The UN Convention Against Corruption has called corruption an insidious plague that exists everywhere and hurts the poor disproportionately by diverting funds intended for development, undermining a Governments ability to provide basic services, feeding inequality and injustice and discouraging foreign aid and investment.27 And such agency needs to be at the heart of business ethics. grramire. <> Webmoral relativism theory or more similar to the moral universalism theory and if there are any differences between the arguments. WebBased on the expressed preferences of 163 undergraduate and graduate students of business ethics, this article briefly examines the two most popular theories, Universalism (Kantian) and Utilitarianism (consequentialist), and presents a SWOT analysis of both. The Worlds Most Ethical Companies also provides examples of workforce and workplace legal and moral rights. Ethical Principles and Responsible Decision-Making, 10. endobj At the organizational and societal levels, laws, regulations, and oversight can go a long way toward curtailing illegal activity. The universalizability theory holds two significant views. From a relativists perspective, moral values are only applicable within certain cultures and societies. | 0000017527 00000 n The mainstream in business ethics has declared the collective and selfless end to be the ideal that must guide practice and research. This is especially the case when facts are not available and there is no objective external jurisdiction of the state or federal government. After all, free enterprise has the interests of the enterprise at heart. First, some individuals may disagree about who is virtuous in different situations and therefore would refuse to use that persons character as a principle. 1999-2023, Rice University. Furthermore, most religions have high ethical standards but do not address many of the problems faced in business. This book uses the Some of the principles presented here date back to Plato, Socrates, and even earlier to ancient religious groups. The film The Post, based on fact, portrays how the daughter of the founder of the famed newspaper, the Washington Post, inherited the role of CEO and was forced to make a decision between publishing a whistle-blowers classified government documents of then top-level generals and officials or keep silent and protect the newspaper. Grounded in good character, motives, and core values, the principle is best exemplified by those whose examples show the virtues to be emulated. (5) Do I/we want to assume responsibility for the consequences? When we present the specifics and facts of a situation, this and the other principles begin to make sense, although judgement is still required. then you must include on every digital page view the following attribution: Use the information below to generate a citation. Criticism of the Company and Whistleblowing, 27. 135 0 obj Business ethics theories include the moral principles or codes a company implements to ensure that all individuals working in the company act with acceptable behavior . A few different business ethics theories exist , such as the utilitarian , rights , justice , common good and virtue approach . Using creativity is also important when examining difficult moral decisions when sometimes it may seem that there are two right ways to act in a situation or perhaps no way seems morally right, which may also signal that not taking an action at that time may be needed, unless taking no action produces worse results. Business <>/Border[0 0 0]/Contents(scholar@valpo.edu)/Rect[350.833 72.3516 427.21 82.8984]/StructParent 8/Subtype/Link/Type/Annot>> Marketing Ethics: Selling Controversial Products, 17. Z. Zemlyak - Zen - Zoroastrianism - Zurvanism grramire. We might begin with always honoring the terms of a contract, consistently treating customers and partners with honesty, and never cheating. The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo WebChapter 9. endobj 0000003198 00000 n Mar 18, 2019 OpenStax. Freeman's stakeholder theory, on the other hand, is seen as being on the other end of the continuum, arguing for selflessnessanother misinterpretation, as I argue with Ed Freeman's help. At the organizational and societal levels, laws, regulations, and oversight can go a long way toward curtailing illegal activity. After all, literature that has stood the test of time can provide tremendous insight into human behavior, and Homer or Shakespeare may be more relevant to contemporary executive leadership than a business seminar on how to motivate employees. Countries and cultures that follow this orientation can result in dictatorships and absolutist regimes that practice different forms of slavery and abuse to large numbers of people. For example, South Africas all-white National Party and government after 1948 implemented and enforced a policy of apartheid that consisted of racial segregation. The first view uses universality to distinguish the moral from non-moral. Can business ethics provide one? One model of ethical behavior, sometimes called the humanistic business model, may provide the answer for businesses that wish to achieve the dual goal of human flourishing and responsible profits. Some limitations of this principle suggest that it does not consider individuals, and there is no agreement on the definition of good for all concerned. In addition, it is difficult to measure costs and benefits. This is one of the most widely used principles by corporations, institutions, nations, and individuals, given the limitations that accompany it. But what does love look like in a business setting? <>/Border[0 0 0]/Contents(Business Commons)/Rect[137.2383 212.4906 226.2812 224.2094]/StructParent 6/Subtype/Link/Type/Annot>> As you read these, ask yourself which principles characterize and underlie your own values, beliefs, behaviors, and actions. That policy lasted until the 1990s, when several parties negotiated its demisewith the help of Nelson Mandela (www.history.com/topics/apartheid). How are they related? Applying this principle is related to a quick test before acting or making a decision by asking, What would my best self do in this situation? Others ask the question inserting someone they know or honor highly. They prescribe obligations for everybody, define Thus, love, as responsibility, depends on relationships based on good faith and concern. WebUniversalism: broadmindedness; wisdom; social justice; equality; a world at peace; a world of beauty; unity with nature; protecting the environment; inner harmony Benevolence: helpfulness; honesty; forgiveness; loyalty; responsibility; friendship Tradition: accepting one's portion in life; humility; devoutness; respect for tradition; moderation Also, the issue arises, Who defines virtuous, especially when a complex act or incident is involved that requires factual information and objective criteria to resolve?, The common good is defined as the sum of those conditions of social life which allow social groups and their individual members relatively thorough and ready access to their own fulfillment. Decision makers must take into consideration the intent as well as the effects of their actions and decisions on the broader society and the common good of the many.20, Identifying and basing decisions on the common good requires us to make goals and take actions that take others, beyond ourselves and our self-interest, into account. Many leaders character