areas of business, such as using the internet and computers, making phone calls, employee harassment, and the manner in which company information is supposed to be handled. Such a policy document, therefore, addresses all expectations of the employees and the penalties for misconduct. When companies establish an effective ethical policy, they are able to succeed and grow because many people will have confidence in them and turn to them for business. A good ethical policy also ensures workers develop a good team culture, translating into more success for the business (Ciulla, 2013). This essay will assess the ethical climate of Paradigm Toys, the social responsibility of the company, the ethical training program for the employees, and the
In dealing with conflict situations, ethical behavior should be behind the choices that we make. It necessitates critical analysis and deliberation that leads to choosing one option over the other. There may be other approaches to making ethical decisions; however, our choices shape us as being good or bad, and whether an action that was taken will harm someone or something (Van Aswegen & Engelbreecht, as cited in Pillay,