and actions serve as examples of how character-based virtues work. It has often been an intellectual norm for researchers and authors to classically characterise ethics into two divisions of normative notions. A result was enflamed widespread public protests from American youth and others. Grounded in good character, motives, and core values, the principle is best exemplified by those whose examples show the virtues to be emulated. In opposition to moral relativism, moral universalismalso called moral objectivismholds that there are objective right or wrong actions, independently of the At the individual level, then, principles and values offer a source of stability and self-control while also affecting job satisfaction and performance. Obvious limitations of relativism include following ones blind spots or self-interests that can interfere with facts and reality. Images. (4) Who has to pay for the consequences? At the individual level, when corruption takes place, it is a matter of conscience. > This book explores the reasons why grappling with universality and ethics From these systems has emerged a basic set of ethical norms for the business world. 1 Quiz Canvas. Many companies in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere were pressured in the 1980s and before by public interest groups whether or not to continue doing business or leave South Africa. Finally, if normative business ethics is to recognize and, ultimately, be based on the individual, it must address another human trait: bias. *$nMY9s:SZC;>M:yREn\rDk~iG']rDn>v]1m7@u,sI>wQZVmb^emU(W y Q)\u58y.? It is either less clear what to do or harder to do it because of constant pressure to increase the organizations profitability and the perception that everybody else is doing it.29. 137 0 obj It is an orientation that many use quite frequently. WebCHAPTER 2 MORAL RELATIVISM - Objectivism: there is only one universal moral standard (based on objective moral facts and consists of moral values and principles that hold universal for people and societies) - Can adjust to circumstances is not morally rigid - Ex. The 10th edition reflects the current, multidisciplinary nature of the field by explicitly embracing a variety of perspectives on business ethics, including philosophy, management, and legal studies. 132 0 obj If you need friends or relationships in the government bureaucracy in order to get your imports cleared or your license extended, then that means particularism. A simple way of summarizing this principle when examining a moral dilemma is to ask of a proposed action or decision: (1) Is it fair? The following section discusses how ethical leadership at the top and throughout organizations affects ethical actions and behaviors.21. Accommodating Different Abilities and Faiths, 29. WebUniversalism in ethics may be identified with claims about the form, scope or content of ethical principles, or with the very idea that ethical judgment appeals to principles, rather than to particular cases. 131 0 obj The classified documents contained information proving that generals and other top-level government administrators were lying to the public about the actual status of the United States in the Vietnam War. Feelings may come and go, but the solidarity that people have with each other and the care they take with one another define them as human beings (Figure 5.8). In the United States, companies spend more than $70 billion annually on ethics training; worldwide, the figure is more than double that.30 0000004093 00000 n <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 125 0 R/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> In fact, we could argue that anything that makes an impact on people should legitimately be within the scope of business. consent of Rice University. The classified documents contained information proving that generals and other top-level government administrators were lying to the public about the actual status of the United States in the Vietnam War. Some limitations when using this principle are (1) it can be used to disguise and manipulate selfish and unjust political interests, (2) it is difficult to determine who deserves what when both parties are right, and (3) individuals can exaggerate certain entitlements at the expense of others. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.. Only the individuals self-interest and values are relevant for judging his or her behavior. Principles help inform and influence values. WebUniversal ethical egoism is occasionally seized upon by popular writers, including amateur historians, sociologists, and philosophers, who proclaim that it is the obvious answer to As the LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) scandal, in which banks were manipulating rates to profit from trades, showed, ethical breakdowns often occur because systems fail or people make bad decisions, and sometimes both. Bribery was also at the heart of the FIFA (Fdration Internationale de Football Association) corruption scandal, in which soccer officials, marketing executives, and broadcasters were accused of racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2015. Intellectual, emotional, and social biases affect all decision-making, including those of an ethical nature. Virtue ethics is based on character traits such as being truthful, practical wisdom, happiness, flourishing, and well-being. . https://scholar.valpo.edu/jvbl/vol8/iss2/3, ValpoScholar Home The Supreme Court upheld her and her staffs decision. Scandals. <>stream However, middle managers and employees often complain their ethics training consists of passing a computerized sexual harassment or fraud program once a year but that nothing is done to address issues in a substantive way or to change the culture of the organization, even those that have experienced problems.31 141 0 obj As some have asked, What is a human life worth?. And although a good system of law incorporates ethical standards, the law can and sometimes does deviate from what is ethical. 2 (2015), Universalism and Utilitarianism: An Evaluation of Two Popular Moral Theories in Business Decision Making. So, universalist ethical principles may present difficulties when used in complex situations, but such principles can also save lives, protect the integrity of a nation, and stop meaningless destruction. Practical wisdom, however, is often required to be virtuous. endobj The main principles of business ethics are based in academia and on academic writings on proper business operations. It is not only a method to make a decision; it is a way of incorporating a humane consideration of and for individuals and groups when deciding a course of action. Theories of Business Ethics. WebUniversalism. Richard DeGeorge (1933) of the University of Kansas describes what adding the humanities to business education entails: Students do not need psychosociological jargon in their business interactions. Organizational responsibility is fairly straightforward: Comply with applicable local, state, national, and international regulations. Ethical relativism is really not a principle to be followed or modeled. This is even more important in industries like banking that are more susceptible to unethical behavior because of the great sums of money that change hands. One distinctive understanding of universalism in ethics is that ethical principles are principles for everybody.
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